Chapter Twenty:
Noah:
I felt disgusting.
While my stomach was feeling better, I took full advantage.
I was able to get up and take a quick shower.
Baird could find me when he was ready to let me in on his plan.
I know he said it would just be twenty minutes, but I couldn't just sit there and wait.
When I got back to my room, Baird was standing there expectantly.
"Oh," he said, surprised, "Are you feeling better?"
He looked at the tablet in his hand to check my vitals.
I wasn't wearing anything so that he could check them.
"Noah," he said, "You know the rules."
"I just needed a shower," I stated, "Besides, I was going to put them back on when I got to my room."
I grabbed the watch off the nightstand and bound it to my wrist.
"See," I showed him the device strapped to me.
"Yes," he said, "I can see it."
I sat on my bed and sighed.
There was this sensation under my skin that I couldn't shake.
It wasn't painful, it was just annoying.
It almost felt like I had an itch that I couldn't scratch, no matter how hard I dug my nails in.
"Your vitals do not look much better," Baird stated.
I didn't feel much better, so I didn't really expect the numbers to change.
"You will be glad to know," he said, "Shay is on her way here."
I looked up at him quickly to see if he was joking or not.
"What?" I gasped, "She is?"
"I thought she might be able to help."
Or she might make things harder.
I didn't want to think too much about it.
Maybe I should have jerked off in the shower.
"When?" I asked.
He glanced down at the tablet again.
"Soon."
Fuck.
"You will be glad to know that while you were showering," Baird said, "I took care of tidying up for you."
I didn't even realize that he really did.
There were no clothes on the floor.
Even the smell of vomit was gone.
I was thankful.
"Thank you," I said.
He nodded, "Just make sure that you are ready."
"Where are we meeting?" I asked.
There were a few different rooms we used for the volunteer program. I just needed to know which one to go to.
"She is coming here," Baird said.
"I know," I said, "But which room?"
Why did I feel so tired? If I couldn't sleep, at least I should feel more awake.
"Noah," he said, meeting my eyes, "She is coming here, to your room."
Was I shaking?
Baird actually blurred as I stared at him.
"She is?" I asked, "Is that really a good idea?"
"Most likely not," he said, "But you need to sleep."
How will this even work?
"What do I do?" I asked.
Wait, did I really just ask him that?
Baird looked back at me with a started expression.
"Your body is exhausted," he said, "Let us hope that means that you will be tired to change and harm her."
He had a point. Hopefully, my body was too out of it to do much.
Baird's attention went back to the device in his hands.
"She is almost here."
I wanted to ask him how he knew that.
That's right, Olsen wanted them tracked.
My brain was dead.
"I am going to go meet her out front," Baird stated, "Make sure you are ready."
I nodded, "Thank you."
He only nodded before leaving my room.
I was definitely shaking.
Part of me was thankful that I couldn't feel her yet.
I think a small part of me was afraid.
There was no doubt that just being near her made me a bit anxious. I wanted her.
I took in a deep breath before looking at what I was wearing.
The light gray sweat pants were a bit snug. I was oddly both thankful and worried about wearing them.
Around the waist of the sweats were black, as well as two random lines going down at the left side.
I decided on wearing a long-sleeve white thermal shirt.
This chill wasn't going away, and I think it was best to avoid any significant skin contact with her.
I laid back on my bed, hoping to try and relax a bit.
My eyes shut, and I took in a deep breath.
I only thought it for a split second, but I wanted to try and find her before I could feel her.
I took another deep breath, hoping it would help me start to focus.
Shay.
I heard her name over and over again in my head until I felt her.
The feeling hit me so hard it knocked the wind out of me.
I felt warmth, and worry.
It was like the sun imprinted on her skin, and just being near her felt like standing in the sunlight.
I wasn't even near her yet, and I could feel it.
Something inside of me felt wrong.
A small groan escaped my lips as I felt her getting closer.
The only feeling I could compare it to was an impending orgasm.
The closer she got, the better and more painful it felt.
It felt like a build-up of pressure inside of me.
I wanted her here faster.
The ache in me was intense now.
Only it was too late to run away.
The sensation of needles poking into my palms started.
She was close.
She was so close.
A light knock on my door pulled me out of whatever trance I was in. The focus I had shattered.
