Wild Irish_Wild & Noble Read online

  “Like that?”

  I bit the inside of my cheek. This is madness. He stops. I yelp.

  “Answer me.”

  “Yes.” The words leave me in a rush of air.

  “Good girl.” He circles my center in reward. My legs tremble as the pressure builds up inside of me. “Do you trust me?”

  “What?” I ask, confused, as my brain struggles to comprehend the sentence.

  “Do. You. Trust. Me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then lay back and let me give you this.”

  “I― What if someone sees?”

  “They’ll think I’m a lucky man.” He rubs harder.

  Overwhelmed by sensations, I lay my head back. A few more strokes and my orgasm comes on suddenly, plowing me like a giant wave I can’t escape. I cry out, arching as my muscles contract, and I fall into a state of perfect bliss. Nothing exists outside of this man beside me in the car and the feelings he’s invoked. The relief from the pressures of life is a blessed relief. I’ve found the perfect way to turn off my head.

  At the indoor soccer complex, I walk to the changing room, rejuvenated and scandalized by the soaked underwear I’ll be going without. I liked everything he did to me, and that scares me to death. I find a stall and change with shaking hands. Dressed in a pair of black athletic shorts, a neon-pink sports bra with a black tank top, and cleats, I make my way down to the others.

  “Look at this one. She’s already got her game face on,” McFadden crows as I walk up.

  I shrug. “I like to be prepared.”

  “I know we’ve all met, but for some of us it’s been a while. This is Noble Schaffer, Jo-Jo’s little sister. She’ll be joining our soccer league this season,” Zeke says. I try to remember names and faces as I’m re-introduced to wives and girlfriends and a sister. Heather, a buxom, blonde-haired girl with bright blue eyes and a lean frame can’t seem to stop batting her eyelashes at Zeke. I want to snap my teeth at her, but I don’t have the right. You could with one word. Yes. He’s not encouraging her flirting, but he’s not shutting her down either. I ignore the meddlesome voice in my head and focus on being present as we begin to pick teams.

  It feels good to run up and down the field. My job in the lab can be very sedentary. My muscles thank me as I put them to use. I see Heather flash Zeke a smile. My gut clenches. Zeke is on the opposing team, and it makes the competition that much fiercer. I swoop in while he’s distracted. Stealing the ball from him, I send the play in the opposite direction. His jaw drops. Better pay attention. I laugh and wink as I follow my teammates. He gives chase. Having his attention reentered on me raises my heart rate more than the cardio.

  My mind may be conflicted, but my body isn’t. Angela goes in for a goal. The goalie, Marshall, rebounds it, and we take the play back. I cover Zeke. He gets the ball and fakes to the left, the right, and again, jetting for the goal while I chase a false direction. I dive back in as he scores. I groan. The game is close and our time is nearly up. Ladder 49 loses in the end by three points to the Big Red Machine. We shake hands begrudgingly.

  “A group of us are headed to Pat’s Irish Pub for a few drinks. You should come,” Heather says.

  Zeke glances down at me. “Would you like to go?” he asks.

  “Wish I could. I have an early day at work tomorrow.”

  “Sorry, Heather. We’ll pass.”

  She glances at us. “Another time then?”

  “Maybe.” Zeke smiles. “I’ll meet you back here after a shower?” He directs the comment my way. There’s a different inflection in his voice. Coming from someone else it would rub me the wrong way, but I like it from Zeke.

  I nod my head. “I promise I won’t take forever.”

  He laughs. “You never do. My sister, however, is another story.” He grimaces. I giggle as we go our separate ways and I enter the locker room. As I rinse away the grime, I can’t help but think about Heather and her attraction to Zeke. He’s a catch. There’s no guarantee he won’t move on to greener pastures while I struggle with my decisions. I wanted to put off this conversation. After what happened in the car, it’s clear that’s not going to be possible. Finishing up, I dry off and get dressed. I find him sitting at a table talking to Banks. He stands when he sees me.

  “Are you ready?”

  “I am.”

