Irish Oxytocin

Deal | 24

                            ❁ Chapter 24 ❁

Cora's Point of View

His taste lingered on my lips as I lay helplessly in my bed. I stared blankly at the ceiling as my fingers glided on my lips, reliving every moment. I don't think I've moved since I got home.
His fingers all over my body were so warm, and comforting. I've never felt so wanted.

"This is right, Cora" played repetitively in my head.

It was so right. It was so-so right. I knew for sure now. Nolan Gallagher could break my heart a million times and I'd run back each time.
It was a toxic love. A love that shouldn't be so strong. But it was. It was deep and passionate. It was unlike any love I'd ever felt before.
I love and have loved so many people, and my love for him outweighs every one of them.

I picked up my phone to check the time. 11:08 PM caught my eye.
I trailed my vision down to my Lock Screen. My hands guided over his handsome face.

"I'm so in love with you," I admitted quietly to myself.
"Please keep your promise."

I closed my eyes and held my phone to my chest. I knew the truth now. I know his past. Maybe not all of it, but I know him. I know what's made him into who he is. I can love all of him without worry. I felt like a little girl again. I felt so alive. I haven't felt like myself in so long, and he just reminded me of her. I was buried below so much pain and betrayal that I forgot who I was before everything started. I felt like Dani's twin again, and Ethan's best friend. I felt like my Mom's daughter, and Dad's pride and joy. It might be dramatic, but soulmates were real fucking shit. They were so legit.
I opened my eyes and unlocked my phone. The FaceTime dial tone rang as I pressed the button.

"Ce?" He questioned as his face came into the screen.
"Hey," I smiled softly.
"Why aren't you asleep?" Nolan laughed.
"We have school tomorrow."

I rolled my eyes.

"I don't want to sleep," I grunted.

He was sitting at his desk. He wasn't looking at me, but he was smiling too. His notebook was placed in front of him and his pencil scribbled on the paper.

"What are you writing?" I asked.
"Something I've been working on for a bit," he shrugged.
"That tells me nothing," I scoffed.
"I know," he laughed. "Just be patient."

I was horrible at that. He knew that, too.

"Let's hang," I suggested giddily.
"That's a horrible idea," he laughed.
"Maybe, but let's do it anyway."

He smirked at my word choice. Both our minds trailed to the first week we met.

"It was a bad idea then, and it's a bad idea now," he said, finally looking up from his notebook.
He placed the pencil behind the phone and closed it.
"Then why are you packing up?" I smirked.

He shook his head and stood up from his desk.

"You already know I'm coming to get you," he rolled his eyes.
I smiled.

"Be there in ten."

♥︎♥︎♥︎

He snuck me into his house with tiptoes, reminding me we promised Gran we'd go to school the next day. I followed behind him and he held my hand gently.

"The stairs will creak if we both go up," he whispered, staring up the staircase.
He then turned his attention to me and smiled.
"No," I protested.

But, it was too late. Nolan quickly lifted me in his arms and placed me on his shoulder. I let out a loud giggle as his grip tickled me, and he covered my mouth with his hand.
He brought us up the stairs as I continued to giggle quietly to myself. He laughed quietly too at my ridiculousness.
He put me down as he stared at the ceiling.

"Whatcha' doing..." I questioned.

Then, he quietly pulled a latch above our heads to pull a ladder down. He unravelled it gently and got it a good tug to make sure it was sturdy.

"Ladies first."
"You're bringing me to your attic?" I questioned awkwardly.
"It's cooler than that. Hop up grouchy," he whispered, tapping my back.

I sighed and took hold of the ladder. I pulled gently as I took my first step, crawling up quietly to avoid making noise. It creaked quietly as Nolan followed close behind me.
When we got to the top, he pulled up the ladder and closed the small door.

"We don't have to whisper here," he said a little louder.
"Follow me. I want to show you something cool."

Nolan had never brought me up here. I was super curious as I trailed behind him like a lost puppy.
He walked over to the window and cracked it open as far as it would go.

"Out," he demanded.

I looked out the window, and it revealed his roof.

"You're sick or something," I said, putting my hand on his forehead.
He rolled his eyes and pulled my arm down.
"Shush. It's safe," he reassured, pointing to the outside.

I rolled my eyes as I grabbed the window frame.

"I would never put you in danger, Cora," he reassured me.

I nodded my head as I passed my leg through the opening. I stepped gently on the roof as I pulled myself out. Nolan closed the light in the attic before hopping out with me. I walked down the roof and took a seat on the edge, admiring the street lights filling up my vision.
The neighbourhood was quiet. No cars were driving in the streets, and there was not a person in sight. Everyone's lights were off in their house, only leaving street lamps to light up the world.
Nolan took a seat next to me and put his arm around me. I leaned into him as he rested his head on mine.

"This is my favourite place," he whispered into my ear.
"Why?" I asked.
"Best place in the world to think," he replied innocently.

The stars were visible now that the city was quiet. Constellations and star patterns covered the sky in a sparkly blanket. Nolan watched me gaze above with a sweet smile.

"You're so beautiful," he rasped.

I turned to him and smiled. He gently brought his fingers up to my chin and pulled my face up to his. I closed my eyes as he placed a sweet peck on my lips.
But then, Nolan's admirable smile faded into a sad expression. I frowned at his sudden change of emotion.

"Cora, as much as I want to be with you..." he sighed.

I pulled away.

"I want to heal from this heartbreak before I be the boyfriend you need," he murmured softly.
"Hailey devastated me. I'm not ready to be vulnerable again..."

I understood what he meant. Because of Liam Parker, I was still afraid of love. You give your heart to someone and it means nothing when their heart is somewhere else.
The craving for your soulmate was now human instinct, and I'm afraid that if Liam didn't cave, I would've.

"I understand," I huffed.
"You do?" He said shockingly.
"Yes, I'm not ready either," I admitted back.

He nodded, pulling me back into him.

"So we agree," he huffed.
"We'll only be together when we're ready," I smiled.
"But,"
"There's always a but," he rolled his eyes.
I chuckled.
"I don't want us to kiss and stuff until then. The more we move forward, the more feelings will develop. Let's let it happen naturally," I suggested.

Nolan pierced his lip together in a straight line.

"If that's what you want," he agreed.

I snuggled up into him more as night fell more and more.