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  Noah’s limo rolls to a stop, and he pulls me out to reveal we are at the club of the moment, as it feels we should be, even if we are overdressed.

  All the haughty people in line grumble as Noah hands the bouncer a hefty tip.

  We glide right past them, but he's immediately recognized on sight around every part of the city.

  Everyone assumes I must be some Los Angeles A-list actress because of how I am dressed. I recognize several celebrities on our way through the coat room with their beaus of the moment. Most of them still note Noah, because in a dinner jacket he is more irresistible than usual.

  The man has a woman on his arm, but being the most handsome man in the room, he still garners a glance from just about every interested woman.

  “Mr. Stone,” a waitress in the standard short cocktail dress puts a hand on his shoulder, “I have a booth waiting for you.” She smiles at him, her cleavage practically popping out of her dress as we follow her, Noah’s hand still tightly gripping mine. “Did you have any trouble getting in?”

  “Not at all Ashley, thank you for asking.” He slips her a bill, and I wonder if she asks questions for the tip, or because she wants to be the one holding his hand.

  Deep in the pit of my stomach, something sinks, and I realize he could have his pick of anyone here.

  However, I’m the woman he’s chosen.

  Noah, my Noah, guides me to my seat in the comfortable, velvet lined booth, before putting an arm around the back, and toying with a piece of my hair as the waitress continues.

  “What shall I get you?” She’s addressing me now.

  I thought I was invisible.

  “I’ll have a whiskey neat.”

  Never have I seen this man drink anything else.

  “Same for you?” I turn to him as he continues to play with my hair.

  Noah simply nods and loosens his tie with a free hand. Ashley disappears into the crowd to get our drinks and then we are alone.

  Alone in a darkened club, with the sultry beat of the music in the background and no one to bother us.

  I hope Athena is busy tonight.

  “You look much less uptight now.”

  “I’m not always uptight.” I protest. “You would be too, if you realized your life was going nowhere,” I take a long sip of the whiskey once it’s in front of me, realizing what I’m about to say is far more than I’ve ever told him before.

  “I'm about to end up like my mother, that's my greatest fear in life coming true.” I draw a deep breath, trying not to sound like I'm in a panic.

  Noah is the only person I can talk to about this.

  “You won’t be your mother,” he tells me aggressively, and I see fire in his eyes.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You are too intelligent to become what she has.” He tells me honestly.

  “How can you be certain?” I am too stubborn.

  I know who I am: my mother’s daughter.

  “Go to school.” He nudges me. “Do it. You’ve always wanted to.”

  “School?”

  “Study like you want to. Study Environmental Chemistry like you’ve always wanted to. You wanted to save the world at one point.” He remembers my dreams.

  “I know that woman is still inside you somewhere. She went nowhere Tinsley, whether you believe me, or not.” He tilts my chin upwards, towards him and I can see he's just frank with me.

  If there’s one thing I’ve always admired about him, it’s the honesty between us.

  Noah is right. I always wanted to save the world.

  Bradford Energy would put all the Whittaker clean energy initiatives at risk. That’s the whole reason my father and Julian Bradford have been at odds for years because he’s not eligible for the grants and initiatives Whittaker Energy can get.

  At least that’s what I’ve always assumed.

  There may be more to that story, but I don’t care.

  “I am.” My voice fades away. “I’m still that girl.”

  “You are a smart, responsible woman, who can make her own decisions. You can go to school and do what you want to with your life Tinsley. This is up to you, and no one else.” Noah rises from his seat, leading me away from the booth as we walk towards the dance floor, and the sultry dynamic makes me hang on his every word.

  This is up to me.

  All of it.

  I believe in myself for a change.

  As Noah spins me, the lights flashing overhead as my heart racing with the Latin beat of the music. My back is flush against his and

  Noah's hands raise my arms above my head; his way of manipulating my body makes me want more of him.

