Noah stood at the edge of the pool, trembling from the wind hitting his wet skin. Taking a deep breath he pinched his nose closed, jumping off the diving board and into the pool curled up into a ball.
Barba stepped towards the pool just as the water from the splash came down. He jumped back trying to prevent the water from hitting his shoes. Not that it worked.
"Noah, come here." Olivia helped him out of the pool and lead him towards Rafael. "Noah, this is Rafael Barba. Rafa, this is my son Noah."
Holding his hand out he offered the boy a smile. "Pleasure meeting you Noah."
"Hello." Taking the man's hand, he looked at everything but his eyes. "You're the man my moms working for."
"That's right." He took the lad in. He was tall for his age, making him look older than he was. His hair was an unruliness of light brown curls. Noah's eyes were as dark as his mother's. He was scrawny, but so was Barba at that age. Stopping at the boy's wrist, he frowned. A bruise was forming. "How did that happen?"
Olivia grabbed his wrist, gasping at the bruise. "Noah? What happened?"
Jerking his hand away, he hid the marks with his other hand. "It's nothing. He didn't mean to."
"Who?"
"Brian." His tone was just above a whisper. "It was an accident. I was taking to long and he grabbed my hand. He didn't know he had grabbed onto me like that."
Barba held his hand out, waiting until the boy gave him permission to touch him. Examining the bruise for a moment he let go of his hand. "It's fading already nothing to worry about." Seeing Olivia still fixated on the bruise, he placed a hand on Noah's head. "Why don't you go jump back into the pool."
"First he sends my son into the city alone. And now he's leaving bruises on him." Running a hand through her hair, she let out a shaky breath.
Grabbing her arm, he led her away from the pool. Walking up the stairs and into his office. "What's his full name?"
"Bryan c-" She stopped, giving him a curious look. "Why do you want to know?" Barba wouldn't look at her. "You are not going to go after him, Rafael."
"He left your son alone in LA." Barba growled. "Do you know what could have happened if you didn't see him?"
"I'm well aware of the heinous acts humans can do." Olivia kept her voice calm. She quickly learned how easily Barba was triggered. "Noah is safe. He's here with me. I will handle Bryan on my own. Drop the subject."
"Very well." Grabbing the back of her neck, he pulled her into his arms.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she tucked her face into his neck, inhaling his scent. "Thank you."
Closing the door behind her, Olivia grabbed her phone sending Craigen a quick text.
O: Find Bryan.
C: What's happened?
O: The son of a bitch bought Noah a ticket to get to LA. I found Noah in the street.
Her phone suddenly rang, startling her for a moment. "Yeah?"
'He did what?!' Craigen yelled. 'Noah was with Melinda.'
"Noah's been gone for three days, Captain. Listen, I can't send Noah away without raising suspicion. I'll keep him for a while, then have Elliot take him back." Olivia paused, hearing a set of footsteps pass by her door. "I can't let Barba find Bryan. The moment he does my cover is blown. Find him and keep him away."
'I'll send Amaro and Fin. How's Noah?'
"He's fine, but I don't like the idea of him being here." She didn't want her son to see anything that would scar him.
'Just focus on keeping Noah apart from them as much as possible. The moment we have Bryan I will let you know.'
Hanging up the call, she sat down on her bed. Her hands were tucked between her thighs and her head dropped. 'This is getting more complicated than it needs to be.' She was aware of the mistakes she had committed. There had been many chances for this to end, but she found a way around them. Truth be told she didn't want to see him behind bars. He's done many wrong things there was no doubt about that, but did he ever truly have a chance away from this life? After all one must work with what one can.
Noah peeked his head around the hallway corner, groaning at once more failing in his search. After swimming, he had the sudden hunger of a starved wolf. Walking down the hallway, he opened a door and froze. The man her mother introduced her to was sitting behind a large desk looking over some papers. Five other men sat scattered in the office. Before he could close the door, it was ripped open.
"Who's the mocoso?" A bald-headed man grunted.
