CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Rhyan

One Week Later

It's so nice to finally be headed home to the clubhouse.

The doctor wanted to keep me in the hospital for a little longer to ensure I came off the drugs properly and also to guarantee I didn't develop an infection from the wounds all over my body.

Especially the branding scar.

I don't know what it is, but out of all the wounds marring my skin, that fucking brand on my thigh is the one that really messes with my mind. The thought that Atlas marked me as his property eats at me, and that he made a conscious decision to put his brand on me and purposely mess with Noah upsets me every time I think about it.

I hate the fucking ugly thing.

There's been more than one time I have thought of taking a blade and cutting the fucking thing off.

Remove any reminder of Atlas from my body.

I don't want him anywhere near me.

If only it were that simple.

Everything is fuzzy from when I was taken.

I remember talking to Autumn in class, and from there, it's kind of a blur.

However, I have been getting glimpses, flashes of memory from when Atlas had me held in that asylum. Small patches of vivid memories hit me like a freight train, and when they do, my breath leaves my body. Every inch of me breaks out in goose bumps, and it's like I am right back there—with him .

Knowing that he is still alive and that the club has plans for him, well, I don't know if that scares me or invigorates me. All I do know is that I couldn't have done any of this without Noah by my side. Even through his recovery, he has made sure to check on me in the hospital every single day.

Without fail.

I have never felt so supported in my life.

Noah wraps his arm around me, and I smile at him as he walks us toward the entry of the clubhouse. "You ready to be home?" he asks.

I exhale, finally feeling more like myself. "I couldn't be more ready if I tried."

He smiles, leaning in, and plants a gentle kiss on my head. "Everyone's gonna be so happy to see you."

Nodding, I tighten my grip on him and we walk through the clubhouse doors. The second we enter, everyone leaps out, throwing confetti and cheering for me. I jump, clinging onto Noah in fright. He holds me as my heart races, my breathing increases, and my body trembles, causing everyone to quickly stop cheering.

Noah spins me to face him. His hands grip my face, forcing me to look at him. My eyes widen as I breathe harshly out of my nose in fear. "You're okay. You're safe. No one is going to hurt you here."

Looking into his calm eyes, I nod, slowing my breaths, trying to calm myself as best I can. I know they are trying to honor me being home, but I don't think I'm ready for a large celebration.

With shaky hands, I spin, my eyes meeting my parents as they assess me with sympathetic eyes. "Thank you, everyone, for welcoming me home. But I'm still pretty tired. Do you mind if I head to bed and catch up with you guys tomorrow?"

Alpha steps forward, his eyes meeting Noah's for a brief moment, and then they shift to me. "You take all the time you need, Rhy. We're here for you. No matter what."

"Appreciate that. Thank you. All of you…" I turn to Alpha. "Pres, do you mind if I steal Noah for a little while? I want some company while I settle back in."

I can't help but notice my dad staring at Noah as he tightens his grip around me.

Alpha dips his chin in approval. "Take the rest of the day. Noah can come back to his prospect duties tomorrow. He's all yours, Rhy."

Noah lets out a long sigh. "Thanks, Pres."

"You take care of her, Noah," Alpha urges before I lead Noah toward the bedrooms.

"You have my word," Noah replies, and then we make our way to the hall. Noah leads me toward my room, but I stop us at his door. He furrows his brows, looking down at me.

"Can we stay in your room tonight?" I ask.

He glances back toward the clubroom, even though no one can see us, as if he is waiting for my father to come down and bust us, but he exhales, tilting his head to the side and nods. "Whatever you need, dragonfly."

He opens the door, and we walk in. Then, he walks over to the bed, pulling back the covers.

I glance around, my brows furrowing in confusion. I'm not sure, but something about his room looks different. Like random things have been moved. "Did you do a spring clean in here?" I ask.

Noah chuckles, ushering me toward his bed. "Something like that. Let's get you into bed."

He moves in front of me and slowly and carefully begins to remove my clothes. I smile, watching him. There's something so calming in letting your man take control, even if there's nothing sexual in it.

