“Hi!” My mother gently pushed me out of the way so she could open the door and then welcomed Noelle in. I felt self-conscious and embarrassed almost immediately. We didn’t live in the projects or anything, but this house was nothing like hers. Nothing like what she was used to. We didn’t have a lavish staircase, or a finished basement. We didn’t have a huge kitchen with granite countertops. Things here were plain. It was simple and completely unlike anything she ever had growing up.
“Umm, Hi! Is Royal here?” Noelle’s sweet voice met my ears, and I kid you not the sound of it instantly brightened my day. I wanted her. I needed her. God I’ve missed her so much. We were right back where we started.
“Yes. please, why don’t you come on in?” It was snowing an hour ago, and I wasn’t even sure how she managed to get here let alone find my address. Suddenly I was overwhelmed with fear. Was her flight okay, did she get sick? Did she just get released from the hospital? I stepped into view, and our eyes collided. The rope I severed between us by leaving started to twine back together. The fibers forming and pulling me back toward her heart.
This girl owned me. She had my fucking heart in her hand, and she was squeezing the ever loving life out of me. We stood there for several minutes just staring at each other. There was no one and nowhere else that mattered in this moment. Just the two of us.
“Are you okay?” I couldn’t help but ask the question that I was dying to find out. I had to know that she was okay, and that she didn’t hurt herself trying to get here. I had to know that she didn’t leave because she was attacked by her mother or someone else.
“I’m perfect.” Her smile set my body ablaze. A forest fire started at my feet and climbed its way up my body, each look she gave me fanned the flames of my desire.
“Umm…” My mother stepped in breaking the moment up. I forgot she was even here. It was just like Noelle to distract me from the world causing everything else to fall away.
“Mom, this is Noelle. Noelle, this is my mom.” I introduced them to one another, my mom being the first to wrap Noelle in a tight hug. Noelle’s face had a small rosy blush creeping its way onto her cheeks. I wasn’t sure if it was from showing up here unannounced, or our staring match, hell it also could be from meeting my mom for the first time. Either way I enjoyed seeing the color highlight her innocent face.
“It’s so nice to meet you.” My mother’s voice was cheery. I’m sure she had already figured out it was Noelle’s name that I was going to say earlier when I told her that I was positive that I was in love.
“Likewise, Mrs. Black. I have heard so many great things about you.” Noelle’s eyes locked on mine and then slid up and down my body as if she was trying to burn the image into her mind. I’ve missed her so fucking much. I couldn’t believe that she was actually here standing in the same room as me. Her scent filled my nostrils and forced my heartbeat to slow. She was exactly what I needed to survive.
“I just made dinner, if you care to join us. I’m sure your flight was pretty long, and you must be hungry?” My mom shifted her eyes to me. We were both shocked by Noelle’s presence here, but I could tell that neither of us wanted her to leave.
“No that’s sweet but I’ll be okay. I’m sorry for just barging in on you guys especially at dinner time. I just wanted to come and see Royal before I checked into the hotel in town.” It was then that I noticed she had brought her suitcases with her. She had to be insane if she thought I was going to let her go stay in town or anywhere else by herself.
“Well then I will leave you two alone to talk.” She paused before finishing.
“I would also like to add that you’re more than welcome to stay here if you would like.” My mother extended the invitation to her before I could, and that was a good thing since Noelle almost never listened to me.
“Well I don’t know; I really don’t want to be a bother to you. I already showed up unannounced at your door, and I have the room at the hotel already reserved....” Noelle’s cheeks grew a darker shade of red.
Fuck yes! My cock was already rock hard.
“Mom, Noelle is far more stubborn than I am. You’re going to have to work your mom magic and insist she stays.” I shot them both a smirk. Letting them both know just how serious I was.
“I really don’t want to impose on you guys. I know my trip was unexpected, and I would completely understand if you didn’t have room for me here.” Her words smacked me in the chest like a brick being thrown at me. She wouldn’t have had to come out here if I didn’t leave.
“Oh for Pete’s sake child. Royal can take the couch and you can have his bed. I’ll see that he shows you to it. I won’t take no for an answer.” My mother gave me the, get-the-hell-going look before walking away. Oh she had no fucking idea just how true her statement was. I was damn well going to show Noelle to my room, but I wouldn’t be sleeping on the couch. Not one bit. Not while Noelle was in my bed.
Yeah that was not happening.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
-Noelle