"Noah," Baird said, "We're coming in."
I sat up the second the knob turned.
Shay's eyes were the first thing I locked onto.
She grinned at me.
"I heard you were much worse," she said, "You look just fine to me."
I wanted to keep my eyes on her face, but I couldn't.
What the fuck was she wearing?
I could see the tight workout shorts cling to her thighs.
They were too short. They weren't even mid-thigh.
I could see the entirety of her side because of the open-sided white tank top she wore. Her black sports bra matched the shorts.
My body felt like I was convulsing.
I grit my teeth so hard that my jaw ached.
Was it her intention to make me lose my shit?
I pulled my shirt over my head.
"Noah," Baird gasped.
I tossed the shirt at Shay, "Put it on."
She stared at me even though the shirt was in her hands.
Don't stare at me like that.
Her eyes were a little confused, but something else was there too.
"Put the shirt on," Baird said from beside her.
She snapped out of it to put the shirt on.
That also was a terrible idea.
Seeing her wear my shirt, fucking hell.
My eyes wandered down, and it looked like she wasn't wearing anything under the white fabric.
I had to shut my eyes.
I shut them tightly, and I even placed my hand over just so I couldn't see.
"The second drawer," I pointed in the direction of my dresser, "Grab the black sweat pants on the top."
"Sorry," she said, "I didn't think about what I shouldn't wear here."
I heard her move forward, and then the sound of the drawer opening made me finally start to calm down.
"You did say that you ran here," Baird stated.
She ran here?
Was she that worried?
I couldn't help myself, I had to look at her.
My hand dropped, and I saw her pull the sweats to her waist.
She looked way too good right now.
Even though she was completely covered, I was still feeling it.
She opened the drawer under the one she was just in.
"Are you looking for something?" I asked.
She turned to look at me.
Her cheeks were flushed, and she was way too focused on my eyes.
I didn't realize I had that effect on her too.
"Where do you keep your shirts?" she asked.
"Top drawer," I said.
I leaned to my side to rest on my elbow.
I wanted to tease her.
"Why do you need a shirt?"
I was still very aware that Baird was in the room. I was thankful that he was silent.
"I think you know why," she said.
She pulled out a grey short-sleeve shirt with three or four buttons down the neck.
I wasn't ready for it to hit me in the face.
The shirt obscured my vision, so all I could hear was her laughter.
I think Baird might have been on to something here.
I feel a thousand times better.
"So, what is the plan?" Shay asked.
I pulled the shirt from my face to put it on.
"There was no real plan," Baird stated, "But I do have an idea."
I looked over at him, and he looked a little concerned.
This is your idea, why are you making that face?
"Shay," Baird said, "I am going to need you to get on the bed."
What?
Shay:
"Shay," Baird said, "I am going to need you to get on the bed."
"What?" I asked.
Me on the bed? Me and Noah on the bed?
Together?
He has to be joking.
I glanced over at Noah, and he looked nervous about it too.
"Are you sure?" Noah asked.
Baird looked like he didn't like it when people second-guessed his decisions.
He looked irritated.
"Shay," Baird said, "You'll be at the head of the bed."
"And I'll be over here?" Noah asked, scooting towards the foot of the bed.
"Not exactly."
What the hell was this man thinking?
"Shay, please," Baird gestured towards the bed.
Noah pulled the comforter down so that I could see the matching sheet underneath.
I took my phone out of my purse, then slipped it into my pocket.
I kicked off my two different colored shoes before finding my place where I was told to.
Fortunately, the bed was against the wall, so I was able to sit against the corner of the wall.
Noah looked at me. He was clearly nervous.
This was new to me.
"Now what?" Noah asked.
He took in a breath, "Shay, pull those pillows in front of you."
I put the pillows on my lap, but Baird shook his head.
"What?" I asked.
"Put one behind you, so that you are comfortable," he said, "Then place the others on your lap."
I wasn't sure if I liked where this was going or not.
Once I was in a comfortable position, I moved the pillows around.
There weren't that many.
"Noah," Baird said, "You're going to lay where she puts the pillows."
I don't think I've ever seen a boy look so nervous before in my life.
He was acting differently than usual. Maybe something really was wrong with him.