He slides my shirt up my body, and I blink a few times as it slips over my head. He throws it on the floor and then moves to my bra, a slow smile crossing his face. "You want to leave this on?"

Shaking my head, I slide my hands up under his cut, shrugging it over his shoulders and gently placing it on the desk beside us. "I want to lay in bed and be able to feel you."

His calloused fingers trail down my arms. "Are you sure?"

My eyes meet his, and I nod. "Just hold me, Noah."

His fingers slide around my back and unhook my bra. It falls to the floor, freeing my breasts while I edge my fingers under his shirt and lift it over his head. I throw his shirt on the floor to sit with mine, and then his fingers move to my leggings. He gently eases them and my panties down, his eyes never leaving mine, assessing me as he strips me down. Then he kneels before me, tapping my foot to step out of my Converse. I do, and he pulls my leggings and panties off, leaving me completely naked.

"Hop into bed, beautiful," he states, stands, then leans in and gently kisses my lips.

Smiling, I turn and jump into his bed. The sheets are silky, soft, and inviting. I make myself comfortable while he gets undressed, then move to the bed to join me.

"It's so good to have you home."

"It's good to be home."

Noah exhales, his fingers gently threading through my hair. "I'm so sorry, Rhy. You should never have had to go through that bullshit. It's all on me."

My eyes clench tight, my head spinning, my heart racing as I am instantly thrown back into the asylum with Atlas.

Searing pain tore through my flesh as I screamed. I glanced down to see Atlas cutting into my thigh with a blade while another guy came toward me with a needle.

"No! Don't do this!" I screamed, my body trying so hard to thrash about, but I was tied to some kind of chair, my arms and ankles strapped by leather restraints, buckling me in.

Atlas' sinister eyes met mine, a gleam in his features while he chuckled beneath his breath. "Scream all you want, pretty girl. No one is going to hear you."

Fear rippled through me, and my breath caught in my throat as his sidekick plunged the needle deep into my arm. I screamed with everything I had, feeling the liquid as it snaked through my veins like a venomous poison, spreading its depraved delight through my entire being.

Terror flooded through me, and at the same time, euphoria overpowered me. The feeling of losing absolute control was overwhelming. I couldn't do anything but sit back in that fucking chair, watching as Atlas came toward me carrying a branding iron.

My eyes widened in fear, though I was unable to move.

My body quivering, yet frozen.

A flash of Noah's face flickered before my eyes.

"Rhy! Look at me!" Noah's hands grip my face, forcing me to look at him. I fight for breath that I didn't know I was holding, my eyes rapidly blinking the memory away. Tears flood my eyes as Atlas' face lifts from my memory, and Noah's shines bright in my vision.

My heart races as I stare at him, taking in his features to ensure this is real.

"You're safe. You're here with me. I won't let him hurt you again," Noah states, pulling me to him and pressing his lips to my forehead.

I slide my hands to his chest, feeling him, needing to be sure this is real, as my tears slowly cascade down my cheeks. Lifting my head, my eyes meet Noah's, and I know I need him to take the memories away and replace them with something better.

His hand comes up, caressing my cheek, gently wiping my tears away. The gesture is so gentle and caring.

Noah is the perfect guy.

He's nothing but a gentleman.

But right now, I don't need a gentleman.

I need to forget.

Breathing harshly through my nose, I lean up, rapidly slamming my lips to Noah's. His eyes widen, but he kisses me back. Instantly, that high I have been chasing ever since Atlas drugged me hits, and I slide my body up, pushing Noah onto his back. He mumbles something against my lips, but I ignore him as I pin him to the bed beneath me, straddling his lap. My hands grip his wrists on the mattress either side of his head.

I kiss him hard, full of passion, our tongues colliding, his cock growing so fucking hard beneath me while I rock on top of him. My clit is throbbing so damn frantic I am having trouble keeping my thoughts together as I slide my pussy against his cock.

Noah groans, turning his head to the side, breaking our kiss.

I sit up, staring down at him, raising my brow, wondering why he stopped. "What's wrong?" I ask.

His brows furrow when he stares at me. I still have his arms pinned, and he tries to slow his breathing. "Baby, you need to rest."

