“I know, Noah. I was there.”
“Married with a kid,” he repeats, running his hands through his hair as he closes his eyes. “It makes sense, all of it. I’m so dumb. I was too caught up to see what was really going on. I’m just some secret affair to her.”
“I don’t think it’s just that, Noah. Maybe there’s more—”
“Wait, you’re defending her?” He turns his head swiftly, eyes blazing at me.
“No,” I say, raising my hands in frustration. “I’m not defending her, but maybe there’s something missing here. She doesn’t strike me as someone who would have an affair and jeopardize her family.”
“Yeah, and you don’t strike me as someone who enjoys lesbian anal fisting,” he says, monotone.
My mouth gapes open, and I quickly try to cover it up. “What makes you think that?”
“I accidentally saw it on your phone when my battery died yesterday. I needed to check the Lakers score.”
I cough, beet red, unable to speak clearly. “It was for research purposes.”
“That’s what they all say. I’m not judging you. If you want to get fisted in your ass by another girl, then so be it. And, hey…” he says with a devilish smile, “… I’m free now, so I’ll book courtside tickets.”
“Ha-ha,” I respond sarcastically. “Stop saying ‘fisted.’ It’s weird. Besides, it stemmed from a conversation with Eric.”
“Let’s go home,” I say, defeated, wondering how I can drag him to the car.
“Only if you’ll fuck me.”
From the moment Noah and I met, we had this connection. We grooved so effortlessly, making it comfortable for us to be ourselves. We gave it just as hard as we received it. But somewhere over the last two weeks, something has shifted between us.
There was a moment, beside me in my bed, when this line we both agreed needed to stay between us, suddenly obscured.
I saw him differently.
And craved him immensely.
I blame my insecurities and a broken heart for latching onto what I thought was more. So, I pulled away in the best interests for both of us. It’s obvious to see Noah has developed strong feelings for Morgan, scared by his own journey into uncharted territory.
As for me, I have a lot of emotional baggage to work through and started the recovery process once again to piece myself back together.
But, Noah’s actions and words question everything between us.
We drive silently to Charlie’s house. I expect him to pass out on the ride, but the alcohol almost works in reverse. His eyes are wide, too alert for someone who drank so much.
When I pull into the driveway, I turn off the engine. It’s way past midnight, on the brink of dawn. I have to be on a plane to Napa in a few hours and freshly attired to meet some business associates.
Noah shuffles beside me. “I meant what I said.”
I shut him down, refusing to do this. “No.”
“C’mon, I just need… you know—”
“You want a rebound. Someone, to take your mind off her?”
“Promise I’ll get hard this time. Look…” he place’s my hand on his cock, and true to his word, he’s rock hard. “See?”
I remove my hand, exiting the car, and walking to the passenger side to open his door. Instead of getting out, he twists his body, sliding his hand up the side of my ribcage, whispering, “Please, Kate, let me fuck you. I promise you’ll forget about him, too.”
The weight of his touch is sending mixed messages throughout my body. I crave the touch of a man, a man who will give me what I need. Yet Noah will only half satisfy me. The physical connection will be amazing, but his mind will be elsewhere.
Certainly, not on me.