“You don’t look too bad yourself,” I boasted as he helped me with my corsage and then I helped him with his boutonniere.
After taking way too many pictures and Mom crying one too many times, we were able to leave. My dad and brothers never stopped warning Noah through their glares.
“Come on.” He placed his hand on the hollow of my back, spreading a warm heat throughout my entire body. Guiding me toward the limo where the driver opened the door for us. Noah helped me step in, sliding in behind me and closing the door.
We talked about nothing in particular on the drive to the restaurant. Both of us wrapped up in each other’s stares. Our eyes spoke volumes. We went to a nice Italian restaurant in town before the dance, having an intimate dinner, which was amazing. It didn’t take long until we were walking through the doors of the banquet hall that hosted my prom. Decorations were everywhere, representing the 1920’s theme we all voted on in school. They went on for miles, as did the crowd. There wasn’t a place in the room that wasn’t covered in some sort of streamer, confetti, or balloon.
We took a traditional prom picture with the photographer, but I didn’t get a chance to look at it since Noah immediately placed it in the pocket of his tuxedo jacket. He grabbed my hand, and I didn’t give it any more thought, I followed him into the ballroom. Stopping to hug a few people I knew along the way. We hung out like we always had, laughing and loving each other’s company. When the song “Broken” by Seether came blaring through the speakers, Noah grabbed my hand and led me to the dance floor.
Molding me close to his body, pulling me tighter into his strong, muscular frame. Guiding my arms up around his neck like he wanted no space between us. He wrapped his arm’s around me, proving my point. I laid my cheek on his chest, and he placed his chin on top of my head.
“I thought you didn’t dance.” I smiled, peering up into his eyes.
“I never said that. Ma was into all that romantic shit growin’ up. She used to make me dance with her all the time.”
I leaned my face into his chest again, frowning. I could have sworn he told me he didn’t dance. It was around the chorus of the song when something felt different. He felt different. The mood changed drastically between us as the lyrics of the song intensified. The conflicting emotions came tumbling down on me, crippling me in ways it never had before. There was something about this song that pained me, and I couldn’t comprehend or figure out why.
I suddenly needed some fresh air, a moment to myself. I waited until the song was over and grabbed my phone from my clutch.
“My mom’s called a few times. I’m going to step outside and call her back,” I lied, hoping he wouldn’t notice.
He nodded. “Gonna go say what’s up to the DJ. I know him. I’ll be over there.”
“Okay.” I backed away from him and left, making my way out to the terrace in the back of the hall.
The second I stepped outside I took a long, deep breath. Feeling as though I couldn’t breathe. I leaned against the railing, trying to distract myself by looking at all the city lights and the soft glow it gave everything around me. Normally this view would have me awestruck and at peace, but I couldn’t stop the emotions that were wreaking havoc on my mind.
And then just like that it unexpectedly changed again...
I felt him behind me.
“You’re there, aren’t you?” I whispered, my heart pounding against my chest.
“You wishin’ I was?” he countered in a husky, masculine tone.
Why did that simple response strike such a chord inside of me? “You shouldn’t be here.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
I heard the lock click over on the double doors, followed by his footsteps that brought him closer to where I stood. My breathing hitched as soon as I felt him come up behind my trembling frame. I didn’t turn around, I didn’t move, afraid if I did he’d disappear like he was just a figment of my imagination. My mind once again playing tricks on me.
I closed my eyes, waiting for I don’t know what. Feeling his heat burning into me more and more with each step that brought him closer to me. We weren’t even touching, yet I still felt him all over. His hands, his lips, his love. He leaned in just inches away, letting his breath brush against my ear. Causing shivers to course through me and my knees to buckle.
I wrapped my arms around my stomach, trying to hold in the emotions that threatened to spill, revealing my truths. I knew he noticed. There was no way he couldn’t have felt the effect he had on me. Even though I had no idea who he was.
He consumed me with his presence, so when he was gone. When he wasn’t around me. When we weren’t together.
I would miss him.
His touch.
His aura.
His love for me.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, than here wit’ you, Pippin.”
“There’s a warrant out for your arrest. If someone saw you—”
“Fuck ‘em.”
I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say or what to do. I should have left, but I couldn’t get my feet to move.
“You’re all that matters. Always have been and always will be.”
I licked my lips, my mouth suddenly becoming dry. My head spun in a whirlwind of feelings. Battling with my heart to move or to stay grounded. Wanting to turn and face the man who was still a mystery to me, but before I could, his actions made the decision for me. My eyes followed the movement of his strong arms as they came around my body. Skimming the sides of my ribs to place his hands on the railing out in front of me.
Caging me in against his body, his scent, his ink.
His truths...
Engulfing me in nothing but his warmth, his love, and devotion.
Comforting and tormenting me in ways I never thought possible.
It was loud.
It was maddening.
It was everything.
The closer he got to me, the more I wanted to feel him against my body. Yearning to be touched in a way that something told me only he could soothe me. I could sense he wanted to put his hands on me, needing to feel my silky skin under his calloused fingers, but he was taking it slow. Testing the fire, not wanting to get burned.
“I don’t even remember you,” I whispered, my chest firmly rising and falling with each word that escaped my lips.
“Yes, you do. My blood runs through your veins. I’ll always be inside of you. Be a part of you.”
I jerked back, confused. “What?”