Chapter 6 : Sleepless Night

The image of Noland's captivating smile lingers, setting my heart ablaze with a mix of emotions, leaving me struggling to focus on the movie playing before me and Natasha. She seems to enjoy it, and I avoid making comments so she doesn’t notice I am not paying attention.

No, my attention is on Noland. His touch, the warmth of his breath against my lips, the way his eyes darkened with desire—they haunt my thoughts, igniting a craving I've long denied. I think this all started that night, many years ago, when he held me close to him during that stormy night. The way he made me feel back then, I was never able to find someone that made me feel like that again. Not until now.

A knock on the door makes Natasha pause the movie and we both turn to see Noland there. My heart is skipping a beat already.

“Good afternoon ladies. How is the movie going?” He says casually.

“Hi daddy,” Natasha is back on ‘daddy’ terms with Noland, which means their relationship is well. “The movie is nice, fun actually, right Lexie?”

I nod with a small smile. “Yes, it is quite fun. I like the way the characters are bringing so many interesting interactions.”

Natasha chuckles and nods. “That’s one way of putting it,” she then looks back at Noland. “We are almost done here, then dinner. Are you going to be there?”

He shakes his head and this already saddens me. “I will be at my study for some hours, you both enjoy yourselves.”

After he leaves, I can’t seem to focus on anything anymore.

With Noland's absence at dinner, my mind remains fixated on our recent kiss, leaving me restless and lost in a whirlwind of conflicted desires.

An ache simmers beneath my skin as I think of his hands caressing my body, his mouth claiming mine in a kiss filled with passion and promise. I yearn for his touch, to lose myself in the intimacy we've only begun to explore. Yet the guilt remains, a gnawing voice in the back of my mind that threatens to consume me.

Noland is Natasha's father, a man who should be off-limits. But the attraction between us is undeniable, as magnetic as the tides, pulling me into its depths.

When the dinner ends, I head upstairs, my steps slow and deliberate. At the top of the stairs, I pause, glancing at Noland's study, the door slightly ajar. My heart skips a beat at the thought of joining him, of giving in to this forbidden desire.

With a shaky breath, I turn away, making my way to my room. But sleep evades me as I lie awake, restless beneath silk sheets, waiting... longing... for a knock at my door and the man on the other side.

The next morning, Natasha bounds into my room as I finish getting dressed.

"I was thinking we could go shopping today, maybe drive up to the heart of Santa Barbara? We haven't had a girls' day in ages."

Her enthusiasm is infectious, yet a flicker of guilt rises at the thought of leaving Noland. I push it aside, forcing a smile. "That sounds perfect."

Over breakfast, Natasha chatters about the latest fashion trends and her designs. But beneath the lighthearted tone, I sense a hardness in her eyes, a subtle change I had failed to notice.

When Noland joins us, the tension is palpable. His gaze lingers on me for a beat too long, igniting a blush on my cheeks.

As Natasha clears the table, I move to help but Noland stops me with a gentle touch on my arm.

"I am driving up to Santa Barbara’s shopping center today, do you want me to drop you anywhere so you can walk around?"

My breath hitches at his offer, heat pooling low in my belly at the thought of being alone with him. I swallow hard, shaking my head. "Natasha already asked me to join her."

Disappointment flashes in his eyes before he nods. "Of course. Enjoy your day, ladies."

I hate the feeling of not being able to spend more time with him, to explore this intense attraction we both feel. I can’t understand how much his presence calls to me, making me want to just submit to him completely.

Natasha and I both get ready and finally leave the residence. I am just wearing comfy jeans, a shirt and sneakers. I want to be comfortable. Natasha looks like the supermodel she is, and she wears the latest of her designs, a super short skirt and an almost see-through top with a jacket on top that makes the look a bit more decent.

As we leave, I don’t see Noland anymore, did he leave already?

The drive up the coast is filled with laughter and memories of carefree summer days.

The mansion is dark and silent when we return, exhaustion seeping into my bones. Natasha bids me goodnight, retreating to her room as I make my way downstairs.

The dimly lit pool offers a temporary escape, the water enveloping me in its soothing embrace. I close my eyes, drifting in the stillness of night as my thoughts continue to drift back to Noland. The memory of his touch, his kiss, lingers like a slow burn, igniting an ache I have no hope of extinguishing.

Swimming does help me relax my body, and I find myself ready to try and get some sleep. With a sigh, I pull myself from the water, grabbing a towel to dry off on the lounge chair. The steam from the shower clouds my thoughts, my body still pulsating with the memory of Noland's touch. I lean back against the cool tile wall, closing my eyes as I touch myself. A soft moan escapes my lips as I imagine Noland's hands on my skin, his mouth trailing fiery kisses over my breasts and down my stomach.

