“I will. I promise. Have you had time to speak to Jenny?” she asked trying to divert the conversation.
“No. We’re talking, but not about anything other than the weather and work at the café. I’ll see how it goes. Take care, Noelle.”
“You, too.” She hung up and stared at her mobile wondering what was on his mind.
Isaac walked back into the bedroom carrying a tray of food.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“I think so. He’s going through a hard time at the moment.”
“What’s the matter?”
“He lost his job, and he doesn’t want to ask his dad for a handout. Have you ever heard of the Welch family?”
He shrugged his shoulders with his back to her.
“They’re supposed to be this important family, but he can’t stand them. He’s just recently got in touch with his brother. He doesn’t talk about him though. Sorry. You really don’t want to know this.”
“No worries. Everyone needs someone to talk to. Even you.” He placed the tray on the side cupboard and helped her onto the bed. “Time to eat.” She loved his heat as he got in beside her.
They were both still naked.
“What do you have on that tray of goodies?” she asked.
“I’ve got fresh fruit, cheese, bread, and of course some cheesy chips.” He picked up a strawberry and held it out for her to bite.
She sank her teeth into the fresh fruit. Droplets of juice dripped down onto her breast.
“A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do,” he said and then licked every last droplet of juice from her chest.
Chapter Nineteen
The following morning, they lay in each other’s arms and watched the sun come up. Noelle felt like a real woman with a man in her bed. The love she had for Isaac was growing with every second she spent with him.
“This is so beautiful,” she said.
“Not as beautiful as you.”
For thirty minutes they lay in the peace and quiet of a Saturday morning asthe city began to wake up.
“I could watch this forever,” she said. The bright oranges and reds chased away the dark black of the night.
“Would you like to remain with me forever?”
She froze and turned to look at him. “What are you trying to say?”
“I enjoy being with you, Elle. I could see you as being part of my life for the rest of my life.”
“What about your other women? The female clients you see?” She bit her lip as the stab of jealousy coursed through her. The thought of another woman touching him left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“There is no other woman and never will be. I want you and you alone, Elle.”
“Do you promise?”
“With my whole heart.” He hadn’t said the three words she wanted to hear.
“I love you, Isaac.”
He kissed her lips. Disappointed at his lack of response, she kissed him back. She wanted to hear the words come from his lips. Instead he silenced her with his own kisses.
“I’m going to take a shower. Why don’t you put some coffee on?” He got out of bed and left her.
“Great. I get to play maid.”
She grabbed a robe and made her way into the kitchen. Setting up the percolator, she found a bag of fresh coffee beans. With the scent of fresh brewed coffee wafting through the air, she went and took a tour around the studio area of the loft.
A fresh canvas was on the easel, and in a fit of inspiration, she found the paints and began mixing and getting everything ready. The creative muse held her captive as she put the brush to the board. She was conscious of Isaac moving around behind her. Ignoring his presence she continued to paint the scene before her eye. She didn’t need to look out of the window. She’d been watching it for thirty minutes, and she was able to capture every detail of the beauty before her.
He placed a cup of coffee by her work station. She ignored the drink and continued working. The open space was helping her. No longer being trapped inside a room in which she kept cut off from everyone allowed her the time and space to open up. She also felt that having Isaac near her, helped in her quest.
Finally, she pulled out of her trance and took a step back. Picking up her coffee, she took a sip and winced. It was cold and nasty-tasting.
“That was amazing,” Isaac said from the corner of the room.
She blushed, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“What was?”
“Watching you paint. It was like you weren’t there but possessed by someone else. It’s beautiful as well. Could I keep it?” He got up from his chair, walking to her side.
Staring at the painting of the sunrise she’d witnessed she felt pride with how perfectly she’d captured it.
“Yes. It is yours.”
“How much do you want for it? I can pay.”
“Nothing. You can have it for free.” She kissed him on the lips feeling a great wave of peace come over her.
“You must be hungry. It is almost lunch time.”
Her tummy rumbled, which made them both burst out laughing. She followed him through to the kitchen. He began making her some eggs and bacon. She sat drinking coffee, enjoying the view of his ass.
“You’re spoiling me,” she said.
“You deserve to be spoilt.” He handed her over a plate filled with food. Buttering some bread she dove into the meal he’d produced with relish. He sat opposite her with a bigger plate full of food.
“I love watching you eat. It’s nice to see a woman appreciating her food.”
Noelle shrugged off his comments. She was too hungry to be offended.
****
Isaac spent the rest of the day watching her paint. He loved seeing the passion rising within her. Also, while she wore his shirt, he could see her ass peeking out every time she bent over.
He kept the coffee supplied and simply watched her. Never before had he felt so calm to be on the outside looking in on a person’s journey. She looked totally different. The scar on her face was only a minimal part of who she was as a woman. He felt happy knowing he’d helped be part of her getting over her scar. Noelle Evans was his scarred beauty. A woman with substance who he could imagine spending the rest of his life with. The loft had been a brilliant idea, one of the best he’d ever had.
When the sun went down, he switched on the light. She placed the paintbrush down, giving him the perfect time to embrace her.
“Sorry, I haven’t been the best company today,” she said.
“No. The day has been perfect. You really love to paint.”