REVAMPING | Faulted Desires: A Culpa Mía/My Fault fanfic

48 - Noah

As I prepare to leave work, glad that today went smooth, no odd messages—maybe it won't happen again— ,a text from Nick pops up on my phone:

Meet me outside. I wanna take you somewhere today.

Okayy... should I be worried? I reply, half-jokingly.

No? Why should you be worried? comes his response.

Okay😂 But in the middle of the night?
My shift finished at 7 pm.

And? Nick's curt reply leaves me wondering as I bid farewell to my colleagues.

Just as I'm about to head out, Michael approaches me.

"Hey Noah," he says, placing a hand on my arm.

"Uh, it's my birthday next week, and I'm throwing a pool party at my house. Would you like to come?" he asks.

I laugh nervously, feeling caught off guard. "I'll think about it and let you know."

He nods, "I'd really like you to come".

With a smile, I leave the restaurant and make my way to Nick.

---

Reaching the car, I notice Nick looks a bit irritated.

"Nick?" I ask curiously, wondering what's wrong.

"Noah. How was work?" he questions, kissing my cheek. It feels odd, but I brush it off.

"It was good," I respond.

"Yeah, by the looks of it." His cryptic remark leaves me puzzled.

Clueless as to what he's talking about, I question, "Huh?"

"Nothing. Ready to go?" He turns on the car.

"Wait, Nick. No. What? What's wrong?" I press, sensing something amiss.

"Who is he?" he asks me, his tone tinged with suspicion.

Confused, I respond, "Who?"

"That guy. The one you were with just now. The one that likes touching you."

"What?" Then it hits me.

"Oh, Michael?" I offer. "And he doesn't like touching me."

"I guess," he replies, his doubt evident.

"Nick, seriously. He's nothing more than a co-worker. Why are you so worried, what the hell."

"I'm not worried," he insists.

"Clearly you are."

"As long as he knows what's mine, I'm fine."

"I mean, I'm not an object that you get to claim when you want, but..."

"Noah, you know what I mean."

"Do I?" I question. "Why are you acting like this?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know... possessive, overprotective."

An awkward silence fills the air as Nick clenches his jaw, facing away.

"Nick... are you jealous?" I finally ask, breaking the tension.

"Well shit, Noah. I just got you back, I don't want to lose you to... that guy. He clearly has a thing for you—the way he touched you, the way he looks at you. Like a nervous fucking school boy.l

"Nick, look at me," I implore, and he does. 'You will never ever lose me, okay? And I know what to do if someone tries to make a move on me. He might like me, but I don't like him, okay? I'm all for you. For us. You know that. You've known that since the beginning."

"What did he say?" he asks, his curiosity piqued.

I hesitate, unsure whether to disclose Michael's invitation to his birthday party. Somehow, I feel that would make things worse in this moment, so instead, I say, "That's not important."

Not entirely satisfied with my response, Nick lets it go anyway. Something changes in his expression, softening almost, like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. He leans in to kiss me gently, reigniting the passion between us; that hunger, that need we have for each other. His hand travels to my nipple, then down toward my stomach, then they land at my pants and he slides his finger down until it reaches the top where my underwear starts.

I let out a moan, but before things go too far, I gently stop him. "Not here," I whisper.

As we pull away from each other, a grin appears on Nick's face. "So, where are we headed?" I briefly change the topic.

"The beach," he replies.

"The beach?!" I question, raising an eyebrow. "Nick, does it look like I'm in appropriate attire for the beach?"

"Good thing you only need an underwear and bra then, right?" he jokes.

I playfully hit his arm and reply, "Not a chance in hell."

"Relax, I brought you clothes."

"You brought me clothes? What on earth is going on? What do you have planned?" I demand, my curiosity piqued.

"You'll find out, amor," he teases, leaving me in the dark. "And as for the clothes, I had some help."

"From who? And you know I'm not really a big fan of surprises."

"From Jenna. And too bad, get used to it," he replies with a smirk.

Rolling my eyes, I contemplate asking Jenna what all this is about, but I change my mind and settle in for the journey into the unknown. Excitement and nervousness fill my body. I hate not knowing what to expect, but I trust Nick.