Chapter 5 : The Aftermath

The leather seats creak under me as the sleek Bentley glides along the winding coastal road. My heart thumps wildly, Noland's proximity setting my nerves alight.

When his phone rings, I start to get anxious. Noland answers in a low murmur, tension etched into the lines of his face. His gaze flicks to me for a brief moment before he turns away, voice dropping further.

My breath catches in my throat. Caleb. They are talking about Caleb.

Panic bubbles in my chest as fragments of the hushed conversation reach me. ...dealt with...won't be a problem anymore...taught him a lesson. Each word is a blow, cinching my lungs in a vice-like grip.

When the call ends, silence engulfs us. Noland's knuckles are white as he tightens his fists, his jaw clenched.

I take a deep breath and brace myself for what is coming. "What does he mean by 'dealt with'?"

Noland's eyes darken, stormy seas in the dim light. "It's nothing for you to worry about."

"I disagree. This involves Caleb, so it involves me." I straighten, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. I wouldn't be placated or brushed aside. Not about this.

Noland sighs, the fight seeming to drain from him. "My security staff took Caleb to one of the estate’s rooms. They...discouraged...him from forcing himself on any woman ever again."

A frisson of fear and something else - anticipation? - slides down my spine at the implication in his tone.

"You mean they hurt him." It isn't a question.

"He won't be imposing himself on any other young women." Noland's knuckles whiten further and his eyes glint with restrained fury. "Men like that need to be taught a lesson."

I shiver at the violence simmering beneath Noland's composed exterior. Both terrifying and thrilling, this glimpse of the beast prowling within elicits a reaction I don't dare examine too closely.

Not yet.

My fingers curl into my lap as I avert my gaze, watching the silhouettes of palm trees sweep by in the dark.

The memory of Noland's searing touch against my skin rises unbidden, eliciting a surge of heat and awareness of the man beside me. Of the passion and possession in his eyes.

Of the danger.

And I realize with stark clarity that I am already in too deep. Or am I imagining all of this? Does my naive mind want to cling to the thought that a man so handsome, so powerful, so… everything, could be interested in someone so dull and simple like me?

The rest of the drive passes in silence, tension and desire thickening the air between us. By the time we arrive at the Reynolds estate, my heart is pounding in my chest.

Noland escorts me inside, his hand a branding weight at the small of my back. "I'll take you to your room." His gaze dips, skimming over my body in a slow perusal that leaves me flushed. "You should get some rest. If there's anything you need, just let the staff know."

“I don’t think I want anything from anyone right now,” I lie. I want something, and I want it from him. But that is wrong, and I should focus on staying away from those thoughts conflicting in me.

“Let me take a look at this,” he says, taking me by surprise.

He carefully grabs my wrist and lifts my arm to inspect the now more violet ink exposing where Caleb’s grip was tighter. The rage in his eyes as he follows the shape of it sends a shiver down my spine.

“This should never have happened.” His voice is low, controlled, yet the underlying fury is unmistakable.

Considering the events that unfolded after, is it wrong of me to say that I am glad it happened? This is so wrong. I shouldn’t be thinking like this.

I shake my head wordlessly, unable to find the right words to explain what happened. I want to tell him that I'm okay, but at the same time I don't want him to think less of me for not being able to fight off Caleb's advances.

I can feel his gaze boring into me and I can't help but quiver under his intense scrutiny. He releases my wrist after what feels like an eternity and he takes a step back, his eyes never leaving mine.

"No one will harm you while you're here," he says firmly. "I won't let anyone touch you."

The conviction and protectiveness behind his words makes me shiver even more, and I find myself believing him despite all logic telling me otherwise. A strange feeling blooms within me- something that I can't quite place- but all I know is that it's making my heart beat faster and my knees tremble in anticipation.

Noland reaches out a hand towards me, hesitating before touching my cheek gently with his fingertips. His eyes bore into mine as if seeking permission before slowly trailing across my skin until they come to rest on my lips.

My breath hitches at the sudden intimacy between us and without thinking, I reach up to encircle his neck with both hands, pulling him closer towards me until our lips meet in a searing kiss full of passion and promise.

The world around us seems to melt away as we explore each other with increasing fervor until finally Noland pulls away gently, resting his forehead against mine as our labored breathing fills the space between us. His eyes locked on mine, and there is so much intensity in them, that I find it hard to breathe. What is he thinking? Oh, how much I wish I could read his thoughts.

Suddenly, I feel self aware of what we just did, and I fear he will say something that will ruin this magical moment. I am almost afraid of this happening.

He lets go of my arm and takes a small step back. I fear the worst. "Much better than what I imagined it would be," he says with a grin that makes me catch my breath again. “Have a good night, Lexie.” His words soft.

