***Warning: This chapter convinced me that I need to upgrade the content rating on the story to M. If you are uncomfortable with this, please just stop here. ***

Author's Note: Payment for all the angst and fluff I've put you through.

Also... this is fiction. I feel compelled to say that I do not advocate being in a moving vehicle without a seat belt on. Seat belts save lives, and you guys are cool 'cause you read my story, so I would hate for anything bad to happen to any of you. So, yeah, please wear your seat belt. I'll sleep better at night.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, behind all the brightly colored flashes of light that were blooming like flowers, Rachel heard the bell ring. Forming a coherent thought while his lips were pressed against hers was excruciatingly difficult, but she managed to pull her mouth away from his. "Noah," she groaned, as he pushed her hips down with his hands. He was kissing a spot on her neck that she never knew existed, sending chills through her body. "Noah, please… class… people… any minute now."

She could feel him growl against her skin. "Five minutes."

"We don't have five minutes… bell… school." His touch was robbing her of the ability to form complete sentences.

Jerking his head back, he blinked and looked around the room. "Fuck."

"What?"

His breathing was labored, and she could feel the rise and fall of his chest. Raising his hand, he pushed her hair back and stared into her eyes, licking his lips. "I… it's just, I…" A loud noise outside the door startled him, and he jumped up, hauling her up by the waist. "Grab your bag."

Reaching down, she hooked the strap in her arm, throwing the backpack over her shoulder. Noah let his arm drop and grabbed her by the hand, pulling her out of the room. She followed him as he led her through the crush of people in the hallway, stopping short when she saw they were headed for the doors. When he realized she wasn't moving, he yanked on her hand. "Come on, before the next bell rings."

"Where are we going?"

"Anywhere but here, now move it before we get caught."

She gasped. "I am not skipping class."

"Yes princess, you are. Biology will survive without you for one day."

How did he know she had Biology first period? "Noah…"

He looked at her, his eyes pleading, "Please, Rach? One class? I'll have you back by second period, I promise."

She sighed, how was she supposed to say no to that? "Fine, one class."

He grinned and pulled her through the doors. Hand in hand, they raced across the parking lot. He yanked the driver's side door open, and she jumped in, sliding across the bench seat. Thrusting the keys in the ignition, he started the truck and sped out of the parking lot. She hadn't even bothered with her seat belt, choosing instead to curl against him. It was chilly out and she'd left her coat on top of the piano in the music room.

"Are you cold, baby?" he asked, taking his right hand off the steering wheel and wrapping his arm around her, pulling her closer.

The way he said 'baby' sent shivers down her spine. "A little." She snuggled closer into his side.

He groaned loudly. "Watch the ribs."

"Oh, Noah, I'm sorry…"

Taking his eyes off the road for a brief moment, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "It's okay, like I said, totally worth it."

She closed her eyes, letting the heat radiating from his body warm her. He smelled like soap and leather, with a touch of lavender that she suspected was from laundry detergent. It was strange how well her body seemed to fit into his, like he was built just for her. She let her hand rest on the hard muscles of thigh and she smiled at sound of his sharp intake of air. His breath quickened as she moved her fingers in lazy circles over the rough material of his jeans, and she felt a sense of power knowing that her touch was exciting him.

The truck was slowing down now, and it occurred to her that she hadn't even asked him where they were going. Opening her eyes, she saw nothing but trees on either side of the wide street. Noah lifted his arm from her shoulders, and used both hands to steer the vehicle down a dirt road. About a mile down the thickly wooded path, a small clearing appeared off to the right. He drove beyond it slightly, shifted into reverse, and backed into the open space. Flipping the gear lever into 'Park', he set the parking brake and turned toward her.

She was about to ask him how he knew about this spot, when his mouth crushed down onto hers. The angle was awkward, so slid her hips across the seat, wrapping her fists in his shirt and pulling him with her. He followed, struggling to slide his arms out of the sleeves of his letterman jacket. When he started to pull away so he could get the coat off, she whimpered and yanked him back. Sliding her arms up she tugged and pulled until he managed to free himself and toss the jacket behind him.

He was in the middle of the long bench seat now, and he leaned back against it, his left hand tugging on her right hip. Knowing what he was asking for, she swung her leg over him and straddled him just as she had in the music room. The upholstery rubbed against her bare knees as she slid them further apart, and sank down into him. His hands were on her lower back now and he was pulling her forward. Electricity shot through her body as the thin fabric between her legs rubbed against his jeans and she felt one of his hands working to free her shirt from the waistband of her skirt, while the other stealthily moved its way up her bare thigh.

She moved her hands from his shoulder, sliding them down the solid wall of muscle that was his chest. He moaned her name into the kiss, and the hand on her thigh moved higher, slipping under the rough wool fabric of her skirt. His lips slid down her neck and he nuzzled under the collar of her shirt, grazing his lips over her collarbone. The thumb of his left hand was tracing a pattern over the inside of her thigh, dangerously close to spot where her body met his. Leaning back slightly she reached for the top button of her blouse. His head jerked up in surprise, and he quickly moved his hands upward, pushing hers out of the way.

"Please…" he rasped, staring into her eyes, "let me do it? I wanna…" His voice trailed off, but she didn't need the words.

She smiled and nodded.

Slowly he unbuttoned the top button, and pushed the thin fabric to the side. Moving his head forward he kissed every inch of the newly exposed skin. She closed her eyes and ran her hands over his head, letting the feel of his lips on her skin wash over her. Popping the next button loose, he repeated his motions. She was aching with anticipation, wishing he'd rip her shirt off and devour her, but he didn't. When the last button was undone, he slid the white cotton over her shoulders and down her arms, leaving her in a simple white lace bra. This time, she didn't have the urge to cover herself, or to hide herself from him.

She watched his face carefully as his eyes roamed over, trying to gauge his reaction. Bringing his hands up, he trapped her cheeks between them and stared into her eyes.

His voice was hoarse when he spoke."Baby, you are so beautiful." Pulling her face to his, he kissed her softly, letting his fingers wrap themselves in her hair.

At that exact moment, Rachel's heart filled and poured over, until finally she let go and let herself get lost in him.