CHAPTER 13
Claire
“Where are you, Claire?”
Claire blinked, her gaze returning to Jake’s face. She realized she’d zoned out while he’d been talking, her mind insisting on going back to the silent drive to Five Guys after she’d dry-humped Ian like a horny teenager.
She had been mortified afterward, but at the same time, still so turned on, she’d wanted to unzip him while he drove the Bentley back to Five Guys and finish what she’d started.
He probably would have let her too. The man could go all night, and leaving him hanging, so to speak, had to have been frustrating for him. Where was Ian tonight, and what was he doing?
And with whom?
She frowned.
“Claire?”
She looked at Jake. “Hmm?”
“You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.” He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for the light to turn green.
Ahead, ominous dark clouds gathered, looking almost black in the direction they headed.
Claire hoped she could get home before one of the infamous Florida thunderstorms hit. With the top down, it wouldn’t be fun.
“Those look pretty bad.”
If he heard her concern, he didn’t acknowledge it. Jake studied her for a moment, his gaze flicking from her to the red light. “What’s in your head?”
Giving head.
Claire almost snickered at the thought but instead chose to tell him the other thing that had bothered her this evening.
“My mom.” She adjusted her silk scarf, which she now always brought to dates with Jake.
“Have the HLA testing results come in?”
She shook her head. “Next week, they tell me.”
Jake frowned. “It usually only takes a few days.”
“I know. I called to ask what the holdup was and couldn’t find anyone to talk to me.”
Waiting so long to see whether she was a suitable donor for stem cell or bone marrow transplant had her on pins and needles, and she didn’t like the look on Jake’s face as she recounted being on hold for almost an hour while they transferred her from one person to another.
“Why do you think it’s taking so long?” she asked.
“Can’t say. I can try to look into it if you like.”
“Please. And thank you.”
“No problem.”
The light turned green. Jake’s lead foot had Claire gritting her teeth and her hands fumbling for something to grab onto as the Lambo launched, roaring. She was beginning to hate this car.
Jake slanted her a glance. “I thought we’d do something different tonight.”
Claire nodded. “That was fun.”
Indeed, the mental distraction of a movie had been welcome. Jake had suggested a comedy, and it felt good to laugh and escape reality for a while. She also appreciated that he’d been a perfect gentleman throughout the film, bringing popcorn and drinks and keeping his hands to himself.
She smiled at him. “I don’t know why I haven’t gone to a movie theater in ages. It was a great idea. Thank you for that.”
He held her gaze for a moment, looking as if he were about to say something but turned his attention back to the road. “Yeah.”
Claire checked the time. Almost ten. She’d promised Susan she’d be home by ten thirty. She looked at the unfamiliar buildings, noting this was a different route than Jake usually took when driving to her mom’s and hoped it was a shortcut.
A whistling gust of wind ruffled her scarf, and a few raindrops fell.
Jake glanced at the sky. “Oh, shit.”
Fat drops began to fall harder and faster with every passing second.
Claire looked up, squinting. “Can you put up the top?”
He grimaced. “It’s manual.”
Jake quickly crossed three lanes and slowed behind a line of cars waiting to turn right. The rain fell harder, and Claire huddled, feeling cold water pelt her head and back while the wipers picked up speed across the windshield.
Jake cursed under his breath. “Can’t see where the hell I’m going.”
Finally, he was able to turn right and swung into a grocery store parking lot, where several other drivers had sought refuge. Claire tugged at her soaked scarf, which was now useless against the driving rain.
Jake cut the engine, reached down, and pulled on something, and the hood popped up.
“You’ll have to get out too. I need to push the seats forward for this.”
Claire’s eyes widened. She didn’t bother asking if he had an umbrella. She already knew.
Jake lowered the windows, causing even more water to rush inside.
Claire opened the door and jumped out, gasping as a veritable deluge engulfed her.
Squinting, she watched Jake run to the front and lean into the open hood, emerging with a panel.
Minutes ticked by as he snapped in the first half of the roof, then repeated the process with the other half.
Finally, he secured the latches and pushed the seats back.
Claire scrambled back into the car, completely soaked, hair plastered to her head. She swiped her hand across her dripping forehead. Her feet slid on the water in her shoes.
Shivering, she stared out the window, feeling the Lambo rock with the powerful gusts of wind.
The rain fell horizontally now. Jake grabbed his phone, tapped an app, and groaned at the screen that appeared.
Claire rubbed her upper arms. “What is it?”
