Page 30 of Falling for Fury

“Riley!” Ava chastises.

“Ugh, relax Mom. She can be strapped in the second time.”

I look up at the top of the hill and I feel a sense of loss in my stomach. The feeling I had, the adrenaline and the sense of being alive, is no longer there, and instead, it is just the same as last night, only dormant, like it is just below the surface and ready to show its head as soon as I am alone. In an attempt to harness that feeling, soak it up and hold it hostage to my heart, I mirror Riley’s look and plaster the biggest grin I can muster to my face as I respond, “YES!”

Lucky for me, the rest of the day was accident free—I made sure I was strapped in this time, Noah not leaving my side and ensuring he himself had been the one to buckle me in with Ava’s final tick of approval, as I chased the alive adrenaline another three times. Towards the end, Noah had the most beautiful and peaceful look on his face. I always knew he was handsome, from the very first moment he ploughed into me, but seeing him there at the bottom of the line with that look to his face, I realized that he wasn’t just handsome, he was beautiful. I mean, sure, with all his tall-dark-and-handsome-Greek-sex-appeal on display, it is hard to miss. Ruggedly sexy with a gorgeous smile that sometimes tips up on one side. Briefly teasing a dimple on his left cheek, and it melts something inside me. Something molten and dangerous.

“Okay, I think I am done. Might throw the towel in before my luck runs out and I actually do injure myself.“ I leave the amusement to my face and direct to no one in particular. “I am going to head back, warm up with a shower before dinner.” They each nod their agreement and wave me off, when I hear footsteps behind me.

“I think I might join you.” My eyes snap to Noah, and I shove the dip of excitement I get from his proximity and words right down. All the way until they don’t exist. He must recognize the look of alarm on my face as he clarifies, “…in my own shower, of course… I need a long shower to ease the ache in my legs from beating Matt twice, before I can consume any food.” I look at him from the side of my eyes but focus back to the direction I’m headed in an attempt to avoid the growing flutters in my belly. Just friends, remember?

“Thank you.”

“What for?”

“For today, just… being here. I think I needed this more than I realized.” I admit, to my absolute horror. I shake my head and move to put some distance between us. The rest of the walk back to the lodge is a peaceful silence, and when I make it to the top of the stairs near our rooms, I stop and look at him again.

“See you at dinner?” I ask with a half smile.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he practically whispers as he stares at my lips. I nod at him and enter my room, closing the door swiftly.

After lying on my bed for a few minutes scrolling socials, being in denial about the ache in my body from that first tumble, I decide that my hot shower will be my everything shower. I wash my hair, exfoliate my entire face and body, shave my legs, and do a hair mask. After about twenty-five minutes of pampering myself, I step out of the shower with a sigh of contentment. I replay the feeling I had today, closing my eyes and remembering that feeling of the crisp air flowing across my skin, the freshness of the air soaking into my lungs, dark chocolate brown eyes, panty-melting smirk, rugged olive skin, and strong forearms—pull yourself together.

I mourn. Mourn for every day that isn’t today. For every day that I can’t feel this joy.

Why do my lows have to be so low?

I can’t remember the last time I had laughed so hard, or smiled so big, or felt such happiness, and so alive. A complete contrast to the feeling I felt only last night, and a picture of Noah’s eyes and glowing smile creeps into my mind again. I shake my head. I cannot think about Noah, especially while I am naked.

I towel dry my hair and lather myself in moisturizer and wander back to my room and to my suitcase. I stare at the clothes I prepared to dress myself in, in preparation for dinner in an hour, and I suddenly dread having to leave this room. Having to risk losing this rare flow of joy being crumpled by my parents shitting on me. Maybe you could grow a back bone and learn to ignore them, I scoff at myself. Ignoring them would imply that they don’t aggressively insert themselves in my business.

You know what, no.

Nope, not doing it.

I am deciding to put my foot down. I grab my pajamas and grab my phone to flick a message off.

Ugh, sweetie. You’re not my mother, Ava.

I leave it at that and decide not to read the next few messages that come in. I dress myself in my Peter Alexander emerald green silky pajama set and busy myself while waiting for everyone to leave for dinner in town to avoid any unwanted conversations. I head downstairs to heat up the kettle and make some mi-goreng, then head back upstairs to set myself up in the bed, propping up the pillows behind me and select a movie from my iPad.

After twenty minutes, the noodles are done, and I am invested in Legally Blonde. Peace. Completely at peace from the day’s events and my decision to pamper myself. This is what a vacation is.

I have no idea at what point I fell asleep, but I only realize I was asleep as I wake up to the sound of knocking on my door. I jolt upright and check the clock next to the bed that reads 11pm. What the fuck? I sit still, wondering if perhaps I was dreaming about the knock when it comes again. I stand from the bed and walk to the door, stopping myself just before I open it. Who is knocking on my door at 11pm?!

“Ads, are you awake?” Noah’s soothing voice makes me release a breath. “Please be awake,” he whispers. My heart cracks at his tone, and I open the door, immediately finding his eyes.

His travel a path up my, now soft and smooth, legs. The path of his eyes burn into me as they caress my body, over my torso, and my neck up to my eyes where they lock with mine, and his face relaxes into a soft but pained smile. I notice then that his shirt is creased, his hair is tossed in what looks like a freshly-fucked state, and I wonder where he just came from.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, just shy of a whisper. He starts to speak and then takes a step forward before thinking better of it and looking at me.

“I… can I… uh—”

“Do you want to come in, Noah?” I give a gentle laugh, and gesture for him to enter, saving him the effort of stumbling further, and something warms in my belly at his nervousness around me and the relaxing of his shoulders as I step aside. He steps forward and grabs the door, holding it so that I can continue into the room first. Ever the chivalrous gentleman.

Addison

“You weren’t at dinner?” I walk to the room and lean against the wall opposite the bed as he stalks in. “Sorry, it was just such a good day today, and I didn’t feel like being around my parents, at the risk of them ruining it.”

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