NINE

Juliet

I swore internally, wrapping my arms around myself. But it wasn't exactly helping things. Even though he was no longer looking, my cheeks heated up in embarrassment.

Noah suddenly took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around me.

“It’s a bit wet and cold but it should do”, he said awkwardly.

A bit was an understatement, but “Thanks”.

“Let's go get you a jacket before you catch a cold”, he said.

I nodded, already feeling chills over my skin.

A man dressed in a crisp suit and tie, holding a pad approached us.

“Hello, ma’am, sir, apologies for the inconvenience”, he said, looking at the both of us. They were people dressed the same way attending to other guests too.

“Do you know where we can get a jacket for her? Or anything?” Noah asked.

The man’s expression turned apologetic. “I’m sorry, but it's very late and all our boutiques are closed. If you don't mind, we can send a robe and some towels up to your room?” He asked, turning to me.

“I’m not a guest”, I said quietly.

“Right”, the man nodded.

Before Noah could say anything, a man suddenly started yelling. I couldn't understand him with his accent and broken English. Something about terrible customer service?

The staff’s polite expression cracked as he turned to the disturbance. A young lady was trying to calm him, but his voice only got louder.

The staff in front of me muttered something under his breath. He rushed an apology, before walking away.

“Wait…” I called out but he was gone.

“Well that's a minus for customer service”, Noah said.

“I can't go home looking like this”, I muttered, holding the jacket that seemed to be getting colder over myself.

“I think it's better to just take it off”, Noah said, looking at me worriedly.

“I… uh… I think I’ll just leave it on”. I was taken aback by his concern. Also, I preferred the cold jacket to the flimsy material.

Noah sighed, scratching the back of his neck. “My sister left her clothes in my hotel room. If you don't mind…” he trailed off.

I would have to follow him up to his hotel room. I contemplated on whether it was a good idea. He seemed nice.

“Or just forget it”, he shook his head.

“I’ll take it”, I said.

He blinked. “Oh, okay then”.

I knew that someone seeming nice was not enough reason to follow them upstairs, but I felt… safe. I couldn't also deny that a part of me wanted to spend more time with him.

I followed Noah to his room, watching him use his hotel card to open the door.

“Come in”, he said.

I followed him inside.

There wasn't anything special about the place, it looked like any luxury suite. We passed the foyer, then into the living room.

As I walked behind him, I couldn't help but notice the muscles behind his back.

And then he turned to me.

“I don't know if it's something you're comfortable with, but I’ll suggest you take a warm shower so you don't catch a cold”, he said, looking at the jacket.

He was right. Usually, I would have declined, but…

“Okay, thanks”, I nodded.

“The bathroom is through the bedroom”, he said.

Now that is uncomfortable, I thought, yet I nodded in agreement.

“Let me show you”, he said, leading me towards the bedroom.

“You can leave that over there”, he gestured to my purse.

I threw it on the couch as I reminded myself that Noah was a stranger. Why was he being so… nice?

Shaking off the feeling I couldn't place, I let him show me to the bathroom.

“I’ll drop the clothes and wait outside. You can also use the robe if you want”, he said.

“Thanks”.

“No problem”.

After the quick hot shower, I walked out wearing the robe. And like he said, he was no longer in the bedroom. But the clothes laid out neatly on the bed looked odd.

It was a shirt and a pair of shorts pants. It looked more like something he would wear.

I frowned, wondering if he had lied about his sister’s clothes. Now that would be weird and a bit scary.

Pushing aside my intrusive thoughts, I towel dried my hair and wore them. The clothes still felt a bit loose on my body, but it was okay.

The air smelled of something spicy and sweet as I walked into the living room.

Noah was standing by the couch, holding my purse. As if sensing my presence, he swiftly turned around. And then he smiled.

“I just… didn't know where to place this”, he said, scratching the back of his neck.

“Okay?” I furrowed my brows.

Noah dropped my purse back on the couch.

He had changed his clothes, now wearing a simple shirt and a pair of sweatpants. For a moment, I was distracted by how good he looked with the shirt stretching over his muscles. His now messy hair somehow made him look even better.

I cleared my throat, realising I was staring. Back to the main topic: “The clothes…”

“Actually, I realised that my sister's clothes will not be the perfect fit for you. So I had to drop mine. I hope you don't mind”.

