CLAIRE: (is it really love) by Grace Gervas

CLAIRE: (is it really love) by Grace Gervas

Author:Grace Gervas [Gervas, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2019-12-21T06:00:00+00:00


"OhClaire,"Ryanuttered.Hefollowedherandheldher chinup,forcinghertolookathim."youdon'tgetit,doyou?"he playfullylickedhislips."Youcan'tgetoutofhereunlessIsay so."

Shecockedherheadandlungedawayfromhim,leaving himsmiling."Doestamingmemakeyoufeelpowerfulor something?"sheaskedhim."IsthishowyoudealwithDorisand allotherwomenyoufuckaround!"

ThistimeRyanlaughedaloud."I'malreadypowerful enoughClaire,Idon'tneedtotameyoutoproveit!"hesaid, trailingherposition."AndIdon'tfuckaroundjustanyone!"

"OhIshouldbegratefulright?ThatthemightyRyanStevens hashisdickonme!"hersarcasmwashilarioustohisears. Helaughedyetagain;hestoodupcasuallyandlungedclose toher."Aren'tyougrateful?"heaskedinahuskyvoice,while tauntingClairebycirclinghismovementandhaltedbehindher. Shewasfullofrage,butthistimehadn'tanyintentionofgoing physicalwithhim;she'dhadalreadylearnedhisgame,that wheneversheresisted,Ryanwouldpushharder."AdmititClaire, youdon'twanttogoanywherebuthere?"hegrippedheracross thechestwithonearm,causinghertostayput.

"Iwon'tquestionyourdeliriumRyan,soyoucanthink whateveryouwant!"Claireanswered.Shewasstrivingnotto budge,againstthestrongmanwhohadherunderhisskin;he unleashedseveralfeelingsatonceinher.Shewasangry,then shewasnot.Shewantedtomove,thenherbodywouldn'tallow her.

Ryan'sfreehandtravelledbeneathhershortskirt;he playedwiththehemofitsfabricwhilerestinghisheadon Claire'sshouldertoslowlykissherearlobe.Shebitherlips hardlytoblockanytinglingsensationitarousedherbody.

"I'mnotbeingdelirious;Iknowyouwantme!"hebreathed thewordsslowly,justasthewayhishandsneakedalloverher thighs.

"Ryanplease,justletmeleavealready."shepleaded,and felthisindecentfingersfindingthemostsensitivepartofher femaleanatomy."Ooh!"shemoanedsubtlyandarchedherback, inresponsetohisfrontalassault.

"WhyClaire?Areyouscaredtogivein?Afraidyouwon'tbe abletoresist?" "OfcourseI'mnotscaredofanything!"Shebarked, betweenangerandpride."AndwhatmakesyouthinkIcan't resistyou?"

"You'retremblinginmyarmsClaire."Hesaidinawhisper. "AndIknowyou'resoturnedonrightnow!Itshowsrighthere betweenyourbeautifullegs."

"NoI'mnot!PleasestopthisthismadnessRyan!" "Stopit?Youbeggedmenottostopearlierthisafternoon, andyouweresodamnobedient!Whyareyouaskingmetostop rightnowhuh?Don'tyoulikeit?Iwantyoutobegmeformore Claire,I'llmakeyouaskformore!"Hecontinuedwithhisblow jobandshewaspantingheavily.

"I...Iwon't!"Sheutteredbetweenherbreath. "OhyouwillClaire!"Hesaidhoarselywhilekissingherneck, makinghersquirm. "Oh.My.God.PleaseRyandon't--"shebreathedandhe spedthepace;theeffectofhisfetishtorturewasgettingsevere andherbodywasgettingonfire.

Hesuddenlyreleasedhisfingers."Don'twhatClaire?Sayit! Don'twhat?"Hetiltedherfacefrombehindtoseehersaythe words.

"Don'tstop."shecried,andRyanonlyheldherfirmly, feelingherheavybreathing."PleaseRyan,you'vewonhuh?"she turnedaroundtofacehimintheeyes."Justdestroyme.Now!" sheorderedwhilepullinghershirtoverherhead.

"That'swhatIthoughtbaby,letmetakecareofyou." repliedRyanandpushedheronbed.Shescreamedoutinglee ashepulledherskirtdownherlegs,justtocontinuetowhere theyhadstopped.Heplayedheruntilshebeggedformoreand it'swhenhethrusthimselfintoher,hardandfast,forcingsome vulgarwordsouthermouth.

