Chapter Twelve
Jamison
It’s been two weeks and five long-ass days since I kissed Claire and had her in my arms. I need to hold her again. I need to hear the little gasps she gives when I steal her lips. I have to see her, be in her presence.
The texts and letters aren’t enough anymore. I need my fix. I’m not going to make it another two weeks until she drives up to see her parents.
That’s how I’ve found myself taking the highway south this Friday night. I texted her hours ago. She said she had plans to lounge out on her couch and watch movies while snuggled up with a blanket. I told her I wanted the same. She said too bad I wasn’t close enough; I could just come over.
Well, I took that as an open invitation. I packed an overnight bag and started driving. Sure, it’s presumptuous. But I live life that way. I always do what I want, when I want. So with a twangy country song playing and the evening air hitting me, I drive toward what I want.
I make the drive with a smile on my face and comfort in my heart. It’s an adventure being with Claire. I never know what to expect, and I thrive on that. Ever since she’s stepped into my world, I want things I’ve never wanted before.
It takes me no time at all before I’m pulling into her driveway. I haven’t even planned a date for us, but that’s okay. She doesn’t like extravagant displays of affection. The last time we had a date planned, she freaked out. She prefers when it’s something simple and just us. And for tonight, I’ll be happy to just sit next to her and pick up whatever her plans are for the night.
After the two-hour drive, the sun hangs low in the sky, casting a pink hue across the evening. I press Claire’s doorbell and wait. She opens the door in an old pair of sleep shorts and a tank top, and her blonde hair is a tangled mess atop her head. Her eyes go wide, and her mouth drops open.
She slams the door shut. I can’t help but burst out in laughter. I press the doorbell again. It’s a long pause before she slightly opens the door. I wait for the rest, but she doesn’t open it further, so I do it myself. I step inside, and she’s nowhere to be seen.
I shake my head and set my gym bag down on the floor. Again presumptuous, but I’m hoping to be staying all weekend. I’m not so much of a gentleman that I got a hotel before coming over. I’ll get one if she doesn’t want me here, but I’m pretty damn confident I’ll be sleeping with her in my arms again.
After slipping my shoes off, I go searching for her. Her bedroom door is ajar, so I stick my hand in enough to find her light switch. I flick the light a couple times. I’ve seen her dad do it before, and it’s like knocking on her door.
She peeks her head around and holds up a finger. The same hand holds a hairbrush. I’ll give her a minute, but she doesn’t need it.
You look beautiful. I’ve missed you. Come out here.
She disappears for a moment, then her door swings open. Claire is in my arms moments later. Her legs wrap around my waist, and her mouth descends on mine. She fucking takes what she wants from me. Pours all that desire into my mouth as she deepens the kiss.
God, she tastes like summer and desire, and I can’t get enough. Two weeks has been too long this time. My hands squeeze her curves. Her body belongs right here in my hands.
She breaks away, her chest heaving. That’s my kind of welcome. Her legs loosen from around my waist, so I reluctantly set her down.
What are you doing here? she asks.
I shrug. Your night sounded better than mine.
I’m watching movies and cuddling on the couch.
Exactly. Sounds perfect. My eyes continue to absorb her. The world seems right again now that I’m here.
Claire slips her hand into mine and pulls me toward the living room. There’s already a movie playing and piles of snacks.
Are you eating all this yourself? Or are you sharing? I ask.
She covers her eyes with her hands.
I take her wrists in mine and pull her hands away. Her gaze is soft. I plop down on the couch and pull her with me, then reach forward to grab the bag of thin Oreos she has.
When I lean back, I wrap my arm across her shoulders and tuck her into my side. I pop a chocolate cookie in my mouth, and the tension leaves my body with hers so snug next to mine. I start watching the movie until she tells me she wants to sign.
This is embarrassing,she signs, lifting her head from resting on my chest.
Why?I sign with my free hand, unwilling to release my hold.
When she lifts further away, it takes her warmth with her. She spreads her hands out to show her snack pile, then up and down her body.
My brows lower. Why does she think this? You greeted me with your nice body and food? That’s how I like to be greeted.
Nice wasn’t a strong enough word to describe her gorgeous body, but I sign with what I have. Her cheeks turn rosy at the remark.
Okay. She lays her legs over mine and snuggles back into my side. Once she relaxes, I watch the movie. I can’t help but chuckle and playfully poke her in the side. She’s watching Arachnophobia. Her laughter fills the space.
Her voice twists something in my chest, and I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be tonight.