I swallow hard, acutely aware of the predatory focus in his eyes. The intensity of his stare makes me feel hunted. "Th-thank you," I manage.

Noland leans in, his breath feathering over the shell of my ear. "You're welcome, princess."

A full body shiver racks my frame at the throaty endearment. Then he is gone, leaving me trembling in the foyer.

Alone in the opulent room prepared for me, I pace. I can't settle, not with my pulse racing and need pooling low in my belly. With a groan, I collapse onto the bed, images of Noland's smoldering eyes and firm mouth playing on repeat in my mind. We kissed. And he said he had imagined it already.

I toss and turn as desire and anxiety war within me. I know I should put distance between us, that him being Natasha's dad will make anything between us impossible, but the memory of his touch obliterates my good intentions.

When sleep finally claims me, I dream of callused hands and whispered promises against my skin.

The next morning, I wander downstairs in search of coffee. I find Natasha in the kitchen, angrily swiping at her phone.

"There you are!" Natasha exclaims. "You and Caleb’s scene ended up ruining everything last night."

I blink. "What?."

Natasha huffs. "It caused a huge scene." She tosses her phone onto the counter. "It completely ruined my night. I had to apologize to all the guests. Many left before I was able to, and I just went through my social media and everyone is talking about how the event was a flop."

"I'm so sorry, Natasha. I had nothing to do with that." My stomach twists with guilt. I never mean to cause trouble between my friends.

“These kinds of comments and backlash can kill my career as a fashion designer. I just hope I can recover from this before my fashion show next month,” she says this grumpily, and I can’t believe what I am hearing.

“Tash, I promise you, I did not mean for any of this to happen.”

"Are you sure about that?" Natasha crosses her arms, skepticism etched into her features.

"Are you suggesting, Tash, that I purposely made your friend Caleb force himself on me just to ruin your event?" Heat floods my face. I open my mouth, then close it again, at a loss for words.

Natasha sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to accuse you. I know you would never intentionally hurt me." She shakes her head. “This was so stupid, sorry Lexie, I was an idiot for accusing you like that.”

I still am a bit surprised at how she accused me of something like this. The Natasha I knew would never consider something like this, and would have never formed those words out loud. What happened?

Natasha also has changed, not just me. It was naive of me to think that life wasn’t going to do something else in her life. What other surprises will I find? Did I make the right choice by coming here?

While I finish the thought in my mind, flashes of Noland come to life in my memories, and I shake the previous thought completely. I needed to come here. I needed to find Noland. We haven't actually progressed beyond charged glances and fleeting touches, but my body still thrums with want for him.

Natasha comes closer to me and I focus on her. “I mean it, Lexie. I am truly sorry. I shouldn’t have accused you of anything. Please don’t get mad, please. I need my best friend.”

I breathe a quiet sigh of relief. I don't want my tangled feelings for Noland to come between me and my best friend. "I'm here for you, whatever you need."

"I know." Natasha pulls me into a fierce hug. "That's why you're my person." She releases me, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "So, tell me. How was your night with Noland bringing you home? Did he say anything about my party? Did he say anything about what he did to Caleb?"

My face flames anew. Trust Natasha to cut straight to the heart of things. I open my mouth, casting about for a plausible explanation that doesn't reveal too many details. This is going to be an interesting conversation.

Natasha then apologizes and says she is frustrated, but knows it is not my fault. I tell Natasha that I will try to be more careful next time, and that I do not want to lose my best friend.

"I'm sorry for accusing you," Natasha says again. "I was upset, and I took it out on you unfairly. I know you would never do anything to hurt me."

The truth is, I never want anything to come between me and Natasha's friendship. "I understand why you were upset. Don't worry about it."

"You're too good to me." Natasha smiles and pulls me into another hug. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

I hug her back tightly. "You'll never have to find out."

Natasha apologizes for her outburst and says she will do better, she also says she doesn't want to lose her best friend. She promises to be a better friend as well.

"I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that." Natasha grimaces, not letting the subject go. "I'll try to do better next time. I never want to do anything to jeopardize our friendship."

"You're not getting rid of me that easily." I bump Natasha's shoulder playfully. "Best friends fight sometimes. It's part of the deal."

"You're the best, you know that?" Natasha pulls me into another quick hug. "I don't say it enough, but I'm so grateful for you. My life would be empty without my partner in crime."

I feel my eyes prickle with tears and blink them back. Natasha and I have been through so much together over the years. Our friendship is a lifeline I cling to during my darkest times.

"You're my person too," I say softly. "Always."

Natasha gives me a watery smile. "Always."