Noah (The Mitchell/Healy Family #1)(57)
Author: Jennifer Foor

Shalan

I could feel tears forming in my eyes, and refused to let him see. Maybe I was being selfish, wanting Noah and the opportunity to become a famous singer. All I knew was that the mere thought of him walking away was making me feel like I was losing possibly the most real relationship that I would ever have.

Noah pulled me close and spoke with his mouth in my hair. “You know we can’t be nothin’ more than we already are, Shalan. It won’t work. Now, I ain’t sayin’ that I’m goin’ to go out lookin’ for somethin’ else. I’m just tryin’ to be fair, to both of us. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Finally I looked up at him, and it took that one moment for him to see just how much I cared about losing him. I could feel the tear falling down my cheek. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to make you mad.”

“Mad?” He looked at me like I was insane. “Shalan, I’m not mad at you. I’m just tryin’ to understand how you think this could ever be somethin’ more. We’ve determined that I can’t leave Kentucky, and you sure as shit don’t want to settle down and give up your career. You’re just startin’, darlin’. You’ve got so much to look forward to.”

I agreed by nodding my head. “I know. I just…after all those nights talking to you, after feeling what it’s like to wake up in your arms, I can’t help but be scared that it’s never going to happen again.”

His thumb wiped away the remnants of new tears that had fallen, then he placed his forehead against mine. “You’re scared. I get that. You’ve got this whole new life that you’re tryin’ to find a place in. I promise you that nothin’ is goin’ to change. You’re goin’ to come back in a week and plan your trip to Kentucky. For as long as you can stay, I’m goin’ to hold you every night, and make sure you leave satisfied knowin’ that I like our arrangement. I’m not out lookin’ for pu**y. Besides the fact that my cousin lives with me, I just don’t have the time or energy. My town is small, and there ain’t a single woman that could ever hold a candle to you.”

I tried to smile, even though I knew I must have been doing the exact opposite. Noah leaned forward and kissed me on the lips, holding his mouth against mine extra long before he pulled away. “I’ll call you when I land.”

I couldn’t answer, so I just moved my head around to acknowledge him.

From the moment he turned his back to me I started to really lose it. My emotions were going crazy. In my heart I knew he was being fair, but in my mind I understood that at any moment he could decide that he never wanted to see or talk to me again.

I watched him get in the cab without looking back at me, and the car starting to pull away. For a moment I couldn’t move. I just stood there watching them drive into the distance. Then I saw brake lights. He was far away, but I knew when that door opened and a figured climbed out with a duffle bag, it was Noah. He started walking toward me, and I couldn’t help but run in his direction. While the cab started to drive away, Noah scooped me up in his arms and kissed me in the middle of the street. He carried me all the way to the sidewalk before he sat me down. “What are you doing?”

“I’ll take a later flight.”

“You don’t have to. I’ll be fine. It’s just hormones or something.” I felt like an idiot for making him feel like he had to come back and take care of me.

“Do you want me to leave?” He eyes were fixed on mine, waiting for an answer.

“You know I don’t.”

Noah ran his fingers over my pouty lips. “Then give me a reason to stay, darlin’.”

So I did.

After carrying me upstairs, while showering me with new kisses, Noah wasted no time undressing me and leaving a trail of our clothes from the front door to my bedroom. He was so passionate, taking his time as if he didn’t care when or if he ever returned home. We didn’t talk, but instead were consumed in each other both mentally and physically. Our sex was slowly turning into something more, it was what some would call making love. This time in particular it was about taking our time, and appreciating what it felt like to be intimate with one another. To be honest, I could have never left my bed and died a happy woman.

Later, when neither of us could move any longer, Noah lay next to me, keeping his eyes on mine. “Are you glad I stayed?”

“I’m more than glad.”

“It’s goin’ to be a hard two weeks until I can see you again.”

“Are you getting emotional on me now?” I teased.

He reached over and played with a strand of my hair. “Let’s just say that sometimes I wish life wasn’t so damn hard.”

“Well, that makes absolutely no sense to me.”

“I’ll explain it when your in my bed in a couple weeks.”

I hated that he wasn’t going to explain, but the idea of him inviting me to his home was so exciting. I couldn’t wait to meet his cousin and the rest of his family, that I’d heard so much about. “Deal.”

Noah left before the sun came up the next day. I’d wanted to ride to the airport with him since my flight was also in the morning, but since he’d stayed an extra night I hadn’t had time to pack.

I think that actually made it easier when we had to say goodbye. Not only was I half asleep, but I knew I had a ton to keep me occupied. By the time I’d made it to the airport, Noah had called to let me know that his flight landed safely. We talked for about fifteen minutes until I had to start boarding for my flight. Noah also made me feel better about flying alone, since I really felt uncomfortable doing it.

The long flight gave me ample time to think about our weekend that we’d spent together. Every time I thought about Noah I got chills all over my body and felt hot between my legs. That man could do things to me that I never knew were real, and he knew it too. On the plane I sat next to this couple. They were on a connecting flight just coming back from their honeymoon. I tried not to stare, but just hearing them talk about their love for each other was the sweetest thing. My mind went to Noah immediately and I pictured him settled down, having kids, and being married. It was like a fantasy that I knew would never happen. As much as I wanted to believe that I could keep him, I knew it wasn’t possible. I was headed for big things, and soon he’d tell me that he’d found someone else. I knew I had to prepare for when that time came, but it would crush me when it did.