“Hello,” I answered the phone groggy from sleep.
“Natalie, I need you to pick me up.”
I vaulted out of bed and checked the time on my iPad. “Noah, are you okay? It’s three in the morning.”
“Natalie, don’t worry. After we hang up, I’m going to text you the address where I am. I want you to pull up in the back. I’ll be waiting there.”
“Noah, just tell me you’re not in any danger.”
“Natalie, I’m not in any danger, but I need you to pick me up. When you get here, don’t come inside. Drive up to the back of the place. Leave now and don't come inside.”
As soon as we disconnected, an alert came through my phone. I tapped on the message. I recognized the address of a gentleman’s club in the area. I rushed through my room grabbing everything I needed. I pulled on a light sweater over my pajamas, slipped my feet into a pair of Converse, and grabbed my car keys and my wallet.
I hurried down the stairs, set the alarm and locked the front door. I felt frightened. I thought about all the trouble Noah could get into at a place like that. Everyone knew about Diamond and Lace. It was a high-end strip bar, and the rumors were that mafia owned it.
Could Noah be in trouble with the mafia? That possibility seemed more reasonable than any other. It was not likely that Noah would have gotten into trouble with a stripper. Fuck her, yes, and not give a shit about her, but fight with her? I doubted it.
I raced through the empty streets following the voice of my GPS. I was two minutes away, and my adrenaline rocketed. Nervous to see Noah, afraid of what kind of condition he was in, my palms grew sweaty around the steering wheel.
I startled when my phone rang. “Noah.”
“Are you nearby?” He asked.
“I’m pulling in now.”
“Drive to the left side of the building and go all the way down.”
I did as he said. As I approached the back of the building, I saw two dumpsters and next to them a black Mercedes. As I veered right, I saw the glow of Noah’s phone.
“I see you. Turn off your headlights, honey, and pull up.” He disconnected.
I did as he instructed. A large man stood next to him. I wondered if he was the bouncer that escorted Noah out of the building. As I got closer, I watched Noah shake his hand and pat him on the shoulder.
I pulled up right alongside them. Noah opened the door and slid into the front seat. The large man disappeared into the building.
As Noah shut the car door, I asked him what happened. Instead of answering me, he leaned over and kissed my mouth.
“Noah, please tell me what’s going on.” I examined his face. It looked perfect as always. Then my eyes moved down to examine the rest of his body. The car was too dark to see anything until I looked at his hands.
His knuckles swelled on both hands and blood seeped from a few of them. “You got into a fight?”
He kissed me again. “Natalie, drive off. Now.”
I glowered at him but did as he said because his expression told me this was not the time to ask questions. “Can I turn on my headlights?”
“Not until we’re in the front of the building.”
We drove home in silence. Noah rested his head back on the seat and closed his eyes. I surveyed him every few minutes, but he never moved from that position. His hands looked sore, and I could only imagine what the person on the receiving end of those knuckles looked like.
I pulled up in front of the house and turned off the ignition. Noah sat up when we first arrived at the gate but remained silent. He regarded me as he opened the car door yet he refused to engage me in conversation.
Frustrated, I opened my door and stormed ahead of him. Once inside the house, I continued showing my disapproval by going straight up to my room and slamming the door.
I heel-toed my sneakers off and threw my keys and wallet on the couch. I walked through my bedroom tossing my sweater on my bed. I padded into my bathroom and stared at myself in the mirror.
My face flushed red with anger. Noah Westlake was infuriating. He expected everyone to just fall in line to his needs and wants. I let out a loud frustrated gruff, just as Noah sauntered into by bathroom.
“Natalie, are you angry with me?” He asked already knowing I was angry with him. He walked closer to where I stood at the sink and placed a plastic zippered bag that he held in his hand onto the counter.
“You know I am.” I stared at his reflection in the mirror.
“Natalie, don’t be. I need your help, my love.”
“Ha! I’m not your love.” I blurted out.
“Natalie, you are and will you help me?” He remained calm and held his hands out to me.
My breathing hitched as he expressed a small nugget of his feelings for me. Somehow he always had a way to abate my anger towards him. I turned taking his hands in mine. I twisted the faucet letting the water trickle out. I brought his hands under the gentle flow of water and washed his abrasions.