Bythetimethey'rebothbacktoearth,Clairewasbreathless, satisfiedandspent;herfaceburiedonRyan'schestwithher bodycompletenakedagainsthis,exceptapieceofbedsheet aboutherwaist.Hewascaressingherbacksoftlywhenshesaid;

"WhatareyoudoingtomeRyan?"Shewasreferringto everythingthat'sbeenhappeningsinceshestartedhangingout withhim.

"Exactlywhatyoudotome;drivingeachothernuts!"Ryan repliedandtheysharedasmalllaugh."I'mstarving,shallwego outfordinner?"hechangedthetopic.

Claireraisedherface."Onlyifyouhadn'trippedmyshirt off!"shesnapped.

"Ohaboutthat,Ibroughtyousomeclothes."Hepointed twoshoppingbagsthatshedidn'tnoticetheentiretime. "Whendidyougetthem?"Sheasked,elatedly,while wrappinghernakednesswithRyan'sshirtjustlikebefore. "Earlieraftertheoffice."repliedhe.

Clairetiptoedtothebagsandrevealedablousethat's almostidenticaltothetornone,andanotherbaghadadress andtwounderwear;disturbingtypeofundewear.Shelifted themupandasked,"Really?"andasusual,Ryanonlyshrugged, laughingly.Shesighed."Howdidyouguessmysize?Didyou shopyourself?"

"MustIgointodetails?"

"Yesplease..."

"Alright?Itookyourtornblouseandaskedtheladyinthe shopforclotheswithsimilarsize,andaboutshoppingmyself, it'shalf-yes-half-no.Pleasedon'taskmetogointodetailshuh?"

Shegiggled."Okay,atleastI'llhavesomethingtowear tomorrow."Shesaid."Ijusthopethedressfits!"

"WellIhopeitdoesn't,thatwayIcanlockyouuphereand fixyourfoulmouth!"

"Don'tyoudare!"Claireshothimaglare;heburstedout laughing.

CHAPTER13 NextdayatworkClairearrivedasearlyasusual.Ryandroveher himselftotheoffice,andmadesuretheyhadplansfordinnerat night;whichClaireforcefullyrejected.Shedidn'twanttofallinto histraponceagain,despitethefactthathekeptinsistingthatit wasgoingtobejustdinnerandout;stillClairerefused.The truthwas,shewasreallydyingtohavedinnerwithRyan;to spendmoretimewithhim,butknowingthathe'dalwaysendup fighther,andtheninsideherpants,changedhermind.

Atleastnothingoutoftheordinarywasgoingoninthe officewhenshemetNathanthatmorning.Hewasasfriendly andasrespectfulashehadalwaysbeen.Henevermentioned aboutherusualinvolvementwithRyanattheSKlobbytheother day;it'sasifNathanrespectedherprivatelifeandshewas eternallythankfulforthat.

"You'lljointhedesigningteamstartingtomorrow."said Nathanastheywentthroughtheseveralpointsofcorrection andalterationonthepreviousdesigns.

Clairewassurprised."Jointhedesigningteam?Butwhy?" Shequicklyjumpedintoskepticism,whensheentertainedthe ideaofRyanbeinginvolved.

"BecauseIwantyouinLevy;itwasyourideasoit'sonlyfair thatyouatleastgiveusyourfullinsight."Nathanrepliedina professionalway."Look,IknowI'mbreakingtherulehere,butI can'tletachancetocreatesomethingmarvelouspassusbyjust becauseofasimpleformality;sobeready,I'llwanttoseeyour designideaswhenwestartworkingtomorrow."hesmiledhis usual.

Clairewasatlossforwords.Shehadwaitedsoeagerlyto havethatopportunityandthereitwas,knockingonherdoor. "OhthankyousomuchNathan,Iswearyouwon'tregret!"she almostjumped,onvergetokisshimonthecheek,butdecided againstit."I'llgoandfinishallmypaperworksfrommy secretarialjob."shescowled.

"Oops!That'snotmyfaultyouknow,it'stheruleandIt wasn'tpersonal."hesaidinabustedway.

"Justadmititthatyouenjoyedmydeliciouscoffeewhileit lasted." "JustbetweenusLevy,you'recoffeetastesterrible!" "Oh!Isthatso?"Clairegrimaced.

"Yeah."Nathanansweredtruthfully.

