Chapter 4

As Birdie began to pester Ares about feys, Hayden silently scooped Nora into his arms and made his way out of the kitchen. Thea watched them leave but didn't say anything as Maya moved her away to the living room.

The upstairs of the house was dark and silent. The walls held their breath as Hayden made his way to the guest bedroom with Nora in his arms. Her head laid against his chest as her small hands clutched the material of his shirt. Once they made it into the room, Hayden laid her against the pillows and began to pull away but stopped when her fingers tightened around his shirt. Hayden stilled, watching Nora slowly stir.

"What happened?" She asked, looking around in the dark.

Her voice was thick with sleep and her eyes barely worked. Hayden leaned in closer and pushed some of the stubborn hair out of her face and let his hand rest on the edge of her face.

"I'll fill you in when you wake up," he whispered.

Suddenly, Nora began to giggle in her sleep.

"What's so funny?" Hayden found himself laughing along without having a clue as to what was going on.

"Fill me in," Nora said, her eyes closed, mind already half asleep. "Sounds dirty."

"You're seriously going to be the death of me," Hayden shook his head, laughing. "Good night, Nora. I'll debrief you in the morning."

"Sir, yes. Sir," Nora muttered with a small smile.

As Hayden began to pull away, her hands tugged on his shirt once more.

"Wait," she frowned. "You're leaving?"

"You're going to sleep," Hayden stopped moving.

"There's space here," Nora tried to motion to the spot beside her.

"You want me to stay?" Hayden's breathing began to change. "Here? Next to you?"

"Yes," Nora yawned and looked for the covers. "It's so quiet here."

"Nora," Hayden frowned, taking in her half asleep face resting on the soft pillow. "You'll think this is a bad idea in the morning."

"Okay...." Nora yawned once more.

"Good night," Hayden took her hand and moved it off his shirt.

"Good night," Nora sighed before pulling the covers close.

With great difficulty, Hayden moved away from the bed and out of the room. He walked himself to his own room and sat down on the edge of the bed, rubbing the back of his neck and shoulder to release some of the tension that had suddenly landed on him. He fell back against the bed in the darkness and stared up at the dancing shadows on his walls. A light rain had begun to fall over the woods, covering the glass walls with a fine mist. Hayden's eyes tracked a raindrop slide down the window as his mind tried to grow calm.

But it was all useless.

In a blink of an eye, Hayden got off the bed and made his way into his closet. He quickly changed into a pair of sweats and a thin shirt before grabbing his phone and making his way over to the guest bedroom.

Quietly, he let himself in and walked over to the edge of the bed.

This is a terrible idea, Hayden tried to tell himself.

But the thrill of laying beside Nora and waking up to see her face shot down any rational thoughts that tried to blossom. Placing his phone on the nightstand, Hayden pulled the covers back and slipped inside. As soon as he laid back against the pillow, Nora turned and reached out to him.

"Hayden?" She said in her sleep.

"Yeah...." Hayden tried to speak through the tightness in his chest.

Nora's hand moved to his chest and her fingers clutched the shirt he wore.

"I thought you said you slept shirtless," Nora grinned.

Hayden couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of him. He stared at the ceiling as his body shook. The tightness in his chest elevated as Nora's sleepy laugh reached his ear. He reached down and gripped her hand on his chest.

"Want me to take it off?" He asked.

"If it'll make you more comfortable," Nora shrugged.

Before she could change her mind, Hayden sat up and removed his shirt. Tossing it to the floor, he laid back down and turned his head towards Nora.

"I was kidding," she said.

"I didn't know," Hayden lied.

In the darkness of the room, Nora blushed beet red. She buried her face in the pillow and turned to lay on her chest as Hayden's sharp eyes watched her.

"I can go..." he said slowly, thinking he was making her uncomfortable.

"No," Nora shook her head.

"You're not even looking at me," Hayden chuckled nervously.

Nora slowly turned her head and peeked up at him. Her cheeks were bright red and the small goofy smile on her lips did things to Hayden's whole body.

"You have a tattoo?" Nora's eyes landed on the hummingbird on the left side of his ribs.

"My baba has the same one in the same place," Hayden said, looking down at his ink. "It's one of my favorites."

"When did you get it?" Nora reached out and lightly touched the wings of the little bird.

"When I was 15."

"What?" Nora's eyes snapped up, all traces of sleep gone.

"My mom was furious," Hayden laughed. "But they couldn't say anything. My baba gets new tattoos every other year and my mom has a few too."

"She does?"

