Page 50 of River
When Peter and Noah returned an hour later, we carried all the groceries inside and organized the pantry. Several times these past weeks, Maya had made me grocery lists to go shopping, so I had a good idea of what type of food she preferred.
“Sorry, miss, do you have a minute?” one of the cleaners asked and gestured for me to come with her.
Noah and I followed her to one of the bathrooms, where she pointed to a stain on the mirror. “I tried everything, it’s not coming off.”
In my eagerness for everything to be perfect, I tried myself, but it didn’t work, and I was getting flustered.
“It’s fine,” Noah said and placed his hands on my shoulders. “No one is gonna notice a spot in the corner of a bathroom. Relax.” The cleaning lady had moved on to other areas in the house, and it was just Noah and me in the bathroom. “You’ve seen how the kids live now. This house is paradise, and you know they’ll be euphoric. They’ll see the pool, the lush garden, and these beautiful rooms. Not for a second will any of them stop to wrinkle their nose at a stain. Come here.” Noah wrapped me inside his strong arms, and with a deep sigh, I leaned into him with my hands sliding up his back.
“You’re right. I need to relax.”
“What else do we need to do?”
“I’d like to go and buy new toys and clothing for the children. My family made a donation so I’m planning to go and buy that tomorrow and Friday. That way, there will be new clothing in the closets for all the children when they arrive on Saturday.”
“I’m happy to help.”
“Would you?” I leaned my head back to look up at Noah. “I’d appreciate that.”
For a long moment, we stood gazing into each other’s eyes before he kissed me again and hugged me tight.
“Did you think about what I asked you?”
It’d been five days since Noah had asked me if he could sleep in my room and I hadn’t been ready.
“I promise that nothing will happen that will make you uncomfortable. All I want to do is hold you and kiss you.”
“No sex.”
“No sex, just cuddling.”
Part of me wanted to, and the yes was right there on my tongue.
“Please.” His breath on my neck made me close my eyes and take a big leap of faith.
“All right.” The explosion of nervous energy rolling through me made me a little breathless. I was definitely stepping outside my comfort zone. It wasn’t that I hadn’t slept in the same bed with previous boyfriends, but none of them had been as sexual as Noah. With the others, a small yawn and a “not tonight” had been enough to close down their initiative, but I already knew Noah wouldn’t be deterred that easily.
“Just promise me that you won’t expect more than I’m ready to give you.”
“I promise.” He looked like someone holding back their need to scream with excitement, and I laughed when he nuzzled his head against my neck and whispered in a raspy voice, “I wish I could fast forward and go to bed with you right now.”
After the gardeners and cleaners left, we did a last round in the house and were just about to lock the door when a woman spoke behind us.
“Hello, miss.”
I turned to see the cleaning lady I’d spoken to earlier.
“Hello.” I smiled. “Did you forget something?”
She held out three plastic bags and spoke in her broken English. “We want to help too. We use some of the money for cleaning to buy baby milk.”
Taking the plastic bags, I saw at least ten packages of baby formula.
“Thank you so much. That’s very generous of you.” I bowed my head with gratitude.
The little woman was all smiles as she waved and moved backward before she turned and walked away.
Noah and I brought the donation to the pantry, and then we left the house.