  “We’ll see you later, Banks.”

  “Bye, Banks.” I give a tired wave as we head out of the complex. “I know everyone’s going to Pat’s, but can we go somewhere quieter?”

  “You hungry?”

  “Starved, and I’d like to talk about what happened in the car,” I say quietly.

  “All right. How’s the diner sound?”

  “Perfect.” The mom and pop fifties throwback is open twenty-four hours, has great comfort food, and if you can snag a booth in the back, decent privacy.

  “Did you have fun tonight?” he asks on the drive.

  “Honestly, more than I expected to. I think it was exactly what I needed to get my mind cleared.” I’ve always had a hard time turning my brain off.

  “Seemed like you had a healthy dose of competitive spirit.”

  “Drive. Smart ass.” I turn on the radio, and the remainder of the ride is full of music and pleasant silence.

  I admire the way he opens my door for me after we park. The way he takes care of me has worn me down. The diner is virtually empty, and we take a corner booth in the back. We place an order for coffee and the breakfast platter. I suck down a cup before I find myself able to speak.

  “You know I have my reservations about us, Zeke. Not because I doubt you, because I’m still a little jaded and wounded from my brother’s death, and I don’t want to project that on to you. Your job terrifies me. You need a woman who’s braver than that. One who can support you completely.”

  “You don’t think you do those things already? When I’m stuck at the station and dying for a home-cooked meal, who comes by? Who checks up on my mom when I can’t? At this point, I think she and my sister may like you better than me. Everyone we care about is frightened, Noble. They may not voice it, but I can see the fear creep up every now and then. Our job is dangerous. There’s no getting around that fact.” He reaches across the table and holds my hand. “It’s okay to feel apprehensive about it. The truth is, we’re already in up to our ears in emotions, you and I. I spend every moment I can spare with you. We have keys to each other’s houses, and frankly, I’m sick of pretending the attraction isn’t there.” He glances down. “I tried to keep my feelings to myself out of respect for Jo-Jo. He asked me to look out for you, not to romance you.”

  “Is that what this is about?” Panic sets in. “If this is a misguided—”

  He takes both of my hands and squeezes them, hard enough to silence me. “You’re going to shut that pretty mouth of yours and listen. I can see the wheels of your brain spinning so hard I’m shocked smoke isn’t coming out of your ears. I’m not done talking. This is been a long time coming, so I plan to say my piece.” His stern voice is rare. I respect him by biting my tongue. “This is unexpected, but not unwanted. I can’t sit by any longer, ’cause I’ll be damned if I sit by and let someone else step in, and do what I’ve been dying to.” His eyes are pieces of Peridot. The deep green blazes with emotion. I admire his angular cheekbones and black hair. With an upturned nose and long lashes that frame bedroom eyes, Zeke has always reminded me of Rob Lowe.

  “I don’t want either of us to get hurt,” I say quietly.

  “Life is pain. The least we can do is make it worthwhile.”

  “You make it sound so easy.” I sigh. My head is full of what ifs.

  “It is easy. You let me take care of you for once.”

  “Zeke.”

  “Look at me and tell me you didn’t enjoy the car ride.”

  Heat fills my face. “You know I did.”

  “Then let me continue to show you what else you’ll like, and we’ll go from there.”

  The confidence in his
words is irresistible. It’s on the tip of my tongue to say yes.

  The server appearing with our food saves me. What is this man doing to me?

  Chapter Three

  Zeke

  I’m close to cracking her shell. I can tell in the way she watches me. The brown orbs are going to be the death of me as I use up every ounce of patience I have left. I don’t mind the cat-and-mouse game when it’s a means to an end. My sweet girl is wound so tightly, it’ll take time and care to show her how much fun relinquishing control can be. I’ve designed a date to engage her senses and lower her inhibitions. She won’t have a clue what hit her.

  I knock on the front door, and her mother answers.

  “Hey, Ma.” I bend down to hug the thin woman before I enter the house.