Exactlyasshehadoriginallyintended,Clairespentherday workingendlessly,makingupformissingthatonecrazyday becausesomecrazymaniac,asshereferredRyanas.Andto thinkhe'dbeenpesteringher,wheneverhegotthechance, duringtheofficehourswithcallsandbundleoftexts,Claire couldnolongerunderstandhowtodealwitharollercoaster namedRyan.Whenitgottoosevere,shedecidedtotexthim back;

FROM:Claire

TO:RYANTHEJERK Tue***2:30PM

(Subject)CanyoupleaseshutupforaminuteRyan!I'mtrying toworkhere.IsaidI'mnothavingdinnerwithyou,psycho.

Sent. Shecontinuedwithherwork;typingsomethingonher computer,whileskimmingsomepapers,untilherphone chirped.

FROM:RYANTHEJERK TO:Claire Tue***2:35PM

(Subject)Oh!You'rehurtingmyfeelingsMs.Challenge.Ican't concentratewithmyworkrightnowbecauseofyou;you'vegot alittledebttorepayClaire.Noonemesseswithmyjob.And aboutdinner,I'mstillhopingyoucouldgrantmethehonors.

Received. Clairecouldn'tresistlaughingwhilereadingRyan'sreply.He wasamixtureofcrazinessandwittywhichhadalwaysmanaged toboilherbloodindifferentdimensions.Hewascapableof makingherfeelangry,annoyed,irritated,andevenlikecrying; butalsohe'dmakeherlaughatverystupidthings,andeven confidentonherowntalentswhencametowork.Shedidn't understandwhyofallthemenithadtobeRyan;thecold,the jerk,andmostdomineeringpersonshe'devermet,incapableof anyemotionotherthatsexual;andnotsomeoneelse.She quicklytypedbacktohim.

FROM:Claire TO:RYANTHEJERK Tue***2:38PM

(Subject)Maybeweshouldstartbyfixingyourattitudethat you'reincontrolofeverythingandeveryoneSir,I'mgladyou can'tconcentrateinyourwork;thatwayyoucanunderstand howitfeelsliketobemessedaround;butthatdoesn't necessarilymeanIbelieveyourpick-uplineeither.LikeIsaid, I'mbusywithwork.Andaboutdinner,mydecisionstillstands. Firmly!

sent. Sheplacedhercellphoneasideandallowedhermindto driftalittlebyleaningbackagainstherchair.Itwaslunchbreak untilthreeandtheofficewasempty.Either,shehadno intentionofleavingherofficestalluntilshewasdonewiththe work,andherintentiontostoodRyanwasstillintact.Iwon'tlet youplaymeagainRyan,shethoughtandherphonechirped again.

FROM:RYANTHEJERK TO:Claire Tue***2:40PM

(Subject)IloveitwhenyouplayfeistyClaire,butI'mnotin themoodforthat.Ireallywanttohavedinnerwithyoutonight, Sopleasebendyourfirmdecisionforonce,huh?BecauseIcan alwaystransferyourofficetoSKandhaveallthreemealswith you,everyday;Ohyes,I'mthreateningyourightnow.

P.S:DON'TCALLMESIR!!!

received. WhenClairereadthis,sheburstedoutlaughing.Itwas incrediblehowthatkindofhideousmessagecouldpossibly makeherlaughinsteadofgettingangryathisremarks.Firsthe beggedher,andthenhethreatenedherbetweenthesameline. Butthatwasnolongeranissueforher;she'dalreadyseenalot comingfromhiminjusthalf-a-week.

FROM:Claire To:RYANTHEJERK Tue***2:42PM

(Subject)Iknowyouhavethepowertopushthroughyour threatsSIR.Butifyoutry,IswearI'mgonnaquitmyjob.Oh! Andthat'snotathreatactually,it'sapromise!Nowletmefinish myjob,beforeIgetfiredfirst.

Sent. Shesmiledbrightlyandcontinuedpinchingthekeyboards. Andjustasshebegantogetseriousagain,therewaswasan incomingcallandsheknewrightawayitwasfromhim.Witha heavysigh,sheslidthereceiver.

"WhatnowRyan?Areyoutiredwritingthreats?"Sheuttered. Herepliedthroughthephone,"Areyoureallybeing adamantaboutdinner?We'lljusteatandI'lltakeyouhome afterwards!"hehadacalmtoneofvoiceforachange.

"I'mnotbeingadamantoranything,Ijustcan'tgooutwith youtonight?"Shereplied.

"Whycan'tyou?"Ryanasked. "BecauseIhaveotherplans!"Shelied;theonlyplansshe hadwasstayingintheofficeuntillate,andgobackhometo sleeponherownbed.

