The S-Gene (Book 1: Amelia) - COMPLETE
The Moment

No answers.

For anyone.

She didn’t know how to word everything that had happened, and Noah hadn’t answered any of her questions. She’d barely explained who had taken her and what happened. And then, he had stopped the conversation. Instead, he had sent her to the bathroom to get cleaned up. It turned out that she had gotten a lot more blood on herself than she had realized.

Except Amelia had yet to wipe away any evidence of what took place.

She had a wet rag in one hand, the other clutching at the bathroom sink. Amelia was staring at her reflection, zoning in on the red stains on her skin. His blood. Its blood. She couldn’t decide if he or it was more appropriate.

She never could.

Amelia could hear in the background the water running from the sink but it felt so far away. Maybe she was far away.

Someone - something - was dead. By her hands.

And Noah was magically here.

The real Noah.

Oh god. It had to be the real Noah. It wasn’t another shapeshifter… waiting in the shadows to take a chance, right? It messed with her mind. He became someone - the only person - she had decided to trust in this hellhole.

She had lost all of her bearings… she had lost herself.

If she could go back, she would do everything so differently.

She would never walk into that place. She’d turn around.

It was too late. She had walked in and she was trapped here.

Would she ever get to go home?

Knock. Knock.

The knock broke the silence and her body stiffened. Amelia wanted to speak, to say that he could come in. Except, she couldn’t make a sound. Her voice was pure silence.

Fortunately for her, the door creaked open and he poked his head inside. She could see him in the mirror in front of her.

“Need some help?”

Right… She hadn’t cleaned herself… at all. Amelia did not give him a verbal answer, but she did raise her arm and approach the rag from him. He took a few long strides, closing the space between them, and retrieve it from her.

It wasn’t in her nature to be trusting but normal, old Amelia had given people her trust. This new version of herself? She couldn’t. She’d been so betrayed. As Noah leaned in, gently pressing the wet white rag to her face, she could not crush the doubt growing inside of her.

He was here.

He hadn’t known her. He wasn’t gaining anything from this and he wasn’t trying to use her as a human incubator. He was simply there. Kindness? Inner thoughts she knew nothing about? Maybe. But she didn’t want to think about that.

She needed Noah to be Noah.

And she needed Noah to be good.

“I know I sound like a fucking basket case right now… but I don’t know that you’re you. How are you here?”

Noah stopped scrubbing her face and dropped down his arm. He leaned into her, pressing his forehead against her shoulder. Slowly, he tilted his head, his mouth facing the exposed flesh of her neck.

“I can’t say much.” He exhaled, his warm breath fanning over her flesh. “I haven’t used my powers in a long time - not like this.”

“Like what?”

There was a pause and he finally spoke the words she’d been waiting for all this time. “A wish.”

Her heart thundered in her chest, her jaw slacking open. How though? He hadn’t been anywhere near her - or at least not in the house. She and fake-Noah had searched the whole place. Had she missed a secret entrance?

“I don’t - I don’t have… and I don’t know if I will… have the energy to hide us. But you made a wish Ames.”

He didn’t know if he would? He had more power where they were - far away from the world. Did that indicate that they were back with the general population? The few windows she had seen were boarded up. Impossible to see outside and the front door refused to open.

Could this have been its house? Hiding her in plain sight? Then again, was it truly hiding her if they were letting him do as he pleased?

“Noah…”

He pulled himself away from her, sitting back straight. “Let’s get you cleaned up, and then let’s get out of here. Then, we’ll talk.”

She wanted to protest, she wanted answers. She was so sick of the pretending, the lies. No matter what she did, she spiraled more into the darkness. She was drowning and despite her best efforts to swim and keep her head above the water, it wasn’t working.

Instead, she opted for a nod.

Noah nodded back at her before lifting the rag once more, scrubbing her left cheek.

Wait.

There was no need to replace a more appropriate time or location to talk. She was kidnapped. Noah disappeared from their original location - a place that was under high surveillance. It was dead.

No one had come.

No damage control. Nothing.

There were a million theories, and she wouldn’t risk having a screaming loud conversation with Noah but… There was the tiniest of possibility that the reason no one came storming in here was that…

Because they didn’t have eyes in here.

So they didn’t know it was dead… and they didn’t know Noah was here.

Obviously, it had enough power to allow this whole charade to take place. Perhaps he asked for this to be a private moment?

“In the shower.”

“W-what?”

“It’ll go faster in the shower.”

