Chapter 12
12
C laire and I keep stealing quick glances at each other as we walk out of the restaurant.
I love July evenings, the residual warmth from the day.
I go for her hand, holding it as we stroll down Main Street.
This date was amazing, and I’m already looking forward to seeing her tomorrow morning.
Something is building between us, something bigger than a casual date.
“Want to drive?” I ask, looking down at her.
“What?” she asks, sounding surprised.
“Let’s see how sloppy your shifts are,” I tease, nudging her lightly.
“That’s a lot of trust for a girl you just met.”
“I get a good feeling you won’t crash or burn my clutch.”
She squints at me, then sticks out her hand.
“I’m really out of practice.”
“Get back in the game, then.” I hand over the keys.
A small part of me is excited to see how she handles it.
There’s something incredibly sexy about her confidence.
“I’m guessing this seat doesn’t move forward,” she says, slipping into the driver’s seat.
“It’s welded into place.” Claire scootches close to the edge of the seat to reach the pedals.
She starts the car, the low rumble of the engine filling the air.
“Go down a back road. Let’s joyride for a bit.”
I don’t want this night to end.
Watching her drive, my eyes drift to the cutouts in her dress and the exposed skin.
Just a kiss goodnight , I remind myself.
The rest will have to wait.
“This car sounds so sexy,” Claire says, looking my way.
That smile, those eyes—she’s letting go, and it’s the most carefree I’ve seen her tonight.
Carefree is a really good look for her.
Driving out of town, heading toward a back country road, she accelerates hard, and we both burst into laughter after our heads are tossed back.
Enjoying the thrill together, there’s a freedom in this moment.
It’s just the two of us enjoying the quiet roads.
“I like this car.”
“Drive faster.” I don’t want her to hold back.
I want her to keep leaning into the excitement.
She raises an eyebrow at me before she presses down on the gas, shifting smoothly as the cornfields blur by.
This is summer, the endless evening light, the road stretching ahead of us.
I can’t stop admiring her— Claire has skills .
“Should I turn on some music?” I ask, because I love blasting music in this car.
“As long as it’s not country, we’re good.”
“What do you have against country music?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
Claire looks over, raising a sassy brow, then looks back at the road.
I guess that’s her answer and I smirk, turning on The Black Keys.
It seems like the right vibe for this moment.
At a stop sign, she glances at me, mischief written all over her face.
“Shall I drag start?”
I laugh, impressed with her boldness.
“A new clutch is worth it if this goes bad. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
She revs the engine, the car growling beneath us, and then accelerates, shifting fast as we take off.
Impressive.
“Were you a bank robber at some point?” I tease, wondering how she is so good at this.
Claire laughs softly, slowing down as we head back toward Lake Geneva.
“That was fun. I haven’t driven like that in a long time.”
“You’re very sexy driving this car.” It’s not just the driving that’s hooking me—it’s everything about her.
The way she handles herself, the way she laughs, the way she challenges me.
And how fucking sexy she is.
She smiles, but she doesn’t look at me.
I reach out, resting my hand on her thigh, giving it a small squeeze.
I’m falling for her, I know that much .
“I’m really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you for being interesting,” she says, looking over at me, and there’s a softness in her voice.
She’s lowering her guard.
We drive in comfortable silence for a minute.
Maybe we’re both thinking about how well this is going?
When she parks on the curb, we’re staring at each other.
The air feels thick with tension, the kind that’s been building all night.
I want to kiss her , but I don’t want to assume.
I should ask, but I’m hesitating.
My eyes dart between her lips and her eyes, trying to decide my next move.
“Kiss me already,” she whispers.
I lean in, cupping her face gently in my hand.
The moment our lips meet, I know my life’s changed.
The energy.
The electricity.
My body is on fire just from the touch of her lips.
As I slide my tongue into her mouth, Claire straddles me, her arms wrapping around my neck.
I haven’t had a car make-out like this in years, and it feels like we’re both teenagers again, lost in the heat of the moment.
My hands explore the bare skin on her ribs through the cutouts before trailing down the back of her dress.
Our kisses become more feverish, more desperate.
Claire’s hands run down my chest.
Her fingers are teasing, barely dipping below my jeans, pressing into my hip bones.
