Chapter 18

Nora tightly wrapped the towel around herself as she picked up the blow dryer and roughly dried out her hair. On the island she barely had time to look at her appearance. But standing in Hayden's bathroom, she began to notice what everyone had been talking about.

The purification had kicked everything up a notch. Nora's hair was indeed much dark and healthier. Her skin had a soft glow, making the high points of her cheek gleam. Her eyes looked much happier, but that had little to do with the purification and a whole lot to do with Hayden.

"Admiring yourself?" Hayden asked, leaning against the door frame of the bathroom.

Nora blushed and switched off the hair dryer, "No, I...."

"It's okay," Hayden walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You're too beautiful to not take pride in yourself."

"Thank you," Nora leaned back, sighing as Hayden leaned down and sucked off the water droplets on her neck. "Did you get the pill?"

"Yes," Hayden nodded. "Come."

Nora held onto her towel as Hayden picked her up and swung her out of the bathroom. He carried her over to the bed and sat her down in the middle of the unmade mess.

"Water?" Hayden asked, picking up the brown pharmacy bag.

"Yes," Nora nodded, grabbing the bottle of water off the nightstand.

She unscrewed the lid as Hayden sat down in front of her and took out the Plan B pill from it's little box.

"You know," he said, handing over the small white pill. "Us having a baby won't be so bad."

Nora's eyes snapped up. She stared at the boy in front of her, not sure if he was being serious.

"Think about it," Hayden laughed. "From your side they will have Zeus after them. From my side they will have Maaz after them....and maybe even this fake fey queen you were telling me about."

"Udara," Nora said, placing the pill on her tongue.

"Yeah, her," Hayden said, leaning back on his elbows and watching Nora take a swing from the water bottle. "Our kid will be the popular kid."

"I don't want to be popular anymore," Nora groaned. "Please....no more. Just a boring life as a fly on the wall will do just fine."

Hayden threw his head back and laughed, filling the whole room with the sound. Nora leaned forward and placed her head over his chest, getting cozy as he pulled her closer and tucked her by his side.

"I love you, Nora Kennedy," he said, turning his head and kissing her full lips.

"Rossi," Nora corrected him. "And I love you so much more."

"Rossi?" Hayden arched his brow. "You're Italian?"

"Apparently, I am," Nora laughed. "Maybe that's why I love pasta so much."

"And talking with your hands."

"What?"

"You talk with your hands a lot," Hayden teased. "I always have the urge to hold them down and see what you will do."

"I do not talk with my hands," Nora shook her head.

"You do," Hayden said. "But I love it."

"What else do I do?"

"You talk to yourself."

Nora gasped, "No. I know that's a lie!"

"You drove me crazy when you worked with me on campus," Hayden turned and pinned Nora beneath him. "Always like a chirping bird at your desk. Just yapping away to yourself."

"I didn't have anyone to talk to," Nora rolled her eyes. "You ignored me the whole time."

"I wasn't ignoring you."

"Oh no?" Nora asked. "What were you doing? Admiring me?"

"Actually, yes," Hayden's smile grew wider. His eyes danced over Nora's face, not believing he was finally all her's. "I was too scared to say much to you. So I chose to admire you in silence."

"You? Scared? To talk to me?" Nora asked. "What planet are we on?"

"I was," Hayden laughed. "You're so funny and witty. I imagined you read hundreds of books and liked to talk about the stars and poetry."

"So you thought I would find you boring?"

"Yes," Hayden confessed.

"Not possible," Nora pushed her hand into his hair and rose up to kiss him. "I've wanted you since the very first day I saw you."

Hayden grinned. His eyes lit up and he pushed back the hair on Nora's face to look into her eyes.

"Really?" He asked, feeling giddy.

"You were just so damn hot," Nora laughed. "So hot that it made me angry."

"Why?"

"Because I knew I was the type of girl you would never notice," Nora said. "I was angry at the situation so I convinced myself that I did not like you. Even though I thought about you none stop."

"Well, look at me now," Hayden teased. "You're the only one I notice."

Nora blushed, feeling her toes tingle.

"You have me wrapped around your finger," Hayden leaned forward and buried his face in the crook of Nora's shoulder.

His weight grounded her, making her feel safe and secure. Nora moved her hands into his hair and turned to place a kiss on his neck as he did the same to her.

"Hayden.."

"Yes?" Hayden laid his head on Nora's chest.

"I'm sorry," Nora felt her emotion grip her throat.

"I was never upset with you," Hayden sighed. "Stop apologizing."

