Chapter Thirteen:
Shay:
His eyes opened, and I was surprised.
Part of me thought that he was just fucking with me this whole time.
The whites of his eyes darkened to gray, and the usual purple lightened to an almost glowing lilac.
I think part of me didn't want to believe this whole thing, but seeing his eyes like that, didn't give me much choice.
I made sure not to pull my hand away, I didn't want him to think I was scared of him.
It was still insane that he was my match. This guy made me feel warm with just a thought.
"Noah?" I asked.
His eyes locked on mine, and I felt myself start to shake.
"You should probably take your hand back," he said.
I don't know what it was about this boy. I didn't want to take my hand back.
"And if I don't?" I asked.
He pulled my hand forward as if to kiss the top of my hand. His tongue came out of his mouth, and it took me a second to realize his tongue was split in two.
The two of his tongues went across my knuckles.
I felt like I was about to shake out of this chair.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
I was tugging lightly at my hand. I was still trying to decide if I liked what he was doing or not.
"You asked if I could taste the things I smell," he said, "I wanted to make sure my senses weren't lying."
His tongue went back into his mouth, and he released my hand.
That was weird.
Was it weird that I found it kind of hot?
Well, it is a good thing he can't read minds.
"Noah," Baird warned.
Noah turned his attention towards the ginger-haired man.
It wasn't a nice way he was looking at him.
"Hey," I said, "How old are you?"
Noah's head slowly turned to look back at me, and it made me a little nervous.
"Twenty-two," he said.
His expression softened as he stared back at me.
"Okay," I said, "I'm nineteen."
There was a short silence. I didn't know what to do or what to ask.
His gaze didn't waver.
"You know," I began, "You can ask me questions too."
He looked a little surprised when I said it.
I knew I already told him that it was okay for him to ask. It seems like he genuinely forgot.
"Okay," he said, "What is your favorite color?"
Really? A color question?
"Purple," I said, "What's yours?"
His eyes actually went down, and it looked like he didn't know how to respond.
"Do you not have a favorite color?" I asked him.
"I do," he said, "I'm just not sure I'm ready for your response."
"Oh," I said, "Let me guess, black?"
"It's the only color I like," he said, "But most people tell me black isn't a color."
I shrugged.
"If you like it, who cares?"
He actually smiled.
His teeth looked a little sharper than I remember.
"Is your tongue usually…" I use my hand to indicate the splitting of his tongue.
"Does that scare you?" he asked.
I shook my head, "I'm just curious."
He shook his head.
"My tongue is usually not split," he said.
"Does it hurt?" I asked.
He looked away, towards the wall where no one was sitting.
"Yes," he said, just above a whisper.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"Don't be," he said, "It's not your fault."
It felt a little like it was.
He didn't meet my eyes again.
"Noah," I said, "You said being near me causes a reaction."
He still didn't look at me.
"Does being near me," I began, "Does it hurt?"
I could see that I was making him uncomfortable now.
"It does," I said.
He finally turned to look at me.
"That is how they match us," he said, "Based on our reaction."
I was hurting him by just sitting here?
I wish that he would just answer me.
"So, you just change then?" I asked, "Is that it?"
He shook his head slowly.
I was about to press further, but he actually responded.
"First, I get this sensation of hot and cold," he said, "You know that feeling you get when your arm or your leg falls asleep?"
I nodded.
"Then I get that feeling," he said, "Where it feels like a thousand bees are stinging me."
I swallowed hard.
"I feel pain everywhere," he said.
He held my gaze hard.
I didn't know what to say to that. I couldn't help what happened to him because of me.
"But when I touch you," he whispered, "The pain disappears."
Wait, did he just say what I think he did?
"What?" I asked a little louder than I probably should have.
"Believe me, I was just as surprised as you are."
This boy is something else.
"If it helps," I said, "Then why are we not supposed to make any contact?"
"Unknown territory," he said, "We don't know how everyone will react, so we try to cover all of our bases."
I guess that made sense.
