Chapter 2
At eight in the morning, the soft light was already spilling into the room. Elara reached out a hand, searching for Noah, but the spot beside her was cool and empty.
She sat up, pulling the sheet to her chest to cover her nakedness as her eyes scanned the room. A smile bloomed on her face, a wave of pride washing over her as she remembered the events of last night. What a beautiful way to start the year, she thought.
The scent of pancakes and coffee drew her from the bed. She knew it would be Noah. Tossing on one of her dad's old shirts—its scent instantly familiar and comforting—she headed toward the kitchen.
He was there in all his glory, wearing only the dark sweats he'd arrived in last night. She must be the luckiest girl in the world to have him. He was so supportive, so loving, treating her as if she were perfect, even though she knew she was anything but.
"Wow, my beautiful princess is finally awake," Noah said, turning with a grin to meet her gaze.
"Keep looking at me like that, and we'll have to go another round," he added, expertly flipping a pancake.
She laughed, a warm, genuine sound. "You're so dirty," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind.
He instantly dropped the spatula, turning in the circle of her embrace. "How was your night?" he asked, his voice low.
"It was beautiful. Exactly how I imagined it. Thank you," she replied.
He lifted her chin, placing a gentle, lingering kiss on her lips. "No, thank you," he whispered, before easily lifting her, her legs instinctively locking around his waist. The kisses started soft, then grew deep and hungry.
He noticed the easy access beneath the hem of her shirt. "Don't you think we should eat first?" she managed, already out of breath.
"That's exactly what I'm doing," he murmured, his hands immediately finding and squeezing her bottom. She felt soft and pliant in his arms, like a marshmallow.
He kissed her like the world was ending, then slid her shirt up, his fingers expertly finding her clit. Elara gasped, her nails digging into the skin of his shoulder. She wanted more. Taking off her shirt completely, she exposed her full breasts and already hardened nipples.
"Noah…" she tried to say his name, but it came out as a desperate moan.
He turned and carried her back to the bed. He laid her gently down, taking one breast in his hand and then drawing the other into his mouth. She arched her back, moaning louder.
"I need you… in me," she begged.
"If I do that, I don't think I'll be able to stop," he said, his breathing ragged.
He crushed his mouth to hers again, pulling in her scent, trailing kisses from her neck to her lower belly. "You're so fucking beautiful," he breathed, looking into her eyes. She finally opened hers to meet his, giving him a small, satisfied smile. She desperately wanted more, but felt a blush of embarrassment at the thought of asking.
He settled beside her, placing a final kiss on her forehead. "I have to get to work. I'm going to shower, and we'll see later, okay?" he asked, though it sounded more like a definitive statement.
"Sure, no problem."
He got out of bed. Elara watched him, swallowing hard as she noticed the prominent bulge beneath his sweatpants.
Later that day, Elara sat in the backyard of her best friend, Ryan's, house. They had been childhood friends for as long as she could remember. Her mother had invited her to lunch, and now, having finished eating, she was out back, narrating the events of the previous night.
"What the fuck?!" Ryan screamed, leaping up in excitement. "Elara is no longer a virgin! Girl, what did your parents give you?"
"Shhh!" Elara tried to quiet her. "Nothing… I just felt I was ready."
"Damn, you were definitely ready," Ryan laughed, wiping a tear of excitement from her eye.
"Oh, shut up," Elara said, joining in the laughter.
"No wonder you didn't pick up my calls!"
"Fuck you," Elara shot back, their laughter bubbling up again.
"So, what's the plan for your big girl age?" Ryan asked, a calmer smile on her face.
"I really don't know, but I'm positive it's going to be a fun ride."
"Yeah, me too. Wait right here, let me get your gift."
"Ooh, Ryan has a gift for me!" Elara teased, putting a dramatic hand on her chest.
"Oh, keep quiet. I'll be back."
A few minutes later, Ryan returned holding a small black box tied with a satin ribbon.
"Here. Happy Birthday," she said, handing it over.
"Thank you, Ryan." Elara opened the box to reveal a delicate silver bracelet. She picked it up, the metal cool against her skin. "This is so beautiful, Ryan."
"Yeah, yeah… I got it at some dollar store," Ryan dismissed with a wave of her hand.
"Girl, I know you are lying," Elara said, already fastening the clasp. "Thank you so much," she said, hugging her best friend tightly.
It was starting to get dark, so she decided to head home. She thanked Ryan's parents for hosting and her best friend again and again for the beautiful gift.
She took the bus home. She always wanted a car; the bus was a hassle she was sick and tired of. But she knew that was years away. Lately, she couldn't even consistently afford a decent dinner.
She arrived at her apartment and immediately collapsed onto the couch. Her eyes caught the bottle of wine Noah had brought yesterday, and it made her smile. She reached for her phone to call him.
Then she saw it: seven missed calls from an unknown number. A cold knot of worry formed in her stomach. Did something bad happen? Was it her boyfriend? Was it her parents?
She called the number back. On the first ring, the person picked up.
"Hello, is this Elara Hart, the daughter of Clifton Hart?" a professional voice asked.
"Yes, I am."
"Your family was involved in a fatal car accident."
The phone immediately slipped from Elara's slack hand. She felt her world crumbling down, with nothing to hold onto, nothing and no one. All of a sudden, the light in the room seemed to vanish.