by Len Webster
Her hand still shook. "I just punched my ex-boyfriend! I can't believe I just hit him. That's the first time I've punched someone before!"
He let out a laugh and gently put Clara's loose hair back into place. "You don't remember?" he asked comically, the memory returning to him.
"Remember what?"
"When you were five, you punched me in the stomach for calling you ugly. I was nine, and I thought teasing you would be fun. I'm not gonna lie, you had quite the right hook for a five-year-old!” He watched her laugh, and it was like music to his ears.
“It wasn’t because you called me ugly. It was because you promised not to hit me with water balloons and you did! I swear I was so mad at you, that you calling me ugly just happened to be the tipping factor.” She slapped his shoulder and pushed at his chest, removing herself from his hold. She looked at him with those big brown eyes and walked away.
“Where are you going?” he shouted after her, throwing his arms in the air.
“I’m still mad at you for calling me ugly!” she yelled over her shoulder.
“That was over fourteen years ago, Clara!” he yelled back as he started to catch up to her
“You still haven’t apologised!” Clara quickened her pace, trying to elude him.
He was almost saddened at his missed opportunities with Clara. He never really gave her a chance, not even a chance at a friendship when they were kids. But maybe that’s how they were always destined to go.
It didn’t take much effort for him to catch up to her. He tapped on her shoulder. Clara turned to face him, her alluring beauty radiating from her smile. Noel grabbed her by the waist, surprising her, and pressed her body against his. He picked her up and twirled her underneath the trees.
“Noel!” She half giggled, half shrieked. As he stopped, his eyes met hers and he could see the want for him in there. He slowly brought her back down, and her hands clutched his shoulders.
Noel lowered Clara until they were face to face. He wanted to stroke her cheek, but he loved the feeling of his hands on her waist. Tilting his head slightly to the right, he inched closer until his lips met hers. First the insides of him melted and then exploded; he couldn’t really understand it, but he never wanted to know another pair of lips again.
The movement of her lips against his was like heaven allowing him to taste what life really felt like. His heart started to beat erratically and when Clara pushed on his shoulders for leverage, he shifted her upward until he felt her wrap her legs around his waist. He was thankful for the cover of darkness allowing them to go undetected.
"I'm sorry I called you ugly," Noel said, gasping against her lips.
"You better be," Clara replied in the same breathless tone in between their kiss.
Clara’s legs tightened around him, circling her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her and deepening their kiss. She bit his lip lightly and it sent him overboard. He walked them over to the nearest tree and steadied Clara against it. Noel feared the roughness of the bark would have her protesting, but when she squeezed her legs, Noel knew it didn't matter.
She moaned into his mouth, and it sent his heart into a frenzy. He moved his hands off Clara’s waist and returned them to her cheeks, holding her face in his hands and steadying their kiss. Deepening the passion, hardening the kiss and pouring every single emotion he held towards her onto her lips, hoping she’d feel it too.
“I’ll never want anyone’s lips but yours,” Noel groaned out as he removed his mouth from hers for some air before returning to her. The feeling of Clara’s body so close to his was different to when she slept; the heat off her body extending to his made it feel more real to have her.
“Impossible,” she moaned into his mouth. She continued to answer each of his kisses with more hunger than the previous. Clara untangled her legs from his waist and her arms from his neck and brought her fingers to the first button of his shirt. She tugged at the fabric before she popped the first button; he groaned at the feeling of his shirt opening. Behind his eyelids, he swore he could see stars.
Feeling the cold air on his chest, he realised that Clara had unbuttoned half of his shirt. He knew he’d have to stop before they went further.
All thought fled the moment Clara placed her hands on his bare chest. She ran her fingers down each muscle and ripple of his chest. Clara pulled his shirt up from its tucked position and continued to unbutton it, but this time she did it slowly, driving him crazy. When she reached the last button, he felt her smile against his lips and his heart beating too fast. When his shirt was free from their buttons, Clara started to peel it from his body. Maybe it was the cold air hitting his exposed skin or the fact that they were getting heated in public that snapped him back to reality.