"Otherplans?Withwho?Panther?"Hisvoicestartedtolose itscalmness. Clairerolledhereyes."Youdon'tthinkI'maloneror something,doyou?Ihaveotherpeopletohangoutwith,Soit doesn'thavetobemybossyoumaniac!"Sheblurted.

Shecouldhearhislaugh."Okaywhoareyouplanningto meet?Gena?"Heinsistedonknowing.

"No!I'mhavingdinnerwithmybrother,isthatfineofan answer?"Shebarked"Yourstepbrother?"Ryansnapped. Clairefrowned."Yeshim.Whydoyousoundsurprised?" Sheheardhislongsigh."Nothing!Wellhaveanicetime withyour...stepbrother."Ryansaidsarcastically. "YoubetIwill.OkayI'mbusy.Bye!"Shesnappedandhung up.

**** ASthenightapproached,RyanwasheadingoutofSKbuilding withDorisbesideher.Theyhadbeenbothbusywiththelast minutedetails,abouttheremodelingprojectofMaryrosestreet, anditseemedtobecomingalonggreat.Whileheadingforthe parkinglot,Doristoldhimsomething;

"TodayIheardaweirdrumorwhenIwasinspectingthe lobby,andnowthatIthinkofit,Ican'tconcealmycuriosityany longer."shesaidhaltinglyandheonlyglancedatherwithouta reaction."Iheardyouwerearguingwithawomananditlooked likeyoutwohadsomethingseriousgoingon!"Sheproceeded.

Ryanlookedatherwithafaintsmile."Youcan'tstoppeople fromtalkingaroundsojustignorethem,itwasnothingserious." Heansweredcasually.

"Wasither?"Sheprompted,herlegsstucktotheground, andRyanhadtodothesamewhenheturnedaround."Wasit Claire?"shebrokeitdown.

Ryanfrowned."What'sthematterwithyou?"Hereturned whenheapprehendedthechangeinherface;shewasseriously angry.

"DoyouthinkI'mstupidRyan?ThatIdon'tunderstand what'sgoingon?"Sheutteredandhemovedcloserandclearly toldherintheeyes;

"Don'tdothisDoris,pleasedon't!"Andoffhewentforhis car. Dorisfollowedher."Why?Areyouattractedtoher?Talkto me!"Shescreamedathim,andhestoppedbythedoor,gripping itshandlertightlyandmadly.Hefinallyreturnedaroundand suckinadeepbreath.

"YouandI,don'thavethiskindofarrangementDoris, you'vebeenforgettingyourplacealotlately!"Hemutteredthe wordsbetweenhisclenchedteeth."Youdon'thaveanyrightto questionmyprivatelife,andit'swhatyou'vebeendoing,andI don'tappreciateyouractinglikeajealousywife."headded.

Dorisswallowed,herfistsclenchedtohersides."Your privatelife?Sincewhendoyouhaveyourprivatelife?" "I'mnotdoingthisbullshit!"Ryansnappedandreachedfor thedooranditswungopenasecondlater.Heseatedhimself behindthewheel,andwatchedherwhilebucklinguptheseat belt."That'sanicecarbytheway,itreallysuitsyou!"Hetoldher, andshereflexivelylookedatherbrandnewredMazdabefore crackingherlongheelsawayfromhissight.Heonlyloosened histie,andhittheclutch.

Inthemiddleoftheroad,RyandecidedtocheckonClaire andtheircallwasimmediatelyconnectedviaanearpiecehewas wearing.

"Youjustcan'tletmebreath,canyou?"Clairesnappedand hislipsstretchedintoasmile.

"Andyoujustcan'tbeniceforevenasecond,canyou?"He returned,eyesfixedonthemildtrafficwhenhiscarrested. "TrustmeRyan,I'mreallytryingtobenicebutit'sjustso impossiblewhencomestoyoubecauseyou'rejust--" "Imissyou!"Heutteredsoftly,thatevenwithoutseeingher, hecouldtellhowstartledClairewas.

"AreyoudrunkRyan?"Sheremarked."Becausethatsounds likeadrunktalk."

"I'mdriving."hereplied,andthensmiledwithhishead shakentothesides. "Oh!"Isallshecouldsay.

"Areyouonyourdinnerdate?Withyourstepbrother?"

"Ineversaiditwasadinnerdate!IonlysaidIhadplansto meethim."

"So,areyouwithhim?"Ryanasked,andhiscarstarted movingagain.

