Free Thirty-Eight Days by Len Webster Page A

moved from her face and tightened around her shoulders. He just held her. She wanted to cry and unravel in his hold. Clara wrapped her arms around his waist and held him. He felt safe, and she needed this feeling more than anything. It was a drug that she needed to consume.
    The footsteps retreated from the elevator. She didn't care who it was. She was safe with Liam, and she liked the feelings that engulfed her. She held Liam tighter. Clara didn't want him to leave her, not yet.
    “Ahem." The sound of a deep voice cleared and she hesitantly released her grip. The sound of Liam groaning from their separation caused her to smile.
    "Nice one, Don," Liam whined.
    She watched as a playful smile spread across the old man's face. "You better keep your hands off my Clara, Liam," Don playfully said.
    "No can do, Don." Liam sneakily winked at her, and Clara’s cheeks immediately heated.
    "Your spare key, my dear." Don handed Clara the key.
    "Thank you. I'll return this to you after work," Clara said as she balled her hands over the key.
    "Take your time, dear," Don said as he returned to his paperwork, leaving her and Liam to talk.
    Clara felt something in her that she didn't understand. She was going to act on impulse. Liam cared for her, and she cared for him, too. The way he made her feel safe was a wonder to her. She needed that in her life. Someone who’d put her first and make her feel special. That wasn't Darren, and that wasn't Noel.
    It’s Liam. He can make me feel all this and more.
    As she played with the key in her palms, she looked up and stared at his hazel eyes. They were caring and warm. They weren’t those green eyes that haunted her.
    "I'm off to the bakery today. Did you want to walk me? We could sit and talk together before I open up shop. That is, if you want?" she asked on a whim.
    Liam looked a little surprised by her question. He started to pretend that it was a tough decision to make, and then a smile—that only angels could produce—spread across his face.
    "Thank you, God, for finally answering my prayers," he said, looking up to the heavens as if they could hear him. Clara let out a laugh.
    "Clara, you have no idea how long I've waited for you," he confessed as he faced her. The way he looked at her made her insides warm.
    This is it. I will give Liam a chance. He could make it worth it all.
     
     

 
    N oel sat on the couch fidgeting so excessively that it was impossible for him to be comfortable. Clara had been gone an hour and still hadn’t returned. He should have been happy because it gave her the space she needed, but he had to beg for her forgiveness and explain. If only he knew where she was. Then the image of her downstairs in the lobby broke through his thoughts.
    Goddamn it!
    He went down to chase her. Stop her so he could explain. But when the elevator doors opened, his heart felt like it had been stabbed by a thousand knives. It shouldn’t have, but it did. Standing by the desk was Clara and Liam. If he had never met either of them, then he’d have witnessed a couple in a public display of affection. If he didn’t know better, they looked perfect for each other. It killed him to see Clara with him. The look in Liam’s eyes for her was nothing but adoration.
    He had driven her straight in the arms of Liam. If he ever thought he could have Clara for himself, he was wrong. The idea of him and Clara was wrong. She belonged to Liam, even if she didn’t know it yet. If he had any sense of being a man, then he would let her be with him.
    The last few days strengthened that thought. What he did last night was purely to protect her from him and any other guy. Noel didn’t know another way to protect her other than being so blunt and to the point. Revenge consumed her eyes and he feared she’d regret anything she might have done last night. Protecting Clara meant hurting her, even if it did make him look like the bad guy. Clara didn’t see him, and he would pretend he saw nothing. It