  “Zeke. I’m glad to see you getting my girl out of the house lately. She works and worries far too much.” She frowns.

  “Pot meet kettle, huh?” I ask.

  “Oh you.” She waves me off playfully. She’s worked as a bank branch manager for Sun Trust for over twelve years. There was a time she used her career to hide from the pain of what happened. Now, she’s looking better. The dark circles are gone, and she’s put on a few of the pounds she lost previously.

  “What are you two kids getting into tonight?”

  “I’m taking her to the new restaurant, Blind.”

  Her eyes widen with recognition. “The one where you eat in the dark?”

  “Yep.” I pop my p. “That’s the one.”

  “Sounds exotic.” She shimmies her shoulders, and I laugh.

  “If nothing else, it’ll be memorable.” I shrug, bashfully. I’ve invested a lot more time and energy into our outings recently.

  “You picked well. I would have loved if a young man took me somewhere like that.”

  “We’re rounding the night out with duckpin bowling.” The city’s original form of bowling consists of smaller pins, smaller balls, and three turns. It’s practically a pastime here.

  She studies me quietly “You’ve finally realized it, haven’t you?”

  “What?”

  “How you feel about my daughter.”

  “I knew a while ago. I’m just going for what I want now.”

  Her gaze turns thoughtful. “I’ve watched the two of you over the past year. You’ve grown closer with every week that passes by. There were sparks. When nothing happened, I thought perhaps it was nothing more than the wishes of an old woman.”

  “You approve?” I ask, shocked.

  “You’re perfect for my Noble. You make sure she lives instead of merely existing. There’s a big difference in the two. My daughter is used to being independent. She likes to maintain control at all times. Because then no one has the power to hurt her.” She sighs. “She didn’t have the best example of a loving relationship growing up before their father left. He lorded the fact that he was the breadwinner over me and kept our lives unstable. It’s affected her in so many different ways. She’s always avoided relationships like the plague. With you, it’s been different. I want my daughter whole and happy. She deserves to find love and a happy ever after that doesn’t include a lifetime of loneliness. I believe you can help her be the very best version of herself. Don’t let her push you away.”

  “I don’t plan to. Your daughter may be stubborn, but so am I.”

  She smiles. “She’s worth it.”

  “I know. Don’t worry, Mama. I’d sooner cut off my own arm than hurt her.”

  “If I had any doubts about that I wouldn’t encourage you. She’s been cooped up too long in this house caring for me and shouldering responsibilities that weren’t hers. It’s time for her to spread her wings and return to the business of life.”

  “Why do I feel like you two are plotting?”

  We turn to face the hallway where she’s coming toward us on heels that clack over the wood flooring. Black slacks define her thin waist, hug her hips, and bell out, making her legs seem impossibly long. The button down black blouse is a work of magic with its sheer panels, and lace draped over her camisole-covered cleavage. The peek-a-boo effect with her skin sends blood rushing below my belt.

  Parted to the side, loose dark curls frame her face.

  “Are you going to tell me where we’re going so I know if I’m dressed appropriately?”

  I can hear the slight irritation that comes from not knowing our final destination.

  “You look amazing, and no. You’ll have to trust me.”

  “Zeke. You know how I feel about surprises.”

  “Too bad. You’ll have to get over it.”

  Her mother laughs.

  “Glad to see I amuse you, Ma,” she says with a smile.

  “It's nice to see you thrown off kilter every now and then, dear. It’s good for you.” She walks over and cups her face. “You look beautiful, baby.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You two get out of here and enjoy your evening. I’ve got a play to get to with the girls from Red Hats.”

  Noble and I exchange a smile. It’s progress.

  I take Noble’s coat off the rack near the door and help her shrug into it. The evenings are getting chillier every day. I button her in and wind a scarf around her neck.

  “I could’ve done that.”

  “I know. The point is I wanted to.” I kiss her temple. “And now I can, so you’re going to let me.” I guide her out of the house and down the porch toward my car. Her jaw flexes.

  “You’re upset. But ask yourself why.”