Baird typed something into the tablet in his hands.
"Is he putting that in?" I asked.
"He is," Noah said.
He looked clearly irritated about it.
I guess having abilities like his wasn't all fun and games then. Though, I didn't think that from the beginning.
"You don't have very much freedom, do you?" I asked.
"No," he said sharply, "Now that he knows about the daycare, I won't be allowed to see my sister there."
I felt guilty about that already.
"Really?" I asked, "Even if I'm not there?"
"You might show up," he said, "Now it is off-limits for me."
"That is hardly fair," I said, "I only go there to pick up my brothers and drop them off."
"Rules," he said, glancing at Baird, "Right?"
Baird didn't even bother to look at him.
I didn't like the tension between them.
"What happened?" I asked, "What kind of punishment did you get?"
He frowned.
"Devils heal faster than your average human," he said, "So let's just say that we don't get spanked when we get in trouble."
I didn't appreciate the attitude. I was really only worried.
I gave him a disappointed look. He didn't respond how I thought he would.
He looked like he felt guilty.
"I'm sorry," he said, "I'm still mad about it."
"Clearly," I said, "I just want to know what happened."
He stood up, and I started to panic.
Baird looked up quickly, not sure what was about to happen.
"Relax," he said to Baird.
Baird didn't look too pleased about being told to relax.
"How about I show you?" Noah said.
"Show me?" I asked, "Show me what?"
He turned around, and he pulled at his shirt from the top.
As his shirt went up, more marks were revealed.
I fought the urge to gasp but failed.
"What the hell?"
It took a lot for me not to run over there and try to comfort him.
His back had several large red welts.
"This is what happens when you break the rules," Noah said.
I couldn't help but notice the muscles in his back tense as he took in a deep breath.
"You can put your shirt down," Baird said, "I think we get the point."
Noah let go of his shirt. His back was now completely covered.
I wasn't sure how to respond to that.
He was punished because he spoke to me.
"What happens if we randomly run into each other outside of here?" I asked, "Is this going to happen every time?"
Noah looked at Baird.
Baird let out a very loud sigh.
"Accidents happen," Baird stated, "Noah knew full well what he was doing before he spoke with you."
That didn't change how frustratingly helpless I felt about it.
Noah stood there, his gaze returning to me.
I didn't like that this was how we were supposed to meet.
Despite the obvious pain he was in, I was thankful I met him at the daycare.
"You don't have to be sorry," Noah stated, "For anything."
He told me he couldn't read minds.
"Noah," I said, "I'm glad this wasn't our first meeting."
He surprised me when he smiled, teeth and all.
"Then this was all worth it," he said, "And I would do it again."
My heart hammered in my chest.
He must have felt strange standing there because he finally sat back down.
"Why did you sign up for the volunteer program?" Noah asked.
"Well," I said a little awkwardly, "My friend kind of made me do it."
Baird looked up again.
"How did you hear about the program?" Baird asked.
"Someone told Jody about it," I admitted, "And she told me about it."
"In how much detail?" Baird asked.
"Just that we could make some money for volunteering and taking a survey or something."
Noah stared at the table between us.
"So," Noah said, "You did it for the money?"
I didn't like how he asked that. It didn't sound like an accusation, but more like he was disappointed.
"Sort of," I said, "I wasn't going to do it, but Jody talked me into it."
"So, this friend of yours," Noah said, "Can talk you into anything?"
"Yes," I said.
He finally looked at me again, and he looked a little angry.
"If she needs me," I said, "I would do anything for her."
"You would die for her?" Noah asked.
"Noah," Baird warned.
"If it came down to it," I nodded, "Yeah, I would."
He shook his head like my answer bothered him.
"Don't you have someone like that?" I asked.
"If someone truly loved you," he said, "They would never ask you to die for them."
I leaned back in my chair before crossing my arms over my chest.
"Do I need to remind you about the situation we're in?" I asked.
He made a face. First, it looked like he was surprised, then he looked frustrated.