Barba looked up from his reading, surprised to find Noah in his office. "That's Noah. He's Olivia's son."
Javier raised a brow. "Wasn't he in New York?"
"Long story." Ignoring the boy for the moment he returned to the papers in hand. Seeing the kid make a move to leave, he ordered him to stay.
Noah wasn't sure if he was in trouble or not. His tone wasn't harsh, but like his mother's, it was to be obeyed. Standing in the middle of the office, he was well aware all eyes were on him. Daring himself to look behind him, he nearly broke into a smile at seeing Elliot. But with one look from his uncle, he remembered what his mother told him. Facing forward once more, he waited for what he was sure to be a punishment.
"Javier, take this to Beto." He handed him the papers. "Tell them we are switching the drop location. Everything they need to know is there."
"You got it carnal." Snatching the paper, he motioned to three of the five men to follow him. Stopping beside Noah, he ruffled the boy's hair. "Nice to meet you, Noah."
"You two are meeting up with Hector and another partner." Rafael pulled out a briefcase from under his desk. "You will give this to Hector and serve as backup for him. You will receive another briefcase in exchange for this one."
Elliot grabbed the briefcase, laying it on the table to open it. "What's in her-"
Slamming his hand on the briefcase his eyes darted to Noah. "Don't concern yourself with the contents. Just do the exchange." Waiting for them to leave, he looked back to Noah. "Wh-"
"I'm sorry." Noah blurted out.
Barba raised a brow. "Sorry for what?"
"I didn't mean to interrupt your meeting. I was just looking for the kitchen. The swimming made me hungry and I got lost in my search. I mean how wouldn't I? I have never bee-"
"Noah!" Barba chuckled. "You don't need to apologize. I don't mind you coming into my office."
"But you were having a meeting." He was slightly confused. When Bryan lived with them, he hated being interrupted. He made that very clear.
"True, but I wouldn't kick you out for that." He frowned at the young man. Noah was acting like a toddler in trouble. Grabbing his coat from the back of the chair, he placed a hand on Noah's shoulder. "Now, let's go see what there is to eat."
Noah stared at the huge burger staring back at him. Grabbing one of the fries on the side of his hamburger, he groaned. "These taste better than the ones Bryan makes."
Something about that statement stroked his ego. "Glad you like them. Seems those cooking classes working for something."
"You took cooking classes?" Olivia stepped into the room, her eyes widening at the monstrous burger on Noah's plate. "He's not going to eat all that."
"He can save what he doesn't for later." Barba shrugged. "I took classes back when I was younger. I figured what better way to woo a woman than by knowing my way around the kitchen."
Seeing her son take a large bite, she chuckled. "Well, you woo'd Noah."
Taking her hand he brought it up to his lips. "And his mother?"
"Might need a little more than knowing your way around the kitchen." Catching the look Noah was giving them, she pulled her hand from his grasp. "Where are Javier and the others?"
"Javier was sent out." Barba replied. "Dear Elliot was sent on a run."
"Where too?"
Raising a brow, he gave her a curious look. "Why?"
She shrugged running her hand through her son's hair. "Can't worry about a close friend?"
"He's with Hector making an exchange down by the bridge connecting our turfs." Barba pushed his chair back, taking her hand and hiding it behind his back. "Noah, when you are done just let Alma know and she'll save the rest."
"Okay." He took his third bite.
Leading her towards his office, he let her walk in first. Closing the door behind him, he leaned against it. "Will Noah be going back to New York or staying here?"
Olivia frowned. "I was hoping in keeping him here for a while. Until I can find someone that can watch him. I know this wasn't part of my contract and if it's too much I can maybe have Elliot take him un-" She was cut off by Barba pulling her into his arms and kissing her. "What?"
"When will you stop looking at this as a contract?" Barba muttered against her lips. "I don't mind having Noah around. It's been so long since there has been a child living carefree in this place. I was simply asking so I can have the room next door to yours set up for him."
"Oh."
"And also because of us." Pulling back he pushed her hair away from her face. "I noticed the movement earlier. Does it bother you if Noah sees us?"
