Page 20 of In Too Deep

ChapterSix

Rose slammed her phone down onto the marble countertops with a scowl. Not only had the press grabbed several photos of her leaving Blake’s on Monday and at the lingerie store yesterday, but they didn’t seem to be dropping the engagement rumors that were now circling the gossip columns more frequently than ever after Katie’s proposal. Rose wasn’t sure what was more insulting – that the press thought she would ever marry David Blake, or that they thought she would consider sharing the limelight enough to have a double wedding with Katie and Cara.

Worse than all of that put together, Rose hadn’t been able to forget the way Blake had tasted when they’d kissed or what he’d felt like inside her. It was like she was a teenager all over again. She’d thought having Maia knowing her dirty little secret would make her feel ashamed, but apparently it did the opposite. Despite what she’d told the girls yesterday, it didn’t feel like a one-time thing. Not when she wanted to do it again so badly.

It was just good sex.Rose slowly untensed her jaw, nodding to herself. It wasn’t because it was Blake she’d had sex with. It was just good sex. She could have good sex with anyone, theoretically.

What she really needed was another way to keep herself occupied. Maia had gone out to see Thierre and now with nothing to distract herself from thoughts of Blake, Rose was left feeling on edge. Heaving herself up off the stool, Rose stretched and winced a little at the soreness between her thighs. Nobody had ever been that rough with her before and she’d liked it more than she’d thought she would. In the past her lovers had all been gentle, handling her with care and grace. As much as she detested Blake, she could admit that at least he listened to instructions. When she’d said harder, he hadn’t hesitated.

Crap. Now she was thinking about Blake again.No, about good sex.Right. Distraction. Rose turned off the TV that had served as some background noise as the news reported something about some local vandalism. Usually she felt perfectly safe in the suite, but since the weird break-in she’d been feeling a little on edge. Maybe she should talk to Louis. She’d forgotten to check back in with Noah the other night, too distracted by Maia’s arrival, and now was as good a time as any for an update.

Rose eyed the doors to the elevator a little warily. Logically, she knew that security was monitoring it twenty-four-seven but she couldn’t help the odd skip of her heart as anxiety wormed its way inside her head.What if someone was waiting inside behind the doors? What if she got stuck and someone appeared from within the shaft?She shook the thoughts away and jabbed the call button angrily, striding inside confidently a few minutes later.

A dark blur moved out of the corner of her eye and Rose screamed before she could stop herself, the doors already sliding shut and a large hand clamping down over her mouth. Rose did the only thing she could think of.

“Shit, did you just bite me?”

Rose blinked away the tears swimming in her eyes so she could see clearly and slumped forward when the hand let go, resting her arms on her knees as she fought to catch her breath. “Noah? You scared the crap out of me.”

“I thought you’d see me when you marched inside.” Noah brushed his hair out of his green eyes and gave her a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. We’ve been trying to keep at least one security personnel in the lift at all times, part of the new safety measures for the time being.”

She nodded shakily. “I was just coming down to speak to you and Louis about your findings the other night, actually.” She paused and then stood up straight again, ignoring the blush she could feel working its way over her face and across her chest as she said with an attempt at dignity, “I’m sorry I bit you.”

Noah laughed. It boomed out of him and made her relax further as she finally reached over and pressed the button for reception. “It’s alright. I know better than to accidentally sneak up on you next time. Might lose the whole arm.”

Rose snorted and the silence that fell between them was comfortable. She ran her eyes down Noah’s body, taking in his thick arms and flat stomach – it was just good sex, right? Noah was a guy. He could be good at sex. He was definitely attractive, she supposed, and she was obviously desperate for some action if she was still fantasizing about Blake.

Clearing her throat lightly, she tried, “Well, I mean if you really want to help keep me safe, you could come and stay in the suite with me tonight.” Noah’s head swung towards her instantly, surprise rounding his eyes so that they looked like they might pop out of his skull. Oh god. Had that been smooth enough? How did people flirt nowadays anyway?

“Um.” Noah’s cheeks pinked and Rose couldn’t help her awkward chuckle. “I feel like now might be a good time to mention that I’m gay.”

“Oh, okay.” The wave of relief that swept through her left her both dizzy and irritated. What was wrong with Noah? Why wouldn’t she want to sleep with him? Was it because she’d instinctively picked up on his preferences with some kind of internal gay-dar?

Just face the facts,a treacherous little voice inside her head whispered,it’snotjust good sex. It’s sex with Blake.Rose pressed two fingers to the bridge of her nose and pinched. So maybe she was attracted to stupid fucking Blake. It didn’t mean anything. She’d still rather chop her own arm off and beat herself with it than even be in the same room as him. Right?

“Er, I’m sorry, Rose–” Noah’s rambling tugged her out of her own head and she blinked, having half-forgotten he was there and that she’d just awkwardly propositioned him.

“No, no, I’m sorry, Noah. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It was stupid, just a weird moment. Can we just forget about it?” She winced, what had Blake done to her? She was, indirectly or not, Noah’s employer.

Noah nodded and a tenser silence than before descended until they both tried to break it at the same time.

“I can arrange for some security upstairs if you’re worried about–”

“You know, I’m pretty sure Louis has a crush on you–”

They paused and looked at each other before Rose started laughing. “This is more painful than the twelve flights of stairs we did.”

Noah snorted. “Do you really think Louis likes me?”

“Almost definitely.” Rose grinned. “I really am sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. It’s just been a weird few days.”

“It’s alright. If you actually do want someone up there watching out for you, I can send one of my guys up tonight.”

She considered it for a moment before shaking her head, not wanting someone else in her suite and making it feel weirder in there than it already did. “No, that’s okay. But thank you.”

The elevator dinged cheerily as the doors opened and Noah smiled. “Sure, just let me know if you change your mind.”

Rose nodded as she made her way out and towards Louis at the front desk, waving back at Noah as he settled himself in the corner of the lift again.

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