"YesIam.It'safamilytimeRyan,doyouseriouslyhaveto knoweverythingIdo,when,whereandevenwithwhom?" "Yes.Iwanttoknowallthat!"heansweredwithutmost seriousness. "You'reimpossible!FineI'mwithmybrotherrightnow,and we'reabouttohavedinnerathome,ofcoursewithmy stepmotheraswell."Sheansweredwryly."Areyouboredbyany chanceandinneedtofindsomeonetomessaroundwith? BecauseIdon'thavethetime."

"I'mreallybored,butnotbecauseofwhatyou'reimagining atthemoment.Ijustmissyourpresence,that'sall.I'mnotsure howmycoldapartmentisgoingtofeeltonight."Ryansaid,with anexhaustedyawn.Clairewentsilentforawhile,probably contemplating.

"JustbarewithitRyan.It'syourhouse."Shefinallysaid. "Andifyou'rethatbored,youcanalwayscallyourgirlfriend over.Becarefulontheroad,andhaveagoodnightRyan."She finishedandthelinewentdead.

Hestayedcreepysilentinsidehiscar,feelingaforeigntype ofemotionthathequicklyshutawaybyspeedingup,oncehe hadfinallypulledthroughthejamtowardsafreeroad. CHAPTER14

Joiningthedesigningteamwasthebestthingthatcould've happenedtoClaire.Shelovedit,andthememberswelcomed herfairlyenoughconsideringfewcircumstances.Shehadbeen workingwiththeminthreedays,andthingswereproceeding well.ItwasFriday,whenJorgesuddenlycalledherduringlunch hoursandinvitedherout.Shewasskepticalatfirst,butwhen shethoughtaboutthefavourhehaddoneherbyfindingGenaa job,Clairerealizedsheshouldatleastbekind.Shewinded thingsupintheoffice,andleftforherappointment;sinceitwas Friday,therewasn'tsuchtodointheofficeafterlunch.

"Thanksforcomingonsuchashortnotice;Iwasaround nearbyandIthoughtwecouldhavelunch."SaidinJorgeinhis carefulmanners.Hewashandsome,nottoohandsome;aman withsuchcalmnessthat'seasilymistakenforkindness,buthe wasboth.Hehadmannersofanancientgentleman;ifhewere tochoose,he'dpickdresspantsoverajeans,asweaterovera jacket,andaloaferoveraJordan.Buthewasgood,andvery easytoconverse.

"It'sokay,I'mgladyoudidcozIwasfamished!"Claire repliedonceshe'dpressedherorder.It'sbeenfewdayssince they'dseenoneanother,anditappearedbothofthemstayed outlongtoavoidtheirmother."ActuallyIshould'veinvitedyou first;IwantedtothankyouforhiringGena,itmeansalotme!" sheadded.

Jorgesmiled."Itwasnobigdeal!Shehadgreatcredentials, andtherewasanopenposition."hesaidwarmly. "Eitherway,thankyou."saidClaire,andwhatfollowedwas asimpleconversationaboutboththeirworks,whichborefew brieflaughternowandthenuntilthefoodarrived.

Theybothhadafill,andparticularlyhadanicetime.Itwas actuallythefirsttimeforthetwotohangoutandsharedameal outsidethehouse.

"Umph!IthinkI'veeatentoomuch."Jorgeutteredwhileat hisfeet,readytogoclearthecheck. Clairelaughedbrightly."Metoo!Ididn'tknowthere'ssuch anicerestaurantaroundmyworkplace;it'sofficiallymynew spot."Sherepliedamidstfinishinghermilkshakefordessert.

WithJorgegone,Clairestartedwanderinghergazearound inquestfornothingparticularly.Andthat'swhenherheartgave herapang,whensomeoneunexpectedwalkedintothe restaurant.Shequicklystraightenedup,whileabandoningthe strawawayfromhermouth.Doriswasenteringtherestaurant asgraciouslyasshewas;inacompanyoftwootherladieswith similarambiance.Hersmilewasradiant,asshespoketoher girlsonthewaytotheirtable,butdarkenedfastwhenhereyes metClaire.ButthenshegrantedhercivilitytoClaireanyway,by marchingtowardshertable.

"Hellothere?"Dorisgreetedwithhersmileback;itwas impossibleforClairetodeterminedwhetheritwasrealor plastic.

"Ohhi?"Clairereturned,withherbestsmile.

"SuchacrazycoincidencethatIkeeprunningintoyou whereverIgo,"Dorissaid."seemslikewesharethesametaste

ineverything."Andaddednonchalantly;somethingabouther wayofspeakingleftClaireabitdisturbed. "Ohperhaps,butIdon'tthinkso."Claireutteredwitha smallsmile."I'msurewedon'thavesimilartasteineverything! Butit'sgoodrunningintosomeoneyouknow,bypure coincidence,ofcourse!"shepolitelyadded.