“Are you testing me?” I lean back, chuckling softly, trying to regain some control.
“What?”
That tone.
She’s feigning innocence.
“I’m a man of my word.”
She leans in teasingly close to my lips.
“We’re just making out.” We stare at each other, and a bratty smile is growing on her face.
“This might be a first.” She laughs, as I keep my hands at my sides, off of her body.
“A guy pumping the brakes.”
I exhale loudly, leaning my head against the bench seat, trying to calm myself down.
She has me so turned on I can barely think straight.
But I don’t want to ruin this by rushing.
“Why are you playing games?” I ask, the frustration evident in my tone.
Her brows furrow.
“What?”
“You know kissing is all that’s on the table tonight. Why are you trying to do more?”
She shifts, crossing her arms but looking away, a flicker of guilt or maybe defensiveness in her expression.
“I didn’t know how much that rule was telling people what they want to hear versus the truth.”
“I’m straightforward.”
“Okay,” she says quietly, almost like she’s unsure if she believes me.
Her eyes drop to her lap, and her shoulders sink a little—deflated.
“If you want to know if I want more, of course I do, but we have plenty of time to get there as we keep dating.”
“Dating?” she repeats, her voice rising in surprise.
“Yeah,” I say, smiling.
“Next date starts in less than twelve hours.” I wink.
“So, what’s the most that can happen on the next date?”
I grumble, both appreciating and hating how she’s pushing me.
“This is how it’s going to be, huh?” She sassily raises her eyebrows, signaling for me to continue.
“I’m very disciplined. I know how to be uncomfortable. Don’t think your feminine wiles can sway that.”
Claire rolls her eyes, but I can see the smile she’s desperately trying to hold back.
I pull her in for another kiss.
“Let me treat you right.” There’s a pause between us before she slides off my lap.
“What are you thinking about?”
“I think you’re looking for something serious, and I don’t know what I’m looking for.”
“More reason for us not to rush anything.” I squeeze her thigh gently.
I want to take my time with this, with her, because I am looking for something serious.
She smirks, her eyes flicking to the door handle.
“Do you expect me to open this myself?”
I chuckle, getting out of the car and walking around to open her door.
I reach for her hand, interlacing our fingers as we walk to her front stoop.
“Your vanilla latte, no whipped cream, will arrive at seven-thirty tomorrow,” I remind her.
“This was really fun. Thank you.”
“More fun tomorrow,” I say, leaning in to kiss her one last time.
“More fun inside?” she tests, squeezing my hand.
“Claire …” Is she playing games or is she testing me?
Or both?
“I rarely have the place to myself.”
I press her against the door, staring deeply into her eyes.
Turned on, I’m nearing my wits end and considering breaking the rules.
Of course I want her, but it’s too soon.
“You can have more fun inside, but we’re done having fun tonight.”
She squints at me.
“You’re going inside, locking your door, and grabbing a toy.”
“A toy?” She blinks, surprised.
“You know what I’m talking about.” I trail my hand up her thigh.
“Lay in bed and think about what you want me to do to you …” Claire bites her lip.
“After you come, text me that the mission is complete, and then go to bed.”
Her chest rises, deeply inhaling.
Maybe she’s wondering how serious I am.
“I better get that text before I get home too.”
“Why would I do that?”
I press a firm kiss to her lips.
“No dilly dallying.” I trace her lips with my fingers.
“Go inside and get to work.”
She bites her lip, turning to her door.
I swat her lightly on the ass when she opens it, and her head immediately turns back.
She squints playfully before saying, “I’m relieved you’re not boring in this way.” Claire steps into the house, and I hear the lock flip behind her.
Walking back to the car, I’m smiling to myself.
What a night.
I drive home in silence, replaying our date, curious if she’ll complete the mission.
I’m more than a little distracted thinking about her and what she could be doing right now.
But I can also see her wanting to be defiant.
Not wanting to give me this since I didn’t go inside.
How much of a brat is she?
I’m still nervous about where she’s at emotionally.
But I want more than sex from Claire.
I want everything she’s willing to give me.
Pressing the garage door button, my phone lights up with a new text.
Claire Moore
Mission complete.
Staring at my phone, the shit eating grin on my face says it all.
She’s fucking perfect.
Jake Schmidt
Good girl.