Noah (The Mitchell/Healy Family #1)(37)
Author: Jennifer Foor

He took the shampoo and started washing my hair. I had my back turned to him and felt the tears welling up. This temporary fix was inevitably going to end.

Noah took his time, washing and rinsing my hair, then washing my body, one area at a time. He paid close attention to certain areas, and made sure he kissed every inch of me as he went. I almost wanted him to stop, on account of loving it so much and knowing it was a temporary high.

I finally turned around and looked at Noah, who was busy washing his own hair. His body, so perfectly sculpted was something that I would never be able to forget, another was the way he touched me. It was impossible to be falling for someone so soon. I knew it had to be an infatuation, based on the fact that I’d never been with anyone even remotely like him.

He climbed out of the shower, pushing the curtain all the way open and lifting me out. My ass hit the cold marble on the vanity as he sat me on it. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my back before kissing me on the tip of the nose. “We need to get dressed and find you something as sexy as last night to wear.”

“I can’t keep buying clothes with what I earn, Noah. I’ve got to save up. God knows I can’t go home. I’ll be sleeping in a cell if I did that.”

He cocked his brow. “Seriously, you think he’d do that?”

I nodded. He didn’t know how crazy my ex could get. Yes, I’d driven his car into a pond, but he could be vindictive. After my actions I was sure he was plotting against me to see how he could destroy what I had left to my name. “Unfortunately, yes. I can’t go back there. I’m just going to save up my money and take a bus somewhere. I’ve got bartender and waitressing skills. I’m sure I can find a job and a cheap motel that rents by the month.”

I watched as his jaw clenched. He took a strand of wet hair and pushed it out of my face. “I don’t like hearin’ you talk that way, Shalan. There’s nobody you can call?”

I shook my head and looked down at the floor. It was embarrassing to admit that I had nothing. “Nobody. Hell, by now my uncle knows I lied. His wife won’t let me go back there. She’s probably furious that I walked out on my job with no notice. I already told you that I don’t talk to my dad, so that’s out of the question.”

“There’s got to be somethin’.”

I shrugged again. “I could always strip.”

“Yeah right. You wouldn’t?” I could tell he seemed offended about it.

“Why not? If it paid the bills, I’d do it. I mean, it’s not like I’d have to sleep with anybody.”

He leaned on the counter and looked down, ignoring the fact that we were both standing in the bathroom naked. I grabbed one of his arms and made him look at me. “Noah, this is my problem. Stop trying to help me with it. Regardless of my meeting you, this would be my fate. We’re just people that met in passing. I never expected to be saved from my life, and I’d never ask it either.”

He stood up and pulled me against his chest. “That’s the problem, Shalan. I was raised better than to turn my back on someone that needs help.”

“Don’t you dare ask me to go with you out of pity. I won’t have you feeling sorry for me, not after last –“

His cell phone started ringing. It rang three times and stopped, but then started right up again. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

Noah picked up his phone with his back to me. “Yeah?”

“Dad, I ain’t comin’ home.” He paused, probably listening to what his father was saying. “We discussed this the night I left. I don’t want your life.” Another pause. “How do you know where I am?” I could hear his father yelling from in the other room. His words weren’t clear, but it was very obvious. “Tell Mom I’m fine. I’m sure you’ll figure somethin’ out when I don’t show up. I’m not a kid! Yeah you too, you ignorant prick.”

He tossed the phone on the bed and sat down. I hopped off the sink and walked over to where he was standing. After running my hands through his wet hair, I pulled it back enough to kiss him on the lips.

Noah pulled away and looked at me in a weird way. His eyes were scary.

Suddenly, he hopped up and shoved me against the wall. His left hand had one of mine pinned above my head, while his right hand grabbed the skin of my pu**y and pulled. “I need this.”

I let out a cry, wondering what was going to happen. To be honest, I was pretty freaked out. “Noah, please don’t hurt me.”

He shoved his lips on mine and then his tongue in my mouth. His kisses, once again ravenous with no tempo. Fingers plunged inside of me with force, over and over. His mouth separated from mine, but only to bite down on my collarbone. I cried out and felt my body being thrown onto the bed. Those eyes were the same, more black showing than the green. I crawled from one end of the bed to the other to distance us. He climbed on too. “Don’t f**kin’ run from me, Shalan.”

“You’re making me scared. I don’t want you to hurt me.”

He sighed and held out his hand, gritting his teeth while he spoke. “Come on, woman. You know what I want. Why don’t you get over here and give it to me? Don’t you want to practice with me, before you start that job dancin’?”

I wasn’t going to take him treating me like that because he was pissed off. I had nothing to do with it. “Why are you acting so mean? I don’t understand. What happened? Did your dad piss you off?”

“My dad won’t control me. Nobody can.”

“It was just a call. Calm down. I’m not sleeping with you right now, not when you’re being ridiculous. We’ve got to get ready.”

“The only f**kin’ thing you need to be ready for is this.” He motioned towards his crotch. “Now bend your ass over and give me what I want, or get the f**k out of my hotel room.” He shook his head and started laughing. “Ain’t this why you’re here? Don’t you want to work for money? It’s why all the women want to be with me, Shalan. Nothin’ changes.” Instead of having me bend over and put my ass in the air, he turned me around so that I was lying on my back. “Let me teach you how they’re goin’ to treat you at the strip club.” He positioned himself to where he could enter me as he continued speaking. I should have said no, but I was feeling so powerless, and utterly shocked that he’d treat me with such disrespect. I covered my br**sts with my arms and was prepared to protect my face, need be. Noah was acting as if he could inflict bodily harm and I was petrified. Tears started falling down my cheeks. I didn’t know this man that was on top of me. “I’m going to teach you how to like it rough, woman. Say you like it. Tell me. Tell me you like bein’ told what to do.”