Slumping my shoulders, I shake my head. "Noah, I need this . I need you."

He hesitates. "Rhyan, your dad would want me to take care of you. I should respect his wishes."

Letting out a small huff, I let go of his wrists, his hands moving to my hips. "Noah, I need you to respect me right now. I need this. I need you. I need us. I need to feel you and not think about the asshole who branded me . Just you." Noah's eyes light with fire, and his breathing quickens.

I don't want to think about that monster anymore.

I only want Noah to be surrounding me.

Every. Single. Part of me.

Noah swallows a lump hard. "Are you sure?"

"Noah, stop thinking. Please!"

He doesn't hesitate for a second longer. His hands on my hips grip me tight, lifting me and flipping me over onto the mattress beneath him. I can't help the slight giggle that leaves my lips, and I close my eyes, squirming beneath him.

"Rhy, look at me. We do this my way. If at any point it's too much, tell me, and we stop."

"The only thing I want to stop is you talking," I tease, wiggling my hips, trying to get him where I want him.

Noah growls, leaning down and nipping at my lip. "Behave. Let me love you, Rhy. I need this as much as you do, but I will be damned if we rush it. Let me cherish you like you deserve."

Unable to deny him, I smile and dip my chin. He leans in and places a chaste kiss on my lips before trailing to my cheek, then my jaw, where he nips along the curve. I raise my chin, giving him more access, my breaths coming faster with each caress of his lips.

Ever the attentive man, his lips ghost along the column of my throat with the occasional lick and suck. Not enough to leave a mark but more than enough to heighten the sensation. That, combined with his warm breath whispering along my skin, I'm already on edge.

When I rock my hips, guiding his hard cock through my wetness, Noah growls, biting the area between my neck and shoulder. "Behave, woman."

"Then cherish me faster," I taunt, enjoying the feeling of working him up. "Noah…" Anything I was about to say is lost when his tongue slides painfully slow around my nipple. Then, when his lips seal around it, my breath catches.

I thread my fingers through his hair, gripping tight while I arch into him. "More," I demand, but it comes out as a plea.

His answer is to cup my other breast with his hand, pinching my nipple, and I cry out. He immediately pulls back, releasing his hold, and gazes at me, his eyes searching my face. "Did I hurt you? Was it too much?"

I could tease him but the look of concern in his eyes has me softening. "No. It's perfect."

Seemingly satisfied, he resumes his adoring affection, kissing down my stomach, carefully avoiding the still-healing cuts. How he can look at me and not see the horror of what happened is beyond me.

But this is exactly what I need.

He doesn't draw attention to the horror, navigating around them with ease.

Noah nestles between my thighs, Atlas' brand now at eye level. I tense, instantly feeling self-conscious and self-loathing. I slide my hands down to push him away, but his eyes meet mine. "Focus on me, Rhy. It's only me," he assures, then he does the unexpected, placing gentle kisses around my scar. "This changes nothing . He can't have what wasn't his. You are mine, Rhy!"

My skin pebbles in goose bumps, I begin to tremble, and just as I'm about to say something, he turns and delves his tongue between my folds. My head flops back, a wave of pleasure rushing through me, instantly sweeping all bad thoughts away as my thighs instinctively fall open for him. I rapidly lose myself in the sensation of his tongue circling my clit, then dipping down to my entrance.

Noah nips my clit, and my head jerks up as I let out a squeal. "Eyes on me, dragonfly. I want to watch you play with your nipples while I devour your delicious pussy," he growls out with a wink, and I feel his lips against mine, spreading with a smile.

Needing no further encouragement, I brace on my elbows, giving me the perfect position to do as he directs and watch him. The sight is one I won't forget anytime soon. He knows me so well—knows exactly what I need—which is something I may never understand but will not take for granted.

Our eyes lock, and I'm lost in him.

I cup my breasts, pinching my nipples, and when he slides his tongue down my pussy, I can't help but rock my hips into him. His eyes light up in satisfaction before he thrusts his tongue inside me. My mouth opens, a strained moan escaping through short breaths. It takes everything I have not to throw my head back and close my eyes.

