Chapter Six #2
There was such tenderness in his voice that it almost softened the question. “He, um, had an aneurysm. He collapsed on the driveway on a sunny afternoon.”
Nick kept a careful eye on her, clearly expecting waterworks.
Little did he know she didn’t let those out too often.
“I’m really sorry, Claire.”
She dipped her head in acknowledgment. What more could she possibly say? That it was unfair of the universe to snatch away a healthy young man? That her life had never been the same?
He wouldn’t want to hear any of that.
“Anyway,” she said, “I cope.”
“I’m sure you do.”
Desperate to change the subject, she glanced at the clock on the wall. “Is that the time?”
He clenched his hand on the table, then relaxed it. “I should probably go. You’ve been staring at my mug all week long. I’m sure you’re tired of putting up with me.”
She had been staring, but in no way had it been a hardship.
“I’m not putting up with you at all. I enjoyed your company, and I really appreciate your help today.
” Tell him he can hang out for a while. “But I understand if you’re tired and want to head home.
” Somehow, the words she wanted to say wouldn’t reach her lips.
“I guess it has been a long week.”
“Yeah.” She stood and grabbed a couple of the plates. “Hey, there’s still a lot of poutine. Want to bring home some leftovers?”
“No, you enjoy it. It’ll make a great midnight snack.” Nick stood, but didn’t move right away. He opened his mouth, as if to say something else. There was a depth in his eyes that made her painfully aware of how close he was standing, and of how easy it would be to close that distance.
It looked as if he was thinking the same thing.
Don’t be silly. When she’d mentioned coming to one of his gigs, he’d totally clammed up.
Obviously, he wasn’t interested. Nor should she be.
She needed to sort out her head first.
God, was this what it was going to be like?
She wasn’t sure she’d be able to handle all the emotions that came with dating, having to second-guess everything.
With Arthur, it had always been so easy.
He’d worn not only his heart on his sleeve, but his soul.
He’d always spoken his mind and made it very clear he wanted her.
His passion and lust for life had been intoxicating, and she’d been happy to bask in his glow.
Claire could swear she spied some longing in Nick’s eyes.
He was probably just tired and wanted to go home.
“I’ll walk you out.”
“Sure.”
They headed to the door. She was about to follow him back across the field to where his truck was parked at the sanctuary, but he stopped her.
“I’ll be fine, Claire. You stay and lock up the door.”
“Oh, I only lock it when I go to bed.”
“I noticed.”
He has? She landed a soft punch on his arm. “You worried about me, all alone in this big house in the middle of nowhere?”
“Yeah, actually.”
His admission turned her knees to jelly, but she held herself up. “It’s quite safe here.”
“I’m sure it is, but would you mind humoring me?”
“I promise to lock my door. Feel better?”
“Yeah. I do.” Nick paused, then touched her elbow. “Good night, Claire. Thanks for dinner.”
“Thanks for the dresser.”
They stood on her porch for just a moment, staring at each other, but the moment was long enough for Claire to notice a few things.
She noticed the way the setting sun illuminated Nick from behind, making his dimensions seem all too attractive and comforting.
She noticed the way he held his breath, just as she held hers.
She noticed the way he lingered, as if trying to absorb her scent so he could remember it later.
And she noticed how the pit of guilt in her belly grew harder and heavier.
“See you on Monday.”
Claire nodded, at a loss for words.
Nick walked down the porch steps and ambled across the lawn toward the field.
Claire checked out his butt. Boy, it was fine.
“Okay,” she murmured, “you really need to stop. Whatever fantasy you have in your head, it’s not going to come true.”
About halfway across the field, Nick turned and waved.
Claire waved back.
Then, stricken with guilt, she headed back inside. She promptly locked the door, wondering when she’d stopped locking it anyway. Somewhere along the line, she must have stopped caring, but Nick was right. She was on her own, and needed to be careful.
Although, this evening, she’d felt a lot less alone.
She slowly started putting the takeaway leftovers in the fridge, but couldn’t ignore the cloying sensation in her gut.
Why did Nick Zorn have to be so sweet and so hot? It would have been much easier to carry on as usual if he hadn’t been either of those things.
Unsure of how else to spend her evening, Claire headed into the living room and turned on the TV. She flicked around the channels a bit, but then shut it off.
‘You worried about me, all alone in this big house in the middle of nowhere?’
‘Yeah, actually.’
She sighed.
He’d gotten under her skin, and now her pulse skipped into a rhythm she didn’t recognize.
Only one way to get him off my mind.
Claire marched upstairs to her bedroom. Stopping quickly to run a finger along her pretty new dresser, she sat on her bed.
She rummaged in her bedside table drawer and pulled out a vibrator.
Gripping the cool appliance, she almost laughed out loud.
It had been her ‘boyfriend’ for the past couple of years, and it was probably the only one to which she was suited right now.
She lay down, ignoring Arthur’s gaze from the wall. She unzipped her fly, slid the vibrator between her legs and closed her eyes.
Just this once, for one tempting moment, she dared to think about how it would feel to kiss Nick.
To slide his shirt over his head and loosen his belt buckle.
To cup him there, where he was stiff and ready for her.
He would kiss her then. It would be a hard kiss, a demanding kiss. And she’d give him everything.
Just this once, she’d allow herself a short fantasy, then she’d get him out of her system.
Lost in her seductive daydream, Claire turned on the vibrator and sank into the mattress.