"Her's her hidden," Hayden nodded. "The only one in this family without a tattoo is Birdie."

"Maybe she has one that you just don't know about," Nora traced the bird with her hands.

She felt the muscles under Hayden's smooth skin tense, his whole body growing rigid. Her eyes slowly lifted as her tummy began to feel funny.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Your hands," Hayden swallowed. "They're a bit cold."

"Are they?" Nora placed her whole palm over his stomach.

"You're the worst," Hayden said, flinching.

Laughing, Nora tried to turn away but suddenly Hayden grabbed her hand and stopped her.

"Don't stop," he said.

Nora's eyes flickered down to the boy laying beside her. She felt like a magnet, pulling at him with her strength. And Hayden? He had no will of his own when it came to her. Nora could tell he would let her do anything she wanted.

The sudden realization hit her like a ton of bricks. The burning sensation in her chest amplified as she looked into Hayden's green eyes in the dark. He was waiting for her. She was holding the reins.

Nora slowly lifted herself and looked down at Hayden. He moved closer, pulling her beside him so their bodies laid side by side. His warm hand was placed over her as he gazed into her dreamy eyes.

Feeling a new sense of power like she had never before, Nora began to move her hand down Hayden's chest.

Hayden breathing labored as Nora's fingers grazed over his abs and then to his sides. Their eyes locked and bodies together, they began to create some kind of wild magic that pulled them into a terrible state of mind.

As Nora's hand began to make its way to his crotch, Hayden felt his brain spiral. He felt like a teenager all over again. Under the sheets, his hand flickered and the door locked. Nora pretended she didn't hear as she leaned forward.

"This was a terrible idea," Hayden said, gripping her hips.

"We should stop, right?"

"No," Hayden rolled over, pinning her underneath him. "Never."

"Your family is downstairs," Nora's blush grew.

"Every room in this house is soundproof," Hayden buried his head in the crook of Nora's shoulder and kissed her.

She let out a soft breath that only made him grow even harder. Her legs parted and Hayden moved in between them. Nora's tights tightened around him as she felt him press against her. The fabrics of the clothes they wore were suddenly too thick and uncomfortable.

Nora turned her head just as Hayden moved away from her neck. Her body buzzed as if she had been electrocuted. Their lips brushed over one another and before anyone could process what was happening, they were kissing.

Wildly, madly, and desperately.

Hayden's hands held Nora's face as his lips devoured her. He only allowed her a few seconds at a time to breathe before capturing her lips one more and pushing her into the bed as if he wanted her to melt into him.

Nora had no complaints. She held Hayden's shoulder and moaned into his mouth as his hard body moved over her. His tongue danced with her as he explored every inch of her lips to his heart's content. She was sure he could have her nail marks all over him in the morning.

As Nora's body began to float and she grew a little more braver, Hayden pulled back and threw the covers off the bed. He sat her up and reached for her shirt, pausing to make sure she was okay with whatever was happening.

"Yes," Nora nodded, breathlessly.

Hayden all but tore the sweater off of her body. His hands shook as he gripped her waist and laid her back down on the bed. The last time his hands were on her naked body like that she had ended up in the hospital.

But this time it felt different. All the madness in his brain had switched off. His two sides didn't push and shove. Everyone was at peace, happy to be holding Nora and tasting her lips.

In the darkness, Nora hooked her legs around Hayden and pressed him closer. She needed to feel his body against her before she went mad. His heavy breathing made goosebumps rise on her skin. When he reached for her shorts, Nora lifted her hips, making it easier for him to slip them off.

For a brief moment, Hayden had to remind himself to slow down. He couldn't believe that Nora was letting him do. He felt as if he didn't have enough hand or time to gather up all the happiness she had just handed over to him. Reached back, he unhooked her legs from around himself and slid her shorts down her legs.

Nora pushed herself onto her elbows, curious as to what Hayden was up to. Her eyes watched him with need as he took one of her legs and placed a kiss on her inside of her left feet. His eyes found her as she gasped from the spark that flew up her whole body.

Nora's mouth fell open as Hayden's lips began to trace along the inside of her leg. Her stomach tightened as he grew closer and closer to the spot between her legs. Her tights shook slightly and wanted to close to push down the sweet pain that had started to slow ever since his fingers touched her. But Hayden wouldn't let her budge. He held her leg and kept them apart.

"Hayden..." Nora said his name breathlessly.

"Lay back," Hayden grabbed her thigh and pulled her down.

Nora did as she was told. She gripped the sheets and shut her eyes as Hayden's mouth appeared where she was dying to touch. Her back arched off the bed as one of her hands fell on his soft hair.