  He knows his way around a dance floor, and his hands drift down my arms. There is an overwhelming urge to tell him to take me home.

  Swiveling my hips as he grinds against me he spins me again, one hand on my bare skin, the other taking mine as he dips me low to the ground, sweeping me up once more before I can catch my breath.

  Noah makes me understand the word whirlwind. He sucks me up into his world of high chaos and emotion. I can’t think of anything I love more than revolving around him.

  It's natural to press my back flush against his body again, to grab his tie and tease him. I lay my head on his shoulder, grinding my ass against him.

  Noah's grip on my hips tightens I hear him growl something into my ear, but I can't make out what he's saying over the music. So, I plant a kiss on his throat instead of replying.

  I get a rough kiss in return, his tongue in my mouth instantly and give him equal fire in return. We forget where we are, making out on the dance floor, where anyone can see us.

  Our bodies still moving against each other, he breaks the kiss for a moment, spinning me around and pressing me against a nearby table. I wrap my arms around him and lose myself in his lips.

  His hesitancy is gone. He no longer cares if I am younger or inexperienced.

  Something has shifted, and his hands are needier.

  Noah’s hand grabs my thigh, his fingers running softly along the skin before pulling it against him. I barely catch my breath, as our lips meet over and over again.

  The heat only builds, and I know what I want.

  “Take me home,” I beg him.

  “I can’t.” He resists.

  I saw that coming.

  “You will,” I demand, sucking on his bottom lip, his grip on my thigh is firmer as he kisses me again, trying to silence me.

  “Take me.” I press against him, pulling on his tie.

  “Tinsley, this is verging on dangerous territory…”

  “You’re only resisting because you think you should,” I shout over the music as I throw my head back, inviting him to kiss my neck.

  If it’s the last thing I do, I will seduce him tonight. I know what I am doing.

  He’s kissing my neck within seconds.

  “Bloody hell.” He shakes his head, before taking me by the hand, leaving bills at the booth we were at before we are out on the street, looking for his limo.

  Noah pauses for a moment, watching me. Then, in a voice full of desire. "If you want to walk away, now would be the time Tinsley."

  "I wouldn't dream of it."

  We kiss all the way up Central Park West.

  All the way up the elevator the building guards get a show.

  Noah’s hands travel everywhere, up my dress, around my dress, his lips hitting every square inch of skin he can without taking my clothes off.

  The elevator ride is long enough he pauses twice, to ask me if I am sure.

  “If you ask me that one more time, I will slap you Noah Stone.”

  “Tinsley, Tinsley, Tinsley…” Noah’s voice fades as he takes my face in his hands, and our lips crush against each other, both of us stumbling into his penthouse after her fumbles with the key for a good five minutes, unwilling to stop kissing me.

  “Make me yours,” I demand between kisses.

  There is no protesting to this. Noah locks the deadbol
t before picking me up, caressing my neck with light kisses as he carries me towards the bedroom.

  His king size bed and minimalistic white coverlet, the black silk sheets, and the floor to ceiling windows with expansive views of Manhattan.

  Noah deposits me on the bed, flicking on the bedside lights before sliding off his jacket.

  My earlier nerves disappear, as I look out of the city, the view of the park and rest of the borough, still moving and thriving as we lose ourselves in each other. Noah drops down on the bed beside me, pulling me down on top of him.

  “It's true though,” he takes me back with the sincerity in his voice, “You know I can’t promise you anything, I don’t want you to regret anything, and I could never live with myself if I hurt you.”

  “I know you can’t.” This does make me another one of his conquests, but this is different. “But I would regret nothing with you Noah; you’re so much more than just this to me. There’s pure friendship behind all of this.”

  I try to be careful with my explanation.

  “If my friends go through, losing their virginity to boyfriends they don’t even see anymore, I would much rather do this, with someone I feel passionate about, that I lose all control with and can’t help myself.”

  “And,” I add seductively, “I could regret nothing with someone who makes me feel the way you do.”

