Chapter 13
Claire
“God, you don’t know how bad I need this,” I panted as Nick’s strong body hovered over me, thrusting in and out.
“Tell me. Tell me how bad you want it.”
“So badly. Faster, Nick. Harder. Deeper.” My nails dug into the flesh of his back.
His rapid thrusting had us both on the verge of an orgasm as our moans grew in intensity. My body shook as my heart raced out of my chest.
“Jesus, Claire,” He halted and exploded inside me.
His body dropped on mine, and my arms tightened around him. My mind was a clusterfuck of unfamiliar emotions, and I didn’t want to let go. He lifted his head, and a handsome smile graced his face. His lips softly brushed against mine.
“Stay with me tonight,” he said. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“You have to work tomorrow,” I said as he rolled on his back.
“You’re making excuses. What is your problem with staying?” His finger stroked my cheek.
“Nothing.” I smiled as I stared into his eyes. I inched closer and snuggled my body against his. He hooked his arm around me as I lay my head on his chest. “Goodnight, Nick.”
“Goodnight, Claire.” I felt his lips press against the top of my head.
I opened my eyes and heard the shower running. Climbing out of bed, I slipped on one of Nick’s T-shirts, went into the kitchen, and brewed us a cup of coffee. Once they were finished, I grabbed both mugs and stepped into the bathroom, staring at his sexy body as he washed his hair.
“I made coffee.”
“You should still be sleeping. I’m sorry if I woke you.” He smiled through the shower doors.
“You didn’t wake me.”
He turned off the shower, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around his waist.
“Good morning.” His smile grew as his lips met mine.
“Good morning.” I handed him his coffee.
“Thanks for this. After last night, I need it.”
“Me too.” I laughed.
His eyes raked over me as he brought the cup to his lips.
“What?” I asked.
“You look sexy as hell in my T-shirt. But I would have preferred you made the coffee naked.” A smirk crossed his lips.
“Of course you would have.” I smiled. “I’m going to head back to my place.”
“Already?” he asked.
“You have to leave in twenty minutes, and I’m going home to shower. Call me later?”
“You bet.” He kissed me.
As I was leaving the bathroom, he called my name.
“Claire?”
“Yeah?” I turned and faced him.
“Thank you for staying the night.”
I stared into his sexy eyes as a soft smile crossed my lips.
Picking up my dress, panties, and shoes from the floor, I grabbed my purse and went to my apartment. I had an hour and a half before I had to be at Shaun’s house, which gave me enough time to get ready. I couldn’t stop thinking about Nick. I was falling for him, and that’s the last thing I wanted to do. Everything was happening all at once and too fast. Nick, my family. Now I had the house to deal with. Not to mention that I needed to find a job.
I grabbed my birth certificate and stuck it in my purse before heading out the door. When I arrived at Shaun’s house, I lightly knocked, and Jenni opened the door, holding a child.
“Good morning, sis. Come on in.” She grinned.
“Good morning. And who is this beautiful girl?”
“This is your niece, Stella. Stella, say hi to Auntie Claire.”
“Hi there, Stella.” I smiled.
Shaun walked down the stairs, holding another child.
“You have twins?” I asked.
“We do.” Jenni grinned. “This is Sawyer.”
“Morning,” Shaun spoke. “Coffee?” he asked.
“Yeah, but only if you have some Baileys.” I smirked.
“I do.” He chuckled.
Jenni set the twins on the floor amongst their toys, and we sat at the table. Shaun poured some Baileys into each of our coffees and set the cup down in front of me.
“Here’s my original birth certificate.” I pulled it from my purse and slid it across the table.
Shaun picked it up and looked at it.
“You were born in Paris?”
“Yeah. My mom was from there. We moved to the States when I was two.”
The sliding door opened, and Simon walked in, holding a little girl’s hand. I stared at her and smiled as she ran over to where the twins were.
“Claire, what are you doing here?” He smiled. “Jenni, Grace wants to know if you have any of that flavored creamer she loves. She used the last of the one she bought yesterday.”
“I think so. Let me check.”
“Is that your daughter?” I asked.
“Nora? No. She’s my sister. Grace and I took her in after her mother passed away.”
Shaun stared at me, and I turned my head and looked at Nora playing with the twins. Shaun set my birth certificate down, and when he went to get up from the table, it fell off. Simon reached down and picked it up.
“Whose birth—” He stared at it. “What the fuck is this?” Simon looked at me.
“Bro.” Shaun placed his hand on his shoulder. “Relax.”
“Relax? Why does this have dad’s name on it? Who the hell are you?” Simon’s eyes glared into mine.
“According to the birth certificate, she’s our sister,” Shaun spoke.
“Yeah, right.” He chuckled.
“It’s true, Simon.” I looked down. “Your father and my mother had an affair in Paris.”
“How old are you?” he asked sternly.
“Twenty-nine.”
“This—” He shook his finger. “This is bullshit.” He walked over to where I sat, his face mere inches from mine. “I don’t know who the fuck you are or the game you’re playing, but you picked the wrong family to play with.”
“Simon, stop,” Shaun said as he placed his hand on his shoulder. Simon jerked away. “You knew about this and didn’t say anything?” He glared at Shaun.
“I just found out last night at the gala.”
“I’ll take Nora and the creamer to Grace,” Jenni said. “Come on, Nora.”
“Wait,” I spoke. “I want to see her.”
“Grace, go!” Simon shouted.
“Bro, come on,” Shaun spoke.
“No.” He pulled his phone from his pocket.
“What are you doing?” Shaun asked.
“Getting the rest of the family over here.”
“No.” Shaun grabbed his phone. “We can’t tell anyone yet until we know for absolute sure. Please, Simon.”