He stared at me as I moved through each step. I used a little soap to clean his hands first then I instructed him to leave his hands under the running water while I opened the first aid bag. I took out a small bottle of peroxide and uncapped it. I shut off the faucet and patted his hands dry with a soft cotton square. Staring down at his bruised abraded knuckles, I reached for the peroxide and warned him that it might sting. As I poured the liquid over the open wounds, small white bubbles appeared on each knuckle. I winced as I continued to clean the open wounds, but Noah did not. I finished by spreading ointment over the wounds then wrapped the cotton gauze around his hands and secured it with first aid tape.
When I finished, Noah faced me. He seemed to contemplate what he wanted to do to me. The silence between aroused me and my breathing grew more rapid. Noah moved closer to me and brought his bandaged hands up around either side of my neck.
I waited hoping he’d kiss me. Instead, he spun me so that my behind rested on the edge of the marble countertop. I leaned back on my hands as he continued examining my face then moved his stare over my body, his hands trailing his eyes. His slow, aching touch made me breathless and unable to speak.
His hands rested on my hips while his breath continued the seduction. He started at my ear. His breath swirled over my skin sending chills down my spine. His lips hovered over mine leaving only his warm, sweet breathe as he moved down my neck following the line of my throat. I swallowed, and his breath followed the same path. He then moved his mouth, skimming my skin with his lips, along my clavicle to my shoulder. I tilted back my head and enjoyed the caress of his warm breath of life as it swept across my soul.
I glided my hands up to his head and combed my fingers through his hair. I curled into him as he slipped the thin strap of my camisole off my shoulder then moved the soft cotton material down under my breast. He palmed my breast up as he brought his lips over its peak. He sucked and nibbled at my taut nipple as I quivered from pleasure.
Noah traced the line back to my lips and covered them with his. I slid my hands out of his hair and down over each button of his shirt freeing them as I moved. Unbuttoned, he removed his shirt and undid his pants. I wrapped my fingers around the waistband of his pants and briefs assisting them in their descent to the floor. Noah did the same to mine.
Our breathing grew heavier and more rapid. I opened my legs further for him, and Noah positioned his cock at my wet opening. He plunged inside of me and sent electric shocks through my body. My ass moved on the cold marble as he pounded into me. I gripped the countertop behind me steadying myself for each thrust. Noah’s fingers dug into the skin of my back as the gauze protecting his wounds created friction on my skin.
My body convulsed as I milked his cock. I threw my head back and cried out his name. He quickened the pace repeating my name as he gripped onto me. With one last hard thrust he impaled me, threw his head back and in a tormented growl he said the words I longed to hear. “God, Natalie, I love you so much.”
When we both came back to this world, he picked me up in his arms and brought me to my bed where we both fell asleep until the next morning.
I opened my eyes to find Noah propped up on his elbow staring at me. “Good morning. How long have you been watching me sleep?”
“Only a few minutes. You were smiling, did you have a dream?”
I thought for a second. “I don’t remember, but maybe I was smiling because I knew you were still in my bed.”
“That’s sweet.” Noah relaxed into the bed and wrapped his arms around me. “Natalie, are you attached to that old car of yours?”
“No, but it’s a good car, I mean the thing was built like a tank.”
“It’s a Volvo, of course, it is.”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I want to get rid of it and get you a new one.”
“I’d rather not. I need to save money, so I don’t want to take on a car payment right now.”
“You wouldn’t be. I’d buy the car for you, but it would be in your name. And if you leave me, I mean this job, you take it with you.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because last night was the first night I ever sat in your car and the thing is an antique.”
“But it still runs, and it’s given me few headaches.”
“Let me buy you a new one. If you don't accept my gift to you, think of Erin. I'd hate it you got stranded somewhere because the car gave out on you."
“Can I choose which one?” I asked.
“Yes, but let me suggest one?”
“You’re buying, so that gives you the right to make all the suggestions you’d like.”
Noah leaned across me and grabbed my iPad off the nightstand. He asked me to punch in my code, and he began the search. “Do you want another Volvo?”
“I think so. It’s a good car.”
He typed in Volvo XC90 Excellence. “I think you should get this one.”
I looked at the screen. “I never heard of it. It’s nice.”
“Good, I will order it for you. What color?”
“Any shade of gray or silver.”
Noah stood up, walked into the hallway and came back a few minutes later with his cell. He snuggled back under the covers and dialed a number. I searched through the pictures of the new car he wanted me to have. It was sexy. A Volvo SUV in gray metallic. I continued to scroll through each picture until I got to the end. My mouth dropped open as I stared at the screen. I looked at Noah as he talked on the phone. I shook my head and gestured to him by slicing my neck with my hand. Noah confused glanced over at what I pointed to on the screen. He then took my iPad, pressed the button, so the screen went black.
