Page 32 of Noah

Blink, blink, blink.

All she remembered from the dark room was that. She almost rolled her eyes when she saw all the medical equipment on top of the old rickety desk. It wasn’t a clean sterile medical room.

Adrienne grimaced as she shook her head. “I don’t know what they did,” she said. “They pumped me full of crap, and I don’t know.” She suddenly felt fragile, and as she choked on her breath, a warmth grew on her cheeks and her chest heaved like she was going to cry.

Exhausted by everything, she slumped low and let her emotions flood out. She was in a safe place, where she could break down without fear. A combination of stress and Lila’s kind eyes made her cry.

Was she weak because of it?

The pain she felt for what Noah had experienced made her cry harder as she realised Noah had spent years with them trying to break him down.

Noah hugged her awkwardly, growling and burying his face in her shoulder and neck. She choked on a laugh. Noah patted her arm and stomach as he breathed hard against her skin, likely covering her in his scent.

How did she explain that wouldn’t work for a human?

Though his spicy masculine scent crept up on her, she found herself unwinding. Slowly, bit by bit, her muscles relaxed and the tension in her frame drained away.

Not that she would tell him, but his touch was like magic.

She suddenly wanted to go back to her draughty apartment and hide under her blankets because her feelings were all over the place. Cowardly? She figured she was allowed to have a moment of fear-induced panic and hide under the bed like a child.

“Ren,” Noah growled in her ear, giving her goosebumps.

She cleared her throat and knew she couldn’t offer him false reassurance. Lila looked at Adrienne concerned. “I’ll be fine,” she said and saw their doubtful looks. “Eventually,” she added. She licked her lips, tasting her salty tears.

Suddenly Lila coughed and asked quietly, “Adrianne, do we need additional tests?”

“Wait. What?” Noah asked as she raised her head in confusion.

Lila bit her lip.

Adrienne felt her body shiver again as she understood what Lila meant. “No. Nope. That’s okay, they didn’t… No, I don’t think they did.” Adrienne breathed deeply, releasing a nervous gasp. “Everything feels fine, and I believe there wasn’t enough time to…for that in between the brief moments I passed out.”

“Time for what?” Noah growled, observing their expressions with sharp eyes.

Whatever they were discussing wasn’t pleasant, and Noah caught onto their tone, his eyes flashing as he stared at them expectantly.

Lila shifted uncomfortably. “Adrienne decides whether or not she shares that with you.” Lila looked back at her. “You can remove the gel packs whenever you want.”

Lila checked her notes and told them, “I’ll give you a minute. If you need anything at all, just buzz.” Lila pointed to where the buzzer was clipped near her arm. “I’ll make arrangements for you to eat. And no stress.” Lila looked firmly at Noah before leaving.

Adrienne grimaced as Noah turned to her demandingly. Adrienne thought Noah would be too busy looking around Moon to worry about her.

Adrienne was stunned that Noah had done this for her. Picking up the gel packs, flinching at the cold she put them on the swivel table.

“No stretching,” he said and moved the packs away from her arms for her.

She almost told him she wasn’t struggling. However, she didn’t want to annoy him, and she hadn’t forgotten his firm grip on her neck when she did things he disliked. Because of his surprising concern and return for her, she kept quiet.

He broke down a door that he must have tried to escape from before because he feared she would be harmed. The experience was confusing and terrifying.

They didn’t know each other, not really. He was unaware of her strange habit of folding towels just right and not being a morning person. Hell, he didn’t even know her last name.

“Something wrong?” Noah walked around the bed and took a seat beside her.

Putting his feet on the side of the bed, he relaxed like he was going to take a nap as he stretched out. She briefly focused on his abdomen, before drawing her eyes away. Her cheeks flushed.

He grinned after seeing her quick glance. She raised her eyebrows and squinted, silently warning him to behave. He chuckled in response. She shook her head, her eyes sliding closed, but he cleared his throat sternly.

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