"It's not that." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she exhaled slowly. "Noah is still fresh from the separation between Bryan and me. I don't want him getting hurt again."
Ducking his head, he ran his nose along the side of her neck. "Very well." Kissing her lightly he sighed and held her tight. "I'll have the room set up for him."
"Thank you."
True to his word the bedroom was set up for Noah just in time for the boy. It was plain at the moment, but Barba assured them it would be fixed. Regardless of how much Olivia protested.
"Brushed your teeth?" Olivia watched him run out of the bathroom and jump onto the bed. Noah scrambled about for a bit, before sliding under the blanket.
"I'm not a kid anymore. I know to brush my teeth." Looking over at his mother, he rolled his eyes. "Wanna smell my breath?"
"No." Pushing herself off the door frame Olivia gave her son one last glance. "If you need anything I'm right next door."
"Got it."
Closing the door behind her, she turned to her bedroom but stopped at the sound of a loud commotion coming from Rafael's office. Sprinting over she stood just outside, listening in.
'I-I didn't mean to Rafa.' That was Ryan's voice. 'I had to give them something. Otherwise, they were going to send me to another division.'
'You sold me out!' Barba shouted. 'You sold this family out!'
'it's just a small amount. It's not like you would take a hit.'
'You're wrong Ryan. That small amount was to recover from the last screw-up you did. It was going to feed and house many of those I look after.'
'So, what, I was just supposed to let them move me?'
'Yes, or you should have found another way.'
'There was no other way. They have been coming down hard on us these past months. Something is setting them off.'
'It's your job to find that something. That's the whole reason you even became a cop.'
'You know ever since that woman was brought here; shit has gone downhill.'
'You passing the blame now? Looking for others to take your burden?'
'I know when I screw up. I always deal with the consequences. But think about it. Ever since she started here, we have lost twice the amount of product to raids. Twice the men.'
'Get to the point.'
'I say she's a UC.'
'She's not.'
'How can you be so sure?'
'Stop trying to change the subject. You need to find a way to fix this and replace what we lost. And don't think of doing the same stunt we pulled last time.'
'Rafa-'
'Drop it, Ryan!'
Moving quickly to the small living room just outside the office doors, she picked up a random book and sat on the couch. Opening the book to a random spot, she watched Ryan storm off. Barba stepped out a few seconds later, his eyes falling on her in an instant.
"Might want to be less obvious when listing in." Walking over to her he stopped and crouched down.
Olivia rolled her eyes. "I wasn't listening in."
Grabbing the book, he turned it the right way up. "Right."
"Fine. I thought something bad had happened. Just wanted to make sure you were alright."
Barba gazed at her for a moment. There was something about her that he just couldn't pinpoint. But it made him crave everything about her. Standing up he grabbed her legs and pulled her down on the couch. Kneeling down beside her, he laid his head over her stomach and gripped her hips.
A bit stun by his actions, Olivia laid a hand on his head. "Are you alright?"
He hummed. "I want this to be over with. Get far away from here as I can."
She knew nothing she said would be the truth, so instead, Olivia held him. "You need to sleep."
He scoffed. "I'm not tired enough to sleep." The hand on her waist moved to the hem of her shirt. Struggling for a bit he slid underneath finding her warm skin. "But I have an idea to help solve that issue." Sliding his hand higher he stopped just below her breast. Looking up at her he smirked seeing her eyes fill with lust. Moving his hand towards her back, Barba unhooked her bra in one go.
Removing his hand, he glanced around for anyone coming, grabbing a blanket draped over the couch he tossed it over Olivia. Ducking under the blanket, Barba pressed light kisses over her stomach and up toward her chest. While he lavished her breast with his mouth, his hand worked its way down to the button of her jeans. Undoing said button, he slid the zipper down and shoved his hand into her pants.
A surprised gasp escaped her at feeling his fingers brush her. "Rafa, not here." Feeling him push past her undergarment and his finger run just on the outer layer, had her squirming in the seat. "Rafa." Her hands clutched the armrests the moment he slid a finger inside her. Olivia bit down on her bottom lip, forcing herself to not make a sound. "Rafa, please."
