Natalie
As I enter the church, I know there is no more hiding from the devil himself.
I've been avoiding Noah for the entire week. Hiding behind furniture, under furniture. One evening, I was in the jacuzzi, heart hammering inside my chest while he was shaving his face.
But in this church, there is nowhere to turn.
The beautiful bastard is out for revenge, and I got it coming. Noah is smirking at me now, wagging his eyebrows from his seat. It's a small wedding, and I'm trying hard not to smile, but it's impossible.
"Can I sit with you with you?" I ask in a hopeful tone. "Truce?"
Noah sizes me up. I'm wearing a red, tiny thing that squeezes me in all the right places. I imagine my stomach pouch is still visible, and I will probably feel fat while sitting down.
I'm self-conscious, but Noah's eyes follow every curve with admiration written over his face. It makes me blush and feel pretty.
"Truce… For now," Noah says, nodding at me to sit down next to him. "I won't get my revenge. Yet."
I hand Noah a shy smile. It makes me anxious knowing he is out to get me, but my mind quickly moves on to focus on his appearance instead—the horny brain of mine.
But who can blame me?
Noah is over six feet tall, his legs thick and muscular, encased in a pair of black slacks.
He is wearing a sweater vest for the wedding, black and white. But while anyone else would resemble a dork wearing it, Noah fills the clothes to perfection.
It highlights the strength in his tanned arms, those muscles stretching the limits of his white shirt. It's an instant turn-on.
When my nether regions pulsate with need, I'm forced to avert my gaze from Noah, but my eyes are back within seconds.
Damn it!
His shoulders are broad, making the seat appear tiny. I visualize sinking my fingers into his neck, and my heart hammers even faster. All the muscle definition underneath his clothes; it's been two minutes, and I'm already wet.
"Are you alright?" Noah asks worriedly. "You're a little spacey..."
"I'm fine." I hand Noah a smile that hides my inner struggle.
Had this not been my dad's wedding, I would ride Noah inside the bathroom. I'm not sure what is wrong with me, but I'm horny as fuck.
In the morning, I was sick. I threw up in the toilet—it was probably something I ate. But right now, my libido is through the ceiling.
"Good," Noah says, smiling briefly. "Then your day can only get worse from here since I still plan on punishing you."
I breathe a laugh, but it doesn't quite reach my entire face. Truthfully, there is a spreading sadness within me. It awakened in my heart this morning, and it's grown worse throughout the day.
"Noah?" I whisper.
He looks at me.
"This is supposed to be the happiest day in my dad's life. After my mother left, my dad was depressed. I thought he would never recover. But now, my dad is finally getting married to someone new. He found a woman that he truly loves."
Noah brushes a strand of hair away from my face. "Are you saying you're not happy?"
I meet his blue eyes. "Yes, does that make me a terrible person? Am I selfish for being sad?"
"Why are you sad?" Noah's voice is gentle. He is drawing circles on my cheek, smiling softly. "There is nothing to be sad about."
"Yes, there is... Because after today, you and I..."
I can't finish the sentence. Someone might be listening to our conversation, but the light in Noah's eyes tells me he understands what I was trying to say. This is officially the end for us. We can no longer become a couple without it being weird.
Noah takes my hand in his bigger one, discreetly squeezing it until I'm close to tears. Life is unfair.
The ceremony starts, and music is playing. I'm holding Noah's hand, wondering if I'm silly to already be falling in love with him. It doesn't matter that I closed the doors to my heart—he broke through them.
"Natalie..." Noah whispers, smiling my way. "Are you crying?"
I hiccup. "It's a beautiful wedding."
He stifles a laugh. "It hasn't even started yet."
I dry a tear underneath my eye. "Stop making fun of me... I'm allowed to cry if I want to… This is very emotional for me…"
Noah stands up. No one is looking at us. Everyone focuses on the couple, and I watch Noah walk toward an indistinct exit door. He nods his head, telling me to follow him.
My eyes flicker to the ceremony. Cynthia is crying. My father is holding her hands. I. Am. Disgusting.
I should stay and watch them, but I'm listening to my heart. It wants me to see Noah right now.
I sneak through the door, and Noah turns around. He is standing by the windows, allowing the sun to cast him in a holy light. Right now, he looks like an angel sent from heaven.
"You came," he says. "I didn't think you would."
I freeze. "If you didn't think I would come, why did you leave the ceremony?"
He chuckles. "Because you're worth the risk of looking like a complete and utter fool?"
Everything turns still, except for my racing heart. "Why am I so drawn to you, Noah?"
"Because we belong together." His smile is direct, white, pure, and honest. It makes me tremble. "If you would let me, I could show you what I mean—say yes to dating me."
I run my hands up and down my arms. "I can't..."
"Because we are step-siblings?"
"Yes... What if we don't last together and make ourselves look like fools for nothing?"
Realization hits his features. "So that's what you're scared of, huh? The two of us not lasting?"
I suck in a deep breath. "Aren't you?"
His smile returns. "No."
"Why not?"
Noah walks closer. I back away from him, but he is persistent. I'm this cornered animal—distrusting and dangerous while he is the light. I've never met anyone who has fought so hard for me before.
It frightens me.
Especially when he reaches out his hand and pulls me into his warm chest. I like it there. Too much.
His fingers are in my hair, and my arms wrap around him to reset my batteries. His embrace is soothing. It makes me safe. Warm. Whole. And as if nothing else in the world matters but us.
Noah inhales while holding me. "I've never met someone quite like you before."
I laugh into the fabric of his sweater vest. "Because I'm a total weirdo?"
He snorts. "No, because... You make my heart smile."
I laugh, and my lips strain. "I thought you invited me out here to have sex with you."
"Ah, you think too little of me," Noah pulls me up into his arms, hugging me tighter as if he is afraid I will disappear in a puff of smoke. He closes his eyes, smiling. "I brought you out here because I want to make you smile, not sit and watch you cry."
When he says those words, that's when the tears come. My heart feels too big for my chest, and I find Noah's lips. It shocks him. I guess he is usually the one to initiate them, but I can't hold back.
The world is falling apart, and I just want to hold him.
Be with Noah.
My Noah.