  Proving that my answer pleases him, Noah presses me down on the bed, “Then we’d better make sure you remember me.”

  Like I could ever forget him.

  Every kiss sends my senses spiraling out of control, I want to do things to him I’ve never considered before, and as he kneels over me, looking as though he’s about to devour me, I push him down against the no longer neatly made bed.

  Noah laughs, but he’s watching me closely as I deposit his belt on the floor, unzipping his pants.

  “What are you doing?” He asks curiously.

  “Something.” I bite my lip.

  “Oh my god.” I can tell that he wants it, because that’s where he stops talking, as I’ve already pulled his sizeable shaft out of his pants, pulling them down slightly.

  Noah’s eyes are on mine, as though he’s been anticipating a repeat performance.

  “You’ve been thinking about this?” my seductive voice croons to him, “My lips around your cock?”

  He doesn’t have time to say a word, as the first thing I do is run my tongue across the entire length of his long shaft, before swirling my tongue around the head.

  I hear him groan, relaxing back against the bed, his hand entangled in my hair. “Dear god Tinsley.”

  His groan makes me smirk, and I take him into my hot mouth, causing Noah to groan again, gripping my hair harder and the whole situation makes me wet. All the more reason to keep going, taking all I can in my mouth, watching his eyes widen as I continue.

  “You look amazing like that…” Noah’s hoarse voice demands more.

  My mouth sinks down lower on his member, and my memory of our last time together in the shower urges me forward. The more of him I take in my mouth, the louder he groans, and I watch him tense up, bringing him closer and closer to release.

  The closer he gets, the more I want to tease, so I pause, stroking him before licking the entire length of his shaft, swirling my tongue around the head again.

  “I need you, now.” He can’t wait any longer. “I’m going to rip that dress right off you.”

  “Good, it was expensive.” He’s still in my mouth

  “All the better.” Noah pushes me back against the bed and his lips crash into mine. Hands. He pulls at the zipper on the side of my dress and in one swift movement, it’s off.

  For the first time in my life, I let go, I give in. Everything else just falls away, including my bra, my thong, nothing stands between us as he presses his body against mine, his hand moving between my legs.

  A part of me is burning for by him, and then finally, I feel the soft caress of his finger against my clit and all my senses go spiraling out of control.

  “Noah…” the moan that escapes my lips is something I’ve never heard before, his teeth dig into my flesh, nibbling, leaving marks everywhere as he continues to evoke sounds from me that no one ever has, drawing me closer and closer towards the precipice of orgasm. With one finger inside me, he slides his thumb against my slick clit.

  “Oh, Noah!” I moan, he does know what he’s doing. “I’m going to cum!”

  I listen to him mutter the word beautiful, roughly under his breath, his arousal growing by the second.

  I have never understood the difference between wanting a man and needing a man before, but it’s clear now. Noah makes this need so great I tug him towards me, on top of me as he presses himself against me, finding my lips. There’s no sweetness behind these kisses, just the passionate desperation of two lovers who recognize they may never have this time to be together again.

  Content to live; to absorb the taste of his lips and his scent. The silk against my skin as we become entangled in his sheets is something I won't soon forget.

  Noah presses against me, and then, finally, his member is inside me. Slowly, gently, and then there’s a slight pressure.

  It’s staggering that this is happening as I suck in a breath, marveling for a moment, of how full of him I am. He ignites my instinct to desire more, whining as he bites hard into my flesh again, a feral groan escaping from him. “Tinsley.” He gasps.

  “So beautiful,” Noah’s lips are gentle, but firm, he holds back as he moves against me, finding my hands and pinning me down, firmly against the bed as my toes curl and he makes me whine for more.

  “Please don’t stop…” encouraging him, I can’t stop the flood of words. His thick shaft is more than I imagined it would be, “Noah you're so good.”

  “Fuck.” He swears under his breath, burying his head in my neck.

