Page 108 of Prove Me Wrong
I shake my head against her finger, my eyes widening, and hers drop to my chest.
“Honestly, I thought there was a possibility you’d leave. That what your mum said was true.”
“No,” I breathe out, and her silver eyes lift to mine. I want to hold her and tell her that I’m not going anywhere, but I don’t move a finger.
“I believed the lies, because that’s what Ryan told me. Everything your mum said, Ryan said, and I started to think it was the truth.” Mia sucks in a breath, trying her hardest not to crumble again. I silently wait, not wanting to rush her. “I thought that running was the best option. That if I left, then I would forget. That it would make all of this easier, but it didn’t.” She sniffs louder. “I wanted to call you, to talk with you. But I was afraid that maybe you realised that your mum was right. That you could find someone better than me. That I’d never be enough. But then I saw all of your messages.”
Blinking down at her, she pulls her phone out of her jacket pocket to show me the dozens of texts I'd sent that weren’t delivered. I sent them for days until the weekend, when Nathan told me to stop. Some were short one-line messages. A few were paragraphs. I sent her everything I could think of. Updates about me. Updates about Jade. Random things that reminded me of her. I even sent her a text rating my favourite books and which ones she needs to read next, and how I rearranged them back to how she had them, because it was the right way.
I watch a tear fall down her cheek, and my hand raises to wipe it clean, even though I know it’s not a tear of dismay or loneliness. It’s a tear of love, and now I’ll have it to keep forever.
“I’m so sorry I ran?—”
“No, I’m sorry. I hate what she did, and my mum knows that now. I never want to see her again, because all she does is ruin everything in my life. They have since I was younger, pushing me to be someone I’m not. I like who I am now. I love having Jade.” I pause to gulp down the saliva in my throat, my gaze not leaving hers. “I love you, Mia.”
I watch her face soften, brows easing, cheeks pinking. She whispers the four words I have been waiting for her to say. “I love you, Noah.”
A grin spreading across my cheeks, I pull her into me, her thin arms snaking around me. I bring her lips to mine, stealing the air between us. My flesh sears again, heart blooming as I hold her against me, never wanting this feeling to end.
Chapter Forty-Two
MIA
Inever want this feeling to end.
Fingers twisting in his tee, his manly, earthy scent fills my lungs. I breathe all of him in, knowing that Noah now has my heart. I sink into his muscular arms, missing the warmth that spreads through me when we’re connected. Pulse bubbling with vivaciousness, like I’m full of effervescent water, I feel a smile creeping on my mouth as it moves with his, perfectly synced.
Hands sliding from his shirt, my head rears back slowly, taking all of him in. His wild blonde hair, bright apple eyes, stubble coating his jaw, which is thicker than normal. Dressed in a simple white tee and dark wash jeans, my gaze falls on his oil-stained hands, realising why he’s not touching me.
“I haven’t showered yet,” he explains.
I nod, eyes twinkling.
“Maybe you should then.”
The corner of his mouth twitches as I loop my thumbs in the waistline of his pants. “Maybe I could come with you.”
I watch his Adam’s apple bob, eyes widening a little. My heart rate picks up. “Are you sure you’re ready for that, Grey?”
Sweat clings to me, my blood heating as I dig my teeth into my lip. Eyes moving between his, I nod slowly, feeling my cheeks flush. “I am. I want to give you all of me, Noah.”
I swear I see something inside of him crack, like the dams he has overflowed, releasing waves of alleviation, flowing over me soundlessly. Noah grins, showing off his glorious dimples that I've missed. “I want to give you my all, too.” His hands move to rest in my hair, pulling it away from my face. I smile up at him. “Come on, then.”
Before I can move, I’m lifted up over his shoulder, my face dropping to line up with his waistline as Noah carries me through the house. I giggle and touch his very developed behind. It’s perfectly firm and carved, just like I imagined it to be. “Wow. I can’t believe it took me months to feel these.”
He lets out a small laugh as we climb the stairs. “Can’t believe out of everything, you like my butt, Grey.”
“Well, not just that.”
I giggle again as he pushes open his bedroom door and settles me on my feet. “Yeah? What else then?” His green eyes shimmer with amusement and desire, and I imagine mine to be the same.
Taking his hand, I pull him into the bathroom and flick on the switch. Facing him, I swallow, expecting my nerves to be shooting through me like bullets, but it’s more of a distant hum. This feels right. I hate how long it’s taken me to give Noah my all, but being here right now, this close to him, my body feels more alive and cherished than it has in years.
“I like your hair,” I murmur, lifting my hands to touch his silky strands. “I like your eyes, your dimples. And your stubble.” My fingers glide along his chiselled jawline.
“I haven’t shaved it in a few days,” he admits in a low tone that vibrates through me.
My smile widens. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” I slide my hands down his neck. “I like how strong you are. Your arms, your shoulders.” My fingertips run down the front of his tee, the soft fabric brushing against my skin until they stop at the hem. Slipping underneath, I lift the material. Noah raises his arms, allowing me to pull it off, exposing his bare chest and abdomen. My fingers glaze over the divots, touching every line as his gaze watches me.