"But I am sorry," Nora said once more. "I don't know why I always rush into things without thinking. I'm too impulsive."

"You just want to save people....that doesn't make you a bad person."

"What if..." Nora felt her heart stumble. "What if the mark had burned off?"

"When you thought you did not have a mark, did you fall out of love with me?"

"No," Nora shook her head.

"Neither did I," Hayden raised his head and kissed the edge of Nora's face. "We don't need the mark."

"But now the Shajara is worse than it was when I got there."

"Do you think maybe I can help?" Hayden asked.

"I'm still not comfortable with you being on the island," Nora shook her head. "I only know the people at the palace. I don't know the people in town."

"Then maybe I can only come to the palace," Hayden teased her with kisses.

"Udara will faint from a heart attack," Nora shook her head.

"And Afet?"

"She will be much more level headed," Nora laughed. "Which reminds me..."

"No," With his face hiding in her hair, Hayden shifted all his weight onto Nora and pinned her.

"Hayden, she's waiting for me to get back," Nora said.

"You can go in the morning."

"What about the information I came to get?"

"I'll have Enzo dig up whatever you need," Hayden said, his voice muffled in Nora's hair. "Just spend these few hours with me."

"You don't play fair," Nora said as she felt him move his tongue over her neck and shoulder.

"I'll never be fair when it comes to you," Hayden said, unbuttoning his jeans. "I want you all to myself. Always."

Nora's heart started to hum in her chest as Hayden spread her legs and undid her towel. She watched him reach for the condoms in the brown pharmacy bag and tear it open with his teeth. By the time he had slipped off his pants and had the condom on, Nora was ready and breathless.

"Turn around," Hayden said, grabbing Nora's ankles and helping her flip over.

Nora did as she was told.

When Hayden grabbed her hips and pulled her up, she gasped in shock, feeling his hard body rub against her.

"Hold still," Hayden said, pushing down Nora's chest while keeping her on her knees.

Nora gripped the sheets as Hayden stuck his finger inside of her and began to play. Her legs shook and her thighs tried to close but he wouldn't let her budge.

"Nora," Hayden warned when she began to squirm.

"Please," Nora begged, pushing back her hips to glide over him.

Her actions earned a groan from Hayden as his nails dug into her hips. He slipped his fingers out and took a hold of himself, teasing her folds.

"Hayden!" Nora whined, hating how he was torturing her.

Hayden grinned seeing how she craved him. He wanted to tease her more and make her get angry but he couldn't be that patient. Holding her hips and spreading her legs open, Hayden pushed himself inside of her and marveled at how warm she was.

Nora's hands, gripping the sheets, pulsed blue as she moaned out his name. It amused Hayden, causing him to see if he could get her to do it again.

Sliding out of her, Hayden flipped Nora over and pulled her to her feet. He laid back against the bed and sat her on top of himself, staring up at her as she slid him back inside.

"Hold my hands," Hayden said.

Nora placed her hands in his as she began to move her hips up and down. Her fingers tightened around Hayden's hand as he pushed farther inside, causing her to become overwhelmed with the sensation. Nora bit down on her lip as her hands once again pulsed blue.

"I fuckin' love that," Hayden said, sitting up and hooking his arm around her waist.

"Let me see yours," Nora said, breathlessly as she moved up and down.

Hayden moved his palm over Nora's naked body as he began to emit the same pale blue light. As soon as he touched Nora's skin, she too began to glow everywhere he touched her.

Nora moaned and fell forward onto Hayden's shoulder, keeping the rhythm of her hips steady. She felt Hayden grab her hips and move her up and down. From the way their skin warmed, she knew his hands were glowing and so was her skin.

"Come on, baby," Hayden said through clenched teeth as Nora flipped her hair over to one side and locked her arms around his neck. He leaned forward and captured her lips, making their tongues dance together. "You feel so fuckin' good."

Nora felt her body heat up from his words. She began to move faster as her hands gripped Hayden's hair.

"Do you like me talking to you like this?" Hayden grinned, seeing how excited she was. "Yeah?"

"Yes," Nora panted.

"I want you dripping by the time you finish," Hayden bit down on her earlobe. "Yeah....that's right. Move faster, baby."

"Hayden," Nora began to gasp.

"When you're done, I'm going to flip you back around and fill you up again," Hayden dragged his nails down Nora's smooth back. "When you leave tomorrow morning, I want you too sore to sit down."

Nora gripped Hayden's shoulder as her insides tightened around him. She opened her mouth, making sweet music for Hayden's ears.

