Thirty-Eight Days (24 page)

As he reached the apartment, he crouched down and propped Clara against the wall while he unlocked the front door. Noel bent down and swept her back into his arms. He stood up, carrying her through the front door. The feeling of Clara’s head resting above his heart made it beat frantically. If only she wasn’t asleep or angry with him, then it would be sweeter. Noel kicked the front door closed behind him as he walked towards Clara’s bedroom door. He nudged her bedroom open with his shoulder.

He never once laid eyes on her room until now. Her white furniture, a window seat just underneath her window, the pictures on her bookshelf, her small knickknacks, everything about this room was Clara. Even the smell of her room had the faint scent of her perfume, making his blood pump.

He slowly walked over to her large bed. Noel crouched down, pulled the covers over, and started to gently place Clara down. She stirred and mumbled nonsense as he started to place her down. When she tugged at his shirt, they both landed on her bed. He stayed still for a moment on top of her; Clara’s arms circled around his neck, bringing him closer to her. Her grip on him was tight, but he didn't mind; he didn’t want to be away from her.

Noel shifted her body across the bed and started to move her arms away when she stirred.

“Don’t go,” she mumbled in her sleep. Noel froze. He didn’t want to go. He wanted to watch her sleep and have her in his arms. Kicking off his shoes, he climbed on the bed and lay next to her. He wanted this more than his heart could bear; he'd make it right between them. He had to.

He brought her over so that her head rested on his chest. If this was all he was ever going to get, then he’d selfishly enjoy this moment. Clara placed her hand on his chest and nuzzled into him. He’d never felt such emotions rise in him until he held her. He pulled the covers over their bodies. He’d leave before she woke. But for now, he’d savour this moment.

If only I could have you in my arms every time I slept and every time I woke.

Opening his eyes, he looked at the clock to see that he’d been lying with Clara in his arms for almost two hours. Clara still had her head on his chest and her arm draped over him. He knew this wasn’t going to last. If he stayed too long, she’d wake and yell at him, and if he left now, he’d only leave a piece of himself with her. One she didn’t even know she held.

Noel carefully slid out of her embrace, got out of her bed, and placed the covers back over her. Clara let out a soft groan and her face made a cute frown. He made his way towards her bedroom door when he noticed a frame face down on her bookshelf.

Clara's pictures were mainly of her and Alex. He stopped and picked up the picture, bringing it to view. The first thing he noticed was Clara’s bright smile and the happiness clear in her eyes. His gaze made way to the person next to her.

Darren’s eyes didn’t hold love for her in the picture, and it made him angry. He had her in his grasp, and he didn’t even notice how good he had it.

He never loved her.

“Please don’t go,” Clara whispered. His heart ached at the sound of her voice. Noel placed the frame faced down back on the bookshelf and turned to her. Clara sat in her bed and rubbed her eyes. He walked over and crouched to look at her.

“Go back to sleep, Clara,” he hushed, stroking her face.

“I don’t want you to go. Forget what I said. Just stay with me, please,” she begged. He wasn’t sure if it was what she actually wanted, but he couldn’t refuse. He wanted one more chance, but he didn’t want to take advantage of her.

“Clara, go back to sleep. You don’t want this.”

“I
need
you,” she whispered as she placed her hand on his left cheek.

Oh hell, when she says she needs me like that, how can I refuse?

“Please,” she breathed. Noel nodded. He stood back up and planted a kiss on her forehead.

He saw something in her eyes when he moved back. He stared at her wondering what it was when Clara’s mouth found his. Her lips ignited the fire in him; her hands tangled in his hair. He
needed
to feel her. Just the touch of her hair wasn’t enough. He lowered her down on the bed and hovered over her, continuing their kiss. He felt it: the passion, the emotion, the need, and the heartbreak in their kiss. He was sure he'd only ever need her. Noel widened Clara’s legs and nestled between the gap; his kisses became frantic, and he could taste the sweetness of her lips. She was taking the breath out of his lungs with every kiss and every movement. He was completely and utterly lost in her.

Clara softly bit down on his bottom lip; the groan he let out gave her access to slip her tongue inside his mouth. Their tongues met, dancing, and his pulse boomed heavily as her nails dug into his back. He needed more. He needed to be in her and watch the pleasure consume her, but it was too soon. Realising the need to stop before he did something they’d both regret, Noel unwillingly broke away. With the little light of her bedroom, he could see her red, swollen lips as he looked down at her. Her eyes flashed with fear, but they didn’t hold the regret that worried him.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” She breathed heavily.