  As though he can no long hold back, with one hand gripping my hip hard, he drives deeper into me as I cling to him, thighs shaking as a scream of pleasure escapes.

  I barely understand the sensations he’s making me feel but Noah doesn’t stop, our eyes connecting and I am lost in him. He drives deeper and deeper into me, filling me with his thickness on every thrust that rocks my body.

  “Make me yours!” my pleasured voice screams out as I arch my back.

  I don’t even know what I’m saying. “I’m yours!”

  “Mine!” He growls. “All mine!”

  That tips me over the edge.

  Until I feel the bubble, of pleasure so intense I don’t know what’s happening.

  “Noah…” biting my lip, almost wondering if I should tell him to stop but I can’t, curiosity gets the better of me, I want all of him, every single part of him as he keeps plunging into me. Every time he sinks deeper into me, inching me closer and closer until my mind is so twisted with decadent thoughts.

  I barely know where I am.

  All I know is who I am with.

  Then I feel the bubble burst, and the pleasure that rushes through my body is so immense that I can’t control the cries that erupt from my lips, my back arching as I shake.

  “I’m going to cum,” I moan to him, “Cum inside me, oh my god, please!” I don’t understand what I’m saying, but we’re passionately kissing as the wave of the orgasm rolls over my body, and I feel a rush of warmth inside me, as he, with one last hard thrust, finishes inside me.

  A carnal groan escapes the kiss as we continue touching each other, just exploring each other's bodies, both exhausted.

  As I lay in his arms, twisted in black silk sheets, I have to ask. “Is it always like that?”

  “No.” Noah yawns, shaking his head. “It’s never like that.”

  We are both on the precipice of sleep, Noah drawing circles on my back as I watch him intently, lying on my stomach when we hear footsteps.

  Noah sits up, pulling on a pair of briefs when I hear the door open, and I hide in his sheets, turning around to see a blonde woma
n I don’t recognize standing in the doorway.

  “Bloody hell, what are you doing here.” Noah stands in front of me protectively.

  The blonde woman opens a trench coat to reveal blue lingerie I would never in a million years have the guts to buy. Let alone show up here wearing.

  “I came to see you, lover, though I see you’ve picked someone up for the night…” she narrows her eyes at me, tying her jacket closed. “Though it’s not just anyone.”

  I think I recognize her now. But it can’t be!

  “Elizabeth, what are you doing here? How did you get in?” Noah demands of her crossly.

  Elizabeth.

  Firmly rooted in Noah’s bed, I’m terrified of moving. I saw him lock the deadbolt!

  “The door Magda uses.” Her flippant attitude dismisses him. “I recognize you.” Her eyes narrow at me. “You bastard! Tinsley! Of all the women in New York…” Elizabeth crosses her arms, turning on Noah angrily, silence falling between the two of them.

  “I want to talk to you alone!” she taps her heel on the hardwood for a few moments before he follows her out the door.

  “Bloody…” Noah pushes her out the bedroom door, pulling it closed behind him, but it doesn’t click. Instead, it bounces back, leaving it slightly ajar and I hear parts of their conversation.

  “Why are you back? You left.”

  “I want to come home.”

  “You can’t.” Noah’s firm reply is furious.

  “Because of her?” Elizabeth’s harsh laugh rings throughout the room.

  “What? Do you love her? Don’t tell me you will put everything we’ve got aside for some little slut.” she sneers

  “Elizabeth- do not talk about her that way. I’m not doing this with you. I don’t trust you. Unless you’re about to bring Ava right to my doorstep, all of this? It's over.”

  “I already told you,” Elizabeth replies to him childishly. “I don’t know where she is.”

  “Bullshit!”

  “Well,” I hear the anger in her voice rise. “If you will not make this work, because of some woman of the moment, you’ll never see your daughter, again.”

  “This has nothing to do with Tinsley,” Noah tells her coldly.

  “Noah, everything you do…”