Free Spirit Page 5

  Once she’d locked their names into her memory bank she said hello to each of them again, reiterating their names one more time. Noah asked if she wanted a drink and, at her nod, left to collect a couple of beers. Juliette settled in, awaiting the questions she knew were coming judging by the curious looks being thrown her way.

  “So, you’re living with Noah’s mom?” Ava said as soon as Noah left.

  Juliette nodded. “For the moment.”

  “Where you from?” Susanna asked.

  “Kentucky,” she replied and then paused. “Well, I’m not originally from Kentucky, but before here I was there.”

  “Kentucky?” Mike clarified. “And where were you before Kentucky?”

  “Um,” Juliette paused, biting her lip. “West Virginia.”

  “So, you’re from West Virginia?” Ava asked.

  She shook her head. “No. Not there. I was born in Arizona actually.”

  Everyone blinked at her, their curiosity piqued.

  Juliette shifted uncomfortably in her seat wondering where Noah was with their drinks. “My family traveled around a lot,” she said by way of explanation, “and now I’m lucky enough to be here.”

  “Juliette’s starting work at the shop tomorrow,” Toby volunteered just as Noah returned with their beers. She took a huge gulp, drawing a raised eyebrow from him that she ignored. As confident as she was, meeting new people always made her a little nervous. They asked a lot of questions, and whilst she had her stock standard replies at the ready someone always seemed to throw her a curve ball.

  “At the shop?” Kelly asked with surprise. “I didn’t know you needed help with the accounts.”

  “I don’t,” Toby replied leaning back in his seat. “Juliette’s helping out in the shop.”

  All heads swiveled back to her once more, and Juliette flushed a little.

  “You’re a mechanic?” Kelly asked, her voice full of derision.

  Juliette shook her head. “No. I just know about cars and like working with them.”

  Kelly blinked at her, her eyes raking slowly and disparagingly over Juliette before she spoke again. “I’ve never met a girl who likes getting dirty.”

  Juliette grinned. “Oh, I’m a girl that likes getting real dirty.” She purposefully made her voice so full of innuendo that Noah spat out his beer. Toby, Mike, and Gavin all laughed, whilst Ava struggled to suppress her own giggles. Kelly’s face, though, hardened and she sat back in her seat, turning her back on Juliette as she started a conversation with Ava.

  Juliette smiled, wishing she hadn’t been so bitchy, but that Kelly girl had hooked her. Making judgments and aspersions about what sort of person she was. Juliette had been fighting the judgments that followed her for her whole life. An image of Macy from high school appeared in her mind for the second time that night, but Macy wasn’t the only bitchy girl she’d come across, she was just one of many. People could think what they liked, Juliette reasoned. She just didn’t need to hear what they thought.

  The other girls, it turned out, and Mike and Gavin were really nice and welcoming. Ava explained that she ran a hairdressing salon in town, and after complimenting Juliette on her hair suggested she come in next time she needed a trim or even just for a blow-out.

  “Maybe you could do something radical,” Juliette suggested, “like cut it off to here.” She gestured to her shoulders.

  “That would look gorgeous on you,” Ava agreed, “and we could add some highlights.”

  “Don’t cut your hair,” Noah interrupted suddenly. Everyone’s eyes swung in his direction. He swallowed before continuing. “I mean, cut it if you want, but it’s probably taken you years to get it this long.”

  Juliette nodded. “I’ve been growing it since I was thirteen.”

  “So leave it long,” he muttered, his voice soft. “It suits you.”

  Juliette felt the world fade away as she regarded Noah. He intrigued her, with his changing moods and abrupt but then sweet gestures. She wanted to get to know him, wanted to show him that life wasn’t all horrible, that there was sometimes light within all the darkness. But that wasn’t her job, she reminded herself. She wasn’t here to save the world. She could only save herself and even that was doubtful at times.

