Risking It All

Chapter Eighteen - Noah

My dad hadn't returned home since last week, my mom was getting increasingly worried and retreated to her room more often than not.

My mind swirled with these thoughts as I sat at the table with Jade.

"Noah!" Jades voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Your distracted." She said softly.

"I was too distracted looking at your beautiful face sunshine." I smirked at her.

She blushed pink coating cheeks.

"Noah," she said, "I have an idea. We're going to the gym. For every five questions you get right, you'll earn five minutes of basketball. But, for every question you get wrong, you have to watch me try to shoot a basket."

I arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "Have you even played basketball before? I bet you don't even know how to shoot a ball."

Her smirk mirrored mine. "Well, if you can play it, how hard can it be?"

We headed to the gym, and as we stepped onto the basketball court, I couldn't resist teasing her. "If my reward for getting a question right is to shoot a basket, what do you get when you make a basket?"

Jade paused, thinking. "Huh? I don't know... you choose..."

Our little competition began, revealing her struggle to make a basket. With each attempt, I couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and admiration for her determination.

As we continued, the atmosphere shifted. My warmth enveloped her as I stepped closer, guiding her arm into the correct shooting position. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, and I couldn't deny the electrifying connection between us.

"Like this," I whispered, adjusting her form. The gym around us disappeared, leaving just Jade and me in our own little world.

With my guidance, she attempted another shot, this time with improved form. The ball left her fingertips, and I watched with bated breath. It hit the rim but missed, bouncing away.

My grip on her hip tightened slightly as I encouraged her. "You're getting there, Sunshine. Keep your focus."

She tried again, and this time, the ball sank into the basket. Her victory dance was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile. "I did it! Did you see that, Noah? I shot the ball in!!"

"I saw, Sunshine," I said, moving closer. "And now here's your reward."

Leaning in, I kissed her gently, savoring the moment. She froze for a beat, but then melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around me. The world faded away, leaving only the electrifying connection between us.

She broke the kiss looking down slightly, she was nervous.

"Do I make you nervous Jade?" I asked my voice low.

"N-no..." she stuttered her voice quiet.

"You sure?" I asked stepping closer to her my hands resting on her hips.

"I have never done this before Noah.." she answered honestly "I'm not as experienced as you are." She said.

I could sense the nervousness she felt, as I brushed a hair away from her face.

"Then, we will take this slow...don't worry sunshine this is at your pace." I said kissing her forehead softly.

She nodded stepping away from me.

"You wanna continue playing?" She asked.

I smiled at her and nodded.

We played a few more rounds before Jade had to leave.