"Come on, baby," Hayden smiled against her lips. "You're so close. I feel you getting wetter."

As Nora's legs clenched and her nails dug into his shoulder, Hayden began to move her faster. Nora's eyes screwed shut as she came apart in his arms and let out the most beautiful breath.

"Now turn around," Hayden commanded, picking up Nora and putting her down on the bed.

Out of breath and a little dizzy, Nora got on her knees and positioned herself how Hayden wanted. She felt her legs turn to jell-o- as he slid back into her and began to thrust deeper and deeper.

"Nora, hold still," Hayden's voice was so demanding that it made Nora's insides weak.

"Or what?" She asked, looking over her shoulder at him. "What are you going to do to me?"

Hayden lost his breath as she stared up at him with her swollen lips and big brown eyes. He began to thrust harder, making her pretty mouth fall wide open. If she wanted to test his words, he wasn't going to let her down.

"Hayden!" Nora moaned, flipping her hair back and gripping the sheets.

Hayden's hands lifted her hips and held her close to his body as he thrust into her, filling the room with the sound of their bodies coming together. Nora buried her face into the pillow and screamed his name as her legs shook and her insides lit up like the 4th of July once more.

Seeing her in front of him, with her naked body on his sheets, Hayden couldn't hold himself back anymore. He released into the condom, feeling his high dance through the cracks of his magic. His hands held Nora's perfect round bottom, making her skin turn red. Hayden was sure she would have his fingermarks on her if he held on for much longer.

Pulling out, Hayden dropped to the bed beside Nora and pulled off the condom. He tied it up and dropped it onto the floor as Nora rolled into his arms.

"I've waited for you for so long," Hayden said, burning his face in her hair again. "You complete me."

________________________

"Is this everything?" Hayden asked, looking at Nora's bag. "Do you need anything else?"

"I think I have everything," Nora said, checking over her bag once more.

"Good," Hayden held out his hand. "Abraham said he will reset all of your passwords by noon. You should have full access to whatever files you need."

"Thank you," Nora wrapped her arms around the boy and placed her chin in the middle of his chest. "Will you be okay?"

"I'm never okay without you," Hayden flashed Nora her favorite lopsided smile.

"I'll be back tonight," Nora promised. "I have my phone. I told Birdie to call me if you have another attack or som-"

"You don't have to worry about that," Hayden shook his head.

"Don't say that," Nora frowned. "Six attacks in one week? That's not s-"

"It's not going to happen anymore."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I know," Hayden took hold of Nora's face between his hands. "I have you back. I'll be okay."

"What do you mean?"

With a sigh, Hayden looked over Nora's head to string together the right words.

"Ever since I marked you, it's like.....I'm finally at peace," he began. "I can breathe for the first time. There is no constant pressure, no tug of war. Just peace....the two parts of my soul are finally learning to co-exist."

Nora listened to his words carefully. She moved her hands over his and gazed into his eyes as he spoke.

"When the mark was at its weakest for a few days," Hayden continued. "It was full on war..."

"And now?"

Hayden looked down at Nora and smiled, "Now, I'm at peace again."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Nora frowned.

Hayden looked for an answer but came up empty. Nora watched him shrug and chuckle as if it wasn't such a big deal.

"Hayden..." Nora's voice cracked. "If I knew this was how you felt. I would have never even considered giving up the mark. I'm so sor-"

"Stop," Hayden shut his eyes. "Stop saying you're sorry."

Nora closed her mouth and frowned. She gazed up at Hayden through her lashes as he opened his eyes and cupped her face once more.

"I didn't know," he confessed. "I didn't know it was the mark that was having that effect on me. I just assumed I was less stressed out."

"I don't buy that," Nora shook her head.

"Don't be so stubborn," Hayden laughed. "I only have a few more minutes to hold you. I don't want to spend it arguing."

"We're not arguing," Nora rolled her eyes.

"Do you want to argue?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"I need to know if you're in the mood to argue," Hayden grinned. "Because I'm about to bring up a topic that might make you mad."

"What is it?" Nora's eyes narrowed.

The grin on Hayden's face widened, "My darling Nora bora...."

Nora waited.

"Don't kill me..." Hayden tried his best to hide his smile.

"What is it?" Nora asked impatiently. "Just tell me!"

"I'm supposed to be having lunch with Elsa today," Hayden spit out.

Nora felt her body grow as cold as ice.

"Oh..." she said.

"Oh no," Hayden watched her.