  “Because you’re ridiculous. I’m not made of spun glass,” she says huffily.

  “Wrong. You don’t like the control I’m taking from you.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Is it about the loss of control or how I make you feel when I take over?”

  She closes her mouth, refusing to answer.

  “It’s okay to like it, Noble.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her closer. “I do,” I whisper in her ear as we arrive at the car and I open the passenger door. She settles inside, and I close it and move around to the driver’s side. I start the car and turn on the heat to ward off the cold.

  “How was work yesterday?” she asks.

  “Dull and uneventful for the most part. We did have a first-grade class come by which is always fun. They’re so inquisitive and full of life.”

  “That’s the beauty of being young. You’re ignorant of what’s coming later in life, so there’s no need to fear the future.”

  “Are you afraid alot?” I ask cautiously.

  “No. I plan. Worry is pointless and has no actual action involved.”

  “And planning is different how? In the end, things rarely happen just the way we think they will.”

  “I like to be prepared,” she says defensively.

  “Where’s the joy in it?”

  “In the security it provides.”

  “Did you wear pants thinking it would help you resist me?” I ask, changing the topic.

  “Yes.” I chuckle. “I mean, what?” she sputters.

  “The pants are a challenge, not a deterrent. Unbutton them.”

  She licks her lips. “Zeke?”

  “I’m not going to ask you again.”

  Her breathing increases. I give her time to think it over as I put the truck into reverse and back out of the driveway. I peer out the corner of my eyes. Her face is devoid of fear. This is a comfort issue. Her hands shake as she does my bidding. I mentally fist pump. I split my attention between the road and the woman beside me.

  “Now the zipper.” The sound goes straight to my half-mast erection. “Slip your hand into your pants.”

  “Wh-what if someone sees me?”

  “The truck is higher than most vehicles, the passenger side is tinted, and it’s night. I will always protect you, Noble.”

  “Zeke.” Her voice shakes.

  “Show me how wet you are for me.”

  Her breath hitches.

  I glance over to see her
hand in her pants. “How do you feel, baby? Describe it to me.”

  “So slick and hot.”

  I groan. “Gather your nectar and hold out your fingers so I can see it, baby girl.”

  I pull into the parking lot and find a space. She holds out two glistening digits. I suck them into my mouth. The salty-sweet feminine musk is perfection. Her eyes dilate. Her lips part. She’s enjoying this as much as I am. I release the now clean fingers with a pop.

  “So sweet.” Bending over the console, I unbuckle her seatbelt and straighten her clothing. She wiggles her hips. “It’s time for our real dinner. We have reservations at Blind.”

  “The place where your entire meal is served in the dark?”

  “Yes. Do you like it?”

  She gives me a brilliant smile that hits me in the gut. Warmth grows in my chest and spreads throughout my body. This woman makes me feel like I can do anything. Her eyes sparkle with excitement. There’s an adventurer buried deep inside of her, dying to break free.

  The entrance to the restaurant is dimly lit, and the interior colors are black and red. Every detail plays to the sensual atmosphere created. We walk to the front desk where a brunette in a crisp white button-up and black skirt is standing.

  “Welcome to Blind. My name is Christine, how may I help you?”

  “Hi, Christine. I have a reservation for Wild at eight o’clock.”

  “I see you right here on our schedule, Mr. Wild. As your host, I’ll explain your dining experience before the waiter arrives. You will be lead in by one of our staff, who are equipped with night vision glasses. Each course will consist of elevated finger foods you can partake of comfortably without silverware. The goal is to encourage you to engage with food in a new and exciting way. At Blind, we want to put the passion and intimacy back into dining. If you need anything, your waiter will be standing by, only a hand signal away. Otherwise, they will remain at a distance, allowing you to set the pace for your own meal. Do you have any questions for me?”

  I glance at Noble, who shakes her head.

  “I think we’re good for right now.”

  “Excellent. If you’ll have a seat, Brandon will be out shortly to guide you to your table. I hope you enjoy your evening with us.”