AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But the problem is I realize I’m genuinely worried about her. I care about her enough that I don’t want to ruin it. On the outside, I keep up the cocky persona, but inside there's a major shift in my heart and soul.
In life, I learned it doesn't pay to get close to anyone. It's too dangerous, for both Noelle and myself. Anyone could be taken away at a moment's notice.
And yet, Noelle has something shifting inside me. A need, a desire to please. She's working her way inside me, even if she doesn't realize it. Even when I fight it.
It scares me, and it thrills me.
I glance at her. She’s still staring out the window, a pensive look silhouetting her face.
“Noelle?”
“Hm?” she says, face still pressed to the window.
“Hungry?”
She glances at me and frowns, then shakes her head.
Okay, so it’s not food. “You’re not… er, at that time of the month, are you?”
Her lips twitch a little and she gives me a bemused look. “No, why? What’s this about?”
“You look ready to leap out of my car and return home.”
“No, I’m just—“
“Anxious?”
She nods. “Something like that.”
Okay.
I can't stop stealing glances at the side of her beautiful face, the knot of hair that I’m dying to unwind, to feel the heavy weight of her silky mane of hair slide across and between my fingers, then along my skin. I place my hand on her thigh and say, “Everything's going to be fine, Noelle. Trust me.”
She smiles at me but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
Pulling into the venue’s parking garage, I kill the engine and turn to her. “You ready for this?”
“Yeah, of course. Fake it till we make it, right?”
"We can do this. But are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Let’s do this.” Without waiting for an answer, she opens the car door and gets out. I sigh and follow her lead.
“Noelle, before we go in…”
She looks at me, but doesn’t smile. “Yes?”
I hate that something is off with her, but I have no idea how I can help her. “Just let me know when you start to get bored, okay?”
“Why? You planning to whisk me away?”
“Yes.” I lean in to place a tender kiss on her shoulder. “That’s exactly the plan.”
And her smile is reward enough even if it only lasts a few seconds.
The event's in full swing by the time we get inside.
Entering the master lounge of the venue, I make a straight beeline for the open bar and Noelle quietly steals away to visit the restroom.