  ****

  Noah

  The conversations continued, turning to more benign discussions about what was happening in town, local gossip mostly. Noah sat silently, listening as Juliette chatted easily with Kelly and Mike about an upcoming cookout they were having and to which she was now invited, wondering what it was about this girl that made everyone instantly love her and feeling, he suddenly realized, incredibly jealous. She was so lighthearted, so carefree, so open and friendly, and so goddamned positive about everything that it pissed him off.

  Life wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Life sucked. And sometimes, for some people, life sucked in the worst possible way. Juliette obviously hadn’t learnt that yet.

  Or had she? He pondered the flickering shadows he’d glimpsed in her eyes. She hid them well, quelled them quickly, but he’d seen them—when they talked about her family, when Ava mentioned her hair, which he really didn’t understand—Juliette did not seem to a girl overly caught up in her appearance and attached to her hair. But she was, he decided, running from something only he didn’t think it was in Kentucky, or West Virginia or Arizona or any other state. He had a sense that whatever she ran from, wasn’t very far behind her.

  As he watched her, his curiosity piqued, she threw back her head and laughed at whatever Mike had said. Yes. She was definitely running from something … or someone.

  A little while later Noah returned from collecting another beer to find the chair beside him pushed back and Juliette missing. He glanced around the table questioningly. Toby pointed across the room.

  Juliette was there, leaning against the bar, deep in conversation with Doug. Doug Houghton. Noah stared at them for a long moment, taking in how her body was turned towards his, how they were so close that if anyone bumped or even nudged them they’d be pressed against one another. Juliette was talking, her head tilted back so she could look up into Doug’s eyes, who listened with rapt attention as if she delivered the secret to everlasting happiness, which, Noah thought dryly, she probably was.

  “She know Doug?” Toby asked when Noah finally took his seat once more, his eyes still locked on Juliette and Doug.

  “Yeah,” he grumbled. “I took her with me this morning when I dropped off a table at the Houghtons’.” At the time he hadn’t thought much about it, but now he was beginning to regret introducing Juliette to Doug. Houghton and he used to be tight, best friends really, but that was a long time ago, and he didn’t like the idea of Juliette with him. Not that he could explain why, he just didn’t like it.

  “They look like old friends,” Toby observed. “I thought she must already know him the way she smiled and waved and then bounced across the room to see him.”

  Bounced. That was how Juliette moved all right, Noah thought. She just bounced everywhere.

  He drank his beer as he watched Juliette and Doug, wishing that he wasn’t driving and could get blind rotten drunk. What was wrong with him? He hadn’t been so fixated, so fascinated with a girl in, well, for a very long time. Not even with Charlotte was he so enamored that he couldn’t drag his eyes away from her for a few moments, but then that was Charlotte. Charlotte was the love of his life, his soul mate, and he had no reason to worry or wonder what Charlotte was doing or even thinking sometimes. Juliette though, she was a wild card, and who knew what she might end up doing?

  As if to prove him right Juliette suddenly slid her hand into Doug’s and then followed as he led her through the crowded pub. Pushing his chair back Noah got to his feet, straining to see where they were going. If he was taking her outside Noah was going to intervene. Juliette was new in town and quite naïve, and there was no way he was going to stand by and watch Doug Houghton put the moves on her. The very idea of Doug touching Juliette made
his muscles clench, and Noah sincerely hoped he didn’t have to punch Doug tonight. He’d already been there and done that.

  “Dancing,” Toby hissed in his ear. “They’re just going to dance.”

  Suddenly Noah realized what he must look like. Glancing down he found his friends staring up at him with amusement. Susanna and Ava grinned delightedly although Kelly had a definite smirk on her face. Swallowing over the lump in his throat, resuming his seat and taking a swig of his beer, he avoided meeting anyone’s eyes as he mumbled something about being responsible for her because she was staying with his mom and all. It was a lame excuse and he knew it, but he said it anyhow.

  But the whole time she was with Doug he didn’t relax, and when she finally came back to the table, her face glowing and a big smile on her face Noah thought his muscles were going to go into some kind of severe cramp.

