Confiscating Charlie by Lucy Leroux Read Free Book Online

called her.
    “ Oh, the time change is probably confusing her, ” she said lightly. “ She ’ s always been hopeless at calculating the right time back home when she travels. ”
    It was true, but Noah still threw her a small sympathetic glance. “ What about her husband? The other one. Her ex-husband. Were you friendly? ”
    Charlie ’ s throat tightened. She set aside her fork and looked down at her plate. “ We were. We don ’ t talk anymore. Not since the divorce. ”
    She was surprised when Noah appeared at her side. He pulled her out of the chair. “ Forget about that. I ’ m your family now, ” he said stroking her cheek. “ Come on, let ’ s go get your gift and then veg out in front of the TV. ”
    Charlie inhaled deeply before agreeing.
    ****
    Noah woke up early, surrounded by the familiar blue plaid of the walls of his bedroom. The pattern was faint, and he ’ d always disliked it, but it was a more pleasant alternative to the glaring pink of Charlie ’ s room.
    They hadn ’ t made love again last night. Since yesterday was her first time, he wanted to wait and give her a chance to recover. Instead, they talked most of the night, cuddling on the couch long after the movie she had chosen finished.
    Charlie had been shy about sleeping in his room, worried about what the servants might think. But he hadn ’ t taken no for an answer, and she ’ d slept in his arms. He ’ d slept peacefully the whole night.
    Waking up was better. He crawled down Charlie ’ s length, stroking her soft skin as he opened her legs.
    This was a wake-up call she was never going to forget.

Chapter 8
    The next few days were the strangest of Noah ’ s life. He was energized and curious to know everything about Charlie, but at the same time he felt like he already knew her — had known her his whole life.
    A strange and unfamiliar peace settled in his heart. For the first time in his life, he didn ’ t feel restless.
    It was like coming home.
    He knew his claim on her had confused Charlie. There were moments when she would stare off into space and then blink before smiling at him nervously.
    She wasn ’ t the type of women who gave herself freely to a man. She wasn ’ t Darla. But he wasn ’ t like his father, either. He wanted Charlie as she was. He would adapt to fit into her life the same way she would adapt to fit into his.
    But so far, neither of them was going to have to make any big sacrifices. His vague idea of moving to Manhattan was solidified when Charlie told him she had been accepted to Columbia and was going to start there in the fall. Things couldn ’ t have worked out better if he ’ d planned them.
    On Monday morning, he drove into the city to meet Sergei at Damov Industry headquarters. They drove to the other side of town to tour the engineers draft room and examine a 3D printed model of the hybrid engine. By lunchtime, he was signing contracts in the conference room.
    Sergei had wanted him to start right away, but Noah had put him off. “ I need to take some time to find a decent place and to get some stuff settled between me and my girl. ”
    Sergei raised a brow. “ Someone new? Is it serious? ”
    Noah smiled. “ It is new and serious. You ’ ll love her. She ’ s brilliant. ”
    It wasn ’ t an exaggeration. Terrence ’ s report said Charlie had straight A ’ s this semester. At Dalton, that was quite an achievement.
    Sergei gave him a broad grin. “ You have to bring her around for drinks. We can celebrate your new career! ” he said, picking up one of the reports on the engine ’ s projected fuel efficiency.
    Noah pursed his lips. “ Well, there ’ s a little problem with that. ”
    “ What is it? ” Sergei asked absently, his eyes on his small brunette assistant, who was gathering the rest of the paperwork from the table.
    “ Charlie ’ s not legal drinking age yet. ”
    Sergei ’ s head snapped up. He looked shocked, and Noah was about to make it worse. “ And she ’ s