His Secret [Completed]

Chapter Seventeen

Noah had slipped out of his soaked shirt and blazer and had placed them over the metal fire safety guard in front of the fire. He was crouched down by the wood burner putting more logs onto the fire when Sophia emerged from the bathroom with only the thick blanket wrapped around her body. When Noah stepped away from the fire and placed the guard back in front she hung her clothes over it next to his shirt and snuggled into the couch, bringing her knees up to her chest and trying to get warm. The photographs hung on the wall opposite kept her occupied while Noah was in the bathroom changing out of his wet clothes. When he finally exited the bathroom, he hung the rest of his clothes and then took a seat next to Sophia on the couch. The howling of the wind came through the closed windows, causing a draft to float over the exposed skin of her shoulders, and she pulled the blanket closer around her - an action that didn't go unnoticed by Noah, who was flicking through the television looking for something to watch.

"I really like it up here, it's cosy," Sophia said as Noah, realising all he was getting was static, switched off the television and threw the remote onto the table his bare feet were occupying.

"It is. You should tell my mother that. She spent a long time on this place, I haven't been up here since she re-decorated."

"When was that?"

"Six months ago."

"That's a long time to go without visiting your parents," she told him and began to feel sad that he wasn't close with his parents. When they're finally gone, she knew he'd regret the times he wasn't there for them.

Noah shrugged as if it didn't bother him. "I'm a very busy man." He turned to look at her.

"You're here now. What changed?"

"My sister wanted to see you so I took that opportunity to discuss business with my father."

That brought a smile to Sophia's face. "Do you always do what Kelly says?"

"It's easier than saying no."

She found herself laughing at how different the man sitting beside her was compared to the man she's been living with for the past month. The thought that the man she knew as tough and strong not being able to stand up to his little sister amused her and she turned away, trying to conceal the laughter. Noah's fingers gently caressed her chin, stopping her laughing completely, and he tilted her face back to his. He was sitting closer now, their thighs were pressed together and his eyes settled on her lips which she sank her teeth into. "I want to kiss you," he said in a hoarse whisper, his face inches from hers.

Sophia's eyes closed and she took in a shallow breath. As she reopened them, she found his eyes focused on hers. Her lips parted ever so slightly as she licked them. "Please..." Instantly he closed the few inch gap between them and pressed his forehead into hers. As his thumb traced over her bottom lip, her eyes fluttered closed and seconds later his lips found hers in a slow delicate kiss. Only a moment later he pulled back as if unsure of his actions. Gripping the back of his head, Sophia guided his lips back to hers lustfully. Noah smiled against her lips at her eagerness as he kissed her deeply again. Meanwhile, Sophia's hand gradually slid into his hair and he groaned in appreciation. With one last peck on his lips, she pulled away and rested her head on Noah's shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.

*

"Noah, you up there?" Kelly's voice echoed throughout the boathouse. Sophia drowsily sat up, blinked a couple of times and glanced over at Noah, who was fast asleep with his head resting against the back of the couch.

"We'll be down in a minute," Sophia called back down to Kelly, who muttered an okay in return and left the boathouse, slamming the door behind her. Sophia left Noah on the couch asleep as she picked up her mostly dried clothes from in front of the glowing fire and headed into the bathroom to change. She fixed her hair up in a bun on top of her head - the best she could do without a hairbrush. Noah was already awake and slipping on his trousers when she returned from the bathroom.