He finished up his call and disconnected. “It’s ordered. When it arrives, the dealership will deliver it here.”
“Noah, are you crazy? You didn’t tell me the car you wanted to buy me cost over a hundred thousand dollars.” I jumped out of bed.
“Sure I did.”
“No, you did not.” I fisted my hands down at the sides of my body. “Noah, you are frustrating.”
“Natalie, my love, calm down and come here.”
“No.” I pouted.
“Natalie, come here.” Noah talked to me like I was a little girl.
“No.” My voice remained strong.
“Natalie. Please come here.” His tone was patronizing.
“No.” My voice weakened.
Noah lifted the covers inviting me to join him. I looked at his naked body and gave in. “That’s a good girl. Now, don’t you worry about the cost of the car. I enjoy spoiling you so let me.”
Noah covered my mouth so I couldn’t speak. Then he covered other areas on my body; so all thoughts of why I was angry with him disappeared.
The Friday after I picked Noah up in the middle of the night, Mrs. Ross called me into his home office. She stood behind his desk with a plain white envelope in her hand. “Natalie, Noah wants you to have this.”
She ripped open the envelope and took from it a platinum American Express card. She picked up the phone, punched in a few numbers, and then handed the card over to me. I stared at the raised letters that spelled my name across the bottom of the card.
“He wants you to use it for all your expenses.” Mrs. Ross explained.
“You mean Erin’s expenses,” I questioned.
“I thought that at first but then he clarified what he meant. He meant all your expenses.” Mrs. Ross with her glasses perched low on her nose regarded the paper in front of her as she spoke to me.
“Did he give any examples? I'm a little confused."
“I was too, but he clarified by saying all expenses such as when you get your nails done, or if you need a haircut, or a blowout, waxing, or any clothes you may need.”
“Did he mention those things?” I inquired.
“He did.”
“But only if I’m with Erin, right?”
“I clarified that too, and he said it didn’t matter and he further explained that he didn’t care how often you used the card if you needed any of those services then you should use his credit card.”
I looked at Mrs. Ross her face gave nothing away. I knew she thought this was odd, but she would not question the situation any further because that would mean she was questioning her employer and you do not question a man like Noah Westlake.
“Also, Wednesday the 18th, Mr. Westlake is hosting a fundraiser here at the house. He is insisting you attend.”
“Me, why? Erin won’t be here.” I was sure that was a non-Erin week, and though our relationship changed, I didn’t trust Noah, and I couldn’t bear a repeat of the last party I attended.
“I don’t question why I just do as I’m told. Do you have something against attending lavish parties with rich people?”
“No, but my presence was not needed at his last party so I can’t imagine why I need to attend this one.”
“Natalie, if you have a problem with attending the party I suggest you bring that up with Mr. Westlake.”
“What should I wear to this one?” I asked knowing I wouldn’t question him.
“He said you should use the Amex and buy yourself a cocktail dress in white or black. Those are the only two colors allowed.” She said. “Mr. Westlake mentioned you have a nail appointment this afternoon so use the card and let me know if you have a problem. I’ll be gone before you get back so let me know with a text.”
“Thank you Mrs. Ross.” Mrs. Ross was a woman of few words, so it surprised me when she spoke as I walked out of the office.
“Natalie, He’s changed since you’ve been here. Small changes but he has changed. Thank you.”
I didn’t know how to take her observation, so I just smiled and nodded. I knew Noah was changing even if the changes were slow and subtle. He treated our relationship more intimately and not just when we made love.
I never broached the subject with him, but he said he loved me the night I picked him up from the gentleman’s club. I believed it as a half-truth because the words came out during passionate lovemaking. I would believe it to be true if he said it under a different circumstance but at this point hearing him say it under any circumstance was a small step in a better direction.
There were other changes. Noah initiated better communication with me. He’d call or text me if he’d be home, sometimes letting me know when he’d be home. There was no more of the Noah that came and went as he pleased and that change came from him. I never asked, but he offered more information about his whereabouts.
Also, Noah hadn’t brought a whore to the house since Shelley. I never thought I’d be putting something so disgusting in a plus column when analyzing my relationship with a man but Noah was no ordinary man, and our relationship was no ordinary relationship.
And that was one thing, he and I could not deny, we had a semblance of a relationship. Not a healthy one at this point but it had its finer moments. In the beginning, Noah confided in me about work, now, Noah opened up about more personal things from his past and how he felt about things in his life. He still held his secret about his mother close to his vest.
I needed to be patient with Noah, but he tested my patience consistently.