Chapter 4

Noah’s pov

I didn’t know how it started.

Maybe it was the danger I had just escaped. Maybe it was the way the huge man with the gold eyes had stepped out of the shadows like something carved from the night itself.

Cold eyes, controlled power with a voice that felt like it wrapped around my spine.

All I knew was that when I stepped into my apartment after talking with Vanessa, my neighbor and best friend, I had locked the door behind me.

My hands were shaking.

And I was so hard.

It made no sense.

With a groan, I pushed aside the thought, stripped and made my way to the bathroom. Maybe cold water would help. I needed to wash away the grime of the night, to try and clear my head.

I stood under the cold shower but it did nothing to calm my body down and I knew I had to give myself relief one way or the other.

My hand moved to my throbbing erection, my fingers wrapping around the shaft. I bit my lip, trying to stifle a moan as I began to stroke myself.

I close my eyes trying to picture Mara’s sleek body like I always did when I needed release. Her porcelain skin, her perfect lips and curvy body.

The next moment, her image was gone.

Replaced by him.

The huge man with the gold eyes from the alley.

I moaned out loud. My dick was slicked with precum as I continued to urge myself on.

The images came to me, it was as if they had been hiding in my mind for a long time.

I imagined him standing there, naked with his perfect muscular body and abs, watching me as I opened my eyes.

I imagined him with those cold eyes now filled with a heat that made my blood run hot. I pictured his large hands on my body, exploring every inch of me, teasing and tormenting me.

The image of the man in my mind only grew stronger and more vivid.

I imagined him coming up behind me, one hand on my hip, the other guiding his dick into my waiting body. My breath hitched as I quickened my pace, my hand moving in time with the thrusts I imagined.

“Fuck,” I gasped, my head falling forward against the glass.

The water cascaded over me, but I barely noticed. All I could feel was the heat building inside me, the pressure coiling tighter and tighter.

In my mind, the man was relentless and brutal, each thrust deeper and harder than the last. I could almost hear his voice, low and commanding, telling me to take it, to give myself over completely.

A moan escaped my lips again, more pleasure washing over me. I had never experienced this before and I had never masturbated to a stranger’s abs or voice before, but I couldn’t stop.

My legs trembled, my body tensing as I neared the edge. I squeezed my eyes shut, lost in the fantasy playing out in my mind.

“Now be a good boy and cum for me,” the imaginary man growled in that hot voice of his.

My body obeyed him as I cried out in pleasure, my release erupting over my hand, hot cum shooting out in squirts.

“Jesus,” I groaned, leaning against the glass wall and breathing hard.

When I finally got myself, I froze. What the hell just happened?

What did I just do?

“Oh God,” I whispered, dragging a hand through my hair.

I cleaned myself up quickly, almost angrily, like I could scrub away the confusion. By the time I pulled on my shorts and collapsed into bed, I was still telling myself the same thing.

I wasn’t gay.

I wasn’t.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

This was stress……….Just stress.

The last thought before sleep took me was the memory of gold eyes glowing in the dark.

The next morning came too quickly. With my bag hung over my shoulder, I stepped into the hotel lobby booked for the company’s conference. Harrison & Morrow had chosen a small team to represent them at the weekend financial summit. I had nearly cried when my team had been selected. It meant someone believed in me.

I approached the blonde at the front desk.

“Reservation under N-,”

“Can I have the key to the room of Mara Smith?” Mara’s voice cut in.

I froze mid sentence.

“Hi, Noah,” Mara said smoothly. “Oh, sorry. Were you talking?”

“No, no. Go-go right ahead.”

Why did I always lose the ability to form complete sentences around her?

She leaned one hip against the counter, confident and radiant. Mara wasn’t just beautiful, she knew she was beautiful and enjoyed it. She tossed her hair back, smiling sweetly at the receptionist, then glanced at me from beneath her lashes.

I swallowed as blood rushed straight to my dick.

Yep……Definitely not gay.

I have talked to girls before. I was still a virgin, sure, but that's just because I was very shy in college and focused on my studies. I believe I have grown out of it now.

So why can’t you ask her out? a voice whispered in my head.

Good question.

She turned to me fully, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You excited for the conference?”

“Yeah. I mean, yes. Of course.”

Smooth, Noah. Real smooth.

I watched her mouth move as she spoke, completely mesmerized.

Now or never.

“Mara, can I—”

She looked at me fully, her blue eyes sharp with curiosity. “Yes?”

“Are you doing something later? I mean, I know you’re busy. And you probably have plans. But if you maybe had a little extra time— not that you need to spare any—”

Stop talking.

She raised one perfectly shaped brow, her lips twitching.

“Can we get a drink together later?” I finally blurted.

“Like me and you?” she asked lightly. “Alone?”

“Yeah.”

I’m pretty sure that was insinuated.

“Sorry, Noah, I already promised Lizzy we’d check out this club tonight. Rain check?”

I nodded, forcing a smile.

She patted my arm playfully. “You’re sweet, Noah.”

Sweet.

Translation: harmless.

This is why I don’t try, I sounded like a nervous teenager.

“I mean, if you’re not too busy…” I mocked myself as I headed to my room.

Why did I say that?

Of course she liked confident men. Tall, muscular men, who filled a room with presence and doesn’t stammer just to ask a girl out for a drink.

Men like—

I stopped that thought immediately.

Why was I thinking about the alley again?

Minutes later, I decided to skip the hotel bar and send the wine up to my room. I have an early conference tomorrow anyway…..Responsible choice.

I showered, wrapped a towel around my waist, and had just started drying my hair when someone knocked.

That must be the food I ordered, finally. I opened the door and froze.

Mara stood there, In black lace so thin it barely counted as clothing.

“Hi,” she said, smiling slowly.

My brain shut down and my eyes moved on their own. Over smooth shoulders, down the curve of her waist and hips. The delicate lace hugging every perfect line. I could see her perky nipples through the clothing.

Dear God.

“So Lizzy’s boyfriend showed up,” she continued casually. “Plans got canceled. Is that drink invitation still open?”

“Uh. Yeah.”

I hadn’t moved.

She raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

“Oh! Yes. Sorry.” I stepped aside quickly and she walked in like she owned the space. “Have a sit.” I shut the door behind her.

She sat on the edge of the bed instead, crossing her legs, the lace shifting higher.

I swallowed hard. “Wine,” I muttered. “I’ll open the wine.”

My hands fumbled with the corkscrew. Get a freaking grip of yourself. This is what you wanted.

As I poured the glasses, I felt her gaze on me, heavy and assessing. I handed her a glass but she didn’t take it immediately. Instead, her eyes drifted down. I followed her gaze and saw it.

Dammit. I had a raging hard on and the towel wasn’t doing its job. Heat flooded my face. “I’m so sorry,” he blurted. “I’m a little underdressed.”

I turned quickly, setting the glass down and reaching for clothes in my bag on the other side of the bed.

“It’s okay,” she said softly.

Her voice was closer now, too close. I turned to see her standing right infront of me.

“I’ll confess something,” she said, stepping even nearer. “I didn’t really come here for a drink.”

“You didn’t?”

She smiled, then she reached for the edge of the lacy dress and began lifting it over her head. The fabric slid away and dropped to the floor.

She stood there in nothing but black lace panties, completely confident, completely aware of the effect she was having.

“Oh my God…”