Dorisgrinned."Ihopeso;becauseitsohappensthatIhate sharing!"Shesaidpointedly,withoutkillingherownsmile."Oh sillyme!IforgotthatyouworkatStarlight,obviouslyyoumust comeherealot."

Clairestaredarchlyather,alingeringsmileonherher perfectlips,withherheartbeatingathousandmilepersecond. AtthattimeJorgehadjustfoundhiswaythere;Clairethanked thehollyspiritforsuchadivineinterventionwhenheasked;

"AmIinterrupting?I'mdonewiththebill."Hewasstanding behindClaire,andacrossfromDoriswholookedalittleamused atthesightofthemtwotogether.

"Notatall,IwasonlysayinghitoClaire."SaidDoris, smilingly."It'smewhoseemstobeinterrupting." Jorgelookedbetweenthetwoladieswithquestionmarks; hehadzeroideaonwhatwasgoingonhencedecidedtostay quietasClairestoodupandstretchedherpalepinkwrap-dress thatRyanhadboughther.

"WewereactuallyleavingDoris,toobad,I'dhavelovedto continuechatting,butweneedtogohome."Claireannounced. "Ohhome?Okay.That'snoproblemwithme,wecanalways finishwherewestoppedClaire.Goodeveningtoyouboth!"said Dorisandshenoddedcurtly.

"Butofcourse,goodeveningtoyoutoo."Clairereplied. Onceoutside,sheexhaledheavily,asifshe'dbeenholding herbreathforever.Herheartwaspoundingheavily,andthe guiltyengulfeditwithcuffs.Howcouldshetalktoherlikethat? It'swhatClairewaswonderingasshewalkedpensivelytowards Jorge'scar.Doris'stonewasfullofsarcasm,asifshewasbeing nastywithoutbeingvulgar.Didsheknow,Claireaskedherself andtheideaterrifiedher.IfDorisknewthatshewassleeping withRyan,thenthatitselfwasaningredientfordisaster.

"Iseverythingokay?"Jorge'svoicestartledher. "Huh?"shegasped.

"I'maskingifyou'reokay,youlooklikeyou'veseena ghost!"Hereplied,laughingly. "Ohyeah,Iamokay."Clairereturned."Areyougoinghome earlytoday?becauseIam!"sheaddedafterregainingher composure.

Jorgeanswered."Yeah,I'mdonefortheday." "Okay,let'sgo."Clairesmiledweaklywhilehoppingin.She tried,toohardtoforget,abouthertête-â-têtewithDoris;butit wasimpossibletoannihilatethetoneofhervoice.Sherunher handsintoherhair,followedbyacouplesighsuntilthecar started.

"Whowasthatladyearlier?Youtwoseemedtoknoweach other,butthenlikeenemies."Jorge,whohadbeensilentthe entiretimeincontemplation,finallyspoke.

Clairegiggled."Whywouldyouthinkwe'reenemies?"she asked.Aren'tyou?Hersubconsciouswarned.

"Idon'tknow,Ijustsensed."Heremarked."WellIfeellike I'veseenherbefore,whoisshe?" "Maybeyouhave."repliedshe."HernameisDoris,she worksatSK,aPRDirectororsomething.I'veonlymether recently."shesaidvaguely.

"Andyetyoutwolookedlikerivals?"

"Ohplease,I'mnotsurewhatyousawtothinkthatway,but Iassureyouit'snot." "Okay."Jorgesmiled.

"DoyouhaveagirlfriendJorge?"Clairesuddenlyasked.

Helookedstartled,butreplied."Um--No,Ihadonebutwe brokeupnotlongago.Whataboutyou?"heaskedwithasmile. "Me?"Clairechucked,ridiculously."Idon'tthinkIhaveone. Imean,Idon'thave!"Shesaid.

"Idon'tgetit,yousoundlikeyou'renotsureorsomething. Isitcomplicated?"

Sheonlyhadamatingpartner.Shethought."It'snot complicated,Ijustdon'thaveone."

"That'sodd."Jorgesaid."Arealltheguysinyourofficeblind orsomething?"Heremarked.

"Jorge!"Claireexclaimed,andhelaughed."Whatareyou insinuating?"Shemadeitcasual. "Nothing,don'tgetmewrong.We'resiblings;bloodrelated ornot."Helaughed."Ijustthinkit'sodd,becauseyou'resmart, you'rebeautifulandmostofall,verykind."