Poking his head out from under the blanket he glared up at her. "What?"
"Not here." She whispered.
Sliding in two more fingers, he smirked at the silent moan. "If we get up from here, I am going to have to remove myself. Is that what you want?" Sliding them in and out a few times, he felt her walls clench around him. "I'm sure that's not what you want."
"You're an asshole." She gritted through her teeth, a moan sipping.
"Is that a, yes?" He leaned down biting over her collarbone. "Or a, no?" Not getting a response he began to pull his hand away.
"Don't you dare." She gripped his wrist. "You started this. Finish it."
With a wild smirk, he picked up the pace, driving his fingers in and out with no pause. The moment he felt her wall tighten around him, he leaned up and kissed her. Swallowing her low moan. "Now let's move."
Glancing at the clock on the nightstand he groaned. For the past hour, he has tried to get some sleep with no success. After seeing the number change once more he decided a warm glass of milk would help. Sitting up he slid into a pair of slippers Jack had given him. Stumbling towards the door he paused at hearing a loud thud. Pulling the door open just enough to see what made the sound he nearly gasped out loud. Closing the door just as quickly he stumbled back. He knew what he saw, yet his brain was lagging in understanding what he saw.
Barba had Olivia pinned against her bedroom door in a deep kiss. His free hand patted the door in search of the doorknob. Managing to get the door open, he turned them around so he was walking back into the room without breaking the kiss. Shutting the door, he pulled back helping her strip her clothes. The second the last garment was removed he pushed her up against the wall, pressing her ass and shoulder blades up to the ridged wall, and went in to lock lips with hers once again. She squirmed slightly before accepting defeat and returned his ferocious kiss hungrily. He closed his eyes and kissed her deep, his lips suckling on her lower lip. Eyes already closed, Olivia melted into his kisses and gently nibbled on Barba's top lip. He groaned slightly and he firmly pushed his body closer to hers, pressing his hardening member into her stomach. She let out a little gasp at the sudden contact but fervently pulled him closer.
He rubbed into her body, his tongue sliding down hers lightly, caressing her tongue and exploring the contours of her mouth. Olivia accepted this somewhat of an invasion and kissed him back fiercely. She was beginning to breathe harder, and her skin was electrified, her senses awakened by Barba's fiery touch. He slid his tongue along hers, and entangled it, tilting her head to the side by tilting his. His hands and arms caressed her body, running along her sides and legs. She was so taken by the kiss it left her breathless and wanting more. Her own hands slid up his muscular arms and around his neck.
He groaned inaudibly into her mouth, as his member pressed into her stomach harder. She moaned into his mouth at the sheer hotness of this scene, causing erotic vibrations. Olivia could feel her wetness becoming more evident slipping between her. Barba grinded into her harder, suckling on her tongue as he moaned a bit. He slid his arms around her hips. She brought her knee up, bending her leg up and over his, allowing his covered member to slip between her legs, barely touching her. He jumped at this, and slowly teased her by rotating his hips slower and more sensual. She moved with him, wanting nothing more than to feel this pleasure. She gently extricated her tongue from him in order to return the favor and then she pressed her perky breasts up against his sturdy chest.
Barba snaked one arm up and started to rub her breasts firmly, tweaking the nipples and squeezing the fleshy orbs. She gently grabbed the hair at the nape of his neck pulling him closer and she began to wrap both her legs around his waist allowing him to push her against the wall, even more, the roughness of the ridges in the wall biting into her skin but it was not painful in the least. It merely heightened her level of lust.
He continued to caress her breasts with one hand before slipping away from their kiss and sliding down so that his mouth was level with her hard nipples. Focusing on each hardened bud with his mouth, the unattended one being paid attention to by his hand. He had his other hand gripping her ass and thigh, allowing him to pin her to the wall easier. Goosebumps were raised on Olivia's skin at his touch. She held on tighter to him with her arms and legs allowing her to feel him getting even harder behind the cover of his pants. His sex drive heightened as she clung to him. He licked and sucked at her breast nibbling and then gently biting, and she nearly jumped out of his arms at his surprisingly rough but pleasurable touch.