"Why?" Nora cleared her throat.

"I have a friend that works for a casting agency," Hayden explained. "I had promised to introduce the two."

"She should get an agent."

"She has an agent."

"Who?" Nora asked. "You?"

The grin on Hayden's lips was playful as he leaned forward and brushed his lips over Nora's.

"I'll cancel," he said.

"No, it's fine...."

"It's definitely not fine," Hayden laughed. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to help since she's helping Birdie with that modeling stuff."

"No, no," Nora shook her head, pulling back and turning away. "It's really fine."

"Stop moving," Hayden's voice lost its playfulness as he pulled Nora back and held her against his chest.

When she tried to shake his hands off of her, Hayden grabbed her wrists and pinned them across her chest, one over the other. He couldn't see her face, but she could tell she was not happy. The back of her head tickled his nose as he lowered his lips to her ear.

"I said stop moving," Hayden said as Nora continued to struggle.

"I have to get back."

"You're not leaving like this," Hayden kissed her ear. "I love you...so much. I could never be with anyone else."

"Hayden, stop," Nora felt her chest tighten.

"Baby, you have me addicted to you," Hayden laughed, nibbling her ear. "You should never be jealous of anyone."

When she realized she couldn't win against his strength, Nora sighed and still, "You won't get it."

"What don't I get?" Hayden wondered.

"Nothing," Nora said.

"Is this our fist fight?"

"We're not fighting!" Nora leaned her head back.

"Come here," Hayden turned her around to face him. "Now tell me what I don't get."

Nora shrugged, "You don't get why I'm jealous...."

"What do you mean?"

"You don't have to compete with supermodels," Nora rolled her eyes. "Actually, you don't have to compete with anyone."

"There is no competition," Hayden shook his head.

"Maybe," Nora took a deep breath. "But that doesn't change the fact that you have supermodels after you and I have keep my eyes open for their schemes and advances."

"There is no scheming going on here," Hayden said.

"Oh so you just practice romantic scenes with everyone then?" Nora snorted.

"What?"

"If Elsa wasn't after you, she would have found someone else to run her lines with," Nora frowned. "She would have also danced with someone else and had her photos taken for the magazines with someone else."

"How do you know about Elsa practicing her lines with me?" Hayden asked.

"Am I not supposed to know?" Nora arched her brow.

When Hayden narrowed his eyes and gave her the clear signal that he was suddenly not in the mood to engage in the back and forth with her, Nora sighed and shook her head.

"I came to see you," she said.

"When?"

"Right after I was purified," Nora stared at the buttons on his shirt. "The first night I came you weren't home but I saw Elsa's texts. And then I came again when you two were running lines."

"And if you didn't see me at the party?"

Nora shrugged.

"You would have gone on assuming I moved on with Elsa," Hayden's eyes darkened.

"Maybe," Nora stared at the floor.

"You know, Nora," Hayden sighed. "For someone so brilliant, you are incredibly stupid."

"Hey!" Nora's eyes snapped up.

"You are!" Hayden shook his head. "Next time we're alone and you're laying naked next to me, I want you to think about how crazy you drive me. And then I want you to think about how stupid you were that day, walking away without talking to me about what you saw."

"I..." Nora had no counter argument. "I was jealous and cranky and overwhelmed."

"Yeah, okay," Hayden rolled his eyes. "Now, shut up and come here so I can hold you."

Nora ran into his arms and hid her face in his chest. She felt him sniff her hair and tighten his arms around her as her own heart hummed along with his.

"I love you," Hayden whispered to Nora. "I'll take Birdie with me to this lunch. And then after, I'll keep my distance from Elsa."

"I love you too," Nora kissed his chest.

"I think I'll have to let you go now before I change my mind and undress you again."

"You're the worst," Nora pushed away.

"I'll see you tonight?" Hayden laughed.

"Yes," Nora nodded.

"Okay....do your thing."

Picking up her bag, Nora spun the gold ring around her finger and opened a portal back to the island. She backed away from Hayden slowly, holding his gaze as her steps led her into the portal.

The last thing she saw before her full body submerged was the half jinn giving her a flirtatious wink.

Nora backed out of the portal and landed in the room, her face still brightly painted with a smile. She took in a deep breath and dropped her bags gently before turning around to face Afet.

"You're back," the fey's face lit up as she sat up straight.

"I'm so sorry for taking so long," Nora apologized.

"Did you get what you needed?"

"Yep," Nora looked down at her bags. "Let's find a vestal."   

What do you think about these two together lol