"WellI'mflattered!"Shesaid.

Butthatwasexactlywhatshewastoldbysomeonewitha girlfriend;Ryan.Shethoughtinwardly,andkeptittoherself. Whenshefinallygothome,Clairereachedfortheshowerand tookthelongerone.It'dbeenonehellofamentalexhaustion foraday;especiallyafterseeingDorisattherestaurant.She blewairwhilewearingpyjamasforanight,withherheadjiggled withRyanandDorisimages.First,hehadbeensilentthewhole daysincehismanyattemptstohavemealswithher;from dinnertolunch,fromlunchtodinner;andClairerejectedthem all.Shewassupposedtobehappywiththeoutcome,butthe contrarywasthematter.

Shejustdroppedonbed,andlieddownonhertummy, recheckingallhismessagesandtheirmanyexchanges.Asmile escapedherlipsandrealizedshemighthadactuallymissedhim; butshewasn'tgoingtocallhim.AwhilelaterGenacalledher, anditwasliketelepathybecauseshealsowantedtotalktoher badly;toventandmaybereceiveabest-friend-back-up.

"Tsupsweetie?"Genasprawled.

"Cool,howareyou?"Claireasked.

"I'mfine,actuallyI'mhyped!"theformerscreamedonthe otherend.

Clairesmiled."Okay,atleastsomegoodnewsfora change."

"Harryinvitedmeovertohisplacetomorrow,andI'mso freakingout." "Alright!"Clairegrinned,beforesittingmorecomfortablyon herbedroomcouch."Whyareyoufreakingout?It'snotlike you'veregainedyourvirginityorsomethingthatyou'rescaredit mighthurtincasethehotchocolatemakesanindecentmove." sheaddedwithasmile.

Genajoinedin."Iknow.It'sjust...Idon'tknowClaire.I'm suddenlyscared;whatifI'mmovingtoofast?IthinkI'mgetting tooinvolvedwithhim,andatthespeedofalight.He'snice really,verynicethatIfeellikehe'stoogoodforme..."shekept tellingandherbestiehadtositmorestraightsoasbemore attentive.

"OhpleaseGena,you'rethemostself-consciousgirlIknow. Youneverhadthisinsecuritythingbefore,sowhat'sthematter? Andwhatdoyoumeanhe'stoogoodforyou?"Clairereminded her."Pleasestopthatrottenthought;you'regorgeousand incredible,andI'msureHarryknowsthattoo!"

"You'reanangelbestie.I'malreadyfeelingtheoverflowing confidence!IknewIshouldtalktoyou,becausebetweenus, youhaveturnedtobeanexpertrecently."Theysharedalong andrib-crackinglaughter.

"Okayguesswhat,ImetDoristodayand..."Clairestarted narratingherhorrorstory.

"What?Doyouthinkshehassnooped?"Genagasped. "I'mpositive!Shewasdefinitelysendingmeamessage betweenherspeech.WellIguessshewon'tneedtoworry anymore,becauseI'mbacktomysenses."saidClairewitha sigh.

"Areyou?Areyoureally?"Genaprompted.

"Yes.I'mcertainthistime,andmayGodhelpme!"Claire decided. OnSunday,thetwometduringafternoonanddecidedtodo someshopping.GenatoldheraboutherdatewithHarrythe otherday,whichturnedouttobesomethingcompleteoutof heranticipation;hetookhertohisparent'shouseanditwas quietahassleespeciallyaftermeetingHarry'smother.

"YouhavenoideahowstraddledIfeltwhenIstoodbefore hisperfectfamilywithgreatmoralvalues.Iwasoutofspace girlfriend."saidGenaastheyrummagedaroundthemall.

Claireburstedoutlaughingthewholeway."Shouldn'tyou behappythough?Atleasthe'sdecentenoughtointroduceyou tohisfamily,right?"Sheasked.

"Ohno!"Sheobjected."IwasnotreadyforthatClaire;you should'veseenhowhisobnoxiousmotherscowledmefrom headtoeasifIwassomesleazywomanfromtheNetherworld. Sheneverlikedmeonebit."

"Ohplease!" "Isweartoyou!"Genainsisted"Ohgirl,Ithinkthereis somethingcrookedwithmother-in-laws!"Shesaidandher bestiewasjustlaughing."Mayyoupleasestoplaughingalready? Youjustdon'tknowhowterriblemynightwas."

