Page 59 of Who's Saving You
I walk towards her, pushing the curtain away, and lean against the window. It’s cool and helps steady me, and I track the lights of Houston. Her words sting, though she doesn’t mean them to. I’ve been a shit friend to them since sophomore year. “It’s easier with them. On the field, off the field, in the locker room, I know the rules. Life makes sense with them.”
“And with me?” she asks.
The air thickens around us, and I don't answer immediately, instead letting my gaze drop to her mouth, then back up. I reach for the strap and slide it back into place on her shoulder but like the tease she is, it slips right down again. “With you, the rules don’t work.”
She swallows, and her breath catches. “Nik, I …”
“You think I dragged you with me because I want to play protector?”
She lifts a brow, guarded again. “Didn’t you?”
“It’s part of it.” I shake my head once. “But mainly because the second you started challenging me, from that first meeting at the hospital, I couldn’t stop watching you.”
The space between us is electric. I know she can feel it. Her eyes are dilated, and it's not from the alcohol. Her chest rises and falls, and that damn strap is still hanging off her shoulder, taunting me.
“Noelle,” I say in a low warning, “I want to kiss you, but if I do, I won’t stop there.”
She sets her wine down slowly, then meets me, eye to eye. “Then don’t start if you’re going to play it safe.”
I let out a breath, almost as if she just punched me. “There’s nothing safe about this.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” she whispers.
That’s all it takes.
I’m on her in one smooth motion, my hands immediately in her gorgeous hair, and my lips crashing onto hers like I’d die if I held off any longer. I don't want to blame our drinks at dinner, but maybe it’s what we needed to open our eyes and let down our guard more. She kisses me back like she’s been starving for it, like she’s mad at herself for wanting me this badly and madder still that she’s showing me.
We break apart long enough for me to say against her lips, “You still hate me?”
Her breath is ragged. “Yes.”
I smirk, trailing my lips down her throat. “Good. Stay mad. It’s hot.”
She bites my bottom lip. “Fucking rookie.”
She just about gets the words out, and I grab her ass and pick her up, her legs instantly wrapping around me. “Nik!” she calls out, and I smother her voice with anotherkiss. I press her back against the window, a moan escaping her as she tightens her legs around my waist.
“Is this where you off me?” She glances behind her.
I spin her away from the window and walk towards the bed. “No, this is where I get you off.” I drop her to her back and gaze at her on the bed. Her black dress is riding up, exposing thighs that I can’t wait to grab hold of. She leans up on her elbows and watches me, with a raised brow and smug grin. I slowly pull the tie from around my neck and fold it in half, holding it with both hands, before sliding my shirt off, one arm then the other. I revel in the way she watches my chest. Her eyes narrow as I step closer.
“What do you think you’re doing with that?” She puts up her foot, laying it against my thigh as I come closer. She wiggles her toes near my dick, and it feels like I was electrocuted.
“In case you try to get away.” I waggle my brows and drop the tie next to her. She bites her bottom lip and begins to move back on the bed, and I climb on, following her.
“Guess I need control off the field, too.” She lets out a squeal as I hover over her, straddling her. Our size difference is very apparent like this. To ease the moment, I say, “Don’t worry, it’ll fit.”
She throws her head back with a laugh I’ve never heard before. It’s fun and sexy, andfuck me, this is going to be the best night of my life. I just know it. Noelle's laid out beneath me like she’s the challenge I never saw coming, but one I’ll make sure to conquer. Her breath hitches as my mouth traces the curve of her collarbone, and I feel her legs tighten around my waist, pulling me in like she’s done fighting it, too.
Finally.
She runs her hands down my biceps, grabbing onto myforearms before coming to a sitting position. I sit back, allowing her room as she gets up on her knees, her eyes zeroing in on my tattoo. She traces the three arrows. “This is different. What does it mean?”
“Kollitoí gia pánta. Friends forever. We each have the same one.”
“Trickie Nickies?” She giggles and still runs her fingers along it.
“Yeah. One stem, three points, all moving in the same direction. It was meant to show we were stronger together.”