"Isn't this whole program asking us to risk our safety to get to know you Devils?" I asked.
His mouth hung open like he didn't know what to say.
"What does it mean to be matched?" I asked.
"Pass," Noah said.
"What?" I asked, confused.
What happened to answer mine and I'll answer yours?
"You seem like you've already made up your mind about us Devils."
The way he said it, I think he was hurt.
"I didn't mean it like that," I said.
"Sounded like you did," he said.
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
His position mirrored mine.
"I was making a point," I said, "Am I wrong?"
"No," he said, "But you won't like the answer."
"Okay," I said, "So, tell me anyway."
"Another word for a match," he said, "They say it's how we find our mate."
"So, a match is a possible mate?" I asked.
"No," he said, "A match is most likely the only chance you get at a mate."
"So, you can't date?"
"Not usually."
"Well," I said, "Couldn't you be matched again?"
"No Devil on record has matched with more than one person," he said, "So I doubt it."
"Wait," I had to shake my head, "You're saying, I'm it for you?"
"No one has been able to effectuate a reaction," he admitted, "Not like you."
This was a lot to hear.
"So, when you say mate," I said, "You mean mate, like one and only."
"Yes."
"But what if I didn't feel the same way?" I asked.
It was only a split second, but he looked worried.
"I don't know," he said, "This is a first for me too."
"What if you don't like me?" I asked.
"I think we've already established that," he said, "That is physically impossible."
"Then emotionally," I stated, "So its only mate and have babies kind of thing?"
"No," he was quick to say, "That's not it at all."
"So," I said, "Then help me out here."
"I've known a few mated couples," he said, "The reaction is sort of like a pathfinder."
"What?" I asked, already confused.
"My body knows before I do," he said, "That's how it works."
"Knows what?" I asked.
He opened his mouth to speak but stopped.
"What is it?" I asked.
"You'll laugh."
I was a little bothered by that. I was far beyond laughing, this was real now.
"Tell me anyway."
"My body knows before I do," he repeated.
He paused, and I didn't think I could handle the silence.
"That you are my soul mate."
He thought I was going to laugh at that?
That sappy, too perfect line?
I was going to do probably everything but laugh.
"What?" I asked.
"It's ridiculous," he said, "I know."
"You believe that?" I asked.
"Yes," he said, "It's silly."
I shook my head.
"That I am your soul mate?"
"What is so wrong with that?" he asked.
"Nothing," I said.
This experience was already a lot more than I bargained for.
Noah:
I was feeling frustrated.
At all of this, at everything. At her.
"You believe that?" she asked.
The tips of my fingers ached.
"Yes," I said, "It's silly."
I didn't want to say I did, because most people think this whole thing is absurd. What is so wrong with thinking there is one person out there for you?
She shook her head.
"That I am your soul mate?"
I felt like I knew how she would react once I said it, but I didn't care.
"What is so wrong with that?"
"Nothing," she said.
What?
I felt guilty.
"Do you believe in soul mates?" I asked her.
"I don't know," she said, "But I want to."
I guess it made sense. I was raised with this belief.
"And you just know it?" she asked, "Even without having to speak to me?"
"I don't understand how it works," I admitted, "But I know it does."
"Is that your way of telling me I'm pretty?" she asked playfully.
If I didn't know any better, I would say my heart fluttered.
"You shouldn't need anyone to tell you that you're beautiful," I stated.
I could see the flush of her cheeks.
It could just be me, but her scent is getting stronger.
"I'll tell you, though," I said, "The second I walked in and laid eyes on you, I thought you looked stunning."
The red in her cheeks increased.
I felt it when she grinned at me.
"Then, it's only fair that I tell you what I thought when I first saw you walk in."
My heart pounded at her words.
"One," she said, "You look phenomenal in that shirt."
I silently thanked Eileen.
"Two," she said.
"There's a two?" I asked playfully.
"Two," she said louder, "You are like, ridiculously hot."
That made me pause.
"What?" I asked.
