Page 77 of Defend Me

Grayson and I go over some of the motions, then I check the time. It’s after eight pm. I wonder what Noah’s cooking for dinner.

Though I find myself hungry for something other than food. The sensation of his cock nudging my thigh earlier flickers across my mind.

“Heading out?” Grayson asks.

“Yup,” I say. “See you tomorrow.”

I text Noah to let him know I’m on my way. I’m jittery the whole ride home, in a different way than I was this morning—where I was wondering what we do next.

Well. We answered that question this afternoon. So now, what’snextnext.

I shiver with anticipation.

When I arrive at the apartment, soft music is playing, the lights are dimmed, and I see a trail of tulip petals in every color scattered across the floor, a fragmented rainbow. I follow them down the hall, where they lead me up to the second floor. A slow smile breaks over my face.

“Noah?” I call, following the petals down the hall and into my room. Noah is nowhere to be seen, but the petals lead me to the bathroom. I gasp; a bubble bath waits for me, candles illuminating the room with a soft glow. A note rests by the sink.

Von—

I had to run an errand but I thought you might want to relax after work. I hope you don’t mind me poking around in your room. I promise I didn’t read your diary. See you soon.

Noah

I grin. I haven’t kept a diary since I was eight. The bath looks so inviting—how did he know baths are my favorite way to unwind? I quickly strip out of my clothes and sink into the hot water. The feel of it rippling over my bare skin only makes this need inside me grow. I’m tempted to touch myself but I want Noah’s hands, not my own. I can be patient.

By the time I finish and rinse myself off, it seems silly to get back into work clothes. I wonder if Noah is home yet. I slip into my silk robe, run a brush through my hair, then pad downstairs.

Noah is sitting on the couch, drinking a beer and watching TV.

“Hi,” I say. He whirls around and his eyes pop.

“Hey,” he says, switching the TV off. “How was…wow. Hey.”

He’s looking at me like he’s never seen me before. He’s wearing his favorite pair of gray joggers and his classic black tee. He looks so handsome and so perfectly Noah. I’m deeply aware of the fact that I’m naked under this robe.

“Thanks for the bath,” I say.

For one moment, I exist in awkwardness. What do I do. How do I move. What is he thinking.

Then he extends a hand toward me and my whole being relaxes. Because of course I know what to do.

I walk over and twine my fingers through his, coming around the couch to straddle him. I am not going to leave any room for interpretation. I want this man. I’ve wanted him all damn day. Noah’s hands come up to sink into my hair, his mouth curving with delight.

“I’ve never seen you with your hair down before,” he murmurs, stroking my auburn locks.

I feel the firm muscles of his thighs beneath my own. “What do you think?” I ask.

“I think you are out-of-this-world beautiful.”

His words catch in my chest and I can’t wait any longer. I dip my head to claim his mouth, my kiss urgent, my body insistent. Noah leans up to meet me, his chest pressing against mine as I twine my arms around his neck. I feel myself growing wetter, feel his cock swell to meet my thigh. I grind against him, that delicious center of pleasure lighting up inside me. Every nerve is alight, every inch of my skin on fire as Noah and grips me harder, tighter, and yet it’s not enough.

I scrabble at his tee and he gladly helps me, slipping it over his head in one swift movement. His bare chest glows in the light, so beautiful it almost hurts. I run my hands over the firm dents of his pecs, marveling at the warmth of his skin and the hard muscle underneath. I knot my fingers in his hair and kiss his cheek, his throat, the dip at his collarbone. He’s getting even harder and I push against his length as he gasps and yanks at my robe, exposing one breast that he takes in his mouth and sucks long and hard. I cry out, arching my back, the heady sensations spiraling out in waves. Noah thumbs my nipple, coaxing it into a tight bud, so sensitive as he licks and sucks it, his palm spayed across my lower back, keeping me upright as I start to rub my sex along his hardness.

I untie the silky belt and my robe opens, exposing me fully.Noah breaks away from the kiss for only one moment, to drink me in, to gaze at me like I’m his north star. How does he do that? How does he make me feel like I’m the only thing that matters in this universe? I stand and allow the robe to fall from my shoulders, naked before him, exposed in a way I don’t think I’ve ever been in front of a man before. Noah’s fingers explore me deftly, softy, tracing over the curves of my breasts, the line of my waist, the tops of my thighs. He presses his mouth into the dent at my hipbone.

“Beautiful,” he whispers as he pulls me back to him so his nose skims my stomach, dipping his head, his tongue flicking out to taste me. I gasp and grab his shoulders for support as his kisses deepen. My knees start to go weak and suddenly, I’m flipped onto my back on the couch, Noah’s head nestled between my legs.

“Are you going to come for me again, like a good girl?” he murmurs slyly and oh my fuck I did not have Noah pegged for talking dirty.

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