35
Late into the night, evergreen garlands were still draped along the mantel, studded with dried oranges and velvet ribbon, and the tree stood tall in the corner, heavy with glass ornaments that looked old enough to have survived wars.
A fire roared in the heart, flames flicking high and loud, filling the room with warmth and the faint scent of pine and smoke.
Claire sat on the rug before it, already in her pajamas, hair dried from a shower.
Her legs were folded beneath her, she had an open book, her tea, and the hair pin gift, sitting at the hem of the tartan throw pooled around her like she’d been there for a long time.
She replayed the day again and again, every moment looping. She stared into the fire, face serious, willing the heat to burn the thoughts away.
The house was quiet now, everyone else tucked into bed. Earlier, when passing her bedroom, she caught the muffled, unmistakably pleased laugh of Kelsey, murmuring something low and sinful into his phone. Arthur, on the other end, no doubt.
Footsteps approached softly. Noah appeared in the doorway behind her, pausing just long enough to take her in before lowering himself to the floor beside her. He sat with his back against the sofa, close but not crowding her.
Their shoulders almost touching as they both looked into the flames. He didn’t ask if she was okay. He didn’t need to. His presence was solid, quiet, and stoic. Claire let out a slow breath, the fire warming her skin, Noah’s nearness steadying her.
“I’m okay,” she finally said, though her voice softened on the lie. “I mean… I will be. I just can’t believe that he is still ruining my life,” she sighed. “We aren’t even together anymore. He won’t quit.” The fire crackled, sending sparks up the grand chimney.
“I’ll take care of him,” Noah replied with confidence. “The boys will too, you can count on that.”
“And I need you to know – I’m grateful. For tonight. For everything. You rescued me, Noah. More than once.”
He didn’t respond. Just stared at her quietly, firelight catching his face, deepening his already dark eyes.
Claire huffed a small, nervous breath and shook her head at herself.
“This is probably terrible timing,” she added quietly, “but I don't want to pretend I don’t feel it,” Her cheeks warmed.
“I think I might have a little crush on you, Noah Wilson.
You are rather… chivalrous." She chuckled at that ridiculous confession.
The words hung between them, fragile and brave all at once. Noah’s expression softened, something unguarded, untethered. He reached out, slow enough to give her time to pull away, and tucked a finger beneath her chin and guided her face to his.
“You already know how I feel about you, Claire,” he whispered.
When she didn’t stop him, he leaned in and kissed her, warm, unhurried. The type of kiss that felt like an answer for them both. The fire roared behind them, casting their shadows long across the walls as the world narrowed to that single moment.
The heat of him pressed close, his other hand settling at her waist, allowing him to get a better grip, anchoring her there for a moment.
Claire's hands found their way into his hair and her legs straddled his waist, pushing him against the couch.
The kissing intensified, exploring each other's mouths.
His tongue reached into her mouth with eagerness and yearning. Noah had to shift to keep them both from falling. His large arms propped himself up against the couch, keeping them balanced as their lips entangled in long, breathless successions.
His mouth moved against her with growing urgency, unhurried but relentless, as if he knew exactly how close to the edge he could take them.
When he found reliance on the structural integrity of the couch back, he slid his hand up her back, spanning warm skin beneath soft fabric, then moved his hands slowly down to her ass.
Claire gasped quietly into his mouth. The sound seemed to snap something in him.
With a mischievous smile, he started moving downwards, placing kisses onto her neck.
Her hands folded around his nape and hair, pulling him into her chest, allowing him to place kisses and licks in the spots he has always wanted to place them.
He opened the deep v of her pajamas to expose her supple and perky breasts.
Noah groaned softly, low and restrained, as he took one in his mouth, licking his tongue over her pink nipple, then back up to her mouth, leaving his thumb to brush the tip back and forth.
She moaned with pleasure.
His erection pulsed against his pajama bottoms, begging to spring free. He knew that if they were to be caught right now, he would have nowhere to hide it.
When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers. “Claire,” he murmured, voice low and certain.
She didn’t answer with words. She kissed him again.
The fire flared as shadows danced wildly.
Noah lifted her effortlessly, her legs instinctively wrapping around him for balance, her breathless laughter and surprise before dissolving into another kiss.
He placed her down on her own two feet and kissed her again.
When he finally pulled away, it was with clear instruction, his eyes dark, his expression controlled. He pressed one last kiss to her mouth before murmuring, “Upstairs,” against her lips.
Claire had a wicked smile as she obeyed his command and they quietly snuck up the stairs hand-in-hand, stealing kisses along the way.