"Mmm," Nora whimpered in sweet pain as Hayden darted out his wet tongue and licked her.

Her legs felt numb and her heart ached as her toes curled on the edge of the bed. Nora tugged at Hayden's hair, wanting him to give her a second to breathe. But at the same time, she was pulling him closer, like she couldn't get enough.

"Oh my god," Nora threw the back of her free hand over her mouth, muffling her cry.

Hayden took his time torturing her. He tasted her sweetness and craved more, encouraged by the sexy moans falling from her lips. The smooth skin of her tights rubbed against his face, making him want to bite them and leave marks all over. When she began to squirm and dig her heels into the bed, Hayden knew he was about to see the most beautiful thing in the world happen right in front of him.

Nora's mouth fell wide open as she let out a tiny scream. She tugged at Hayden's hair and tightened her legs around his head as the devilishly sweet feeling exploded all over her body like stars.

Hayden slowly unhooked his hands from around her thighs and slid them up Nora's stomach. His touch seared warmth all over her as he made his way to her chest and laid his hand over her full breast. She was still breathless when he lifted his head and moved to hover over her.

Nora turned her head and looked up at Hayden, unable to contain the laugh that bubbled out of her. Her body felt too sensitive as he played with her breast and leaned down to kiss the center of her chest.

"Fuck," Hayden groaned against Nora's skin.

"What?" Nora asked, once again losing her breath.

"I didn't know you could make all those sounds," Hayden teased.

"I didn't either..." Nora blushed. "That was a first."

"First what?" Hayden laughed.

"First.....everything," Nora said quietly.

Hayden's eyes snapped up, "Wait....I though...."

"I didn't finish my first time," Nora blushed but for different reasons. "Or the second time now that I think about it."

"Who was this douchebag?" Hayden's eyes narrowed.

"Doesn't matter now," Nora shook her head, looping her arms around his neck.

"Was this the first time someone has gone down on you too?" Hayden wondered.

Nora slowly nodded her head, "Yes..."

A wide smile spread across Hayden's face, "Did you like it?"

"Yes," Nora nodded.

"Should we do it again?"

Nora shook her head.

"Why not?" Hayden chuckled.

Nora swallowed the lump in her throat and slowly moved one of her arms away from his neck. She held his gaze as she traced her finger down his hard abs to something else that was equally as hard.

"I want to do something else," she said, her voice so soft and innocent in the darkness of the room, Hayden almost melted right then and there.

Letting out a breath, Hayden nodded, "Okay....I'm not complaining."

"This is a first too," Nora confessed.

"Oh god," her words and her eyes made Hayden grow harder.

Nora slowly rose from the bed and sat back on her legs. Her hands were folded on her lap in between her legs as her hair fell over her breasts. Hayden took a few seconds to admire the angel sitting on the bed before removing his sweats and laying down.

He watched Nora try to put her hair up in a bun but the stubborn locks wouldn't hold. He grinned as he reached out and gathered her hair in his hand. Nora's eyes flickered up and she moved in between his legs.

"I'm not dreaming, right?" Hayden asked.

"No," Nora smiled. "Why?"

"I lost count of how many times I've pictured you like this," Hayden's eyes moved over the girl's naked body. "You're so fuckin' beautiful."

Nora felt butterflies flutter in her tummy. She looked down at Hayden in front of her and took hold of his cock. He groaned immediately, his hands tightening around her hair.

Nora parted her full lips and darted her tongue out. She licked him like an ice cream cone, swirling her tongue all around before taking him into her mouth.

Hayden bit down on his jaw so hard he feared he might crack a molar. He wanted to lay back and drown in the sensation of Nora's mouth, but he couldn't get enough of watching her. Her thick lashes were lowered as she moved her head up and down. Her hand gripped him and moved with her mouth, making Hayden's world catch on fire. He could already imagine how swollen her lips were going to be once he finished. He wanted to pull her up and kiss her immediately.

As Hayden watched Nora, doing a terrible job at holding her hair, she suddenly raised her lashes.

"Fuck, Nora," Hayden hissed, taking a fist full of her hair.

Nora felt her thighs tighten at his reaction. His jaw clenched, eyes on her, hands gripping her hair. Nora licked him with her tongue again to see his crumble.

Hayden fell back against the bed, letting go of Nora's hair. He held the back of her head and moved her head up and down as he pushed farther into her mouth. When he felt Nora still and stop for a split second, he lifted his head immediately and moved her hair over her shoulder.

