Beneath It All (Beneath #1) Read online

  Noah guided me forward and released me. I moved back to the corner as he pushed the button to close the doors. He wasn’t about to allow anyone the chance to try catch this elevator. When he turned, he looked like a lion stalking his prey. He took two strides toward me and crashed his lips onto mine. He consumed me with his kiss, as he ran his tongue along my bottom lip before gently tugging at it with his teeth: “Open for me.”

  I parted my lips, giving him permission to take what was his, and he did. Our kiss deepened and heated quickly. He firmly held my arms in place at my side, and I found myself wrapping my right leg around him, pulling his body closer to mine. A soft moan escaped my throat as I started to rub against him.

  The sound of a gentleman clearing his throat quickly got our attention, and Noah stepped away, buttoning his jacket in an attempt to cover his very prominent arousal. Blushing, I quickly smoothed down my dress as Noah turned toward the older man with a smirk. “Please forgive me. I can’t seem to control myself when I’m confined to small spaces with my wife.”

  Noah escorted me out of the elevator, appearing in control, always in control, and nodded his head to the man as we passed. When the elevator door closed, I burst out laughing. “I can’t believe you said that to him.”

  “What did you expect?” Noah quickly scooped me up over his shoulder as if he were a caveman and headed toward our room. “Can’t fault a guy for being honest, and right now I need to know what’s under this dress.”

  I gave him a swat on his firm ass, which was now clearly in my view. “How are you able to hold it together with a straight face like that? Law school definitely taught you how to act proper, when I know deep down you are anything but.”

  He smacked my ass in return. “We both know you enjoyed it as much as I did, and I must say you did a great job of keeping your cool until the doors closed.” We arrived at our room, and the damned key card wouldn’t work. What I wouldn’t give for a good old-fashioned key. The blood was starting to rush to my head, and I needed him to put me down.

  Finally, on the third try, the green light flickered and Noah pushed through the door like he was the Incredible Hulk and tossed me onto the bed. I was in a fit of giggles until I looked up and saw my husband untying his tie with a look of pure hunger in his eyes. Suddenly frozen in place, I watched him undress slowly. He unbuttoned his shirt one button at a time, and I swear a pot of water would have boiled faster than this . . . but I was not about to look away.

  My husband was tall, well built, sexy as hell, and all mine. Now standing in just his boxer shorts, he leaned down, grabbing my left foot and feathering kisses on the top as he carefully removed my shoe. “The things you do to me, Victoria,” he said before he repeated his actions on my other foot, never breaking eye contact.

  Desire burned deeper in his eyes as I felt his hands begin to run up the inside of my legs. “You’re pure temptation.” My skin started to tingle as his fingers glided up higher and higher until he reached the apex of my thighs and a ragged breath left his lips.

  His eyes darted down to where the skirt of my dress was now pushed up, and, before I could process what was happening, he swiftly found the zipper and proceeded to slide the dress off me before discarding it on the floor.

  “Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he growled. The look on his face was savage as he regarded the small black lace panties I was wearing. They had threads of silver woven into them and barely covered me. He bent down and ran his fingers, and then his tongue, along the waistband. As he looked up at me with fiery eyes, I suddenly felt the warmth of his breath dance across my skin. “You’re sexy as sin, and you have no idea what I want to do to you right now.”

  I let out a loud gasp and felt my body shiver because he had no idea what was awaiting him under my panties. Before we left for New York, I decided against my usual bikini wax and opted for the full Brazilian. Yep, he was going to freak the hell out and I was going to enjoy every second of it. I did my best to hide my expression, but he could sense that I was holding something back.

  “What’s that look for?” he inquired, as he circled his tongue around my naval. I felt his hot breath glide across my skin and let out a small laugh. He now had a sexy smirk on his face and took this opportunity to lightly tickle me. He knew what he was doing as I started wiggling and squealing as he continued his game.

  “Stop. Stop. Stop. I give up. You win,” I panted as I tried to catch my breath.

  “What do I win?” he challenged.

  I pushed him off of me and stood with my back to him. Looking over my shoulder, I said, “Sit down on the edge of the bed and don’t move.” As I heard the words leave my mouth, I panicked slightly. I had never been the one in charge. Shit. I was now.

  He did as I asked, and I felt his eyes burning through the scrap of lace covering my ass. Bending down, I slowly slipped my panties down my thighs, looking back around my side to see his face. Pulling off the seductive act was not my specialty, but I must have been succeeding; I could see his length straining to stay contained in his boxers.

  I stood up slowly and swept my long hair over one shoulder. Taking my time pivoting around, I locked my eyes on his and didn’t break contact until I was completely facing him. I bit my lip in nervous anticipation of what he would think.

  He dropped his gaze, his eyes moving slowly down my body, and I knew the moment his eyes reached my surprise. I noticed his muscles tensing as he swallowed harshly and shot off the bed toward me in three short strides. “Oh, fuck,” he said as he dropped to his knees in front of me. “The life insurance policy is in the safe in my office, because dammit, woman, you might just kill me tonight.”

