He connected his laptop to the TV in the living room in order for him to see all the furniture designs he wanted, bigger and clearer than just checking them on his phone or his laptop. He was jotting down the code of every piece of furniture he likes as he browses.

After seeing his apartment and taking measures of every room, corner, and nook of it, Jess drew a rough draft on what kind of furniture would be best for his place. Now he is checking Siena's online furniture store for his choices.

He was munching on some potato chips while browsing for a headboard, having fun looking at the different materials and designs, imagining how it would look in his apartment.

When he heard a soft knock on the main door. He grinned, knowing that there is only one person who would knock on their door. And that is Noah. He glanced at the hallway, Jess was probably still in the shower.

He stood up to open the door for their late night visitor.

Noah was startled to see Luke smiling the moment he opened the door. He kept on forgetting that he lived with Jess.

"Good evening, Luke. Is Jess in?"

He lifted his bushy eyebrow, "Good evening, Mr. Tiefenbacher. Come in, you can wait with me in the living room for Jess."

"Did she go out?" he asked as he followed Luke to the living room.

"Hmm, she's taking a shower."

He didn't know why he suddenly felt hot when he heard that Jess was taking a shower. He remembered how Luke teased Jess of quenching her thirst under the shower with the help of her ten little fingers, and he couldn't help but swallow a lump in his throat as his imagination went wild.

"Chips?"

"Thank you."

He doesn't like chips but since Luke offered and it was a bit awkward sitting on the same couch with him, remembering how he had him investigated to make sure that he has no other intention to Jess than being friends, he has the urge to apologize to him. If he were asked why he was apologizing, however, he would not know how to explain his reason.

In the end, he kept his mouth shut and ate the chips he offered and watched the display of furniture that Luke was watching.

"You are shopping for your apartment?" He asked to break the awkward silence.

"Yeah, Jess recommended this store. One of her friends owns it."

"They look good." he mentally kicked himself for the way the conversation was going. He couldn't believe he is acting like a loser in front of her friend! Luke will be employed by his company in the future and this is the impression he would have of his future boss.

He glanced at his wristwatch and wondered how long he would have to wait for Jess.

"She will come out soon. She won't stay long in the shower because she promised to help me decide what furniture to get for my apartment. She is making it as her project or something."

"She's interested in interior design?"

"Could be. Or it could be because she wants to keep herself busy to avoid someone."

The implication of what Luke said was clear to Noah. She was avoiding him, and he has no idea why. He was pretty sure that they were doing okay the last time they talked.

"Jess couldn't be bothered about things she doesn't like. It's not a matter of interest or fun. When she thinks it is a waste of time and boring, then it is. I know that you are interested in Jess, Mr. Tiefenbacher. And I don't want Jess to get hurt."

The two of them exchanged meaningful glances. Luke doesn't really have to say anymore. He understood what he was trying to say. It was a clear warning from a man to another man. It's too bad he doesn't have any plans to give Jess up. He likes Jess, and he gets what he wants.

Both of them snapped their heads to the hallway when they heard a humming. Jess emerged from the hallway connecting the living room and bedrooms wearing soft peach satin sleepwear. It's a pair of shorts and a tank top.

Her hair was still damp from the shower. She didn't bother to blow her hair dry.

"Good evening," he said in a throaty voice because his throat went dry seeing her in her sleepwear.

She was startled to find Noah sitting next to Luke, who was browsing chairs. She felt her cheeks heat up when she remembered what Noah told her in his phone call. She wondered if he was right here in her apartment at this hour because what he said on the phone call was true.

He saw Luke's shoulder was shaking with silent laughter. She knew he would find this to be extremely funny.

"Noah, would you like to talk in my study? We don't want to disturb Luke with his online shopping."

"Little Miss Jessie, you can just tell me that you want me to give you two privacy and I wouldn't mind hiding in my room." he bit his lip trying to stifle the laughter that was about to skip his mouth.

He winked at Noah to let him catch on to what was happening.

"Your study would be perfect. My apology, Mr. Ravenport if I disturb you…"

Luke grinned, and spoke under his breath, "Go get them, cowboy."

He chuckled softly as he stood up from the couch to follow Jess to her study. He was thinking that Luke doesn't like him for Jess. Apparently, he was wrong! He made a mental note at the back of his mind to take care of him when he became employed by his company.

He was ogling Jess' shapely legs as he quietly trailed behind her to her office. The room was clearly a workstation but has been used for so many purposes that it does not have any specific design in mind.

He smirked as he remembered what Luke said. Jess only spends time on whatever she finds interesting. He could assume that she doesn't find anything interesting in this room. Hence, it was just a boring workstation. He doesn't see her personality in the room.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"I thought you were the one who had something to talk about."

"Huh!" she scoffed in annoyance. She rolled her eyes at him and sat down on the armchair. She felt uncomfortable with Noah's wandering eyes on her body.

Her heart skipped a beat when Noah scratched his nape and blushed like a schoolboy being interrogated by his crush.

"Well, you dropped my call. I can't quite understand why…"

"I see." she propped her elbow on the chair and started playing with the couple of strands of her hair with her fingers, "And here I thought, you came because you do miss me." she cocked her eyebrow, and pouted her lips, acting disappointed.

Noah swallowed a pool of saliva, watching Jess acting coy on the armchair. It took a lot of restraint from him, not to push her on the chair and do things he shouldn't be thinking of doing right now because Luke was just in the living room.

"I do, miss you, Jess." His voice dropped dangerously low, while his eyes swept the length of her body stretched in front of him. She was like a sushi train, just waiting to be taken.

"Then what are you doing?" she shrugged her shoulders, cocking her head to the side.

"Wh-what?"

"Tiefenbacher..." she poked his leg with hers, and in a sultry voice said, "...just get down here and kiss me."

That's all Noah needed to hear. He dropped to his knees, positioned himself in between her legs, cupped her face, and gave her a kiss that let her know how much he missed her.

She moaned deliriously when Noah's mouth descended into hers. She has her legs clinging on his back as she hooked her arms on his neck and brazenly deepened the kiss.

This morning, she took an oath to herself not to get involved with Noah while his daughter is in town. She doesn't want to be the witch that would make Lucille feel she has a competition with her father's attention.

The young Jess knew exactly how it felt because her father had so many of those women. They were good women, but they were witches in her young mind, stealing her father's love and affection from her.

She doesn't want Lucille to see her as that kind of woman. She doesn't want Lucille to view her as a competitor.

However, her resolve crumbled like the Berlin wall when Noah told her he misses her. And here she is clinging to Noah and kissing him back like it was the first time they kiss. She arched her back to welcome his mouth, having a good time on her twin moulds like a hungry child.