“Clara,” he warned against her mouth, forcefully opening his eyes and pulling his lips away from hers. Even under the cover of the tree, the moonlight gave him enough light to see her red cheeks.
“Wow. Umm… did I just undress you in public like that?” she asked, shocked at herself.
“Yeah, I’m almost half naked!” He laughed as he fixed her messy hair.
“You don’t think anyone saw, do you?” she asked worriedly. Her eyes scanned the area around them. They were a fair distance from the parking lot, and even further away from the pier.
“I don’t think so,” he assured her.
“I’m sorry. I got a little too into that,” she said shyly, looking away from him.
“Don’t be. I was really into it, too. I just didn’t want us to rush. I want this to go slow. To be honest, I had to stop before I lost my sense of control. If I can’t control myself then this is going to go too far too soon,” Noel said as he placed his hand under her chin and brought her face closer to his, placing a kiss on the tip of her nose.
Noel took a backwards step away from her and shrugged his shirt up onto his shoulders. Clara took a step towards him and grabbed his shirt in her hands. Clara slowly buttoned it; he hadn’t realised that he held his breath each time she stopped and moved onto the next one. When she reached the second to last button, Clara stopped and pressed her hand over his heart. Just her touch rendered him speechless. Clara ran her fingers over his chest before she leaned over and planted a soft kiss on him. His heart literally stopped at the feel of her lips on his skin.
Keep it together, Noel. You don’t want to go and d something stupid!
When Clara fixed the last button he had to take a deep breath in to calm his demons. If only she knew how crazy she made him feel. He knew that everything that happened tonight just strengthened the thought. He couldn’t possibly walk away.
Taking her left hand, he pulled her into his arms and just held her. Noel smelt her usual coconut shampoo and he never wanted her to leave his arms.
“Now that I’m dressed, let’s hail a taxi and go home,” he whispered in her ear. Noel pulled out of the embrace and took sight of his Clara. Her hair slightly messy from their passionate lip-locking session, and his jacket on her a little ruffled from his body being so close to hers. He smoothed out the jacket and adjusted it to fit properly across her shoulders, completely ignoring question four.
A cold chill grazed over Noel’s body, causing him to shiver. He snuggled further into the pillow and his arms searched for Clara’s warm body. When he felt the slightly warm mattress, Noel's eyes shot open and he sat up. Looking around, he found himself alone in Clara’s bed. He ran a hand through his messy bed hair and looked at the empty spot where Clara had been.
What the?
Noel looked at the alarm clock to his left. It flashed 3:23 a.m. He started to remember what happened after their intense kissing session. They took a taxi back to the apartment and decided to watch The Breakfast Club. Fifteen minutes into the film and Clara was already sound asleep, her head resting on his lap. He found himself enjoying the movie more as he slowly stroked her hair. When the film ended, he swept Clara in his arms and walked to her room. She had woken and asked him to stay.
They kissed until Noel put a stop to it; her heavy panting mirrored his own, and he could see the exhaustion in her eyes. Noel pulled her in close as they slept. But now Clara was gone.
Noel noticed the door wide open, he pulled the covers off of him and flung his legs over the bed. He walked over to the door, and stood there scanning the lounge and kitchen, but both rooms were empty. He scratched his head in confusion at where she could possibly be. The movement of sheer curtains got Noel's attention. The white fabric blew from the wind and he noticed that the balcony doors were wide open.
Reaching the balcony to close the doors, he found Clara leaning over the rail, her back towards him. He watched as her dress and her hair flew with the wind. He was sure she was cold, because he could feel the cool pricks hit his own naked chest. Noel walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and settling his chin on Clara’s shoulders. Clara didn't resist his touch, and he was hoping he was transferring his body heat to her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t wake you, did I?” she asked softly as she turned her head slightly to meet his. Clara placed a kiss on his cheek and moved herself closer into Noel’s embrace.
“No, I just woke and saw you were gone.”
“I just needed some fresh air,” she sighed out.