My heart races as I slip into the delicate silk nightgown, anticipation coursing through me. I really hope he will come, drawn to me as I am to him. The knock startles me from my reverie, a sharp rap against the wooden door. I take a deep breath to steady my nerves before turning the knob.

Noland stands before me, an unreadable expression on his face as his gaze travels the length of my body. An enigmatic glimmer lights his eyes, stirring a whirlwind of emotions I have no hope of controlling. My breath catches in my throat, questions and longing warring in the charged silence between us.

He clears his throat, a faint blush tinting his cheeks as he shifts his weight. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

His voice is rough, betraying the calm facade he struggles to maintain. I shake my head, unable to find my voice as a flush creeps over my skin.

Noland steps into the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He keeps his distance, though his gaze holds mine captive. "How was your day?"

The mundane question belies the undercurrent of tension simmering between us. I swallow against the dryness in my throat, clutching the silk robe tighter around my body.

"It was nice. Natasha and I shopped some, we had lunch at a nice restaurant and then kept shopping. Nothing interesting, just us enjoying some time together." My voice sounds distant to my own ears. I wet my lips, watching as his gaze flickers to my mouth. "We had a good talk."

Noland nods, a flicker of emotion in his eyes. "I'm glad to hear that. She needs someone like you in her life." His words are simple but the sentiment behind them warms my heart.

Silence falls over us as the weight of unspoken words lingers. I shift on my feet, heat flooding my cheeks under the intensity of his gaze. The memory of his kiss awakens a slow burn within me, my body attuning itself to his presence.

Noland clears his throat again, raking a hand through his hair. "I should let you get some rest." He turns toward the door but pauses, glancing at me over his shoulder. "Goodnight, Lexie."

My heart clenches as he reaches for the knob, torn between calling him back and letting him go. In the end, I can only whisper, "Goodnight, Noland."

The door clicks shut behind him, enveloping me in silence. I sink onto the edge of the bed, emotions swirling through me as I lift my fingers to my lips. The ghost of his kiss still lingers, igniting an ache I have no hope of extinguishing.

I toss and turn, unable to quiet my restless mind. Flashes of Noland filter through my thoughts - his smile, his eyes, the warmth of his embrace - awakening a slow burn within me.

A sigh escapes me as I throw back the covers, the silk nightgown clinging to my overheated skin. The mansion is silent, moonlight filtering through the windows to bathe everything in a pale glow.

I slip into my robe and out of the room, wandering the quiet hallways until my feet carry me to the back terrace.

The pool shimmers under the starlight, its tranquil surface reflecting the twinkling constellations overhead. A breath of relief escapes me as I descend the steps into the cool water, submerging myself in its soothing embrace. Maybe another dive is going to help.

For a fleeting moment, I find solace in the silence. Then my thoughts drift back to Noland, igniting a slow burn in my veins. I close my eyes, losing myself to the memory of his hands, his lips, awakening a deep ache I have no hope of extinguishing.

A floorboard creaks behind me. I whirl around, heart leaping as I find Noland standing at the edge of the pool, watching me through hooded eyes. Heat floods my cheeks, the weight of his gaze igniting a delicious warmth.

Noland tilts his head, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "What are you doing out here so late?"

My breath catches under the intensity of his gaze. "I couldn't sleep." The admission comes out as a whisper, heat flooding my cheeks. I wrap my arms around myself, acutely aware of my state of undress under the thin silk gown.

Noland's eyes darken, flickering over my body in a way that leaves no doubt as to the direction of his thoughts. "I see." His voice is rough, gaze lingering on my mouth. "Did you manage to clear your mind, at least?"

I swallow hard, watching as his eyes follow the movement of my throat. "Not exactly."

A smile tugs at the corner of Noland's mouth. He eases down to sit at the edge of the pool, leaning forward to brace his arms on his knees. "Perhaps I could help with that."

There is a challenge in his voice, desire sparking in his gaze. A part of me wants to turn and run - yet another part is strangely drawn to him.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding as I swim towards him. His eyes darken, flickering over my body as I approach.

He reaches out, helping me get up from the pool. I shiver as the cold fabric of my gown sticks to my skin. He leans to grab the robe from the floor and wraps it around me, then he lightly traces a finger along my jawline.

My skin tingles under his touch, warmth radiating through every cell in my body. His thumb grazes my lower lip, sending a jolt of electricity through me.

My breath catches as he leans closer, our lips inches apart. He takes my face in his hands and kisses me deeply and I'm powerless to his touch. A tide of desire washes over me, pulling me under itself. The taste of the ocean, sharp and briny, flows in my mouth.

The world fades away as we kiss – all that matters is this moment; this connection between us that transcends time and space. I cling to him, lost in the intensity of our embrace until finally breaking apart with a sigh.

"Noland…" His name is a whisper on my lips as I lean into him and he wraps his arms around me tightly.

"Lexie, you will be the death of me..." His voice a low rumble and my body shakes to it.