“I’m not. I better get to my room,” Noel said as he brushed her hair out of her face. Getting off the bed, Clara gripped his wrist to stop him.

“I wasn’t lying. I don’t want you to go. Stay with me.” His heart throbbed at her confession.

“Clara, you’re still messed up from drinking. You don’t want me to stay.” He sighed. 

“No, I’m confused. There’s a difference. I had some guy try to force himself on me. I need you to stay. I don’t want to be alone. We’ll talk tomorrow. I promise. Just please don’t leave me. Do me this one thing and just stay with me,” she pleaded, stroking his cheek. Her touch sent tingles straight to his chest. His promise to stay away was now redundant.

“You promise we’ll talk?”

Clara nodded her reply.

“Okay, I’ll stay, Clara. Get some sleep,” he said softly. Noel climbed back onto her bed and pulled her near. Clara rested her head on Noel’s chest and closed her eyes.

“Goodnight, my sweet Clara,” he whispered to her, and placed a kiss on her head. For tonight, she would be
his
Clara.

A
s the sun rose through the window, the sunlight started to touch Clara’s hair. It was one of the most majestic moments he had ever witnessed.

Looking down at Clara, a small smile graced her lips, and the colour in her face returned. He gently stroked her hair as she nuzzled into him. She had slept peacefully without a single stir. Noel looked to his left and saw that Clara’s alarm clock had just ticked 5:57 a.m. It was Wednesday morning, and he was sure she would have to be up early for work. His heart was torn between leaving her and staying with her. But he knew that Clara waking up to him wasn’t something she was prepared for.

Slowly pulling the covers aside, he gently moved Clara off his chest, placed her lightly back on the pillow and got off her bed. As he tiptoed out of Clara’s room, he took one more look at her. Her hair spread across the pillow, and a peaceful smile lit her beautiful face. 

She’s the most stunning sight I have ever seen. I have to fix this.

Determination flowed through his veins. He had to make up for what he did. He almost lost Clara last night, and he never wanted to know that feeling again. His hand reached the door handle, and he paused.

His body already missed Clara’s touch and her smell. But he knew it had to be like this for now. He wanted her to forgive him, but on her terms. He didn’t want to force her for her forgiveness. He had to play it right. Opening her bedroom door, he walked through the lounge room and into the kitchen. He yawned out and stretched his body before he turned the kettle on. Moments later, the sounds of Clara’s alarm echoed through the apartment, and then she groaned.

Noel opened the top cupboard and pulled out two mugs. He turned to see Clara’s door open. Her right hand soothed her temples while her left hand held her phone. Clara sighed. She was still wearing the clothes she wore last night—a pair of skinny jeans and a tight black T-shirt. Their eyes met, but there was no hint of anger in them. She walked over to the bar stools in front of him and sat on one.

“Coffee?”

“That would be great, thank you,” she replied as she scrolled through her messages. Noel put a spoonful of instant coffee in each of their mugs. After adding a dollop of sugar, hot water, and a touch of milk, he handed Clara the mug.

“How do you feel?” he asked, leaning on the bench.

“I have a pounding headache,” she groaned.

He looked down to see her inspecting her wrist. Clara winced as she ran a thumb over the bruise. The anger in him burned like wildfire; Boulders had physically left a mark on her. If he ever found him, Noel knew he’d make him pay for what he did. He looked away from the sight of Clara’s bruise.

“How much do you remember?” Noel asked after a moment of silence.

Clara pondered as she sipped on her coffee. “I remember drinking with that guy. Then Max punching him, and that’s it. I can’t remember what happened next. How did I get home?”

“Max called me to come get you. And I drove you home,” Noel said disappointingly as he wrapped his fingers around the mug handle. A part of him wished she remembered. He wanted Clara to remember their second kiss. He shook his head and looked up to her. The confusion on her face induced the sadness he felt. Pushing off the counter, he emptied his unfinished coffee down the sink, not feeling the need for caffine.

“Is your wrist okay?” he asked over his shoulder. Noel rinsed his mug and placed it on the sink.

“I think it’ll be okay.”

She doesn’t remember the promise she made me.

“Listen, Noel. Thank you for last night. I think I remember that you were there,” she said. Her words had him turning to face her.

“It’s okay. I’m sorry about your birthday and Valerie.”

“I’ve never had good birthdays anyways.” She shrugged. “I better get ready for work. I’d call in sick, but it’s Wednesday, and Danny can’t make the specials without my help. They’re the only ones I make before opening. Danny gets in at three a.m. to start making the others,” Clara said as she turned to walk back to her bedroom.