Scum (Book 2)

119. Slow

Noah’s POV

Because I felt like I was in a race against my brother, I invited Chey to my apartment, not at all expecting her to say yes.

I didn’t even have to use an excuse, I simply said that I wanted to watch a movie and have dinner in a comfortable setting, and she agreed.

Now, I’m kind of panicking because I had to scramble to buy a TV, a futon, and something for us to eat on.

I know Cheyenne won't care about what I have or don't have, but I want her to be comfortable, especially since this is the first time we’ll actually be alone.

I’ve even gone so far as to buy a bedroom set, just in case things go exactly the way I want.

I ordered take out for us because I don’t cook, and I don’t want Chey cooking because I framed her visit in the light of her taking a few hours just for herself.

[I’m outside.] I don’t live in a bad area per se, but I asked Chey to text me when she arrived because there are a lot of men who hang out in front of my building, and some of them can be pushy.

They aren’t werewolves, but since they aren’t human, they have basic knowledge of mates, so they’re respectful when they see two of our kind together.

Rushing down the stairs, I arrive just in time to see Chey turn into a visitor's parking space, but I’m already being asked questions.

“That might be the best looking one you’ve brought back so far.” My hand darts to my face, using my fingers to cover my lips because Cheyenne just got out of her car, and she may be able to hear from here. “Sorry. I forgot about the whole good hearing thing.” Most troll species have poor hearing and taste, but their eyesight and sense of smell is impeccable, and they’re gifted in arts and architecture.

They prefer to live in stone or brick structures, so there are quite a few of them in the city, but in my building, there’s just one, and he’s a professional painter.

“Hey…” Chey just got close enough to associate a smell with the man standing next to me, and she’s visibly confused by it.

To us, they smell musky; almost as though they need a shower, but it’s different from a musty human, and it’s making Cheyenne uncomfortable.

“I’m harmless, puppy.”

“I never underestimate a potential foe.”

“Foe? I’m just a city troll looking for inspiration. Care to be my muse?” Sometimes I hate that Cheyenne is an incredibly beautiful woman, but it's also something I really like about her as well.

“You’re an artist?”

“No, he’s a pervert who tricks girls into removing their clothing so that he can ‘fully capture’ their beauty.” The troll knows exactly what he is, so he says nothing to defend himself.

“Eww,” Chey whispers, too low for the man to hear, but her expression was good enough for him to make a guess.

“Your dog may be telling the truth, but I am not the only male who likes playing games. A beautiful girl should always keep that in mind.” That was a warning and a threat, but it went right over Cheyenne’s head as we passed the troll and headed to my apartment.

“So, this is the place that almost got your brother killed,” she teases, but I can tell that she’s inspecting the place.

Other women have been here, but the smell of s*x has been washed away by the cleaning crew I hired.

“What are we watching?” Chey asks, kicking off her shoes after I asked her to make herself comfortable.

“Anything you want to see?”

“I don’t have much experience with movies,” she admits, immediately making me sad.

I know she’s been in a relationship that wasn’t the best, and I don’t want to do that to her.

“How about we just talk then.” Cheyenne and I ask questions back and forth until the bell rings. “Foods here.”

“It smells good.” Chey adds, getting up to help me with the bags.

I didn’t ask her opinion of what to order, but she doesn’t look all that broken up about it.

She’s been stressed with her alpha duties, and as of right now, she’s trying to spend as little time as possible at home, fearing that she may be putting baby Sophia in danger.

It’s possible, but from what I heard, the scent was so faint that everyone thinks Chey is being overly cautious.

I don’t blame her for being worried, and truthfully, that situation is probably the only reason she’s visiting me.

“Speaking of scents, is that why you’re here today?”

“You know it. Miguel was afraid that I may not be able to sleep if I didn’t do something to take my mind off of it.” I have to struggle not to think about s*x. “But I wanted to come here too.”

Since the night we went out with my brother, Cheyenne’s been much more friendly with me, although I’m not sure if I’m reading too much into it.

We got through our meal and a random comedy before we turned on a drama that Chey made me turn off after a male character said some pretty sh*tty things.

