Courting Claire by Kate Collins

Author:Kate Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: kate collins historical romance suspense sexy historical novel womens fiction linda obrien
Publisher: Kate Collins

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Their mouths came together in a fervent clash of desire. Claire wound her arms around Tyler’s neck as he pulled her against him, ravishing her with hungry kisses. They broke apart, breathing hard, then came together again. Claire yearned for more, kissing him eagerly, letting him explore her mouth with his insistent tongue, besotted by his taste and touch.

A far-off cry caused her to break their kiss. “Claire? Sweetie pie, are you out there?”

Tyler pressed her to his chest as he caught his breath. “Don’t answer.”

Claire wanted so much to comply, but couldn’t. “I have to,” she said with regret. “Something might have happened.” Reluctantly, she moved away from him, away from the safety of his arms. “I’d better go back alone.”

Without looking at him, she turned the corner of the building and started across the yard. Her heart pounded and her body still trembled from the tremendous force of her desire. She heard Lulu call again, and knew she should be grateful for the interruption. Her passion had been so overwhelming that she doubted she could have controlled it. How would she have lived with herself? “I’m coming,” she called dispiritedly.

Lulu stood on the back porch, squinting into the darkness. Spotting Claire, a smile of relief spread across her face. “I was beginning to worry, sweetie pie. I’m sorry to bother you.” She opened the back door and they went into the big kitchen together. “There’s a lady here to see you about renting a room. I wasn’t sure if I should take it upon myself to give her one.”

By the tone of Lulu’s voice, Claire knew there was something questionable about the late caller. She also was surprised that a lady would be out at that hour looking for a place to stay so far from town. “I’ll take care of it. Thank you, Lulu.” Starting briskly up the hallway, her step slowed when she saw who was at the door.

The lady smiled arrogantly from beneath the wide brim of her hat. “Hello, Claire.”

Claire stared at her former schoolmate in surprise. Daphne Duprey was the daughter of the town council president. Her mother was a bastion of social functions. They lived in a large house two blocks off of Grand Avenue, but Daphne also had her own residence on Eleventh. Why would she need a room at Bellefleur?

Daphne removed the large, pearl hat pin from her hat, swept the hat from her head, and patted her thick, copper-brown ringlets. “I understand you’re taking in boarders.”

“Yes, I am,” Claire replied, perplexed.

“I’m having my house painted inside and I can’t abide the fumes. I’ll need a room for two weeks.” She paused. “You do have a room available, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Claire replied automatically. She heard Lulu come up behind her and turned. “Will you take Miss Duprey upstairs? Either room at the end of the hall will do.”

Lulu plucked Daphne’s traveling case from the floor. “Right this way, Miss Duprey. Why, that rhymes, doesn’t it? I’m a poet and you didn’t know it.

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