Thirty-Eight Days by Len Webster Read Free Book Online

room, opened it and looked out into the lounge. She wasn’t there, but he heard her. He walked over to the kitchen and opened the stainless steel fridge, the cool air hitting his skin, causing him to shiver. His throat was dry and he needed to quench the thirst that started to drive his body crazy.
    He grabbed a carton of orange juice and contemplated drinking from it, but it wasn’t his. Looking around the kitchen, he wasn’t sure where a glass was. Clara’s kitchen was big and had a classic French country theme to it. It was cozy.
    Damn, it’s all Clara. Why does she have to be so annoyingly adorable one minute and then unexpectedly hot the next?
    The thought made him frown. Excitement and adrenaline coursed through his body when he remembered last night, when he stood close to her and watched her cheeks blush. He wasn’t sure if her blush was because she felt an attraction toward him, or because his close proximity was too personal and uncomfortable for her. Noel looked up and started to search through the first top cupboard above the sink, only to come across shelves of plates and bowls.
    He was getting frustrated, and contemplated buying Clara a brand-new set, because he found the search to be ridiculous. Noel took a second look at the carton and had to forcibly refrain himself from grabbing the juice and chugging it down.
    He came to the next cupboard and thought about pouring the juice in a bowl and drinking it straight. Noel would feel like a thirsty dog on a hot day, but he was just that. He placed a hand on the cupboard knob and opened it. He caught sight of what he finally wanted.
    You sneaky bastards!
    A victorious smile developed as he reached up to grab the glass. The slight shift of footsteps sounded behind him. Clara was behind him. He would explain that he’d replace the juice if she wanted.
    “Ah, Noel, maybe you want to put on some pants?” Clara asked with a hint of humour to her voice.
    Noel glanced down, realising he’d messed up. He quickly placed the glass down, instincts taking over as he moved his hands below his waist.
    Fuck, I’m naked!
    He usually slept without clothes on back home. In his sleepy state and without the cool Boston air hitting his skin this morning, he’d completely forgotten the need to slip on underwear.
    There was an awkward moment of silence. Clara didn’t say more and Noel had no idea what to say to explain his nudity.
    How do I brush this off? I don’t need Clara making this awkward between us.
    If it had been any other woman, he’d turn around and seduce her until they were in bed. But it wasClara Lawrence, and she wasn’t any other woman. His plans to keep her at a distance were proving difficult. He wanted her. She was getting under his skin and the pull he felt around her was consuming.
    He couldn’t seduce her. No matter how much he wanted to, he couldn’t. Noel wasn’t allowed to lay a finger on her, let alone allow her to rebound with him. He had to control himself. His inner demons were not going to be set free. He wasn’t, and shouldn’t be, thinking about Clara like that . The only way he could keep her at a distance was to act like he didn’t care. To make sure he never crossed that line. And the only way he could move on from this was if he used his charm. Make light of the situation.
    “Like what you see, Clara?” He turned to see her reaction. Noel lowered himself down so he was leaning on the counter and his lower region was out of sight.
    “Please,” Clara replied as she made her way to the bar and placed her bowl on it. She was either a really good liar, or she had no attraction to him. Noel couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed by the latter; though, he wouldn’t let that show.
    “Why are you naked in my kitchen?” she asked, raising a brow. Noel liked the way she had asked him that.
    I need a lie, and a good one to explain this.
    “Pit stop before a shower. You’re welcome to join.” He winked. He watched as surprise