I continue to rock my hips, my thighs threatening to tighten around him. When he pulls back, his tongue leaving me feels empty, and I don't have time to protest. He slides two fingers in, curling them in the perfect way, and I have no choice. My eyes close, my thighs squeeze around him, and when he releases a growl against my clit as he works his fingers in and out, my world stops. Stars dance behind my eyelids, and my breath catches at the back of my throat. My hips jerk and jolt, and when I pinch my nipples, euphoria takes over. My whole body tenses when an orgasm rips through me. "Fuck, Noah!" I scream out, though it's muffled in my ears.

The feeling of him chuckling barely penetrates my senses and I gaze down to see I still have him in my hold. Grimacing, I mouth, Sorry, and let my legs relax. He places a kiss on each thigh, then works his way back up my body.

I lay back, relishing the feeling of him surrounding me. He knows exactly how to take care of me. Noah leans down, supporting himself on his elbows, and captures my lips with his. The salty taste of me has me heating up. I will never get enough of this man, and we haven't even had sex yet. The fact I am more than willing to be with Noah, despite my dad's clear objection, tells me whatever this is with Noah isn't fleeting.

Noah pulls back, his fingers running softly through my hair. "Are you sure, Rhy? I don't want to hurt you."

I smile, placing a kiss on his chest above his heart. "I'm positive. I know you would rather hurt yourself than hurt me in any way. I want this, Noah."

His cheeky grin makes my heart gallop as he shifts to one arm. He reaches down, guiding the head of his cock through my pussy. I'm so wet that the sound echoes through the room, and it brings back memories of our hot nights in New York, except this time, I get to feel all of him. With one last tease over my clit, he guides his cock to my entrance.

"Together, Rhy." As he slowly pushes in, I tilt my hips, pressing against him. "Holy shit. Fuck! I need to get a cond—"

"Just like this, Noah. I trust you. I need to feel all of you. Every fucking inch. Do you understand me?" I challenge.

His jaw clenches, and his eyebrows pinch, his body tensing. "Fuck, Rhy. You're too good… for me. You feel incredible. Fuck. You're perfect," he grits out, his face a mix of pure pleasure and anguish.

Reaching up, I cup the sides of his face, willing him to relax. This man doesn't understand just how perfect he is. "You, Noah Drake, are perfect for me." My words seem to calm him, and he presses in further, rocking into me so his pelvis grinds against my clit.

He pulls back to where the head of his cock rests at my entrance and pauses before pushing back in, making sure to grind against me. Like this, I am consumed by him.

He was right about one thing.

I am his.

But he is also mine .

I slide my hands around his neck, pull him down, and kiss him, my tongue caressing his.

There's no rush.

Everything about this is slow yet deliberate and incredibly intimate.

Needing him closer, I wrap my good leg around his waist, drawing him deeper. He groans, grinding into me at a steady pace. My hands slide down his back, and I cling to him, breaking our kiss, burying my face into his neck, and inhaling his scent.

As my orgasm builds, my moans turn to whimpers, overwhelmed with the emotions running through me. Noah must sense my need as he always does and slides his arms under me, his hands cradling the back of my neck.

He kisses along my neck and up to my ear. "Come for me, dragonfly."

My breath catches, the familiar tightening in my belly taking hold. My body begins to shake, a sheen of sweat glistening over my skin as Noah rocks into me again. Being here with him, feeling him deep inside me with the pleasure building to a crescendo, is making me feel things.

Things I wasn't prepared for.

An adrenaline surge races through me, and at the same time, my orgasm slams through me like a tidal wave. I can't help it as a flood of emotions releases when I come, and my eyes fill with tears that spill over. I grip Noah like he's my lifeline. I'm not entirely sure what has overcome me, but I can't stop it, even if I want to. Which I don't. It's a welcome relief I didn't know I needed.

Noah moans, his pace faltering before he sinks into me completely. His release is so powerful that I feel each jolt and warmth filling me.

"Shit, Rhy. Are you crying? Fuck! Did I—"

Sniffling back, my hand caresses his face. "Shhh. Stop, Noah. It was perfect... truly."

