Chapter Seventeen #2
Nick had always been able to separate sex from emotions before, but with Claire, he didn’t have it in him to remain detached. Every touch brought him closer to her. Every kiss made him want to find out even more about her. He wanted to hear every story from her past, and create new ones with her.
He was pretty sure he was falling for her, and he was plunging fast and hard.
He’d never experienced anything like it, and it terrified him.
“You need to talk to her, Nick. You need to lay it all out.”
“But what if I lose her in the process?”
“I can’t promise you that won’t happen. But if it does, maybe it’s better it happens sooner, rather than later.” His dad patted him on the shoulder and headed back inside.
His mind in a fog, Nick followed.
* * * *
Nick had another coffee for Claire on Monday morning. When she saw him coming, a vision of strong thighs, flexing biceps and tousled hair, her breath caught in her throat.
He handed her the coffee cup, leaning in to give her a quick kiss. “Good morning.”
The rasp of his stubble on her cheek made her want to cling to him. However, considering that there were about twenty-five crew members and sanctuary volunteers currently milling about, she refrained. “Good morning. Thanks for the coffee.”
“My pleasure, friend.” He drank from his cup, eyeing her.
The way Nick said ‘friend’ in those low, rumbling tones let her know he was thinking thoughts that were so much more than friendly.
Her body responded in ways that were so much more than friendly. “How was dinner with the family?”
“Nice, actually. I had a talk with my dad about, you know, life.”
“Ah. Was it a good conversation?”
“Yeah. I’ve had a lot on my mind, and he helped me see things in a different way.”
“Good.”
“Oh, and I had a chance to talk to my brothers at the end. I told them I was ready to start playing gigs with them.”
“Nick, that’s amazing!”
“Thanks. I decided it was time for me to start taking life by the horns again. Anyway, Eli called one of our buddies on the spot. He owns a bar in Toronto. We’re booked for Friday night.”
“So soon?”
“Well,” said Nick, laughing, “we don’t exactly play high-class gigs. And, like I said, we’re friendly with the owner. He squeezed us in.”
“Right. The famous Zorn brothers. I’m guessing he flat-out cleared his schedule for you.”
He shrugged in modesty. “I don’t know about that. I was wondering…do you think you might want to come watch us?”
“Of course. I’m excited to hear you play.”
His face lit up, causing her nerves to fire. She was glad he was feeling better about being in public, and she wanted to support him.
Of course, this meant they were going on another date.
While Claire was genuinely eager, she knew dating did not exactly fall under the ‘friends with benefits’ guidelines. Or did it?
They should stick to hooking up, to keep things less complicated. It was true that her emotions had sideswiped her recently, leaving a ding in her surface, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t stick to the plan.
Cheering for Nick as he played with his band would probably involve some of her emotions.
Could she really afford to mess with them any more than she already had?
It didn’t matter. She had promised Nick, and she really wanted to see his band. This meant a lot to him.
Strangely enough, it meant a lot to her too.
It was just one date, and Nick’s brothers would be there too. They’d act as a buffer. She needed to stop worrying.
And maybe concentrate more on the ‘benefits’ side to their friendship. “So…want to come over tonight?”
There was a slight pause before Nick spoke, but it was a pause, all the same. “I think that can be arranged.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. We can grab something to eat and then hang out.”
Hang out. Right. “Great. Let me know when you’re done today, and we can walk over together.”
“Sounds good. Um, I guess I’d better get to work. See you later, Claire.” With a tight nod, Nick disappeared into the back yard.
Claire watched him go, her stomach unsettled. Weird, considering she hadn’t eaten anything yet.
She was glad Nick had agreed to come over after work. She hadn’t been able to get him off her mind since the last time she saw him.
The things he’d done to her…
She’d been nervous to ask him, in fairness. In fact, she had been convinced he might say no. Even though Nick was enthusiastic in bed, she wondered if a part of him disapproved of their current setup.
If a part of him wanted more.
As she began her work day, her heart felt heavier than it had in a while.
And she knew it was because a part of her wanted more, too.
* * * *
As Nick and Claire walked across the field to her house after work, he quietly warred with himself.
This is just sex. Keep it simple.
Yeah, right. You almost jumped for joy when Claire said she’d watch you play with the band on Friday. This is not just sex, buddy. Not by a long shot.
Maybe you should just talk to her, like Dad suggested. This isn’t working.
Is this working?
I’m fucked.
“How was your day?” asked Claire. “I didn’t get to see you very much.”
“It was good. Everything’s fine. You?”
“Fine.” She ran a hand down his arm. “Are you okay? You seem distracted.”
“Nope. I’m good.” He cracked a smile, hoping it looked genuine.
They got to her house and she unlocked the door. Nick was glad to see she’d taken his advice on that. If anyone ever broke into her place…
A horrible image flew into his head, one of someone hurting Claire.
Dwelling on that unlikely thought for even a second gave him hives.
This is not exactly ‘friends with benefits’ behavior, my dude. Calm down.
Only Nick wasn’t calm. He was rattled.
He cared for Claire, and needed to be inside her so badly, but he knew that if they had sex again it would just put more strange ideas in his head.
Things like wanting to be there for her when she went home at night, wanting to protect her and comfort her. Wanting to be her rock and her inspiration.
Her greatest love.
Do you even hear yourself?
Maybe this was a bad idea. He should probably go home and sort himself out.
Claire closed the front door behind them, and turned to him. She was so fucking cute in her hip-hugging shorts and a T-shirt that said Live. When she looked up at him, she was nibbling her bottom lip. A coy light warmed her eyes. “So,” she said quietly, “what do you want to eat?”
Yeah, he was definitely fucked.
Nick seized her and hauled her up against his body.
His banquet was already in front of him.