Baird told me that he hasn't slept in a few days.
"Baird," Noah said, "That is a horrible idea."
He wasn't wrong.
"Try it before you dismiss the idea," Baird stated.
My gaze went to Noah again to see what he was going to do.
He was staring at me.
"How do you feel about this?" he asked.
I was a little surprised by his question.
"This is new," he said, "I don't know what is going to happen."
My words came out before I had the chance to think about it.
"I'm with Baird on this one," I said, "Try it before we decide if it's a bad idea or not."
He took in a deep breath before he smiled lightly.
"Alright," he said, "Don't say I didn't warn you."
I nodded.
"Are you ready for me?" he asked.
I wasn't sure if it was because he asked the question, or if it was how he asked it.
My whole body shivered.
"Just a second," I said, moving the pillows again.
"He will have to have some contact with you," Baird stated, "Even if it is just a little bit."
"Okay," I said, staring down at the two pillows.
How was I going to maneuver them so that he wasn't directly on me?
I was a little worried.
I already knew that I could get reactions out of him, just by being here.
What would happen if he was nestled between my legs?
The way Noah looked at me made me a little more nervous than I already was.
He must be thinking the same thing as me.
His head was hung down a little, but his eyes were on me.
It did too many things to me.
My right leg was out in front of me against the wall, while my left was bent inward.
"Are you sure that will be comfortable for you?" Baird asked, "Once he falls asleep, you won't be able to move."
I knew that I was overthinking, but what if something happened?
I took in a breath before extending my left leg, and once again adjusting the pillows.
"Okay," I said, "I'm good."
I was.
My back didn't hurt, and my legs didn't feel cramped.
"Noah," Baird gestured for him to move forward.
Noah got up to his knees, and I watched as he crawled closer to me.
It felt like my heart was hammering in my chest.
He stopped right in front of me.
"I'm going to lie on my back," he said.
I nodded as he turned around, and he was sitting in front of me.
I watched his shoulders rise as he took in a breath.
"Come on," I said.
I placed my hand on his shoulder to guide him back.
My left leg moved out a little, and my knee bent.
His head was on the pillow that was on my left thigh. It was the one not against the wall. There were too many moving variables on this side.
His weight on me felt good.
His eyes opened, and he looked at me.
"Is this alright?" he asked.
I nodded. It took me a second to realize that when I nodded, I jostled both of us.
A small chuckle came from Noah.
It put a smile on my face.
Noah's eyes shut again, and it looked like he was trying to take even breaths.
I knew it wasn't a good idea, but I couldn't stop myself.
My hand came up to rest on the side of his face.
Part of me thought that his eyes would open, or that he would run away.
He didn't do either of those things.
His face turned into my palm.
My thumb brushed lightly against his cheek.
I could stare at this boy forever.
The trust it must take for him to lie so defenselessly in front of me.
I moved my hand so that my knuckles could touch his face.
My eyes scanned the features of his face.
He has long dark lashes.
Both of my thumbs traced under his eyes as I thought it.
"Hmm," Noah said softly.
He looked like he was actually going to sleep.
"Your numbers have improved significantly," Baird said.
Noah's eyes opened quickly.
My hands shot away quickly from his face as he sat up.
A growl erupted from him as he stared at Baird.
Baird didn't look too worried about his aggressive behavior.
Did I need to be?
"Baird?" I asked.
"He was too relaxed," Baird stated, "He forgot that I was even here."
He didn't look very relaxed now.
If I was being honest, I forgot Baird was here too.
"No matter how tired he is," Baird stated, "His first instinct is to keep anyone and everything away from you."
Really?
"He forgot that I was here," Baird gestured at Noah, "But I believe in his current state that he will not harm you."
He won't harm me? Was he sure about that?
Another growl came from Noah.
"Noah," I said softly, "Come back."
His full attention was on Baird, and it seemed like he didn't even hear me.
"It seems like he wants me gone," Baird stated.
Noah didn't even say anything.
"If you could see his face right now, you would know exactly what he wanted," Baird said, "I suppose that means I should go."
"Is that a good idea?" I asked.
"I will be able to see if he gets too riled up," he said, "We can have people in here faster than you think."
Still, I wasn't sure this was the best idea.