  Shit. This is bad, he realized, very fucking bad.

  Chapter Six

  Juliette

  Juliette wondered what Noah’s problem was. When she’d arrived back at the table after dancing with Doug he’d been sitting and scowling at her, barely speaking and emanating such intense anger she was scared he was going to hit someone. Doug, after she’d promised to go out with him Saturday afternoon, had skedaddled pretty quickly, obviously having picked up on Noah’s weird vibe.

  Now, they were in his pickup truck heading back to Renee’s house. The silence was almost deafening.

  She’d tried talking, thanking him for taking her tonight and telling him how nice his friends were and how much fun she’d had, but he’d remained silent, just tightened his grip on the steering wheel and stared straight ahead. Ignoring her. Eventually she gave up and turned to stare out the passenger window. If he wanted to not talk then she could not talk.

  Pulling up in front of the house he got out, closing the door and going around to open hers. Juliette watched him cautiously, and when he opened the door and she slid out, she rounded on him.

  “I don’t know why you’re so angry at me,” she said, “but if I did anything to upset you or any of your friends I’m sorry.”

  He lifted his head and stared at her, his eyes burning so hotly into hers that she gasped. There was pain there, raw, physical pain, and she felt it all the way to her core. This man was suffering, she realized, suffering greatly, and suddenly she wanted to be the one to help him. To save him from whatever darkness haunted him, to pull him back into the sunlight. Don’t be ridiculous, Juliette, she admonished herself, you didn’t even finish high school. You’re hardly qualified as a psychologist. You can hardly save yourself, never mind anyone else.

  Noah opened his mouth a few times, testing the words before he spoke. “I—I’m sorry if you thought I was angry at you. I’m not.”

  “You sure seem like you are.”

  A muscle moved in his jaw. “I just—I just don’t get you, Juliette.”

  She swallowed. “There’s nothing to get. I’m me. Just me. Nothing more.”

  He moved closer, his eyes roaming over her face as if he was seeing her for the first time, searching for something in her features. “You have this light inside you, like you’ve swallowed the sun or a whole fucking star or something. You’re so happy and alive.”

  She touched his face, a spark running through her body from the warmth of his skin as she cupped his jaw. “We’re all alive. We’re all living, breathing people who are lucky enough to be alive, right now, on this planet floating through space. Pretty amazing if you think about it.”

  He stared at her. “Like that, when you say shit like that. Is that what you think? Is that how your brain works?”

  She shrugged. “It’s how I make it work.”

  Noah stared at her for a long moment. Juliette searched his eyes, the pain and the confusion she saw reflected in their depths made her heart skip a beat. She didn’t understand how he’d decided to cling to the negative when he was surrounded by so much positive. He had Renee, his family, his friends, his health, he lived in this beautiful town. How could he not go to bed each night and count his blessings? Even though he’d been through a hideous experience didn’t he see how lucky he was to have loved someone so much in the first place?

  “I want to kiss you.”

  His words, which tumbled in a low growl from his lips, stunned Juliette. She could see by the way his eyes rounded that he’d surprised himself as well. Her mouth dropped open, and she tried to think of something to say.

  Did she want him to kiss her? Yes. Definitely yes.

  Did she think kissing him was a good idea? Probably not.

  But maybe, she could chase the sadness from his eyes, maybe she could remind him that life was still meant to be lived.

  “Okay.”

  Juliette’s arms came up to circle his shoulders, her fingers sliding into his hair as she tilted her head back, welcoming his mouth to hers. His lips were full and warm, and they slanted against hers. She could taste beer and mint, and as his tongue lightly traced her bottom lip she shivered. His arms came around her, lifting her to the tips of her toes as he deepened the kiss, sliding his mouth across hers and drawing her tongue tentatively into a wanton dance with his. A small sound escaped her, like a contented sigh, and she felt his arms tighten around her, drawing her closer.

