Second Chance Romance (10 page)

One look at him and I didn’t want to go to work anymore. He was in a pair of black boxer briefs that made him look like a Greek god, his body was a paragon of perfection.

“You’re sure you have to go?”

“Yes. I can’t start missing days. Especially if you want me to get off this weekend.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll call Jackson and see if he wants to come play Xbox with me until you get home.”

“I’m sorry, I really wish I could stay, but I’ve got bills to pay. You don’t have to wait up for me if you get tired, I know you need to get up early.
I should be back a little after midnight.”

“It’s fine, I’m usually up until around then anyway. I put you on the proscribed list with security this morning, George should still be on shift still but if you have any problems just call and I’ll come right down.” He kissed me. I slipped on my flats and buttoned my plaid shirt to cover what was underneath.

I threw my bag on my shoulder and grabbed my car keys off the table.

“Love you.” He said.

“You too.” I said automatically. I was seriously going to have to slow things down the love thing because I didn’t want to lead him on, just incase. I knew I loved him, I just wasn’t sure what the context was. I thought it was best if we just stuck to no strings attached, casual sex, it seemed easier and much less messy. If we ended up together it would be a bonus.

I arrived at Double D’s at 7:57. Thankfully it took almost no time at all to get here from Noah’s. I said a quick hello to Dan, applied some lip-gloss, changed my shoes and got ready for our introduction.

“Where have you been?” Ellie said, walking in through the club door.

“Like you have to ask.” I playfully rolled my eyes at her.

“How are things going with
Noah
?” She cooed.

“They’re going good. We have a ways to go, only time will tell.” I smiled, she came over and wrapped her arms around me.

“I’m really happy for you. If anyone deserves it it’s you. Noah seems great.”

“He is and the sex is out of this world!”

“I’m jealous, the only sex I’m getting is Brad in the supply closet. He has the tools but doesn’t know what to do with them, if you know what I mean.” She winked.

“Too much information.”
I said covering my ears teasingly.

“Let’s get this night over with.” We hooked arms and headed out to the stage entry.

We started out as usual, things were going great until I noticed Reid sitting at the bar. He never came here, he didn’t approve of my ‘occupation.’  I was a little peeved that he showed up here, two nights in a row, especially because of what went down last night with Noah. I didn’t pay attention to him at all the rest of my time on stage. I hoped by the time we were scheduled to go back on in an hour that he’d be gone. I picked up the book I needed to read for one of my classes and started taking notes. I checked my phone and had two texts from Noah.

Miss you already. Hurry home to me. Jackson’s on his way over, but you can call me if you get bored, I’ll be waiting. Yours in anticipation :P

Is it midnight yet? Jackson’s annoying me, you’re much better company.

I texted him back quickly so I could get back to my schoolwork.

Miss you too. Trying to catch up on some school stuff, only three more hour
s


The hour flew by in the blink of an eye, before I knew it Ellie was back telling me it was time for us to get lined up again. I wasn’t overly surprised to see both Noah and Jackson sitting front and center when I walked out. Noah looked slightly embarrassed, I’m assuming Jackson put him up to coming. I smiled and continued working the stage. A couple of my regulars had come in too. It was turning into be a good night after all. When I walked off the stage I saw Noah and Jackson peek through the stage door.

“How much for a private dance?” Jackson asked, earning a smack in the back of the head from Noah.

“Dude! That’s my girlfriend, have some manners.” Jackson laughed.

“Girlfriend?” I teased. “I thought you were playing Xbox?”

“Fuck playing Xbox like a couple of teenagers, when we can see your sexy ass strutting around in almost nothing.” Jackson said.

“Dude!” Noah scolded.

“Sorry Jules, but
damn
your ass is fine!”

“Thanks Jackson, my ass is not on the market. I do have a friend I can introduce you to though.”

“Hook a brother up.” I stood up and took Noah’s hand heading towards the bar where Ellie would most likely be flirting with Brad. As soon as we rounded the corner I stopped dead in my tracks. I’d been sidetracked and forgot Reid was there. By the time I tried to backpedal it was too late, Noah noticed.

“What’s he doing here?” He yelled, not at me.

“I have no idea.” He let go of my hand and walked up to him. Jackson was following closely behind.

“Why the fuck are you here?” He said to Reid.

“Hi to you too, asshole.”

“Didn’t we just have a conversation last night fuckwad?! Jules is off the market, but even if she wasn’t she is not interested! So, why the fuck are you here?”

“She won’t return any of my calls. This is the only way I can get her to talk to me.”

“She doesn’t return your calls because she doesn’t want to talk to you! Ever think of that?”

“I need to talk to her about something I overheard today.”

“Yeah and what’s that?” I asked.

“Jules, did you cheat on me with Professor Mitchell?”

“What are you talking about?” It the first I heard who the accused was.
It could be a big problem if things went to trial.

“I overheard that you were fucking him the entire time we were together.” He sneered.

“Reid, it’s not like that like that, you know that.”

“It would explain why we never had sex. Not once in three months…”

“I told you I’m not that girl! I’ve only slept with three people, ever. You already knew that, so why would you even question me?”

“Look at you Jules, you work in a strip club for crying out loud!”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean.” Noah spat getting in his face.

“She probably sleeps with a different guy every night.” Reid spat back.

Jackson appeared from behind me and punched Reid in the face.

“Don’t talk about her like that you pansy-ass piece of shit.” Jackson yelled.