My cheeks heated up at his explanation.

“It's fine, thank you”, I said.

Noah's eyes narrowed. “Are you sure?” He asked.

“I’m good”, I forced a smile.

Noah nodded. “I made some tea. Do you mind? It will help with the cold”, he said.

“Sure”, I agreed, before instantly regretting it.

Apparently, I missed a course on stranger danger 101, because why was I agreeing to everything?

“I promise I haven't added anything funny if that's what you're worried about. It's just tea”, he said with a smile, walking to the kitchen area.

I bit my lips, before following behind him. The aroma became more potent.

“What is that?” I asked.

He casually picked a box and handed it over to me. I read the content.

Noah looked very focused, carefully straining the tea. From the way he moved, I noticed he was very organised, keeping everything back where he took them.

Declan was messy, and I had always thought it was a good thing we had helps and I didn't have to clean up after him.

No. No Declan, No negative thoughts. I recited the mantra in my head.

Once he was done, he handed me a cup.

“Thanks”, I said, taking a sip. It tasted exactly like how it smelled; spicy and sweet with a flavour I couldn't explain, but liked.

“Do you like it?” He asked, drinking his own.

“Yes, thank you”.

He grinned. “Let's put a rest to the thank yous shall we?”

“Okay”, I agreed with a small smile.

Noah walked back to the living room. I followed behind him.

He sat down, drinking from his cup.

My eyes shifted to his arms, and how the muscles flexed. His phone beeped and he picked it up.

I knew it was rude to watch, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from him.

“Don't just stand there, sit”, he said, eyes on his phone.

“Are you this nice to every stranger you meet?” I asked, curious about his actions.

He turned to me, with his usual easy smile. And then his dark eyes twinkled. “No”.

My heart skipped a beat.

“Oh”, I gulped the tea, speechless. I recoiled when it burned, then choked on it.

“Careful”, he said, taking the cup from me.

Our fingers brushed, leaving a tingling but pleasant sensation on my skin.

Noah dropped the cup, patting by back while I continued to cough.

“Sorry”, he said. “Water?”

I shook my head negatively, recovering. “I'm good”.

Noah sighed in relief.

I looked up at him, thinking of everything he had done right from the moment he handed me his wet jacket.

He was very good looking, nice, put together and he seemed well off. It made me wonder…

“Are you single?” I asked, then winced. And that is exactly why I preferred to talk less.

His expression shifted from confusion to amusement.

I looked away, burning with embarrassment.

“Yes, why do you ask? Interested in filling up the position?”

I cringed. Hard.

“Forget I asked”, I said, sitting on the couch.

He chuckled.

I stiffened, waiting for him to ask if I was single. What would I say? I was still married to Declan. Shit, I was still married to Declan.

The reminder was cold and painful. But then I remembered how he had no problem cheating on me, and hitting me.

Besides, Declan and I were done. He just didn't know it yet.

Noah sat beside me. “Do you want to watch anything? Movies?” He asked.

I was suddenly aware of how good he smelled, sitting next to me. It was distracting.

“I don't watch movies”, I answered, turning to him.

“Oh, that's good. What do you do for entertainment?” He asked.

“I just scroll through I*******m all day”, I shrugged, wondering why I was so comfortable answering honestly.

He smiled, his gaze drawing over my face. “Nice. Is that all?”

His smile was beautiful from up close. It made my body tingle.

I wanted to tell him that I also liked to draw random designs, but the motivation to do so had been nonexistent for a while.

“Yes”, I said lowly, my eyes drifting lower to look at his lips.

Noah definitely noticed, because he no longer looked amused. His eyes got darker.

I bit my lips, and his heated gaze drifted lower.

Suddenly, the thought of what would happen if I kissed him creeped into my mind. Would he lean away?

Noah let out a shaky breath and looked away.

No, that was a bad idea.

“I… I think it will stop raining soon”, he said, his throat moving.

“Do you want me to leave?” I asked.

He turned to me. “No”, he answered with a small frown.

Maybe he was uncomfortable. But then the way he looked at me. As if he was thinking of the same thing. As if he actually wanted me.

I needed him to look at me like that again.

Without another thought, I leaned over and brushed my lips against his.