Page 63 of Maddie

She turned to face Noah, her chest swelling as she studied each of his chiseled features, his bright eyes. But she wished she could pull back each of his layers and see everything that rested inside him too, including his tender heart. It could be considered morbid, but she just wanted to see everything that ticked within him, what made him caring, determined, loyal.

For the first time in her life, she wasn’t sure what to say, what their next step would be, or how long they would stay there hiding. Yet the most important thing had happened—both their sisters were safe for now. Ever was still gone, but Maddie knew she would meet up with her again one day.

Her gaze flicked to the chess game on the table, studying each of the black and white pieces once more. Her fingers twitched, wanting a challenge.

“So,” Maddie said, adjusting her hat and taking elegant steps toward the table. She then picked up the white queen piece and whirled around. “How about a game? Winner gets to choose what we do next.”

Noah smirked, sauntering up to her until his broad chest pressed against her breasts, his arms caging her in at the table. “You want to play chess?” His deep voice was like silk caressing her ears.

“Of course,” Maddie sang, ducking down and out from his cage. She then ran the tip of her finger along his jaw and traced his soft lips. “Unless you’re afraid I’ll beat you, immortal.”

Noah pulled out a chair and took a seat, stroking the black king as he studied her. “I highly doubt it. I was the best player at my school when I was twelve.”

She wanted to pat his head and congratulate him on that rather cute remark. “Ah. You forget I have many more years than you playing the game.”

“You want to play by the rules and go first?” Noah continued to brush the king, and she couldn’t help thinking about his long, lovely fingers or how good they felt pressing into her flesh.

“White always goes first, but I suppose I’ll allow you to.” She drew out the chair opposite him and sank down, resting her elbows on the table. This was just the distraction she needed from Imogen, Rav, Chess, Mouse, Ever...

“I’m glad I met you, Maddie,” Noah murmured. Her heart drank in that comment and before she could reply, he straightened in his seat, growing serious. “Now, let’s focus.”

Maddie grinned wide. “Let’s do this.”

Noah went first, both of them staying quiet while they played, as though they were at a tournament. The game came naturally to her because of Ever’s past lessons. Maddie moved. Noah slid. She jumped. He swiped. She took. He claimed. But in the end, she still won. However, he was incredibly close to conquering her.

Maddie set the pieces back into their proper places and stood from the chair, rounding the table until she was beside him. “We can play again tomorrow. Should I go easy on you next time and let you win?” Maddie teased.

“I already won.” Noah pushed the chair back from the table and pulled her into his lap as she gasped.

Taking a deep swallow, she studied his hooded eyes, his dilated pupils. Butterflies swarmed in her chest and neither uttered a word. Instead of trying to discover what words were, she brought her fingers to his face, like before, and cradled his warm cheek.

Noah leaned into her touch and whispered, “I know I’m being needy, but damn, I can’t control myself around you.” His mouth captured hers and she wanted every inch of him.

If she was a needle, then he was her thread, and together, they would figure out the next step, and the next, and the next after that. But, for now, she wanted more of his lips on hers.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Noah

Noah lifted Maddie, her legs encircling his hips. Their lips remained sealed as he carried her into the nearest bedroom and kicked the door shut behind him.

“Ah, aren’t you the eager one, immortal?” Maddie grinned against his mouth without pulling away. “It was me winning the chess game that turned you on, wasn’t it?”

“Exactly that.” He nipped her bottom lip and set her gently on the plush fur blankets covering the bed. A gilded mirror hung above the headboard, matching the simple yet elegant room. With the floors and walls both glimmering white, the two small dark tables beside the ivory bed, were a stark contrast.

Maddie twiddled her thumbs, her grin growing wider. “Well, are you going to kiss me?”

Hell yes, he was. Purple curls spread around her head like a halo on the white quilt, her hat askew. The way she looked at him made his heart pound faster than it ever had. Noah slowly crawled over Maddie until he caged her in. He leaned close, only a hair’s breadth from his lips touching hers. “I want to kiss every damn inch of you.” He ran the tip of his nose up her lips, inhaling her enticing cherry scent, then pressed his lips gently to hers.

Her fingers fell to the edges of his shirt, and he let her lift it over his head and toss it somewhere on the floor. They had pleasured each other several times now, but this was the first time he felt in control of his lust since turning. He wanted to take his time. Explore her thoroughly.

Noah sat up and placed his finger at the top button of her dress. Teasing them both, he slowly unfastened each button, all the way down to her navel. He then peeled the fabric back over her shoulders, exposing the perfect swells of her breasts. She bit her lip as she stared up at him, and he couldn’t control himself when he took her perfectly peaked nipple into his mouth. As he circled it with his tongue, he drew down the remainder of her dress while she moaned.

He then pushed up from her, his gaze meeting hers once more. “I’m going to continue kissing you.”

“Where next, immortal?” She grinned.

He smiled wide as he crawled down her body until he was off the bed and standing in front of it. His eyes raked her in, wearing only a pair of see-through purple panties that didn’t hide any inch of her.

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