"Have I told you how much I love your sensitivity?" He mused, breathing warm air onto her already excited breasts.
"Mm not that I remember..." Olivia moaned both from his tweaking and kissing, her brain was completely enamored and unable to focus. "Too much clothes." She was gasping and breathing hard, her head thrown back, occasionally looking down to watch Barba ravage her.
"I thought you liked my suits." Bitting down on her breast he chuckled. Holding her up with only his lower body, Barba removed his shirt quickly and returned his attention to the panting woman in front of him.
Olivia mewled and gasped, gently pulling his head toward her and he, seeming to know what she wanted, moved his head and lips back to her mouth, kissing her lovingly. She fell into him with this kiss and returned it with just as much tenderness. The sexual electricity between them increased voltage and she reached one hand down to stroke him over his pants.
Growling at not being able to get a good grip, she worked fast in unbuttoning his pants and pulling his zipper down. Reaching in she pulled him out, not surprised to see it stiff and hard. He throbbed and pulsed at her touch, a single drop of pre-cum squeezing out and onto her fingers as she stroked him. Barba gasped against her mouth, his warm breath lingering against her skin.
At this, Olivia couldn't wait any longer; the torment and suppressed urges had lasted long enough. She guided him to her oh-so-very wet entrance. Barba rubbed the head of his cock up and down her moist slit teasingly, and then slowly push it inward, his eyes lustful and his jaw clenched once more.
He held her close as he continued to slide in. She threw her head back, her lips slightly parted in a silent gasp, feeling every inch pushing into her, trying to keep still but she found herself unable to, writhing with pleasure at how much he was filling her. Barba pushed the entirety of himself into her, hoping that he wasn't causing her too much discomfort, and kept still to allow her some time to adjust. He opened his eyes and tilted her head toward him with his thumb and index finger at her chin. She looked at him deliriously but smiling and he kissed her lips reassuringly.
She moaned as he continued to spear her with his cock, and she rotated her hips slightly allowing him to stretch her comfortably. Olivia accepted his kiss, not ever wanting to draw away from his intoxicating scent and taste, and feel.
Barba shivered slightly from the sensation of her rotations. Her walls stretching to accommodate him while rotating felt amazingly good against the head and shaft of his cock. No longer able to stop himself, he began to pump into her slowly, his chest pressed hard into hers. Olivia writhed as his movement. She liked the feel of his rougher skin against her smoothness.
He swayed his hips slightly as he pushed deeper into her lusciously curvaceous figure, his thrusts growing faster and harder, sweat beginning to form at his brow. She wrapped her legs around him tighter, letting him slide in and out with more ease. She bent her head to his neck softly nibbling in between gasps and moans of pleasure.
Barba pushed her harder up against the wall, asserting his dominance and taking control –just the way he had learned Olivia to like it. He was holding her by her thighs and ass, pushing in as far as he would go, a pitched moan escaping from his mouth as she kissed and nibbled his neck. There were sure to be hickeys for the next week. Olivia rotated her hips more and more, moving with him so he could slam himself into her.
The pleasure was becoming intense Barba felt weak at the knees, but he didn't allow that to deprive him of what he wanted. To try to avoid losing himself and to prevent himself from moaning loudly, he gently bit Olivia's shoulder, the taste of her sweetly salty skin filling his mouth. She was so close, and each stroke brought her closer. The slight shock from his bite was just enough to push her over the edge and she came hard, breathing fast but with no intention of stopping yet. He moaned loudly against her, not even bothering to be remotely quiet as he felt the aftermath of her climax around him.
Lifting his head up to look at her, he nudged her chin with his nose. He refused to let himself go over the edge. Pulling her flush against him, he carried her towards the two-seat couch placed underneath the window. Sitting down he groaned at the wonderful weight on him.
"I'm letting you take the lead." His voice was hoarse. "Do as you please."