One quick glance at his face was enough to know he remained confused. He had an eyebrow arched, his head tilted and his mouth was twisted. She didn’t have time to explain. She rushed to her feet and grabbed his hand, dragging him in direction of the shower.

She turned it on, and stepped inside, fully clothed, dragging him inside with her.

“Are you insane?” he spoke, a little louder, water splashing out of his mouth with each word he uttered.

“Maybe,” she answered truthfully. “Look…” she cleared her throat, before lowering her tone of voice a little. “I don’t think they know you’re here.”

“What?”

“Think about it. I killed it, you magically disappeared. Meaning you most likely granted a wish, or used enough power to disappear. Don’t you think they would wanna get you back? Or explain this whole bullshit to me - try to make it seem as if they had nothing to do with it and they are heroes rescuing me?”

His mouth opened, and then he closed it, seemingly taking in her theory.

“They don’t look too efficient if they take longer. How would they explain it? Especially since they had so many cameras back at the little vacation house.”

Noah rolled his bottom lip inward, mindlessly chewing on it as he appeared to be mulling more her words. He released it with a pop before leaning into one of the shower walls. “You think he had enough pull to not be under surveillance?”

“He had even money to kidnap me. And do whatever the hell he wanted to me. There was no fucking rule. He decided to look like you. He-”

“He what?”

Oh. He hadn’t seen it. He didn’t know.

“He came to me… looking like you. Pretending to be you.”

“Son of a bitch,” he muttered. “Why?”

Amelia lifted a hand, palming at the wet skin of her neck. “I’m assuming he was let on about our little charade. Thought…” Saying it out loud made her skin crawl, her body falling victim to shudders. “He probably thought it’d be easy to knock up if I thought he was you.”

“He’s a sick fuck, and he’s dead. Alright. He’s not coming back.”

Maybe he wasn’t, but they both knew other monsters were lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity. He wasn’t the first stalker, and he wouldn’t be the last.

“Because I killed him.”

Noah gripped her shoulders, shaking her. “Amelia, you had to.”

“Doesn’t make it easier.”

“I know.”

“You’ve killed someone before?”

“I grant wishes, what do you think?”

He killed more people than she had - not that it was hard. Noah had to do a lot of things against his will, he had been in her situation in a way. Though, it was unfair to compare. It was worse for him.

She had some sort of freedom. He never did. Not even the illusion of it. This was good for him. And this place was anything but good.

“Noah, how did I wish you here?”

As he swallowed, she watched his throat bob. Noah ran his hand across his face, water dripping from his fingers. “Do you remember the necklace I gave you?”

Her tongue flicked against the back of her teeth. “Yeah.”

“It’s - I guess you can call it my lamp.”

His lamp. As in the item that was used to own him. Why would he do that… why would he give her so much power… over him? Why in the world would he trust her with something like that?

“Are you insane?”

He chuckled, water droplets flying from his mouth. “Maybe.”

“Noah - that’s why? I mean you didn’t even tell me! What if I had made a really, really stupid wish without knowing? Like what if I wished I was an elephant!?”

He pressed his lips into a thin line, holding back a chuckle that was rattling his body. “First of all, I don’t grant wishes without control. Remember when we talked about it and I said people had to word their wises very carefully? Second of all, before we were in our little honeymoon house… my powers were so limited… I wouldn’t have been able to pull off a wish like that. The only reason I was able to come to you… was because I was out there.”

Valid points, but it did not lessen the insanity of his choice. “It was still a very stupid fucking decision. Telling me would have been better. I would have never accepted… Noah, you told me how people -“

“That’s why I didn’t tell you,” he interrupted. “You wouldn’t have taken it and I wanted you to protect yourself against that asshole. Also, they sorta don’t know about it. I know they’ve been looking for it… They haven’t told me… but I know. Couldn’t let it slip. If they got their hands on it…”

“It’s back at my house.”

“And to them, it’s just a necklace. I gave it to you. They will never think I would so willingly do that.”

Hiding in plain sight.

Still dumb.

He came here and stayed here because he couldn’t trust anyone and now he had put so much trust in her. Noah threw all caution to the window simply to help her. He put her first. It wasn’t about winning her over or using her. He hadn’t even told her. If this hadn’t happened, she might have never found out…

It was real - genuine.

Something she wasn’t familiar with in this hellhole.

“You’re an idiot.”

“So I’ve been told.”