  He slowly nudged my thighs apart and ran his nose down my smooth, sensitive skin. A moan of appreciation slipped through his lips as his fingers found their way to my folds. “You have no idea how hot this is. I think I’m going to come just from smelling you.”

  Holy. Hell. The feeling of him touching me bare for the first time was incredible. All sensations had multiplied with the feel of skin against skin. I was wet and lifted my leg up over his shoulder giving him full access to explore. He didn’t waste any time. His tongue quickly found my clit, and he lightly flicked my sensitive core while his fingers continued to rub my wetness around. He slowly inserted one, then two fingers, and I gasped, “Noah.”

  My body had always been sensitive to his touch, and every move he made was more thrilling than ever. Who knew that a bare pussy would make such a difference? I’m never going back. The speed of his fingers picked up, and I found myself rocking into his mouth. I was so close to my release, but I didn’t want it to end.

  “I love when you ride my fingers. I know you’re close, I can feel your walls tightening around my fingers and I know you’re ready to come. Let me taste you,” he ordered before burying his face back into my sex.

  He curved his fingers perfectly and increased the speed of his tongue on my clit. I couldn’t hold it back much longer, and when he sucked my clit into his mouth and released it, I broke into a million pieces.

  I started shaking as I screamed out his name. He guided me down to the floor and continued to softly kiss my folds as I came down from my orgasm. The satisfaction in his performance was evident from the smile he wore on his glistening lips. “So fucking hot.” His lips crashed back against mine in a deep and frantic kiss. I noticed his boxers were missing and felt him hard against my hip.

  “I need to feel you inside me,” I told him as I spread my legs for him to settle between. Dirty talk wasn’t my strength, and he knew it, but it didn’t stop me from letting him know what I wanted. Noah quickly shifted his weight and pressed down on my body. The feeling of him rubbing against my core made me needy.

  “You want this?” he asked, as he slowly rocked his length through my folds and kissed down my neck.

  I shifted my hips up to catch his thick crown at my entrance. “I want it. NOW!”

  Surprised by my declaration, he looked down at me to confirm I meant wh
at I said. “Ask and you shall receive,” he replied as he slammed into me. I tilted my hips up as his thrusts increased in speed and intensity. He had been on edge at dinner, and I knew it wouldn’t take long for him to find his release.

  His punishing pace escalated. “So good. So fucking good.” He cursed as he thrust hard into me a few more times before finally shouting his release.

  We were both out of breath as he shifted off of me and rolled onto his side. He looked even more delicious with the “well-fucked” look I had just given him. His hand glided up my body, and he started to gently knead my breast. “Your body is perfection,” he said as I winced. He had made connection with the tender spot I had found earlier but forgotten to mention.

  “What the hell was that?” Noah asked with a concerned look on his face. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No,” I responded casually. “When I bumped your arm getting out of the car, I felt a zing of discomfort in my breast. I checked it when I showered and found a little tender spot. I’ve already spoken with Jen, and she’s calling to get me an appointment after we’re home. It’s most likely another fibroid anyway.”

  “Victoria.” He sounded worried. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

  I sighed. “Because I knew you were busy with your meetings, and I didn’t want you to worry, like you are now. It’s most likely another fibroid, and I’m fine. Really, I’m okay.”

  Noah took my face in his hands, and when I looked at him, all I saw was compassion, concern, and love. “Sweetheart, please don’t ever feel like you can’t talk to me. I’m always here for you.” I didn’t know what to say at that moment, so I leaned up to kiss him, knowing that he meant every word he said.

  “Let’s get off this cold, hard floor and get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day for me, and I know you’ll be busy taking in the sights with Shannon.” Noah helped me up and into bed, snuggling in behind me. The heat of his body soothed and relaxed me into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Two

  I AM WONDERFUL

  Five days later . . .

  I woke up to my phone ringing on the bedside table. It was Jen’s “friendly reminder” of my doctor appointment for three o’clock that afternoon.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” she pressured.

  “Yes, I’ll be fine on my own.” I heard a huff of frustration with my answer, but honestly, I couldn’t have cared less. I didn’t need her there holding my hand as a doctor felt me up. I was a grown woman. I let out a heavy breath after hanging up and laid back in the comfort of my warm bed.

  Noah made sure to keep me busy while we were in New York. He had encouraged me to go shopping with a few of the other women one day and surprised me with a date to the theater followed by a late dinner near Rockefeller Center. The distractions were perfect, and I was grateful to my husband for planning them.

  I spent the morning catching up on messages and laundry from our trip. After a quick shower, I piled my hair on top of my head in a messy bun and applied my usual light makeup. Wanting to feel happy, I threw on my favorite chevron-patterned skirt with a lightweight pink sweater set. I swiped a coat of pink gloss on my lips, grabbed my purse, and headed out the door.

  Arriving early to the Medical Professionals Building, I completed my paperwork faster than expected and was able to pull out a book. I never knew if the doctor would be on time and learned to use that to my benefit to catch up on my reading. A blush had taken up residence on my cheeks during a sexy part when my name was called.

  “Victoria Madison?”

