Page 32 of Iris
The blanket is super soft as I run my hands along it, after sitting down next to the basket. Noah sits on the other side of it. He looks so comfortable here, I can’t help staring at him. His strong features are softer, gentler. I wonder if it's because we are here, or if it's just because he is relaxed without working.
“This is wonderful,” I speak softly as I look out onto the pond again. It probably isn’t deep enough to swim but there are numerous birds that are swooping down to grab at some insects in the water or near it.
“I used to come here to fish all the time when I was a kid. Never caught anything, obviously. Now, I come here to relax and play my guitar. I could stay here all night.” Noah glances towards the pond from where he is pulling out items from the basket.
“I can see why.” He always talks about his guitar off and on over the years, but I’ve yet to hear him play. Maybe he’ll play for me soon. “Can I help?”
“Nope. I have everything out. It’s just snacks really. There’s pink lemonade in the thermos we can share.” He pauses. “Oh! I almost forgot!” He digs into the basket again and pulls out something else. “Ta-dah!”
My mouth drops. “They’re so flipping cute!” I lunge for the fuzzy slippers he holds out to me, managing to miss the food, thankfully, and tackle him onto his back. I end up sitting on his legs as I hold the slippers up.
“Are these manatees? I don’t have these! Oh, they’re so soft!” Rubbing the slippers against my cheek, I know I'm fangirling over them and do not care. “I love them!”
Noah laughs as his hands rest on my upper thighs. “I figured. They’re from some Florida tourist shop. My uncle was there last month so I asked him to keep his eyes open.”
“Last month? But… Noah.” My heart aches. That means he got them before this mate spell. “I love them.” I sit them to the side of us as I look down at him.
His hair is spread out around his face, his eyes are filled with mirth, and he has the sweetest smile. This is a man I’ve had a crush on, I have loved him secretly, for years. I didn’t believe him up until this point that he felt the same. I didn’t really think I'm worthy of such a kind man.
I brush a bit of his hair off of his face. “Noah,” looking into his eyes, I jump in, “I’m so happy that we’re here.”
Noah’s eyes widen for a brief moment before they narrow on me. His hands reach around the back of my neck, his thumbs rubbing my skin on the sides of my neck. “Yeah? It’s not too cheesy?”
“Yes, not too cheesy.” I kiss him this time. I kiss him with all my pent up feelings from years of yearning for him. My hands roam his chest, pulling it out from where he’s tucked it into his jeans. When my fingers push under his shirt, finally getting to caress his skin, I have to pull back.
“Off, please.”
Noah moves so his upper body is at an angle, throwing his shirt off before he pulls me over to rest in his lap with my knees pressed to either side of his thighs. His hands run up my naked back. A sound that reminds me of a cat's meow slips from my lips. Noah starts laughing as he rests his forehead on my chest.
“You just meowed. Like a kitty.” His hands are hot against my back.
“It’s your fault.” I thump him on the shoulder. “Way to ruin the sexy moment, stud muffin.” Wiggling out of his lap, I sit back down across from him. The food is still safe. Whew. Good. I need something to keep me distracted, especially since Noah is shirtless. it's like staring at one of those hot strippers from Australia. All you want to do is ride them like a kangaroo. Is that a thing? It has to be.
“Stud muffin?” Noah leans back on his hands. “Really? Hm. I think I could like that.” His smirk is going to be the death of me.
I look around for his shirt. “Where’s your shirt? It’s not fair. My brain and lady parts do not function properly around you as it is.”
“Lady parts...that’s what you call your, uh…”
“Finish that sentence. I dare you.” I pressed my lips together sternly. I wasn’t going to laugh.
“Right. Lady parts it is.” Noah sits up, brushing his hands. “Why don’t we have some food? I have fruit, small cut sandwiches courtesy of my mom, and a bunch of veggies.” He still hasn’t put on a shirt.
“Your mom?” The sandwich is really good. It has cucumber in it for a crunch. it's gone in three bites from me while Noah just eats his in one bite.
“Yup. She lives in my childhood home right there.” He points at the house across the way. “My house is only about a mile down the road, though. So, I see my family often.”
“Tell me about them?”
The evening continues as we talk. I learn he has three sisters. I tell him about my large family. He is surprised to learn I'm the oldest out of five. My favorite part is when he starts talking about his love of music. He began learning the guitar when he was barely four and has never stopped. We’ve known each other for years, yet we barely know anything about each other.
I put on my new slippers as the sun goes to sleep. The stars here are brighter than they are back home. Noah moves the basket so we lay side by side on our backs so we can just stargaze.
I’ve just started to fall asleep when Noah rolls over so he is straddling me this time. Even in the dark, I can make out his features clearly. He has worry lines as he frowns slightly, our eyes locked. Where Dorian is cool to the touch, Noah is a comforting warmth. Having his body on top of mine makes me feel safe in a different way than Dorian does.
“Hey,” I rub his worry lines gently, “what’s wrong? Today has been perfect.”
Noah takes my hand that is touching his face and kisses my inner wrist. “I have another gift for you. I’m just worried you might not like it.”