◆◆◆
After the movie ends, Claire shifts. I’m content with never moving, but I let her readjust because she taps my arm three times.
Do you have to go already?she asks.
I smile. I plan on staying all weekend. That comment only intensifies her smile. I can get a hotel, though. I have to fingerspell “hotel,” but I’ve learned she doesn’t really care how I communicate with her.
You can stay here, she signs, her eyes pleading. It’s what I want too, so I’m not throwing up arguments.
She’s nibbling on her lip again, so I slide my hand behind her neck and pull her forward. Kissing her is like finding an aged whiskey. It’s consuming as it is delicious. Even more so when she lets all restraint go and climbs on my lap to deepen this kiss.
She tastes like chocolate, and I can’t contain the groan that rumbles through my body when she uses her tongue to tease my bottom lip. Unfortunately, it breaks the kiss. Claire leans up, her palm resting on my chest. Her gaze locks with mine, and the desire swimming in them is apparent. She comes back to kiss me with precision and focus. Her determination is sure as she nips my lower lip.
Claire works hard to draw another groan from me. She pulls away and looks down at me with wide eyes when the vibration curls up from my chest. Since she can’t hear the way I sound, she feels it. Her other hand tightens in the fabric of my shirt, her lithe body shifting to rub against me.
Fuck, she’s greedy with taking what she wants from me, her eyes darkening as she grinds again and again. My hand lands on her hip as my other slips inside her sleep shorts, encouraging her to explore what she wants. Without my hands free, I communicate with touch. I let her know I’m right here with her and she can take whatever she wants from me.
We don’t need words to communicate with each other. We let our bodies do that for us. With another shift of her tight little body on my fingers, she lets it all go, and her needy moan escapes. It sounds better than my mind could have ever conjured up.
Her body is trembling as she falls forward and buries her face in the crook of my neck. Warm breath caresses my skin. My heart is pounding harder than ever before.
I wrap my arms around her body and rest my face next to hers. My breathing is labored like hers, and I’ll get my body to calm back down in a moment. I’ve never felt that deep of a connection with another person before. We rest like this, and time doesn’t seem to matter. Eventually, my body settles, and her breathing steadily evens out.
There’s a lightness forming in my chest, the same I get when I’m thousands of feet in the air. I get it firmly planted on the ground when her body is tangled with mine. I doze off as the scent of her sandalwood shampoo settles me into an easy slumber.
◆◆◆
The aroma of coffee breaks my sleep haze. I peek an eye open when I get the feeling I’m being watched. Claire is standing there, her gaze lazily traveling across my body.
I smirk, then move my hand to make sure I have her undivided attention before I sign, Good morning.
She nibbles her bottom lip, then finally signs good morning back with her free hand. Her other hand is holding a piece of stationary. I rise, shove a hand through my hair, and reach for the cup of coffee she extends my way.
Claire keeps the paper back, but now I’m curious, so I reach my hand forward in a “give me” request. She hands it over and turns toward the kitchen while I read.
◆◆◆
Dear Jamison,
I didn’t want to wake you, but I have to go somewhere this morning. I hate to reschedule, so I hope you understand. You drove all the way up here for me, but this is something I need to do.
If you leave before I get back, thank you for last night.
Claire
◆◆◆
I rise and gulp down some coffee. After a quick swig, I’m thankful she seems to have been waiting awhile. Even though it’s hot, it’s cooled enough to drink. With a quick stride, I find her in the kitchen. I grab my gym bag along the way.
After her gaze meets mine, I sign, How much time before you go?
She glances at her watch. Now.
Can I come with you?
She takes a breath and hesitates. Finally, she nods in agreement. I came up with the plan to spend my entire weekend with her, so this is good.
I raise a finger and ask for a moment, then use my hand to pull my shirt over my head. I’m a simple guy, so it won’t take me long to get ready. I’m just not sure where we are going, so I don’t want to go in yesterday’s clothes. I start to unbuckle my belt, and the snap of the button is next.
A cup colliding with wood catches my attention. Claire has coffee spilled on her hand, and she’s shaking it off. Her face is scrunched in pain, so I pause and walk over to check on her. She’s already turned to grab a towel, but I pull her hand to mine to check it’s not burnt. It’s an angry red but not too bad.
With a free hand I sign, Careful.
A hue of red flushes her cheeks. Her gaze drops to my chest and lower. She pulls her hands from mine. A small smile tugs on the corner of her mouth.
I’m a bit distracted.
With a chuckle, I step away and get dressed rather than play with her. Her gaze remains until I turn the corner. I can’t help but peek once more. She never finished that coffee.