  He nipped and sucked at her lips, his tongue invading her mouth, and Juliette lost herself in the deliciousness of their kiss. She was in heaven, and wanted nothing more than to make this moment last for a long, long time.

  When the kiss broke, they remained close. Juliette struggled to catch her breath, smiling a little when she realized Noah did the same.

  “I’d better go inside,” she said after a long moment.

  He nodded, but his arms didn’t release her. “Okay.”

  She smiled against his mouth, and he lowered her to her feet, drawing back to meet her eyes. The slightest color graced her cheeks, and the pulse in her throat still raced. She didn’t think she’d ever been kissed in a way that left her slightly dizzy before.

  “I’ll see you later,” she said, moving past him, wanting to put some space between them so she could gather her thoughts. “Thank you for tonight.”

  He watched, only bothering to reply when she climbed the front steps. “Thank you, Juliette.”

  ****

  Once more Juliette fell asleep to the gentle sounds of the ocean, and her dreams were of Noah, of the way he looked at her, the way his eyes washed over her and the way he’d kissed her like she was the most precious thing on earth. Getting involved with Noah was probably not a good idea, not really. Noah didn’t seem like the type of guy she could just fool around with for a few months while she was in town. He was too moody, too intense. He was everything she’d spent her life avoiding. No, Noah was definitely not for her.

  But, her mind reasoned, what if she was for him?

  She hadn’t ever thought that way before. That maybe she’d been brought here for him. That maybe he needed someone like her to draw him out from the dark cloud he’d buried himself under. She was happy, and she made the most of out of life. It was a conscious decision she’d made years ago and one she clung to desperately. Maybe, whilst she was here, she could bring some light to Noah’s life. Make him smile again. Make him choose to be happy once more.

  She grinned to herself as she snuggled down under the covers. Project!

  But first, she had to shower.

  Climbing out of bed she made her way down the hall to the bathroom that was reserved for guests only, and since she was the only guest at the moment the bathroom was all hers. Turning on the shower she waited until steam curled around the room before she stepped in, sighing audibly as the hot water ran over her from head to toe. She took her time shampooing her hair, shaving her legs, and exfoliating her skin, all the time thinking about Noah, their kiss and wondering when she’d see him again. He worked in the studio out back so she’d probably see him this morning before she went to start her new job. Juliette grinned, feeling as thou
gh everything was falling into place. Two days here and she had somewhere to live, albeit temporarily, landed a job, plus made a whole lot of new friends.

  And kissed Noah. Her hands went to her lips, lingering there as she remembered the feel of his mouth against hers, the taste of him, the warmth of his breath as he breathed her in and ran his tongue across her lower lip, nibbling her a little, his hands on her waist pulling her towards his hard, strong…

  Suddenly the shower curtain was ripped back, and someone, a man she noted briefly, yelled “Gotcha!” and before she could react snapped a photo on his cell phone.

  Juliette screamed, a blood curdling, fear-induced scream as she lurched herself at the man who stood gaping at her stupidly. They both tumbled to the floor with Juliette on top of him, screaming her lungs out and hitting and scratching at him.

  The bathroom door burst open, and Noah charged into the room. Juliette only briefly noted his arrival when firm hands gripped her, wrapping around her shoulders, and she found herself pulled away from the guy and deposited on her feet. Fear trickled through every nerve but the guy, her would-be attacker, was lying on the bathroom floor staring up at her looking altogether quite harmless. Dark eyes met hers, eyes that were round with shock, and his mouth hung so far open she thought he might drool. And also, she realized slowly, he hadn’t been fighting back.

  She looked to Noah, whose face displayed his astonishment, his eyes burning with something else as they roamed the length of her, a muscle moving in his cheek and the chocolate brown of his eyes darkening. Then his eyes went from Juliette, who was having trouble breathing, to the guy on the floor.

  “What the fuck, Ryan?” he roared at the guy on the floor. “What are you doing?”

  “I, um—I—” The guy, Ryan, lay on the floor stuttering, his eyes locked on Juliette, mouth still gaping.