Her lips turn up into a smile, a devious grin forming. “Yeah, you thinking what I’m thinking?”
For once, sex is not on my brain. I grab her hand and pull her up from the bed.
Claire’s smile immediately turns into a frown. “Ah, come on!”
“Let’s get breakfast. We’ll have time for that later.” I wink at her and weave my fingers around hers.
I would absolutely love to do nothing more than lay in bed with her, rolling around the sheets until it’s time for her to go to class, but if I’m going to get on top of the developing deadly situation, I need to do some reconnaissance.
“Are we driving or walking?” Claire slips from my grasp and walks over to her backpack that’s resting on the couch in our living room.
“In this weather?” I snort. “Driving.”
“I keep forgetting how much you hate the cold.” She smiles at me and pulls a book from her bag. “I have to finish a chapter before class.”
“It’s not the temperature, it’s all that wet nasty stuff on the ground out there.”
Claire strolls over with a sultry gaze. She leans in close, whispering into my ear. “I could show you something wet and nasty.”
Heat flushes over me. How is it possible she takes my dislike for the snow and turns it into something so fucking sexy? If I didn’t want to extend the length of my life to give myself more time with her, I’d jump her bones right this instant. The throbbing in my pants is going to have to cool down until we get back.
I might not have long right now, but I steal a kiss from her anyway. I melt my lips onto hers and bring my hand up to grip the side of her face. I dance my tongue into her mouth, delicately caressing it against hers.
Her body reacts immediately, pushing into mine and silently begging me for more.
Instead, I break away, smiling and telling her, “You’re out of control.”
She grins back. “You made me this way.”
* * *
The drive across town is quick, and I savor every second of Claire being beside me, my palm stretched out on her thigh as she reads from her book.
I pull into an open parking spot and put the car in park. I patiently wait for her to finish up the last page, watching her ocean blue eyes skim the words in such a captivating manner.
Every single thing she does drives me wild with love and lust and admiration.
I hop out, rushing around to open her door before she gets the chance to. I extend my hand for her to take and guide her onto the sidewalk.
She stops dead in her tracks and stares up at the building we’re in front of.
I slide my fingers around hers and pull her toward the door. It clangs shut behind us, just like the one at Bram’s had done.
A place I miss dearly. A place I hope to return to someday.
Bram was the father I never had, and I hate how I took for granted our time together. I had pushed him away when shit got rough, but somehow, he came through for me in ways I never could have expected. I owe him my life for helping me try to escape Franklin, even when he had no idea what was going on.
Claire clings to my arm, and I welcome her closeness.
I point to a booth in the corner. “How about there?”
She nods slightly, a sense of nervousness about her bubbling to the surface. Is it because she can feel my unease, too?
I slide into the seat opposite of Claire, giving myself a solid vantage point with the most optimal viewing of the diner.
A freckle-faced boy with a beanie approaches. He lays two napkins on the table and pulls out a notepad. “What can I get you to drink?”
I glance at Claire but she’s fumbling with her thumb.