This was a first. Bracing her hands on the backrest of the couch, Olivia looked down at him. Her hair fell like a veil around them. Moving slowly, she grounded herself against him, drawing out a low moan from the man himself. Glancing at his hands she noticed the death grip they held on the cushions. Picking up her speed, she raised her hips and dropped them with little force. It took her no time in getting into a medium-speed ride.
Barba gritted his teeth as she lowered herself over him once more. With the way she rotated her hips, he wouldn't be lasting much longer. Just as he was about to stop her, he felt her walls clenched around him once more. Grabbing onto her hips, he stopped her movements and raised her just a bit over him. Keeping her in place and not letting her move he thrusted into her rapidly.
Moving her hands from the couch onto his shoulder, she threw her head back with a silent moan. Her body trembled as it tried to ride out her orgasm and take in his rapid strokes. Falling against his chest she curled herself, moaning faintly. Thankfully he slowed his movements.
"Are you alright?" He stilled himself worried he may have overdone it. "Darling?"
"W-why you stop?" She turned her face into his neck, biting softly at the exposed skin. "I-I want-"
Barba nudged her with his shoulder forcing her to look at him. Letting go of her hips, she cupped her face. "What do you want?"
"You." She gasped at the hard thrust. "All of it."
"Como ordene la reyna." Pulling her into a kiss, he moved his hips in a smooth way. Not necessarily pulling out, but giving her the sensation, he was. Swallowing each of her cries, he picked up the pace. "Shh, you don't want the others to hear."
"Then finish it." She growled.
"Ordering me, are we now?" A smirk appeared on his lips. "It's a huge turn-on."
"Rafa." She surprised herself at her whimper.
"Alright. Alright." Knowing she had, had enough of his teasing and playing around, he grabbed the back of her neck.
Sliding his hand up into her hair, he grabbed a handful and tugged her head back. Olivia groaned slamming her hands on his chest, she dug her nails into his skin. Leaning forward he licked the length of her neck before biting down on her jaguar. His hips met with hers in a perfect rhythm.
Olivia wanted to take him for hours, for days even, but she wasn't sure she could handle it; his deep penetrations and her own sensitivity caused her to come again and she clenched her walls in a spasmodic rhythm. She desperately wanted him to feel as good as she felt. The satisfaction she had was like nothing she'd ever experienced before him.
Barba clenched his teeth and groaned, wincing as he struggled to keep going, to hold back his orgasm which was making him want to explode. Not yet, he kept telling himself.
She bit her lip and whimpered as they kept going, her legs tightening against him, her arms holding on to his upper back and neck, her ample breasts bouncing up and down brushing against his chest with each thrust.
She was suddenly pulled in for a kiss. It was her turn to muffle his own grunting. The feeling of hot shots being dumped inside her had the feeling of things she didn't understand. But she didn't want him to stop.
Barba released her, falling back against the couch in pants. His chest heaved with each gulp of air dragged in. Feeling her raise her leg, he grabbed it and slammed it back down. "I didn't say you could leave yet."
"You expect me to stay on your lap with your dick inside me?" She was too tired to truly fight him.
He nodded. "Until I can manage to pick you up and carry you into the bathroom."
"Mm, wake me up when you're ready." Resting against his chest, she felt his hand on her head. "What?"
"Nothing." Pressing a kiss on her head. "Come let's get you cleaned up." Picking her up, he waited until her legs were once more wrapped around him. "Shower or bath?"
"I don't think I can stand long enough for a shower."
Letting her sit on the toilet, he ran the water. Once it was between warm and hell water, he helped her into the tub. "I'm going to take a shower, do not leave this tub."
Leaning her head back, she waved him off with a hum. "You'd have to drag me out first." Watching him fix his pants and walk out, the realization came crashing down around her. "Fuck."
This was not part of the plan. She was only to seduce him and use that to her advantage. Get what she needed and move on. Olivia would be lying to herself if she said she wasn't enjoying her time with him. No other man has made her feel what he has. Both in bed and out. He was attentive to her and took care of her every need. Makes you wonder who the villain of this story truly was.