“Are you sure that’s all you needed?” he asked. Clara tensed in his hold.
“What do you mean?”
Noel let out a heavy groan. Clara spun in his arms and faced him, her hands on his chest.
“Noel, tell me what you mean?”
“If you want space, Clara, I’m willing to give it to you. If you think this is going too fast, then I’m willing to wait by the barracks. But don’t run from me, please,” he quietly begged as he moved her hair out of her face. The colour in Clara’s cheeks faded as her face went pale and her lips parted.
“Is that question number four?” She looked at his chest. Earlier in the night her lips made his question non-existent.
“No, question four was… if this was something you wanted? Do you really want an us?” he asked. His heart squeezed at the thought of the possible rejection that he was facing. Her eyes made their way up until he was staring right into those golden pools of uncertainty.
“I–I,” she stuttered for a second before she closed her eyes and composed herself.
“I want an us. I promise you, Noel, that’s what I want,” she said as she raised her hand to his cheek, resting it there. He felt his heart being consumed by relief.
But what about Liam…
“Question number five, is it me you really want?”
“Where is this all coming from?” The wind picked up and Clara shivered against him. He brought her closer to his body and held her against the railing.
“I just want you to be sure, that’s all,” he confessed. The nerves in him increased, but he was able to compose himself enough to wait for her to speak.
“I am unbelievably sure. I mean, this between us is a little crazy, and maybe even a little unconventional, but I’m sure I want you. In fact, I’ve never been more sure in my life.” Her beautiful smile reassured him. His heart felt like it would explode with joy. He bent down and pressed his lips on hers. His intentions were for it to be a chaste kiss, but when she kissed him back, he lost all sense of the world, the movement of her lips hungry for him. Clara ran her arms around his back, pulling him closer and intensifying their kiss. He laughed at her eagerness.
“I’m going to take you to bed, Clara,” he moaned into her mouth.
“Why?” He felt her frown. Noel pulled himself away from her. Clara’s lip pouted slightly, causing him to chuckle.
“Because, baby, you’re hot as hell when you moan from me kissing you. I’m afraid that only sleep will stop me from doing something you’re not ready for.” She smiled and he could see that she got what he meant.
“Then take me to bed… to sleep.” She smirked sinfully.
“Okay, let me explain this to you again! The small fondant hearts go on the red velvet cupcakes; they’re the ones I'm icing now. While the pecan nuts go on the banana cupcakes and the small honey glazed hazelnuts go on top of the hazelnut praline cupcakes, which is to your right,” Clara instructed as she pointed to the various cupcakes. She glanced over at Noel as he looked at the desserts in front of him, confused.
“My God, you are the worst help!” she sighed as she placed down her icing bag on the stainless steel bench. Clara walked over to Noel and grabbed the tub of pecan nuts.
“Here, let me make one of each and then you can use that as the example. Sound doable?”
“Fine!” Noel pouted. Clara laughed at him as she pushed him aside. She grabbed the red velvet cupcake and set the fondant heart on top of the icing and placed it in front of the red velvet cupcake batch. She continued to do so until she made an example of each one. She raised her eyebrows at Noel, hinting at the easiness of his job.
Since Danny told her about the idea of expanding their cupcake range, he had her coming in whenever she could to make new recipes. But today, along with the new cupcakes, Josie called to tell her she had an emergency meeting with her Family Law study group. The sound of her mobile phone beeping from the other side of the kitchen got her attention.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay while I answer my phone?” she mocked.
Noel peered up from placing a heart on the cupcake. “Please have a little more faith in me than that, Clara.”
Walking to the counter, near the ovens, she took her phone out of her bag and looked to see she had a new message from Stevie. Clara unlocked her phone and opened her inbox.
Stevie: LAST NIGHT! I need an update on what happened after Noel went unbelievably animal on Darren. Noel is one hot piece of ass! I’d have him protecting my honour any day. Free for me to stop by?
Clara: Stop by the bakery whenever. Busy making cupcakes.