His lips pursed. “This.”
It was a radar app. A giant red-and-orange blob stretched over the map of Central Florida.
“Oh, no.”
Jake grimaced. “Yup. The storm front is huge. This isn’t going away for a while.”
She glanced at the time. “I was supposed to be home by ten-thirty.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“You didn’t cause the storm.”
“I could drive slowly, but these tires aren’t made for this kind of weather. I’d rather play it safe.”
“What do you suggest?” She looked at the brightly lit grocery store across the lot. “Go inside?”
He shook his head. “We’d be in there for hours.” He seemed to ponder something, and when he spoke, it was in a low tone she’d never heard from him before. “We could go to my place.”
She swallowed. “Your place?”
“Yeah. I live in Isleworth.”
Isleworth. She’d passed by that gated neighborhood countless times. Luxury estate homes, preciously manicured yards, properties costing more than the average person could ever dream to afford. She seemed to remember that Tiger Woods and Shaquille O’Neal had owned homes there at some point.
“It isn’t very far,” he said. “Just up the road from here. I know this neighborhood like the back of my hand. I could get us there safely, you can stay a while, and I’ll drive you home when this thing passes.”
In all the time they’d gone out, he’d only gotten out of line that time when he’d touched her thigh. Since then, he’d been a perfect gentleman and hadn’t even tried to kiss her. At this point, she might suspect that all he wanted from her was friendship.
Except she didn’t really believe that. She hadn’t ever met a man who, at some point, didn’t expect more.
Had he taken this route to be close to his house when the storm hit?
Lightning flashed, and for a split second, the sky was illuminated as if by daylight. Darkness engulfed everything again, and thunder cracked, raising the hairs at the back of Claire’s neck.
She wrapped her arms around herself. Jake had turned off the AC, but still, she couldn’t stop shivering. At this point, she had no choice.
“OK, your place it is.”
·
“That was intense.
Claire nodded. “I think I’m high on all the adrenaline.”
The heavy door inched up, revealing a bright, finished garage decorated with vintage automotive signs and a large clock. As Jake eased the Lamborghini into the bay, another car came into view.
She eyed the sleek bright green SUV. “A Urus! Is that the Performante?”
His brows raised slightly. “Yes.”
“I’ve never seen one in that shade of green!”
Jake grinned. “It’s Verde Mantis. You like it?”
“I love it. And you sure love Lamborghinis.”
“Yeah. Since I was a kid. I reach for the Aventador keys most days. But we can take that one next time.” He cut the engine, pushed a button on the visor, and the garage door began lowering with a rumble.
He took a deep breath and exhaled it. The next second, she felt his fingertips on her thigh.
“You’re drenched.”
You’re drenched.
Why was Ian’s voice echoing in her ears with what he’d said to her in Vegas?
Claire felt a flutter between her thighs so powerful, she shivered with it.
“You’re cold.” Jake slid his hand away. “I’m sorry about this. Let’s get you out of those wet clothes.”
·
“I’m OK, Mom. Yes, I just took a hot shower. Jake gave me clothes to wear while mine dry.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Nora’s smile lit up Claire’s iPhone screen. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Claire had said nothing about staying the night. Her mom was pushing. “I’m going to have him drive me home as soon as this storm passes.”
“Nonsense. It’s already past eleven. The Weather Channel said this might go on until morning. I’m sure you’re safe where you are. Stay put.” She winked. “Have fun!”
“Mom—”
Claire found herself staring at a black screen.
She sighed. She wasn’t keen on spending the night at Jake’s but wasn’t about to make him drive at midnight, and she was uncomfortable getting into an Uber at this hour.
Her mother was right. Jake had been gracious, offering her his guest room and directing her to help herself to what was in the closet.
She’d changed into a blue AdventHealth T-shirt and a pair of white leggings.
She could guess why he had a closet full of women’s clothes. She’d seen the way the nurses looked at him.
Emerging from the guest room, she heard a trickling noise and looked to see a half-full tank taking up an entire wall of the expansive living room.
In it, Claire saw plants and large flat rocks but no fish.
Then something long, dark green, and scaly slithered out of the murky green water to clamber up a rock and rest, unmoving, under the lights.
Claire stared at the long, toothy snout. “Is that … ?” She couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Yup. A baby alligator.” Jake grinned as he approached, and Claire caught him eyeing her behind. “You look great.”
“Thank you. And thank you for these clothes. You have an alligator for a pet?”