She sighed, her shoulders slacking. Amelia ran her fingers through her wet locks, pushing them back. “Let’s start by getting out of here, and seeing if we can’t replace anything. Maybe they’ll send someone soon.”

“That’s it?”

“Oh, I’m not done reminding you how stupid you are. But for now, that’s it. I’m freezing.” Her heart was hammering in her chest, the gesture overwhelming her. A little distance between them would be good.

He laughed, nodding.

“After you.”

Stupid, stupid Djinn.

***

No way out.

No rescue.

They had looked through everything, but they were unable to replace a phone or a way to communicate with anyone. There was no certainty that they were not being watched, although she doubted it. But, that dash of doubt was enough to put a damper on their conversations.

Now, they were laying together, side by side in the bed. He was on the left, she was on the right.

“Noah?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m never leaving this place, am I?”

Amelia tried to keep her voice steady, she tried to not let her inner turmoil show, but she knew it was a failure. Every time she tried, she failed. They were giving her this false sense of control but in the end, she was their pawn.

“I’ll do my best to make sure you do.”

It wasn’t an unbreakable promise. It wasn’t a guarantee, but it was honest.

There was no reason for him to do this, he didn’t owe her anything. If - big if - she did get out of here, they wouldn’t - she wouldn’t see him again. But he was here and he was helping her.

“Noah…” She had questioned his intentions before, she had been through this. “Thank you.”

That was enough.

“I haven’t done anything.”

“You’ve done more than you think.”

She would have been lost without him, worst off. Who knew what might have happened if she had remained without an ally… a friend…. Noah.

This might be the only moment of privacy - potential privacy - they might get. The one moment she would have with Noah… Her life had been exhausting ever since she arrived here… This was… a moment of reprieve.

Amelia clenched her hand briefly before releasing it. Could she? Should she?

Noah had trusted her enough… enough to entrust the safety of his lamp, his whole life to her. No matter how far back she thought, she couldn’t think of the last time someone had been selfless like that with her.

He never pushed, he never asked.

He was there.

Amelia found herself flooded with warmth, all too aware of her heartbeat.

“Noah?”

“Yeah?”

Before she lost her edge, she turned to her side, closing the gap between them. She watched as he waited for a moment, his eyes darting as he gazed at the ceiling. A moment passed and he turned his head to meet her eyes.

She couldn’t utter a word, but she hoped it was enough.

There was not a word uttered as he leaned in, his lips brushing up against hers. He was close enough to make intense eye contact with her as she stared at him, wide-eyed and breath withheld. Noah was the one to close the gap, capturing her mouth.

Amelia heard him groan as she wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him closer. His chest collided with hers, her breasts pressing against him while he allowed his hands to slowly caress their way up.

They had kissed before, she knew the taste of his lips but this…

She felt his hands on every curve, every dip before reaching her face. He cupped one of her cheeks with his hands, deepening the kiss, while the other hand grabbed at her hair, forcing her backward.

She whimpered in his mouth at the tug and he popped his lips away from hers. He did not stray for too long. Before her next inhale of air, his warm, moist lips were already back on her skin. He peppered kisses down the length of her throat, forcing her to shiver each time his mouth connected with her neck.

Her body was pure fire, melting under his touch. She arched her back, thrusting her chest forward, allowing him to lower himself and his ministrations to the top of her breasts. Each time she breathed, he could feel the beat of her heart beneath his lips.

Amelia gripped his shoulders, feeling the muscles beneath the fabric. She tugged at it as if she wanted to rip it off. She wanted to touch his hair. And she allowed herself that pleasure as she tangled her fingers within his locks.

Her actions were forceful but his were slow, hesitant even. She wanted to ask, but she couldn’t replace her voice. How could she when his fingers were brushing up the line of her spine, sending tingles through her body? She couldn’t think, she couldn’t focus.

The sensations he brought forth were the only thing on her mind. He felt stiff and warm beneath her, his larger body encapsulating hers completely.

Focus.

“Noah… are you…” fuck that sounded like a mood killer.

“Amelia, I’ve never…” He exhaled, his nostrils flaring. “They could be watching. They could be waiting for this.”

Yeah, she had already mused that thought over. “Maybe. Anyway, it would be safe now.” They passed the danger zone. Because lord knew she didn’t expect to replace any kind of protection around here.

“I know it’s stupid,” she whispered. “But I don’t know what’s gonna happen to me. I trust you, Noah…” And she wanted one thing to happen on her terms. At this point, she didn’t trust that she wouldn’t be forced into something she didn’t want…

This, this she wanted. Maybe it would be the last executive decision she got to make.