He rolls us to the side, careful not to jar me, his cock still deep inside me despite his release. His gaze traces over my face as he wipes the tears from my cheek, and then, as if that's not enough, he peppers kisses along my cheeks. I can't help but smile at his ridiculousness, but the humor is not reflected when I look at him. So, I slide my hand between us, my fingers parted around his cock, enjoying the feel of us connected. His breath catches, and his cock jolts.

"Fuck me like this, Noah. Let me feel you pushing in and out of me." I hitch my leg up, and though being on my side causes the fucking brand to burn and ache, I refuse to acknowledge it.

"Shit, Rhy. It's too good. I won't last. With your fingers like that, it's so fucking tight."

He rocks into me, and the movement shifts my hand over my clit just enough that a new desire is sparked. I had no intentions of coming again, but like this, it won't take much. We may never leave this room, and I can't find it in me to care. Not when he drives into me again, reminding me of how perfect this man is for me. He's not as slow and gentle as before, but he's definitely still cautious, ensuring he will not hurt me.

"I love… feeling you moving in and out of me." It's not what I'd intended to say, but I had to stop myself.

Do I love Noah?

He groans, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I lean in to kiss him, not trusting myself to stay quiet.

The words are right there.

Instead, I put all my feelings into this moment, connected to Noah in every way.

He grunts and groans, his pace faltering, and I know he's close. I start to move my hand over my clit, my fingers gliding against his cock.

Noah breaks our kiss, "Fuck, Rhy. You gotta come. I can't hold on much longer."

His words spur me on, my hand moving faster. My pussy clamps around him, lights dancing behind my clenched eyelids, my entire body shuddering while the pressure rolls through my body like a tidal wave. It slams into me, my breath catching when my orgasm rocks my foundations, making me feel completely weightless. I struggle to find my breath as Noah reclaims my lips, swallowing my moans as his cock jerks, his body tensing. He groans into my mouth, a deep, guttural sound that sends a vibration right through me. His body shakes, and then he tenses and unloads completely inside me.

Our lips slowly part, both panting for breath. Our arms wrapped tightly around each other as we stay connected, and I snuggle into him, my head resting under his chin.

Closing my eyes, I can't help but feel completely relaxed while his fingers run up and down my spine.

"Are you okay?" he whispers.

Smiling against his chest, I plant a soft kiss on his skin. "I'm blissfully perfect."

Noah softly chuckles, kissing the top of my head. "I'm not moving for anything."

Feeling my entire body melt into his, the pull of sleep is calling. "Good, because I want to spend all night with you inside me, laying like this."

"Sounds fucking perfect…" Noah gently kisses my head again. "You wanna tell me why you were crying?"

Glancing up at him, I weakly smile. "Just overwhelmed. In a good way. I promise."

He leans in, gently kissing me, then pulls back. "You sure? If you wanna talk about anything, you know I'm here for you."

"I want to talk about why it's taken us so damn long to do that when it's so freaking good," I chime.

He chuckles, gently stroking my hair. "Okay. There is one thing we do need to talk about."

"What's that?" I raise my brow.

He licks his lips, then exhales. "The fact we promised your father I wouldn't get you pregnant, and yet, I just came inside you… twice."

Staring into his eyes, I bite my bottom lip, trying to fight back my smile. "You wanna have a baby?"

"One day, sure. With you, definitely. But maybe not… right now."

Giggling, I shrug. "Good thing I'm a responsible twenty-one-year-old and on birth control then."

Noah lets out a laugh, holding me tight. "You let me run with that just so you could see my stance on children? You're cunning, little dragonfly."

"It's good to know we're on the same page," I say, though the last couple of words come out through a yawn.

He holds me tight. Being wrapped up in his arms is the best feeling in the world. "We're always on the same page, Rhy. We're a team. It's why we work. But it's been a big day, and you've definitely exerted yourself. I need you to get some rest."

My eyelids are fluttering, and I nod against his chest. "Good night, Noah," I barely whisper, sleep pulling at me as I relax the most I have felt in as long as I can remember.

"Good night, baby," he replies, not letting me go as I sink into his arms, giving in to sleep.

Finally, letting myself succumb to the night.