"Just make sure you keep your phone with you," he said, "Alright?"
I nodded.
Baird stayed there a minute before speaking again.
"Do you need anything before I go?"
I didn't think that I did.
I shook my head, "I'm alright, thank you."
"If you change your mind," he said, "Just message me."
"Okay," I said, "I will."
He opened the door but still lingered.
"Thank you, Shay," he said, "For coming."
I nodded quickly.
Noah needed me, why wouldn't I come?
He shut the door when he finally walked out.
"Fuck," Noah groaned.
He scooted himself back a little before laying back down on me.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
His eyes met mine, and he tried to smile, but it didn't really come out like one.
His eyes were already different. The gray and lilac were there now.
"I was almost asleep," he admitted, "I forgot Baird was even here."
"So did I," I confessed.
Part of my wanted to try touching him again.
His eyes were changed, so I wasn't sure if it was the best idea.
Shit, I was going to just go for it.
My hand came up, and I ran my thumb over his thick eyebrow.
"Does it look different when your eyes change?" I asked.
His eye shut when my finger made contact with his eyebrow, while the other stayed open.
"Look different, how?"
"Like," I tried to think of an example, "Do colors change? Do you see things better?"
"Uh," his eyes darted around the room, then found their way back to my face.
"Is that a yes?" I asked with a smile on my face.
"I can focus on things better," he stated, "When my eyes are like this, they work sort of like binoculars."
"How so?"
"Well," he made a small sound as my thumb went from his eyebrow to the side of his jaw.
"Well?" I supplied.
"I can focus," he swallowed, "And I can zoom my vision to see better."
"That is pretty cool," I said.
His eyes were locked with mine.
I was focusing on where my fingers were, but I could feel his gaze.
He reached up to hold my hand still.
"Sorry," I mumbled.
"I don't mind it," he murmured, "I like it when you touch me."
I liked touching him too.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"I thought we established that already?" he asked.
We did, but sometimes I forget.
"Yes," I said, "It slips my mind sometimes."
"I wish it was under different circumstances, though," he said before sighing.
"So do I," I admitted.
His fingers massaged the palm of my hand.
"Fuck," he groaned.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yes," he said, "And no."
"How vague of you," I chuckled.
He took in a deep breath.
Too deep of an inhale not to notice.
"It's difficult," he said, "When you're so close."
I pulled my hand out of his grasp.
"I didn't mean it like that," he said quickly.
He looked worried.
His brows furrowed as he gazed up at me.
"I don't mean to make anything harder for you," I stated.
"I know," he said softly, "Nothing happening to me is your fault, never think that."
"But it happens because of me," I stated, "That kind of makes it my fault."
He arched his back, and he scooted himself up a little so that the top of his head was against my stomach.
"No," he said, "It's biology."
"Shut up," I huffed.
He let out a small laugh, "What?"
"I'm sorry," I said.
"Don't be," he said, "It was cute."
I could feel my cheeks heat.
Did I like it when he called me cute?
Damn it, I really did.
"I only said its difficult," he said, "Because here you are, and I shouldn't be touching you."
I want to ask him why, but I already knew the answer.
"Well, know that it's mutual," I stated.
His eyes on me felt heavier.
"What?" I asked.
"I want you."
It felt like a fire was lit deep inside of me.
"What?" I breathed.
"I. Want. You."
He said it slow, and his voice sounded like gravel.
"You shouldn't be saying that right now."
I felt my body trembling at his words.
"I can't help it," he said, glancing away.
A growl erupted from his throat.
I think that was the first time I was genuinely afraid of Noah. It was only the two of us in here.
"N-Noah," I stuttered.
I could hear the trembling of my voice.
"Sorry."
Huh?
I looked around to locate the origin of the voice.
"Top corner."
I looked at the corner above me, but nothing.
My eyes went to Noah, and his eyes were fixed on the corner to my left.
I followed his gaze to the small camera, and on it was a red light.
"He must have heard the camera turn on," the voice stated.
Noah moved to stand, but I put my hand over his chest to stop him.
"That's not a very good idea," the voice said.
"Noah," I said calmly, "Lie back down."
It was like he couldn't hear me again.
I put more force into my hand as I moved him back.
His eyes locked with mine.
