“Estella,” Noah said, affection in his voice. It vibrated right into my heart where it nestled and made a home for itself.
Oh, no. No, no, no, no! I could not let this happen. I simply couldn’t. Falling for Noah Dylan would be by far the stupidest thing I’d ever done, and yet, I could already feel it happening. How could I like him this much when there were still so many things I didn’t know about him? And when some of the things I did know were cause for concern? Like the fake identities and the casual breaking and entering into people’s homes.
“What?” I replied, a plea in my voice. I needed him to change the subject, and he seemed to read me well when he said, “There’s nothing sadder than a cold bubble bath. Come, let me help you get out.”
His hands met my hips as he assisted me out of the tub. A small part of me was disappointed to leave. Despite the cold water, I probably could’ve sat in that bathtub telling Noah about my nightmares, my anxieties and my fears, for hours on end. And that was exactly what I was afraid of. Any more intimate moments like we’d shared just now, and I was in danger of falling completely in love with him. Not only that, but I was in danger of letting Noah see it, because when it came to him, I had a hard time disguising how I felt.
“I’m going to put on some dry clothes, then we’ll get Vee washed.” A pause as his hot, needful eyes danced over me, focusing too long on my chest. “You should probably get changed, too.”
My attention flicked down, and I was mortifyingly aware of my beaded nipples, blatantly evident through the thin cotton fabric of my top. Flushing bright red, I turned and fled the bathroom.
16.
“Please don’t make me do this. I’ll shower later, I promise,” Vee begged as Noah helped her out of bed.
“I don’t believe you.” He placed her arms around his shoulders and lifted her. She weighed so little it was easy for him to carry her into the bathroom. Watching him, I realised he really did care about Vee. It was almost surreal to see since he could come across so unreadable at times.
“I don’t want to,” Vee cried. It was difficult to witness her like this. I’d always had trouble reconciling Vee’s vulnerability with her harshness. She somehow managed to be both things at once.
Noah cast her a meaningful look. “Do it for me then.”
A long moment of them staring into each other’s eyes passed before Vee sniffled and nodded. Noah lowered her to a standing position, and she reluctantly closed the bathroom door behind her. While she washed, Noah and I diligently cleaned out her bedroom, opening the windows, changing the bedsheets and clearing out all the empty liquor bottles. An hour later, she was out of the bath, clean and dry, and fast asleep in her bed.
“When she wakes up, she’s going to want a drink,” Noah said, perturbed.
“It’s a bad idea to go cold turkey, right?” I said.
He nodded. “I’ll leave something for her. Not too much. Just enough to get her through.”
“What about tonight? Are you going to cancel?”
He looked torn, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “No. It’s only a small get together. We’ll keep it quiet. Vee won’t be disturbed.”
“Okay, well, I’m going to take a walk on the beach and get some air,” I said, and headed downstairs.
I walked along the strand, trying to sort through my thoughts and feelings. Being attracted to Noah was one thing but letting him worm his way under my skin was another entirely. And the more I saw his softer, kinder side, the further I fell. Perhaps we needed to return to keeping our distance, that way I could stem the flow of feelings until I finished my exams. Once I was out of that house and away from Noah, the constant heaviness in my stomach would fade.
I was lost in thought when suddenly a large dog came barrelling down the beach.
“Hey, Sparky, good to see you, boy,” I said, petting Kean’s Golden Retriever on the head and smiling down at him. He was such a friendly pup.
“He remembers you,” Kean said, Sparky’s leash in hand as he approached.
“And I remember him,” I replied, giving the dog an affectionate ruffle despite being wary of its owner.
“How have you been?” Kean asked with a hesitant smile.
“Fine.” I still haven’t forgotten about you and your friends sneering at my friends.
He looked regretful now. “I’m sorry for how things went down at the castle that night, and for how Sally was yesterday. I’ve been friends with her for years, but she can be kind of a bitch sometimes.” A pause as he got a shy look on his face. “Plus, I never shut up talking about you so she’s probably sick of hearing about it.”