So she’d enjoy it.

“Unless you…”

He chuckled, despite the nervous shudder from his shoulders. “I do, I - don’t want you to do anything you might regret.”

“I regret a lot of things,” she said, her voice cracking. “This won’t be it.”

Noah’s hand came up to her face, cupping her cheek and she leaned into his touch. It was stupid and she was tired of being on her guard. Noah was a good thing in her life, and she would enjoy it.

One good memory.

Amelia lowered her hands until they were around the band of his sweatpants and she gripped at it. He dipped his chin against his chest, lowering his mouth to reach her neck.

“Alright,” he agreed, warm breath fawning over her cold skin.

He released her, instead, grabbing the pants and lowering them. As he fumbled to get them off, she reached for her own, removing them but keeping her underwear on. Adrenaline spiked through her blood and a sense of weightlessness overcame her.

The tension was palpable, the raw desire lingering but a slight tinge of fear tinted the room. Was it from her or him?

Large hands gripped at her thighs again and he pushed his boxer-clothed erection into her wet core and watched her as she arched her back. His hands were clammy, which she assumed was due to his nervousness.

Still, as per the obvious proof in his underwear, the desire remained.

Her own hands were unsure as they went to his sides, holding on to him as he came crashing down on her lips once more. It took a beat, a moment, but the energy returned. Hands touching everywhere, warm mouths on everything.

Her feet dragged down his boxers, prying them off him until they slowly slipped to his ankles. Her heart was beating in her throat when she felt the free tip of him against her clothed core.

Noah paused his ministrations, staring into her eyes. Permission. She was the one who should ask for permission. She was the one taking more from him than he was taking from her. Much like she had done since they met.

Instead of giving him a verbal answer, she reached for her underwear and began pulling it down. He lifted his body off hers, allowing her to shimmy her way out of them until they were hanging by her ankle.

It didn’t seem enough.

“Ames…”

“Noah.”

He rolled his lips inwards, shaking off a smirk. But she could see it; the faint tremble of his chin.

Noah reached down between them, grabbing his erection in his hand, and gently stroking himself. She closed her eyes, throwing her head back as he slowly demanded entry, stretching her open little by little.

He was taking his time as though it was her going through her first time. She didn’t mind. Everything was fast, everything was spinning out of control. Not this.

She forgot to breathe as she felt the fullness of him filling her to the brim. He pushed all the way inside in a switch motion and she groaned as he did so. His eyes were clenched closed, his jaw tight as he tried to control his movements.

He groaned as he began to pull out, and she wrapped her legs around him, forcing him back in. She heard him chuckle as he hid himself in the crook of her neck.

“I-I don’t know how long…”

She brought a hand up, cupping the back of his head. “It’s okay,” she answered in one quick breath.

His first strokes were filled with hesitation, jerky, as he found his rhythm. He made up for it by covering her heated flesh with kisses, his mouth worshiping every inch of her that he could replace.

He slipped in and out of her with ease, her juices coating his length. He was holding on to her hips so tightly she was afraid he might break her - in a good way. The emotions were bubbly out of her, moans slipping from her lips. Her legs were wrapped around him, keeping him trapped; even if he wanted to leave, he could not. She was sucking him in.

It wasn’t perfect but it was overwhelming. She began gasping for breaths as his pace picked up, his thrusts rougher. Soon, she unraveled her arms from around his neck, Her toes curled while he tugged at her hair, the other hand palming roughly at the flesh of her ass. She moaned his name loudly, her legs trembling under the pleasure.

His entire body was trembling and she knew he would come undone before she did. But it didn’t matter.

Amelia lost herself in his touch, in the weight of him, the feel of his fingers, and the warmth of his mouth. Her head turned to the side, exposing her bare neck to him and she let her moans of pleasure escape without restraints.

There was a grunt, something that almost sounded like a name that was ripped from his throat, and she knew what it was. In a quick second, she felt him pull out of her, forcing his erection against her leg.

His release trickled down the length of her. He pressed his face to her sticky chest, trying to catch his breath.

He had slipped out of her mere moments ago and yet, she already felt empty. Her core was throbbing from their encounter and her head was buzzing with warmth. There was a hint of frustration, a need for completion, but it wasn’t important.

Amelia grabbed him, burying her face in the top of his head.

She wanted time to stand still.

It broke her heart because this wasn’t real.

It was one moment, one fleeting moment.

She wanted to hold on as long as she could.