"Down," I said.
He moved closer to where he was almost in my face.
His eyes went down before he laid face down onto the pillow.
I felt his arm go under the pillow and under my leg.
"Such a fierce glare," the voice said.
I looked at the camera, "Who are you?"
"My name is Clive Gardiner," he said, "I'm a physician here on site."
Noah growled again.
"Shush," I said.
The growl quieted.
I was surprised that he even heard me this time.
"She's beautiful, Noah," the man said.
I could feel Noah shaking.
"You and I will have to sit down and have a proper greeting," he said, "What is your name?"
A deeper grown erupted from Noah, "Mine."
It hit me strangely when he said it.
"She is human," Clive said, "She has free will, you know this."
I got the feeling that Noah really didn't like this guy.
Quite frankly, I didn't like him either.
My hand came up to run my nails gently through his hair.
"You should keep the touching to a minimum," the man said.
I ignored him.
My hand went down to Noah's neck, and I leaned over just a little.
"Yes," I whispered, "Yours."
The next sound Noah made, I can only compare to a moan.
"Mister Gardiner," I said.
"Doctor," he said back flatly.
"Clive then," I said once I leaned back.
There was no response back.
"My mate clearly doesn't like you," I stated, "So I am going to have to decline any sort of meeting with you unless I absolutely have to."
Noah made a sound like a grunt.
I guess he approves of my choice of words.
It felt good to hear him say that I was his.
Last time a guy said that to me, it pissed me off.
I knew that Noah didn't mean it that way, though.
"How disappointing," Clive said.
I didn't want to hear this man anymore. In fact, I wanted him to fuck off.
"Now that I have pulled up her file," Clive stated.
I felt myself frown.
"Shayne Hamilton," he said, "Aged nineteen."
I had to hold my tongue.
This man was clearly an asshole.
I was distracted by my frustration by Noah's hand on my let.
My eyes went down to him.
His hand was at my bare ankle. His fingers slowly went up the elastic of the sweatpants.
I gasped.
"What are you doing, Noah?" Clive asked.
My hand went back to his neck, and I didn't hesitate to gently run my fingers down the length of his neck until his shirt blocked my path.
"It appears that you haven't had a physical in a while, Shayne," Clive stated.
Noah growled.
I take it a physical with Mr. Gardiner wasn't just an ordinary physical.
"I'm sure that a facility as large as this one has multiple physicians," I stated.
Noah squeezed my leg gently.
I felt like we already had more than enough time with this man.
I had to move just a little to remove my phone from my pocket.
Baird would know who he was and what the hell he was doing here.
To: Baird – 'Who is Dr. Gardiner?'
Noah picked his head up to see what I was doing.
I showed him my message.
He only nodded in response.
He used his elbow to pick himself up a little, before lying on his back again.
This time he was in a different position.
His head was on the other side.
This angle was a little different.
His head was over my right thigh, and his shoulder was against my stomach.
My phone buzzed.
From: Baird – 'He is a Doctor here. Why?'
It seems like Baird doesn't know that this Clive Gardiner is here at all.
To: Baird – 'He is talking to us through a camera. I think he is trying to mess with Noah.'
It felt shitty of me to tattle, but I wanted this man gone.
Baird didn't respond.
It said at the bottom that the message I sent has been read.
I glanced down at Noah, and he was just staring up at the ceiling.
His eyes were still gray and lilac.
His brow furrowed again.
I reached over to run between his eyebrows with my index finger.
His eyes met mine.
He winced as I gently poked between his brows.
"I'm sorry," I said, "Does it hurt?"
He caught my hand as I tried to retract it.
"No," he said.
It sounded like it was hard for him to speak.
"I meant your eyes," I stated, "Because I barely touched you."
"Shayne," Clive said, "You should not be touching a Devil so carelessly."
He was a hard man to ignore.
Noah stared back at me, questioningly.
"Your name is Shayne?" he asked.
"Yes," I said, "But everybody calls me Shay."
His gaze didn't leave me, not even for a second.
I couldn't even hear what Clive was saying anymore.
"You didn't answer my question," I stated, "Do your eyes hurt like this?"
My thumb ran over his forehead.
His eyes fluttered shut.
"They do," he said, "But only if they stay this way for a long time."
