Chapter 2022 - Weekend Plans (5)

Noah saw that Chloe was looking at him, expecting an explanation, so he gave her one.

"After the third sound of the doorbell I realized that the person will not leave unless someone answers the door, and you were not coming out so I opened it.", Noah said while focusing mightily to look at Chloe's face and not below her chin where his sight gravitated. Her cleavage was right there for him to see, and she was completely oblivious about it. 

Chloe waved helplessly toward the door. "Now Tilda thinks that you spent the night here."

Noah couldn't stand the sight of alluring Chloe, and he had to do something. He moved toward Chloe in slow even steps.

"And why would she think that? Is it because I opened the door or because you came out like this…?"

Chloe froze when Noah reached for her breasts and she stared unblinkingly as he buttoned up her blouse. The fact that she didn't feel his hands on her body disappointed her a bit.

Noah was impressed with his self-control. He didn't touch anything other than the silky fabric, and he hoped that his gaze didn't betray his lustful thoughts as he got a great view of Chloe's exposed cleavage until the second button was fastened. Luckily, his harsh training helped him to keep his hands from trembling. Gods, how he wanted to cup her breasts and give them a squeeze!

Noah cleared his throat as well as his mind before speaking. "You are the one who came out of the bedroom while dressing up. Don't blame me if your neighbor thinks that something happened between us."

Chloe knew that Noah was right, but Matilda would not see anything if he didn't open the door in the first place! If he waited for Chloe to answer the door, she would button up properly before opening it! But now is too late, and Chloe was unable to move because Noah was close. Too close. She inhaled the scent of his perfume and the heat from his hands bounced off the skin of her neck and she stared at him without moving a muscle.

He smiled a little and brushed her cheek with his knuckles. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Chloe closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the touch and she inhaled the scent of coffee that came from his mouth as he spoke.

'Yes', she really wanted a kiss. "No", she responded.

"Alright…"

Her eyes widened slightly. Did he really step away from her? Did she want him to stay that close? Or to get closer? The day only started, and Chloe questioned if she will be able to stay cool as Noah made her think of all kinds of crazy thoughts.

"Are you ready to go to work?", he asked.

"Just to get my purse.", Chloe said and moved from her spot with difficulty.

The morning was a rollercoaster of emotions and she had no idea what is coming, but she knew that it will be a day filled with Noah and she was looking forward to it.

They walked to the office and chatted. Chloe was anxious about what people might think or say, but at the same time she trusted Noah's words that he will not allow people to gossip about them. She chided herself internally. Why was she so self-conscious? There was nothing going on between her and Noah. Why would people say anything other than maybe being jealous that they are not the ones walking to work with director Bennet?

The morning passed in meetings, and Chloe was happy when they returned to Noah's office at 11:30 AM. Finally, it was just the two of them. Chloe estimated that she has some time to work before lunch, and at 1:30 PM another round of meetings will start.

"Will you be able to handle the rest of the day?"

Noah's question made Chloe frown as she understood the implication of his words when she observed that he was clearing up his desk. "You won't be here?"

"I have some other matters to deal with." He wanted to stay with Chloe, but there was an important mission related to Sarah's safety and that was something he couldn't neglect or delegate.

"I will be fine.", Chloe assured him.

Noah gave her an encouraging nod. "If people give you a hard time, call Lizzie or Scarlet. They can also accompany you to meetings if you wish. I know you don't like them much, but they can be helpful. Use them."

Chloe didn't want to appear weak or childish. "I understand."

"OK. Be ready at seven."

Chloe was confused with this shift in topic. She was still thinking about meetings and Lizzie and Scarlet. "What's at seven?"

Noah smiled. "I will come to pick you up for dinner."

He winked and walked out of the office, leaving blushing Chloe behind.

Chloe took a deep breath and looked at the closed door for some time before deciding to send a message to Matilda. She knew that her neighbor is full of questions, and this lunch break will be a great opportunity to clear the air because delaying it will only give time for Matilda to come up with more outrageous scenarios.

…

Noah met up with Aiden and they went over the plan.

"Are you sure that Sarah will not be in danger?", Noah asked.

"She has Nala and Oni with her, and drones.", Aiden said. "If not for Jarred's initial insistence that she comes alone without knowing where and with whom she will meet, this would be just another meeting. We are only being extra-careful."

Noah knew that Aiden was saying all this mostly to pacify his anxiety, but they were all uneasy about this meeting.

"It will be OK.", Noah said while patting Aiden's shoulder.

They discussed a few more points related to the plan, and Noah took his group of soldiers to their designated place.

…

Sarah arrived at the location with Nala and Oni. Michael was the driver, and two more cars arrived with them.

It was a lonely inconspicuous villa on a big plot of land South-East from Los Angeles. The terrain was rocky with sparse foliage, leaving not many places to hide but Aiden and Noah strategically placed their teams so that they are not visible, yet they can storm the place within minutes if needed.

Sarah counted twenty-three cars parked behind the main building and several dozen further away.

"You are late…", Jarred was waiting for Sarah at the main entrance.

She smiled. "I'm not late, old man. I always arrive when I intended and not a minute later."

Jarred narrowed his eyes at Sarah. "Do you need to be this difficult?"

"Your associates are so eager to meet with me, I'm confident that waiting fifteen minutes won't be much." She turned to Haru, Allen, and Julius who were standing next to the entrance.

"The place is secure.", Haru told Sarah to what she nodded in confirmation. She knew this in advance, but they had to talk in front of Jarred in order to put on a show.

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