"Don't act so surprised," she said, "You are."
So, this whole thing wasn't one-sided, after all.
I felt myself smiling like an idiot.
Pain went through my jaw, and it was hard to enjoy our conversation with this much of a distraction.
I had to close my eyes so that I could concentrate on blocking out the pain
My jaw ached, and it felt like needles were pricking my arms and legs.
"Noah," she said in a whisper.
My body shook. Just being close to her was painful. It was difficult to explain how, but the pain from her close proximity was mixed with pleasure.
"Shay," I said back to her, just as quiet.
She let out a small sound.
My eyes opened quickly to see her covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"What's so funny?" I asked, feeling the pain in my extremities start to fade.
Her hand dropped quickly to reveal a dazzling smile.
"It's nothing," she said, meeting my gaze, "You were just making a cute face."
I felt myself frown, "Cute?"
She nodded at me with her face dead serious.
I had to glance away from her. I didn't mind that she called me cute, but I felt a strange sensation in my stomach.
She let out a laugh, and the feeling only got worse.
Why did the expression 'having butterflies' come to mind?
Shay:
He sat across from me with his eyes closed. It looks like he is pain.
His lower lip quivered.
"Noah," I said, wanting to run my thumb over his shaking lip.
His brows furrowed, and more than anything, I wanted to reach over this small table between us and embrace him.
"Shay," he whispered.
Damn, this boy made me nervous.
The only thing my brain would let me do was have a very inappropriate response.
My hand came up quickly with the hope of being able to cover my mouth, to muffle my laugh.
His eyes opened quickly to meet mine.
He looked startled by the sound.
"What's so funny?" he asked with a small smile on his face.
I dropped my hand to grin at him.
"It's nothing," I said, keeping eye contact, "You were just making a cute face."
He frowned a little, "Cute?"
I nodded seriously.
He looked away, and I swear I could see the color increase in his cheeks.
I nervously let out another laugh.
This is not what I was expecting.
He is beautiful, and from his reaction, genuine.
It felt like I just completely lost my shit after he brought up me being his soul mate.
How nuts is that?
He didn't even know me.
A small part of me didn't care. I felt something between us from the beginning.
Maybe that's what this was.
"We might want to call it a day," Baird said.
I looked over at him, "Why?"
"It is four-thirty," he said, "Noah needs to get ready for work soon."
So, it is possible for him to have a regular job?
"Do not ask him," Baird said, "Or else he will have to quit."
I nodded slowly.
"You're nineteen," Noah said, "You wouldn't be allowed in anyway."
Baird shot him a warning look.
"She didn't ask," he said.
"Can we hug?" I asked a little awkwardly.
"I advise against it," Baird said.
"I would like to hug," Noah said.
He pushed his chair back as he got to his feet.
My heart sped up as he moved around the table.
"Noah," Baird warned.
"You can use the numbers," Noah said.
I scooted my chair back a little, so I could stand up too.
Noah stood there with his arms bent at his elbows, open and waiting for me.
My stomach dipped as I turned and walked right into his arms.
His arms wrapped around me, and I didn't hesitate to wrap my arms all the way around him.
He is warm and firm.
He smelled fantastic.
Noah let go, and he took a step back.
"Is everything alright?" I asked.
He nodded.
Baird stood up and waited by the door for me.
"When do we get to meet again?" I asked.
"That has yet to be determined," Baird stated.
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"It means he needs to look over the data and report how our meeting went, before he can schedule another one," Noah said.
"Oh," I said, "Okay."
I was worried there for a minute.
"I will let you know when the next meeting will be," Baird said, "I will ask you both, and then we will go from there."
I nodded.
Baird opened the door, cutting my time with Noah short.
I turned to look at Noah, and I couldn't help but smile at him.
"Until next time then," he said with a half-smile.
"Yeah," I said, "See you then."
He didn't move, he waited for me to go first.
I followed Baird out of the room.
The second I heard the door shut behind me, I already felt like something was missing.