Museums

3.1

"You doing okay?" Noah says. He sits on the edge of my bed, Shay let him in. I wish she hadn't. My hair is a mess, I've laid in TJ's guest room since they picked me up last night. No, this may not be the most traumatizing thing I've been through, but it still has an effect on me. I don't want to sleep. Or eat. Or talk.

I'm just regular me, only right now I have an excuse.

"I'm okay." I nod. My knees are tucked against my chest.

He had called me twenty times last night, finally I answered, telling him I was okay. Now he's here after asking to talk to Shay. She suggested that he come over despite my protests. She grinned widely after hanging up the phone.

"You've got a boyfriend huh?" She asked. I shook my head adamantly, "No. He's not my boyfriend."

With the way he's looking at me now I wonder if I'm wrong. His eyes study me intently. He holds my gaze until I break away, glancing at the untidiness of the room. I should have slept on the couch. Shay's favorite Victoria's Secret underwear are right next to his tennis shoe. I don't have to wonder what they did last night. I'm praying that they at least did it in his bed, not here.

"You really scared me." He sighs, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. My heart flutters when he brushes my skin.

"Sorry." I say dumbly. Mentally I kick myself for being so stupid. Sorry? I probably traumatized him. Why is he still sitting here across from me? Who would stay after that?

"Don't be sorry!" He gasps, "You were held at gunpoint."

I wince at the dramatic flair he puts into his words. It was so much different than that. I was never in danger. Last night as I laid in bed I realized that I wasn't afraid of the man holding the gun. I was afraid because I had an excuse to die and I wanted so badly to take it. I missed my chance to commit suicide without hurting anyone.

"Mmmm." I nod like I'm agreeing.

"Hey." He lilts, "Let's go do something."

I'm surprised at first. The fact that he's so anxious to get out of here doesn't resonate well with me. I saw the way he glanced nervously at TJ when he entered. But, he presses his forehead to mine and I can't say no.

Pretty soon, we saunter out onto the pavement. His hand locked tightly around mine. It feels nice, comfortable. He holds me close, smiling slightly when I lean my head on his shoulder.

One date. I've known him for two days and after one date we're already overly affectionate. Something about him radiates with a coolness. It completely infatuates me. I haven't been infatuated in so long. And never have I liked anyone as quickly as I like him. He wraps his arm around my shoulders suddenly. My shoulder tucks beneath his arm. It's a bit awkward. We're the same height about, but he seems proud of me. Like walking next to me is an honor.

We head to Brooklyn. I know a cozy little café that sounds lovely. I decide that I'd like to make that our place. Now, every time I go there I can think of him.

He orders a sandwich, I order a smoothie. We sit and smile at each other.

I've forgotten about the mugging. I don't care anymore. His lips are moving and all I can think about are them against mine.

Maybe I'm just lonely, but I'm craving him. His body pressed next to mine. His warmth, his touch. He knows it too. I hate that he knows it.

We chat about lunch for a few minutes, commenting on the food, the atmosphere and the people. He stares at me brightly. There's a chemistry between us that I've never felt before. It's definitely not love, but it's more primal. I want to be with him.

He pays for the meal and then stands.

"My uncle has an apartment near here. It's where I stayed last night. We could head over. He's in Korea working with some people right now. He'll be there for the next few years. It's technically my place until he gets back. I'm supposed to be taking care of it." He raises an eyebrow. I know what he's asking though it's hidden.

"That sounds perfect." I smile.

All at once he leans down and kisses me. His lips tango with mine in a moment of bliss. My chin is tilted upward, he's bending over to reach me. It's perfect. It's sweet.

The apartment not just an apartment. It's a mansion inside a building full of other mansions. Compared to me and Shay's little abode it's glamorous and incredible. I wonder if his whole family is as loaded as he is.

After I get over my shock, I turn around. Noah stands, staring at me with a mischievous smile. I grin back and step up close to him.

"It's just us then?" I whisper.

"Just us."

It's a flurry of movement. His hands are in my hair, my feet moving backward.

As his tongue dances in my mouth he breathes heavily. "You okay?" I hear him heave.

My chest rises. "Shut up." I pull him in harder. My back slams against the wall as he lifts me. His hands find their welcome on my body, brushing everything, sending chills down my spine. I realize our shirts are off. I'm just in my bra. Thank god I decided to wear the black one that matches my underwear today.

We move to the same rhythm. It leads us to the bed.