“Hit a little close to home?” Cheyenne nods, and because I feel like now is a good time to share, I tell her exactly what happened to me. “I was devastated when I finally found out, but I couldn’t just forget how she made me feel, so I stupidly tried to start over.” Chey doesn’t have to be told that the relationship failed, but I did let her know that Eli had a lot to do with it.

“My story is a little darker,” she says, bringing her knees to her chest as she talks.

I don’t like what I’m hearing, especially since it seems like Cheyenne’s former alpha may have intentionally misled her.

“Did they get back together while you were in the picture?”

“Pathetic that I still let it bother me, right?” Chey is far from pathetic, she just…

“He took advantage of you. Even if you were a horrible person, no one deserves to be treated like that.” I may have said the right thing, but Chey has the wrong reaction. “Don’t cry…”

“Sorry. It’s just that sometimes you remind me of him.”

“F*ck you, Cheyenne.” The girl chuckles, immediately recognizing that my foul language is because I’m offended, but not actually angry. “At least tell me that I’m better looking.” The girl doesn’t answer, but she’s stopped crying to laugh at my ‘dismay.’

I don’t have to be the best looking, I know Chey thinks I’m attractive, and truthfully that’s enough for me.

Chey’s POV

I was not expecting a movie night to result in a near breakdown, but I’ve been so on edge that some sort of emotional outburst was bound to happen.

Though I felt miserable, Noah was able to make me laugh, and without much warning, his lips were on mine.

I’m okay with what’s happening, so I melt into the kiss and end up underneath Noah’s very toned body.

We’re both extremely aroused, but I promised myself that I wouldn’t have s*x with Noah unless we were in a committed relationship, so when his hands started to wander too much, I stopped him.

“Sorry,” the man says, adjusting his manhood as he moves away from me.

The mood is a little awkward, but soon enough the man and I are laughing at ourselves.

For now, I feel good about our relationship, but I know that if I stick around any longer, we’ll end up naked.

“I should go.”

“Already?”

“Noah, I really like you, but I want to take things slow.”

“How slow?” He questions, pressing his forehead against mine.

“We can start with a real date.”

“How about we get smoothies?” I’m embarrassed now that I know how terrible that sounds, but I know that Noah is teasing me.

Getting up, I put on my shoes, but not before Noah gives me a few more quick kisses that somehow feel like begging, but I’ve never had a boyfriend before, and I don’t want to start the relationship the wrong way.

“Call me when you get home?” Noah’s been holding my hand as if he’s going to lose me during the walk back toward my car, which feels odd since it’s not far away.

“I will.” Again, the man kisses me, and again I have to pry myself away from him. “Slow…”

Noah lets out a deep sigh, probably because he’s already been moving ‘slow.’

“I’ll be busy all day tomorrow, so I may not be able to come see you, but as soon as I’m free, we’ll schedule that date.” I love that this relationship started with a friendship, and I love that Noah is trying as hard as he is to make me feel comfortable.

The only problem that may arise is Marissa, whose opinion I value as a woman who knows what it’s like to be in a relationship with a cheater.

“Noah, please don’t make me regret trusting you.”

“You too,” he replies, taking me aback. “Have you already forgotten how popular you are? All I ask is that you give me fair warning if you meet someone else. Especially if it’s someone I know.” That was unexpected, but I assured Noah, then got into my car after another couple of quick kisses.

I really, really want to stay, but I work tomorrow, I have some homework to catch up on, and I promised my pack members that I would be home before midnight.

With a final wave, I drive away, squealing to myself in delight before I remember what Noah said about Elijah.

I don’t think the man likes me in that way, but I understand that driving around in a car he bought me may give Noah the wrong impression, so I call him, wanting to clarify.

“Chey? Is everything okay? Did you get into an accident? Where are you?” It's been a while since worry has made me smile, making me chuckle. “Are you using your hands free right now?”

“I am.”

“Good, now why are you calling? I'm already putting on my shoes.”

“I just wanted to let you know that there's only you.”

“As in…?”

“I mean, you're the only person I'm romantically interested in right now, and I want things to work.”

“Really?” Noah questions, almost as though… “Then, let me post a picture of us together.” I don't know what that means, but I agree because I don't want to be anyone's secret ever again.