  Dammit. The fictional man in my life would have to wait. I stood and followed the nurse. After completing the customary pee in a cup routine, they drew blood and I was provided a lovely pink paper gown to wear, making sure the opening was in the front. I climbed up on the exam table and felt the butterflies starting to build in my stomach. Should I be concerned? What if it really is something?

  A light tap on the door broke my train of thought, and Dr. Beth Freeman entered the room. She was a petite and attractive woman, not much older than me, with shoulder-length dark blonde hair and kind eyes. She wore a tailored camel-colored suit and a killer pair of red heels.

  “Good afternoon, Victoria. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She greeted me with a smile and firm handshake before taking a seat at the small desk in the corner of the room. “So, tell me what’s going on.”

  I proceeded to tell Dr. Freeman how I discovered the tenderness in my breast and how it grabbed my attention. I also explained that I had a history of fibroids, but that my best friend and husband had encouraged me to get this one checked out since its discovery was so sudden.

  “Let’s take a look.” She stood to wash her hands and pulled on medical gloves.

  Pulling out the end of the table to support my legs, she helped me lie back. She apologized in advance that her hands were cold. Yikes, she was right—they were freezing, and my nipples immediately stiffened, which made me uncomfortable. It must have been a normal response, as it didn’t seem to faze her.

  She started on my right breast by walking her fingers in a circular direction around my breast until she got to the center. Then she gently pressed both of her hands together around it like she was feeling a melon for ripeness.

  Satisfied with my right breast, she moved over to my left side. She began the same procedure, but slowed down as she hit the inside of my left breast. She continued her way around to the center like on my right side. When it was time for her to press her palms around it, she zeroed in on the area in question, and I noticed her eyebrow perk up and a look of discovery quickly passed over her face.

  “Okay. Let me help you sit up,” she stated and then walked over to her desk to write something in my chart.

  “Victoria, there is definitely something abnormal in your left breast. Due to the fact that you are adopted and don’t have a family medical history, I would like you to have a baseline mammogram and ultrasound done immediately.”

  Okay. Things were getting real. “Immediately? As in right now?” I questioned.

  “I don’t mean to frighten you, but yes, the sooner, the better. Do you have anything on your schedule this afternoon?”

  “No,” I said quietly as I felt my heart rate intensify. “I’m free for the rest of the day.”

  “Great, let me make a quick call and see if they can squeeze you in.” With my heart pounding, I watched as she picked up her phone and made a call. Not hearing any of the words coming out of her mouth, I sat in disbelief and tried to process what was happening. She actually found something that concerned her.

  “Victoria?” I thought I heard someone say my name, but it didn’t register.

  “Victoria?” I heard it again, but this time I looked up and locked eyes with Dr. Freeman. “The breast center had a cancellation and can get you in for a mammogram and ultrasound in twenty minutes. Will that work for you?”

  I cleared my throat as I tried to find my voice. “Of course.” She nodded and continued her conversation to set the appointment.

  “Victoria, I know this is a lot to process in a matter of minutes, but I want to be proactive and rule out anything serious at this time. The faster we can do this, the easier you will sleep at night. You’re young and the fact that you’re doing self-exams at all is very encouraging. Many women don’t understand the importance they serve and don’t realize they should do them until it’s too late.”

  She stood and walked over to me, placing her hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be happy to walk you over to the clinic.” I smiled as I realized that even though she was a physician, she was, in fact, also a woman like me, and her compassion was evident. It warmed my heart to know that the words she had just spoken were said with meaning and were not just an empty offer.

  “Thank you for the offer, Dr. Freeman; I truly appreciate your concern. But I know you’re busy, and I don’t want to leave your other patients waiting longer than they need to. I’ll just go grab a cup of tea and enjoy a
walk outside.”

  She gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze before explaining that I was her last appointment of the day and she was heading that direction anyway. Thanking her again for her concern, I reiterated that I would be fine going on my own. She nodded her acceptance of my decision, handed me the orders for the clinic, and wished me luck before exiting the room.

  I quickly ripped off the gown like it was on fire and examined myself in the mirror. How did my day turn to this? I grabbed my bra and sweater set and put them on, bumping my breast in my hasty actions. Tears began to well in my eyes. I would not break down. I was being foolish by letting it get to my head. I straightened my sweater, grabbed a tissue to wipe away my tears, and took one last look in the mirror.

  “It’s nothing,” I said to my reflection. “She’s just being cautious. That’s what doctors do—they cover their asses.”

  *

  After a quick stop at Caribou Coffee for a hot mango tea, I started on my way to the next appointment when I remembered to call Noah. I had promised him I would call when I was done at the doctor’s appointment. I noticed a small garden area outside of the medical building and settled onto a bench and made the call, but it went right to voice mail.

  “You have reached Noah Madison. I’m unable to take your call at this time. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I’ll return your call as soon as I can.” Beeeeep.

  Using the most cheerful voice I could muster, I left him a message: “Hi, it’s just me. My appointment went well, and Dr. Freeman ordered me to have a baseline mammogram and ultrasound to be on the safe side. There was an opening this afternoon, so I’m heading over there now. I’ll see you when you get home. I love you. Bye.” I ended the call and an uneasy feeling hit me again.