Page 3 of Naughty Noelle
Unbuttons? Fuck.
A growl escapes me, causing a few heads to turn my way. I push my way to the pool table, reaching in and placing my hand over Noelle’s shoe, one that looks alarmingly like those I’ve seen on actual strippers. “Noelle.”
Startled blue eyes meet mine. “Hiro?” She glances around wildly. “Is Henry here?”
“This guy bothering you, Ellie?” A guy with more muscles than brains leans in, shoving my hand away from her. I’m grateful she has someone in her corner if she’s pulling stupid stunts like this striptease in a room full of drunken frat guys, but right now he’s one more obstacle between me and my cabin.
The music changes and not for the better. I wince as something that sounds remarkably like Alvin and theChipmunks’ Christmas Song blares out from the speakers. I just have to do this, and I can head to my cabin.
My silent cabin.
I give the guy a look that’s been known to make bigger men piss their pants, but he doesn’t get the message. He’s either too drunk or too stupid and I don’t have time to deal with either option tonight. I raise my hand, offering it to Noelle. “Come here, Noelle.”
I see the hesitation on her face. “Why are you here?” She’s smart enough to know I wouldn’t show up without a damn good reason.
I give my hand a little flick. “Now, Noelle.”
“Now, you just wait here a second, bruh…” The frat guy elbows his way in, and I tense. Noelle is much smarter than this guy and she places her small hand in mine.
I release a breath as I help her down off the table, trying not to notice her soft weight sliding against me in that ridiculous getup. Ridiculous but one hundred percent sexy.
“Where’s Henry?” Noelle asks again. “Is everything okay?”
Shit. I never thought to ask Henry what she knows about what’s going on. If she hasn’t received any threats, I’m scaring her unnecessarily. If she has, seeing me show up unannounced at her college party isn’t helping.
“Henry’s fine. Everyone’s fine,” I assure her. “I just need you to come with me.”
“You’re not taking her anywhere, buddy.” Muscles steps in front of us. “Who is this suit dude, Elle?”
I bristle with annoyance, but Noelle places a hand on the guy’s chest. “It’s okay, Owen. He’s a friend of my brother.” She sways and gives a little hiccup. “I just need to see what he wants.”
I grip her arm and steer her out of the back room. “Hey, where are we going? I said I would listen but I’m not leaving.”Noelle tries to dig in her heels, but those shoes are ridiculous, and I resist the urge to just pick her up and carry her out of the bar, but I’m afraid that’s going to attract too much attention.
“Are you seriously here to ruin my fun, again? How did you even find me?”
“Henry asked me to come.” I can almost see the door when Ms. Naughty or Nice from earlier steps directly in our path.
“Ellie!” She turns to me. “You found her.” The woman throws her arms around Noelle. “You finally get to meet Tom.” She drags Noelle away from me and I clasp her hand to keep from losing her again in this crowd. At the sudden tug, the girl stops, looking down at our hands.
“What’s this?” She searches Noelle’s face. “Who is this guy?”
Noelle tries to pull her hand free, grimacing at me when I don’t let her go. “My brother’s friend.”
Naughty-or-nice arches an eyebrow, giving me a once-over. “Where’s Owen?” She leans past Noelle. “I’m her best friend, Karli, with an ‘i’, by the way.” She flicks my vest. “You’re a little overdressed for the party.”
Noelle straightens, getting in her friend’s way. “Owen’s back there.” She cranes her neck. “I assume. I just need to see what my brother wants.” She wobbles a little on her heels as she looks back at me. “I assume he wants something.”
Karli slides me another measuring look. “Well, I want you to meet Tom because I know you think I made him up.” She pulls Noelle towards her, frowning at me when I don’t let go, but she switches her expression and is all smiles a second later.
“Tom,” her voice is almost baby-ish. “This is my best friend, Noelle. I know you’ve been dying to meet her.”
I sigh. How long do I have to endure this? I look past the girls expecting another muscle-head like Owen and stop short.
Tom is tall and built like a brick house, with a buzz cut and tattoos that blanket his neck. My back prickles when he assesses me, and I’d swear I’ve seen those black-as-night eyes before.
Then he lifts his hand to shake Noelle’s and I see it.
An elaborate scroll tattooed on his hand, between his thumb and forefinger. A scroll bearing a stylized number. The prickles down my back turn to ice. I don’t even need to see the number, the symbol itself tells me this guy is a solider, but not in any government institution. This man belongs to the Blood Knights.