"I'm sorry," I said, "Maybe you should try sleeping."
"I want to," he said, "But I can hear the buzz of the camera, and his voice is grating."
"I agree," I said just above a whisper.
His fingers laced with mine.
Noah kept his eyes shut as he sighed.
This felt good.
Despite the annoying voice trying to interrupt, I enjoyed this time with Noah.
I leaned down a little so that my face hovered a little closer to his.
"Shay," Noah breathed, "That's not a good idea."
"Maybe not," I said.
His eyes opened, and the lilac was brighter.
"Your eyes are beautiful," I whispered, "Did you know that?"
He glanced away, "They don't feel that way."
"Because it's different for you," I stated, "For me, they belong to my mate."
Hie eyes met mine again, "Really?"
"Shay."
I moved my face away from Noah's so that I could look at the camera.
"Baird?" I asked.
"I apologize for that," he said, "It would appear that Dr. Gardiner felt it necessary to meddle with my program."
"He won't be coming back?" I asked, "Right?"
"Not while you are here," Baird said, "No."
"Thank you, Baird."
"It also appears that he accessed your file without permission," Baird stated, "I apologize for that."
"Is it wrong that I don't really care?" I asked, "Being here right now more than makes up for that."
"I am glad that you see it that way," Baird said, "How are you both doing?"
"Baird," Noah said, "Look closer into Gardiner."
"Is there something you are not telling me?" Baird asked.
"Yes," Noah stated, "Look closely at what he's been doing."
"Alright," Baird said, "Why is this only being brought to my attention now?"
Noah sat up to look at the camera, "He fucked with Shay."
"Could you elaborate more on that?" Baird asked.
"Let's just say that I've caught him more than once with his pants down," Noah said.
"You are saying he was trying to do something with Shay?" Baird asked.
Noah's gaze on the camera made it clear that he didn't want to talk about this much more.
"He said I was overdue for a physical," I stated, "He even hinted at meeting me later in person."
There was a short silence.
"I will handle Gardiner," Baird stated.
"Thank you," Noah said.
"How are you feeling?" Baird asked.
"A little better," Noah said, "But I still haven't been able to sleep."
"Your vitals have improved," he said, "So I did not want to disturb you."
"We certainly appreciate that," I said.
"I will turn off the camera now," Baird stated, "But I will be keeping a close eye on your numbers, so behave."
"Yes sir," Noah said.
The red light turned off.
Noah sighed.
"The buzzing is gone," he said, "Now I can relax."
I didn't hear anything.
Noah turned his head to look at me.
"Are you comfortable?" he asked.
I wasn't really sure. I wasn't really uncomfortable.
"We can do this a different way," he said, "If you want to."
This was dangerous.
"Different how?" I asked.
I watched as his Adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed.
I wasn't even sure what to do here.
Then an idea came to me.
I scooted away from the corner and put two of the pillows where I sat.
"You lay there," I pointed.
He didn't look away from me.
"Do it," I said.
He laid on his back, then turned his head slightly to stare at me.
"Now what?"
I looked down to see where his feet reached on the bed. They reached the foot of the bed and were already almost hanging off.
I moved closer to him so that I was sitting next to his chest.
"Arm out," I said, moving his arm out.
His arm laid straight out, and I leaned a little so that my elbow was above his arm, and my chest was under it.
I was facing his body while he was facing the ceiling.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
I scooted up a bit so that I was a little over his face.
My hand went to his cheek, "You're not allowed to move, do you understand?"
His eyes widened, "What?"
"Don't move," I said, "Got it?"
He nodded quickly.
I moved forward just a little to nuzzle my face against the side of his.
"Say it again," I whispered against his cheek.
He took in a ragged breath, "Say what again?"
"That I'm yours," I said.
The arm that laid flat under me came up to pull me closer against him.
"Mine," he whispered.
My body tingled at his words.
"Say it again," I breathed.
His grip tightened around me, "Mine."
"One more time," I whimpered.
His face turned so that his nose rubbed against mine.
It startled me when I felt his whole body turn so that he was pressed against me.
"Yours," he breathed.
His eyes were shut when he rubbed his nose against mine.
They were butterfly kisses.
So why did I feel the fluttering in my stomach?