Beyond the Sea

Ugh! I hated how much I liked it when he said my name like that. Hesitantly, I approached.

I stood before him, and he caught my chin in his hand. He touched me softly, and I suppressed a shiver as he tipped my chin up. When he brought the lipstick to my lips I moved away. “No. Don’t put that on me. It’s not mine.”

“But it’ll look good on you,” he murmured, and something between my legs pulsed. It was like he hypnotised me. When he lifted the lipstick again, I didn’t move away. His pupils dilated. I swear I stopped breathing as he glided it across my lips. When he was finished, he stepped back, tilting his head as he surveyed me.

“You look powerful.”

I wrinkled my brow. “Don’t be silly.”

At this he moved close. Placing his hands on my hips, he turned me to face the mirror. “See?” he whispered.

I stared at my reflection, trembling because he was right. Somehow the red made me look fierce and uncompromising. It was a heady feeling. My lips looked fuller and more sensual than before. I’d worn lipstick but never such a bold shade as this.

“Kiss the mirror,” Noah encouraged with a light push on my hips. As though in a trance, I leaned forward, pressing my lips to the cool glass. The approval in Noah’s gaze made me feel alive, like I was possessed by his wildness. “You kill me,” he breathed.

I was imprisoned in his stare, unable to look away. Breaking the silence, a car door slammed across the street, ripping me from the trance. I jolted and stepped back, feeling a chill.

“Can we go now?” I whispered.

“Not yet. First you need to help me mess up the bed.”

He leapt on the large double bed, jumping up and down like a kid before flopping onto his back.

I swallowed tightly at the smouldering look he gave me. “I think you’re doing a fine job of that on your own.”

“Nah, it’s a two-person job,” he replied, reaching out and pulling me down onto the bed with him. I shrieked and giggled when he started tickling me, his fingers under my armpits.

“Stop!” I gasped, wriggling beneath him. “I can’t handle this. I’m too ticklish.”

Noah quit his assault, making me suddenly aware of how he hovered over me, his beautiful green eyes taking me in. “You’re staring,” I whispered.

“I know,” he whispered back.

“Well, stop.” I pushed at his chest. He didn’t budge.

“I don’t want to.”

I inhaled, a little dizzy with how close he was. I got lost in his eyes yet again before I sternly reminded myself exactly where we were, and why we shouldn’t be spending time messing around.

“I can feel your heart beating,” Noah said, his hand around my wrist. His thumb brushed back and forth over the sensitive inner spot. “It’s so fast.”

I shifted slightly, but it only caused my breasts to strain against him. His jaw ticked. I tried a different tactic, my voice a sultry whisper, “Can we go now, please?”

Now it seemed like he was the one hypnotised. He shuddered as he focused on my mouth. His clear desire surged forth so fast it was overwhelming. He did want me. It was exhilarating to know the feeling was mutual, though why we were so drawn to each other was beyond me. We weren’t suited at all. At least, he wasn’t suitable. He made me act in ways far outside my comfort zone. Our current situation was a fine example.

Subconsciously, I must’ve liked the danger, yearned for it.

He shocked the hell out of me when he dropped his face to my neck and inhaled. Tingles encapsulated my body, the spot between my legs aching. The feel of his nose and mouth, his hot skin against me nearly undid me.

“Fuck,” he rasped, the word muffled. His fingers on my wrist tightened, and I knew my pulse still pounded away like crazy. My heart wanted to explode when his tongue dipped out, and he licked me from my neck to my earlobe.

God.

Was he trying to kill me?

A quiet moan filled my ears. It sounded strange, like it came from someone else, but I was the one who made it. This realisation was quickly eclipsed by the doorbell ringing. We both stiffened. The sweet pressure of Noah’s body left me as he strode across the room to look out the window. He gave a quiet, devious chuckle, pulled a pair of sunglasses out of his pocket and put them on. He left the room and made his way downstairs. I had a momentary panic attack as I climbed out of bed and went to the window to see a postal delivery van outside.

My heart plunged to the bottom of my stomach when I heard Noah answer the door and greet the delivery driver. I hovered by the staircase and listened as Noah seemingly accepted the delivery, signed for the item, said goodbye and closed the front door. As soon as I heard it shut, I hurried down the stairs.