Chapter 19 – Any Problem Here?

 

Juliet Pierce

I tried to pretend Noah’s presence didn’t affect me. I kept laughing with Atlas and Declan, kept the mood light. But I felt his eyes on me the whole time, and the tension rolling off him every time I spoke to Atlas, especially Atlas, was impossible to miss.

When Declan asked for my help with spreadsheets, I almost said no. Extra money is always welcome, but working at the company again meant facing Noah in his own territory. Atlas gave me that encouraging smile and little nod, so I said yes. Great. Now I’d spend the entire weekend dreading Monday.

Atlas had to leave suddenly. I noticed the urgency, but didn’t pry. I made a mental note to text him later to check if everything was okay.

Declan offered to walk me out. Noah decided otherwise. Just like that, as if my opinion didn’t matter. And in the end, it didn’t.

We got into his car. He asked for my address. I didn’t want him driving me to the subway, let alone all the way home. I’d already had enough Noah Blake for one afternoon.

But Mr. Blake has a hard time understanding the word no.

When I refused, he locked the doors and said, calm as you please:

“Juliet, give me your address. Or I’ll find it myself.”

I stared at him. After George, I swore I’d never again tolerate certain attitudes from anyone.

“You know I can still get out of this car.”

Click. The locks engaged.

“Let’s go, Miss Pierce… I dare you to try.” That wicked half-smile made my stomach flip.

The first few minutes were pure silence. The air inside the car was thick enough to choke on. I caved first.

“How long have you three been friends?”

“We grew up together,” he answered, eyes on the road.

“And you and Samy?”

“A few months, but it feels like forever.” I smiled, remembering the day we met. She knocked, walked in like she owned the place, and we’ve been inseparable since.

“I can tell. The connection is obvious.”

“We were love at first sight,” I laughed softly.

“You’re from Cambridge, or just college?”

“No, I’m from Greenville, South Carolina. Got married right after graduation, then lived in Charleston.”

I turned to the window the second the words left my mouth. Charleston. George. The Monroes. Everything I want to erase.

Noah noticed. He changed the subject.

“And your kids—how old are they?”

“My boy, Heitor, turns seven in a few weeks. Little Laura is five.” Talking about my babies always warms my heart.

He listened. Didn’t say anything else. Kids clearly aren’t his thing.

“I’m guessing you don’t have children… siblings?”

“I did. My brother and my parents died in a car accident.” His voice stayed even, eyes fixed ahead.

“I’m so sorry…” I whispered.

“It’s okay. Long time ago. I was eighteen, had just started at Harvard.”

“And you? Any brothers or sisters?” he asked, softer now.

“Only child. My parents are gone too. All I have left are my babies.”

It was strange, this conversation. But it also felt… right. For a little while we forgot the club, the interview, the locker room. We just talked. Human to human.

Noah has quiet smiles that only appear at certain moments. His eyes light up for some topics and darken for others. A drive that started suffocating turned into something almost pleasant. I got to see a different side of him.

He pulled up in front of my building. I unbuckled and turned to him.

“Thank you for the ride.”

He just nodded.

Feeling awkward, I leaned in for a quick goodbye kiss on the cheek.

But at the last second he turned.

Our lips met.

I thought it would be a clumsy brush-off. Then his hand settled on my waist, the other cupping my face, and suddenly his mouth was on mine, soft, slow, deliberate.

No rush. No dominance. Just… surrender.

His tongue stroked mine like he was telling me I didn’t have to leave yet. That I could stay.

I sighed against him. His grip on my waist tightened, like he felt it too.

Then he pulled back, green eyes searching mine, looking for answers, maybe forgiveness, maybe understanding.

Because that kiss was nothing like the others.

It was better.

I saw him swallow hard, desire and something that looked a lot like fear at war on his face.

“I—”

He never finished.

I sighed, heart squeezing painfully.

“Thank you again, Noah.”

I opened the door and stepped out before he could say anything else.

I was almost at the building entrance when fast footsteps sounded behind me.

“Juliet!”

His hand closed gently but firmly around my arm, stopping me.

“Ju—”

He didn’t get to finish.

Footsteps on the sidewalk. I turned.

Chris stood there, brows drawn tight, honey eyes locked first on Noah, then on the hand still holding my arm.

His voice came out cold and sharp as a blade.

“Any problem here, Ju?”