"Sorry," he said breathlessly. "You okay?"

Nora didn't stop. She nodded and continued.

Hayden gathered her hair and held it over her head. His whole body trembled as he groaned and called out Nora's name. She tortured him with her tongue until he pulled himself out and finished, spilling all over the sheets.

Nora once again sat back on her legs, panting. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stared at Hayden with wide eyes.

"Come here," Hayden beckoned with his hand, while resting on his elbow.

Both breathless and in a state of bliss, Nora jumped forward, finding Hayden's moth as he found her. Spinning her around, Hayden trapped her underneath him and kissed her feverishly.

"You're so amazing," Hayden said, trying to catch his breath as he laid his head down beside Nora.

Nora Turned her head and brushed her nose along his. His body was still laid over her, making her want him more and more.

Hayden grinned with his eyes closed as he got wind of Nora's unguarded thoughts. He moved his hand away from her shoulder and down to the wetness between her legs. He knew he was doing exactly what she wanted when she moved closer and bit back a moan.

The two moved closer, sliding their bodies over each other, ready to go for another round. Hayden was already hard again just thinking about replacing his fingers with his hard cock and making Nora's legs shake again. If she wanted him all night, she would have him all night.

But as the dark room filled with the sounds of their kisses, something caught Nora's eyes. She broke away from Hayden's mouth and looked towards the window. The dark forest was endless, even with the mountains trying to stop them in the darkness. Nora didn't know what had caught her eyes as Hayden kissed her neck and chest. She was about to turn away when a flicker of light caught her attention once more.

"Hayden," Nora pushed at the boy's shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Hayden looked up, searching her eyes.

"What's that?" Nora pointed out the window.

Hayden followed her eyes to find orbs of floating lights rising up from the trees miles away. At first it was just one, slowly reaching for the skies like a balloon. And then it was two...three, four...

"Shit," Hayden said, hurrying off of Nora.

"What is it?" Nora pulled the sheets over her naked body.

"Jinns," Hayden said, snapping his fingers and putting their clothes back on.

"What?" Nora looked out the window again. "Why are they here?"

"My baba has them guard the property," Hayden turned on the lights and grabbed Nora's hand. "If they're becoming visible then it means someone has entered our property without permission."

"Who?" Nora climbed down from the bed.

"I'm about to find out," Hayden said, walking her out of the room.

"You're going to go out there?" Nora looked over her shoulder.

"I have to check," Hayden said. "Don't worry. You'll be safe with Birdie and my mom. I'm sure Uncle Ali and baba are already one their way back."

"No, don't go," Nora shook her head, her eyes tearing up. "Wait for your dad."

"Hayden," Heyder called from downstairs.

"He's here," Hayden said.

The two rushed down the stairs and found the rest of the family gathered by the foyer. Birdie braided her hair while Maya tied her boots. They looked up as Nora and Hayden rushed down in their wrinkled pajamas.

Heyder grinned immediately looking at his son's messy hair. He opened his mind-link to his wife as he cleared his throat.

Now what do you think these two were up to up there? He asked Maya.

I don't want to know, Maya shut him out.

"Nora, honey," she looked at the frightened girl. "Stay with Birdie."

"Do you know how to fight?" Heyder asked.

"No," Nora shook her head.

"Bummer," the jinn shook his head. "Hayden will teach you."

"She won't need it," Hayden said, snapping his finger once more and appearing in jeans and boots.

"Come, babe," Birdie held out her hand.

"Where are we going?" Nora looked at Birdie and then at Hayden.

"To the palace," Birdie said. "We'll be safe there until they figure out what's happening here."

"Portals...." Nora's head began to spin.

"Hey," Hayden appeared beside her. "You're going to be okay. Birdie won't let anything happen to you. I trust her with my life."

"Aww," Birdie cooed in the back.

"What about you?" Nora asked, looking up at Hayden.

"I just have to see what's going on," Hayden said. "I'll come get you as soon as we finish and it's safe."

"Okay," Nora nodded.

"Alright," Heyder clapped. "Everyone knows their place, right? Birdie, I swear on everything holy if I find you didn't go to the palace and are wandering around the woods trying to play hero, I will marry you off to a cow farmer back in Ali's village."

"Noted," Birdie gave her father a thumbs up.

"And you, sweet pea," the jinn turned to Nora. "Don't pull a dumb cheerleader move wither and come looking for lover boy here. Stay with Birdie. You're doing him more good by staying safe."

"Got it," Nora nodded.

"Okay, off you go."  

Hope you liked the chapter :P