“Worst day ever!” I whined to Ellie. The phrase anything that can go wrong, will came to mind.
“Oh, worse than the time you got pulled over and the cop said ‘papers’ and you said ‘scissors, I win’ and he didn’t even laugh?” she teased, making me cringe.
“Way worse than that. First, I spilled coffee all over myself, and the car. I even burned my hand to boot. Then, I was so frazzled thinking about everything going on with Noah all day that I couldn’t concentrate in class. And the worst of all was when I ran into Reid on my way to the parking lot.”
She grimaced. “Oh shit. How’d that go?”
“Not good. He’s still not taking it well.”
“We’re all okay, until the day we’re not.” Famous last words…
“This is my last semester, Ellie. I can’t mess up. I think I need to take a step back and reevaluate things.”
“I know, sweetie. You’ll get there. Reid didn’t try anything, did he? ‘Cause I will totally go bat shit crazy on him, again!”
Reid Cohen was my last boyfriend. We’d ended things about two months earlier, but he kept finding ways to conveniently bump into me. He would basically place himself somewhere he knew I would be. It didn’t matter if it was the library or a parking lot; he was there groveling. When we’d first met, I liked how goal-oriented he was, and we’d had a lot of fun together. He was interesting and didn’t come off as the clingy type, like a lot of the other guys I met. He was a pre-med student going for orthopedics, like his father. However, although he was attractive and had a decent sense of humor, we lacked that spark. As soon as I realized we weren’t compatible, I’d ended things.
He went a little psycho when I told him. He even went as far as saying he was already looking into engagement rings, which shot up a big red flag. Especially since we had only been casually seeing each other for a couple months. I didn’t see the sense in dragging things out, with the inevitable lurking around the corner. He felt otherwise and made it known.
“No, but he kept trying to convince me to give him another chance. His begging is pathetic.”
“Oh boy.” She giggled.
I finished applying my makeup and strapped on my signature black stilettos. We were sticking to Nickelback’s ‘Something in Your Mouth’ for the first song and ‘Porn Star Dancing’ for the second. I effortlessly moved about the stage after Keith announced us. I noticed a special guest front and center in my part of the stage; it was Noah. I wanted to be annoyed, but instead I was slightly flattered.
I decided to give him a run for his money. I shook what my momma didn’t give me and worked the pole like a pro. Climbing to the top of the pole, I gracefully hung upside down and lowered myself. We kept eye contact the entire time; it was erotic. With my back to the crowd, I untied my top and tossed it over my shoulder. I was doing my final walk around the stage, collecting my tips, when Noah slid a note into my panties. Preacher gave him a death glare since there was a strict no touch policy. I nodded my head, saying it was okay, and he turned his attention back to the rest of the crowd. I hurried off the stage so I could read it. I practically jumped into my skinny jeans and t-shirt and unfolded the note.
Will you be my girlfriend? Meet me for a drink and give me my answer, sexy girl!
I giggled like a schoolgirl. Did I want this? It was moving too fast, and I knew it, so I would say maybe, with conditions. I quickly took my makeup off and looked over at Ellie. She was reading Fifty Shades of Grey, for the fifth time.
“Are you seriously reading that again?” I poked.
“A girl can dream, can’t she?” She sighed dramatically. “My new life plan is to stumble into every CEO’s office until I find my own Christian Grey.”
“Good plan, but if you find him, remember your best friend. I’m going to meet Noah at the bar. Want to join?”
“Maybe in a bit. I’m waiting for Brad.” She winked.
“Okay, see you at home then.” I packed up my bag and put it by the back door before heading out to the bar. I didn’t get two steps into the club before Noah grabbed me from behind.
“Noah,” I squealed.
“Who’s Noah?” I turned my head and realized it wasn’t Noah. It was Reid.
“What are you doing here, Reid?”
“I came to see you. Why else?” This was a new low for him.
“You just saw me earlier. I believe I told you I didn’t want to see you anymore,” I spat.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said angrily. “Who’s Noah?”
“That would be me.” Noah appeared for real this time. He pulled me to him and wrapped one arm protectively around me. He offered his free hand to Reid. I shrunk into him, getting as close as I could. Reid was sizing him up as if it were a competition. Noah was still clad in his suit, looking like he’d just stepped off a runway. I knew he could throw down if necessary, but I didn't want it to go there. Reid was in a polo shirt, khakis, and brown loafers. He looked like the arrogant ass he was.
“Noah Sinclair,” he said confidently. He looked at Reid belligerently. He took his hand and squeezed. “And you are?”
“Reid. Reid Cohen.”
“Well, Reid Cohen, Jules is my fiancé. I don’t like you sniffing around her work like this, either. So why don’t you fuck off and run along, before we have a problem?”
He looked at my hand. “I don’t see a ring.”
“It’s at the jeweler being sized,” Noah said, without hesitation.
“You didn’t tell me you got engaged when I saw you earlier.” Reid gave me a contemptuous smile. Great, he’s picking a fight. I felt Noah tense up beside me and I rubbed his lower back soothingly.