Preacher, the club bouncer appeared and asked what was going on. Noah filled him in and he tossed Reid outside. I was wondering when I was going to be able to catch a break. The fact that Reid was said it was Professor Mitchell caused me to panic.

Noah
came back from talking to Adam. H
e agreed to give me off the rest of the week, and this weekend. I agreed to go to the Richardson’s estate this weekend with Noah but I still had to go to school since the semester was wrapping up. At least it would give me time to focus on finishing my thesis.

Jackson said his family had connections at Columbia, apparently they were very big benefactors at the university. He told us he would have his dad make some calls to see if they could find out any more information on the
allegations
. Ellie handed me my bag and Noah headed me to his Jeep. Jackson promised to get my car to Noah’s safely. Once we were at the condo I decided shower and Noah ordered us some take out even though I wasn’t hungry.

I worked my ass off to get to where I was at school and only a month shy from graduation this had to happen and threaten to ruin everything. I walked into the kitchen and asked if Jackson had brought my car back yet. Noah said he was hanging out with Ellie for a little while. I shrugged my shoulders and went to eat my chicken quesadilla. Noah sensed my emotional state and pulled me into a hug. I was dreading what I was going to have to tell him and decided to prolong it a little while longer.

I rested my head on his shoulder and breathed in his scent. It reminded me of my safe place.

A little while later I headed to bed. Noah said Jackson would leave the keys with the front desk so I should stop worrying. I curled into him and fell into a troubled sleep.

CHAPTER TEN

Say You’ll Taunt Me

Noah

We just got back to my place when my phone rang, it was Jackson.

“Hey man, did you get her car okay?”

“That’s what I’m calling about. Someone slashed all her tires.” Thankfully, Jules was in the shower.

“What, how? There’s always a guard at the back door.”

“Apparently he was
occupied.
”

“Can you have Adam check the security footage?”

“
I already did. Dan, the bodyguard, is seen walking away with Carrie… some guy I don’t recognize was the one that got the car, he had a hood on and I couldn’t make out his face.”

“Are you sure?”
I was so pissed!

“Positive. Now what do you want me to do now? Should I call the police?”
“No. I’ll handle it on my end. Can you call Segundo and have him get in touch with his cousin in Brooklyn and see about getting new tires on the car by the morning?”

“I’m on it. I’ll keep you posted.”

Fan-fucking-tastic… How was I going to explain this to Jules?
I honestly didn’t think that Carrie would stoop this low. I knew she was spiteful, but I thought she was classier than this. When Jules came out after her shower I lied, and I told her that Jackson was hanging out with Ellie. Hopefully it would buy me some time to get her car fixed. I could tell she was exhausted, and more than a little stressed out about the school situation. I made a mental note to call Jackson’s dad, Randall Richardson, tomorrow myself and have him pull some favors to see if we could get to the bottom of it. I pulled her closely and led her back to the bedroom.

“Jules. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

“We’re going to get this all straightened out, okay?”

“Sure.” She said sadly.

“I mean it.”

“I’m not a slut Noah, that’s not my thing.”

“I know, though you hopped right back in the sack with me.” I teased and she slapped my chest playfully.

“That’s because you’re my Noah. You’re my best friend, the love of my life.” I don’t think she realized what she’d said, but my ego high-fived itself.

“The love of your life, huh?”

“Did I say that? Well it helps that you’re hung like Johnny Sins and you look like an Abercrombie model. Who wouldn’t want to spend of their life looking at that?”

“Who’s Johnny Sin
s, or do I not want to know?” We both laughed. “You’re smart, beautiful, funny and caring. You’re one of the strongest people I know and I would love to spend the rest of my life looking at you.”

“He’s a porn star.” She
winked. “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”

“I love you Jules.” I knew she wouldn’t say it back. I didn’t think she was ready, but I wanted her to know where I stood.

“Night Noah.” She said rolling on her side, snuggling as close to me as she could just like when we were kids.

Jules

The next morning the alarm went off at six. I got up with Noah and we went for a run together. It was odd seeing the city while most of its occupants were still sleeping, it was almost serene. We hit Starbucks on the way back. Once we were in the condo we headed to the shower. I could tell Noah was apprehensive about touching me in my current state but I needed him, so I made the first move.

I stood on my tippy toes and pressed my lips to his, grazing my tongue over his lower lip and biting gently. It was game on, hands and tongues were roaming and pleasure was searing through our bodies until we formed our connection. He pinned me up against the shower wall and started thrusting. By the time we were done we were been in positions that most people probably only say they know.
We could give the karma sutra a run for its money.

“That was so hot I’m surprised we didn’t light the room on fire.” I joked.

“I did my cardio for the day.” He joked. “I love you Jules.” He leaned in and kissed me.

“It’s still just a casual thing Noah. Part of me will always love you and I
love
having sex with you but I can’t give you what you want. If you were to resent me down the road I wouldn’t be able to get past that.” I was trying my hardest to keep my heart safe.

“What are you talking about Jules? You’re everything I want, no matter what. I could never resent you.”

“You want kids.” I stated. “I can’t have kids and I refuse to take that away from you.” 

“I would like to examine every option before we
just give up. One of the attorney’s at my firm Steven, his wife Melissa is a renowned OB/GYN. Maybe we could make an appointment to see her. She could take a look and see what the possibilities, if any, exist of us having a baby one day. If you can’t it’s not the end of the world, I swear I won’t mind.”