Stepping out of her bedroom, she knocked on Noah's room but got no answer. Walking in she found the bed neatly made, but no son. Glancing at her watch she frowned. It was past 9 am. Her son never got up earlier than noon. Spotting Jose walking his rounds she asked if he had seen the boy.
"Oh right, Rafael took him out."
"Took him out? Where?" Her mother instincts were on high alert.
The man shrugged. "Something about the kid needed clothes."
Ran a hand through her hair she dismissed him. She wasn't worried about Rafael hurting her son. But she was worried that Noah perhaps saying the wrong thing. Barba had not harmed her in her time here, but should he find out who and what she was, that was sure to change.
Noah stared at himself in the three mirrors in front of him. He stood on a circular stand, while the tailor measured his body. Glancing at Barba through the mirror, he wondered if he should even ask.
The man was sitting in one of the two chairs behind him. A glass of untouched scotch sitting on the table between both chairs. His focus was on his phone at the time. Noah took notice of the suit Barba wore at the moment. Leaning into the tailor, he asked for something similar.
"Zane, once you're done with the measurements bring out a black, blue, brown, and grey suit." Barba spoke without looking up from his phone. "Next we will need some casual clothes."
"Yes sir."
"The causal will be of your choosing." Barba told Noah. "As for the suits, it's always best to have a few in your closet. The ones I have chosen can be mixed-matched."
"Oh, okay." Biting his lower lip he shook his head. Now was not the time to bring anything he saw up. "Thank you. For all of this."
"Don't thank me." Taking a sip of his drink, he looked up at the boy just as he slipped on a coat. "Add that to the list."
"Yes sir."
"C-can I ask you something?" Noah stuttered.
Raising a brow, he lowered his drink. "Sure."
"What do you do for a living?" That was not what he wanted to ask, but it was what came out in the panic. "I-I mean this is pretty expensive. Not that I don't appreciate it, but it's too much."
"I swear you are just like your mother." Barba chuckled. "Do not worry about the cost. As for my profession, let's just put it under businessman." No need to get into the detail of his work.
Taking a seat at the table on the patio, Noah grabbed the menu. Barba already knowing what he wanted, grabbed his phone to find a few missed calls and texts from Olivia. "Crap."
Noah glanced over the menu. "What?"
"I forgot to tell Olivia I was taking you out." Dialing the number back he tapped on the table waiting for her to pick up. "Hey."
'Don't hey me. Where are you? Where is Noah?'
"Relax, Noah is here with me. We figured he could use some clothes. Yeah, hold on." Handing the phone over to him, he quirked a brow. "It's your mother."
"Hi, mom."
'Am I on speaker?'
"No."
'What did I tell you about staying out? It's too dangerous for you to be on your own with Rafael.'
"But okay for you?"
'What's that supposed to mean?'
"Nothing."
'Where are you right now?'
"We are at a small restaurant. By the mall."
'The team will keep an eye on you.'
"Yeah sure, I'm giving him the phone back." Handing the phone out he glanced down at the menu.
"Liv, we'll be heading back as soon as we are done here." Saying their goodbyes, he waved the waitress over. "We are ready to order."
Pushing the broccoli around his plate for a few moments, Noah got the courage he was looking for and asked. "Are you and my mom dating?"
Barba stopped mid-drink, slowly lowering the cup down. "What gave you that idea?"
"L-last night, I saw you two kissing." Noah muttered.
He really should control his impulses around Olivia. "Your mother wanted to wait. But seeing how you saw us, there really isn't no point in denying it."
"So that's a yes."
"It is." He studied the boys' features for a moment. Like his mother, Noah guarded his reaction. "Does it bother you?"
What was he supposed to say? Yes, but both because of you and because mother was lying to you. Yes, because it was a lie. "N-no. What bothers me is the image forever stuck in my mind."
"You'll get over it." He chuckled. "Let's just not tell your mother."
"Wasn't planning to." That would have been a very awkward and difficult conversation.