“Actually, that would probably be because I told you I didn’t want to see you this morning. Reid, I’m with Noah now. You need to move on.”
He reached out in an effort to embrace me, and I shrunk back.
“Keep your hands off my girl or you and I are going to have problems,” Noah spat.
“Jules,” Reid pleaded. “Why?”
“You need to leave or I’m going to call Preacher, and you’ll be escorted out.”
“Fine. I’ll go, but you’ll see you belong to me.” He turned and walked away.
I let go of a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. For being a short confrontation, it was rather worrisome. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw him walk out the door. Noah placed his hand in mine and led me over to the bar. He sat on a barstool and pulled me to sit on his lap. He ordered us each a Corona and Brad placed them in front of us. I smiled when I noticed he remembered how I liked them. Noah took a long swig.
“Okay, what the hell was that about?” he asked.
“That would be Reid, my ex who doesn’t want to be an ex.”
“Oh… are there a lot of them that I’m going to have to fend off?”
“It’s been over for a couple months now. He’s persistent and doesn’t think it’s over, as you can see. I’ve made it very clear, on more than one occasion, that there is no chance of us getting back together, but he just won’t let it go.”
“If he gives you any more trouble, let me know. Jackson and I will take care of it. He won’t bother you ever again. Now, let’s talk about the answer I’m waiting for.” He grinned.
“I still need a little time to think things over. It’s not that I don’t want to. I do. I just don’t see the need to rush anything. But, just so you know, I missed you and I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day. I hope that helps your ego, sir.”
“Okay, you win this round. You should know that I’m not giving up on us this time. I missed you, too. That’s why I’m here.”
I leaned in and kissed him long and hard until Ellie came up and cleared her throat. I pulled away and gave her a playful, dirty look.
“Take it to the storage closet, you two.”
“How about I take you home with me instead?” Noah kissed me again. “My driver’s around the block.”
Just the thought alone made my whole body grow hot with anticipation. I nodded. He pulled out his phone and told the driver to come pick him up. He’d told me the other day that he usually hired a driver during the week, so he didn’t have to worry about traffic or parking.
We were already halfway out the door. “Be safe,” Ellie called after us. I pushed him up against the brick wall of the club and started kissing him again fervently. Fuck, he looked so sexy in his suit.
A minute later, the car arrived. The driver came around and opened the door. Thank Heaven for privacy glass. We climbed into the backseat and I quickly straddled his waist, grinding him through the suit material. His eyes looked feral, turning me on even further. He reached into my jeans and moved my panties off to the side. He started slowly caressing me, igniting a smoldering, intense rush. I knew it was going to be steamy.
Ten minutes later, we pulled up in front of his building. I was ready to pounce in the back of the car, but he told me to have patience. I got out first so he that he could strategically place me in front of him. I needed to block his hugely prominent erection. I jokingly whistled on the elevator ride up, rubbing my ass against his front. Once the doors opened, he rushed us inside his condo. He pushed me up against the wall and resumed the kiss. I quickly unbuttoned my pants and pushed them to my feet.
“We’re not going to make it to the bed, are we?” I joked, slipping his jacket off his shoulders. We hastily finished undressing one another.
“Not a chance.” He lifted me up and wrapped my legs around his waist as he slowly sank into me. I dug my nails into his back and he picked up the pace. I was enjoying the pleasure overload. I looked down, watching him slide in and out. I felt my body tighten, and I knew he felt it, too.
“Come on, baby,” he whispered, and I lost myself to him.
I screamed out his name, clenching down on him. “Noah!”
Without breaking our connection, he moved us so my back was on the couch. He continued his expert pursuit until we were both sated. He rested his head on my torso after and I slowly ran my fingers through his hair. I looked over his shoulder; it looked like a tornado ripped through here. I broke into a fit of giggles.
He lifted his head. “What’s so funny?”
“Us. We’re like a tornado. I think my bra is hanging from your chandelier.”
“It looks good there. I think I’ll leave it.” He smiled, kissing me. “Can you stay tonight? Please.”
“Not tonight. I have a long day tomorrow.” He pouted his bottom lip adorably. “I’ll see you for dinner, right?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t miss it. I have a meeting first thing in the morning to discuss things with Robert. The rest of my day is pretty open. At least I don’t have to go to court.”
“Is everything going to be okay? With work, I mean?” I was concerned that breaking off his engagement with the boss’ daughter would cause problems with his job.
“I’m not sure yet. I don’t think there is anything to worry about, but Carrie is his little girl, so I’m not sure. It doesn’t matter either way.” He was holding me as if his next breath depended on it. “I want this to be our second chance, Jules. I won’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of that. After spending all those years thinking I would never see you again, I can’t go through that again. I won’t. So, no matter what happens, as long as I have you, nothing else matters. Besides, if I have to get a new job, I will. You know I don’t really need the money.”
That was true. When his Grandfather Bill passed away when he was sixteen, he’d left Noah a very sizable inheritance. Noah was smart with money so it would be enough to last him the rest of his life and then some.
“I know. I want that, too, but your dream was to become a lawyer. I don’t want you to lose that, especially because of me.”
“Don’t worry your pretty little head.”