Stevie: I’m SURE you’re busy making cupcakes! Ps. I’m bringing Saint Annie with me! She’s got news!
Clara looked at the message again. Annie had news. With Annie the news could be literally anything, so Clara placed her phone on the counter and decided to wait for her friends.
“Okay, so you’ll be pleased to know that I placed all the finishing touches on the right cupcakes,” Noel said as he approached Clara with a red velvet cupcake. Noel holding a cupcake was the most adorable sight she had ever seen and it made her smile like a fool.
“So what do you think? They look good, right?” he asked as he showed her the cupcake. She noticed that the icing was done in an anti-clockwise motion, opposed to her clockwise icing. Clara took the cupcake out of Noel’s hand and inspected it.
“Did you ice this yourself?” she asked, looking up at him, those green eyes piercing her heart. They were too beautiful, and she loved the way they looked at her.
“Sure did!” He beamed with pride.
“I’m quite proud. That’s actually some good icing!” she commented before she took the cupcake and playfully pushed it into Noel’s mouth. She couldn’t help the giggles that came out. The look of surprise was one she’ll never forget, but then she saw the fire in his eyes.
“Now I’m glad you did that!” Noel said with a mouth covered in icing. Clara watched a smirk cross his face and excitement built in her.
“I wanted an excuse so I could do this,” Noel said. Before Clara could fathom a response, Noel grabbed her waist, pulling her closer to him.
“What the—” Clara yelled out in surprise before his lip stole the words straight from her mouth. Noel backed them into the counter and kissed her, Clara tasting the icing on his lips. Clara grabbed his shirt in her hands and pushed herself into him; she wanted to be even closer. Noel groaned out and helped her up onto the counter, bringing his mouth towards hers. His tongue swiped her lips, and she swore she had gone to heaven. Noel’s perfect kisses were driving her insane with need.
She matched the movement of his lips with hunger and need. She kissed and licked away the rest o
f icing. When she couldn’t taste any more, she just continued to kiss him. Clara arched her back, taking Noel with her, deepening their kiss. Fire exploded on her skin. Noel’s hands moved from her waist as they made their way underneath her shirt and grazed her hips and stomach.
Clara moaned at the pleasure of his touch, and she swore she would pass out. She needed more. She needed him closer to her body. Noel’s touch didn’t go further up north, and she couldn’t help but feel a little discouraged by him. She knew he was holding back on her. Clara wrapped her legs around him and brought him closer to her. Her breathing rapid, his kisses and touches left her panting; she gripped his shirt tighter to stop her from exploring his body.
“Ahem!” The sound of a throat clearing stopped them. Clara opened her eyes and felt the embarrassment of getting caught rise in her cheeks. Noel’s smirk was plastered on his face, but she could see the humour in his eyes. Clara looked over Noel’s shoulder to see Josie standing by the kitchen door, amused.
“So you’re telling me that if I hadn’t gone to my study group early this morning, I would be getting icing licked off my lips by a gorgeous god? I got the wrong end of the bloody bargain!” Josie teasingly sighed as she walked to the steel prep counter. Clara untangled her legs from Noel’s waist, but didn’t let go of his shirt. Instead she gave him a coy smile.
“God, what are you doing to me, Clara?” Noel whispered. She let go of Noel’s shirt and he took a step back before helping her off the counter.
“Noel, do you mind helping me put the cupcakes out?” Clara asked as she re-tucked her shirt back into her skirt as discreetly as she could.
“You were the guy from a few weeks ago, yeah?” Josie asked as she picked up a mixing bowl to prepare the vanilla cupcakes. Noel nodded at Josie as he walked to the counter and picked up a tray of banana cupcakes.
“Oh, well, damn! Here I was thinking you were available! If you ever get tired of licking icing off Clara, I’m very free.” Josie winked. Clara rolled her eyes and picked up the other tray of hazelnut praline cupcakes. Josie was pretty and she had that whole smart look about her that made her sexy. Being a law student, she liked a challenge. She was just like Stevie when it came to speaking her mind, and maybe that’s why Clara liked her.