"I'msorryhoney."Clairekeptlaughing."It'sjust,Ican't imagineyourfaceafterfindingoutitwasactuallyyourin-laws place."Sheadded."Butthenagain,Ithinktheywerejustas startledasyouare;maybeyoushouldgivethemsomebenefit ofadoubt."Sheteasedherfriend,andshealsostartedlaughing.

"Ohpleasedon'tsaythewordin-laws,itscaresthecreep outofme!"Sheuttered,andtheywentonwiththeshopping whilstlaughingheartilyatGena'sexpense.

"Doesthislookgood?"Claireaskedwhenshetriedanoffice dress."It'skindoftight!"sheadded. "WellIthinkit'sperfect!"Genareplied."Girlyou'vegota body,andthatbootyfitsperfectlyinthere,youshoulddefinitely takethatdress."shecontrived,andtheysharedsimilarspeech overandoveruntiltheyscratchedtheircreditcards.

Later,whilegrabbingabiteatsomecoffeehouse;Claire asked,"Soareyoureadyforworktomorrow?"

"YeahIam!"saidGena."Ohbytheway,doyouknowthat Ryanisoutofthecountry?"

ThatwasenoughtochangethepaceofClaire'sheartand mood,altogether."Ohishe?"shequipped. "Yeah,that'swhatHarrytoldme."Genasaid."He'llbethere foraweekIguess,hedidn'ttellyou?"Sheasked,worriedly, whilegobblingherfries.

"No,andhehadnoreasonto!"repliedClaire,pensively;her faceshowednothingbutdiscomfort,butherfriendcouldn'thint onthat,asshewasalreadyengrossedwithherphone. CHAPTER15

THEfollowingweekwentuneventfully,exceptforonetime,on Wednesday,whenBrunodroppedbyandClairehadlunchwith him.Despitebeingbusywithwork,underatightdeadline,she stillfoundtimegoingwayslowerthanshepreferred.Againshe heardnothingfromRyan,anditsomehowbotheredher immenselywithoutadmittingittoherself.Shekeptbelievingit wasbetterthatway,thatit'sexactlythechangesheneededfor herlifetogetbacktonormal;thenormalbeforegetting entangledwithRyanandhissucklinggames.

OnFridayevening,Clairedecidedtorelaxwithamovie insideherbedroom.Shewasbored;shewatched,butcouldn't seewhatthemoviewasaboutasshekeptchangingposture hereandthere,withherheadzoningnowandthen.But suddenly,theideapoppedintoherhead;shecalledGenaand askedherifshewasfreethatevening.

"Iam,butwhy?Wannacomeover?"AskedGena. Whilepacingaroundherroom,Clairereplied"Iwannago out;let'sgotoacluboranywhere."Shesnapped,asseriouslyas shecouldbe.

"What?Youwanttogotoaclub?You?"Genaexclaimed loudly.

"I'mcomingtoyourplaceinasec,"Clairesaid,ignoringher shock."waitforme!"Sheinsisted,andwalkedoutimmediately. Aboutanhourlater,shewasalreadyatGena's,andthe latterwasstillflabbergastedabouttheidea,evenifClairewas rightthere,anddeterminedtodoassaid.

"Soletmegetthisstraight,areyoubeingseriousaboutthis clubbingthing?"Genahadtoinquireagain. "OfcourseIam;Imean,it'sFriday,shouldn'twegetoff somesteamorsomething?I'mgettingdepressedsittingaround, waitingforMondaytoarrive."Clairesaid,whilerummaging Gena'sdresserforsomethingtowear.

"DepressedoversomeRyan?"Genasnappedwitha provokingsmile. "Idon'tknowGena,butIdon'twanttoentertaintheidea,at all."Clairecontinuedtoinspectthedresser."Hey,Iwant somethingflashy,andsexy,anysuggestions?"sheadded.

Genasnickered."Thisoughttobegood!"Shemurmured. "Letmeseewhattoputonthatsexybodyofyours."sheshoved Claireasideandtookcontrolofpickingtheoutfits."Youknow what,you'reright,let'sjustgo,havefun,andgetwastedwhileat it!"

"Yeah,letsdoit!"Shesnapped,allexcited. "I'mgonnacallforanUberbecauseIdon'tthinkI'llbeable todrivelater,andsinceyou'verefusedtorenewyourlicense, noneofuswillbeinconditiontodrive."

"IthinkI'llhavetoworkonthatsoonerorlater."She mumbled,whilepeelingoffherhideouspyjamas."Drivingyour owncarisimportantsometimes."Sheadded.

Theytooktheirtimepicking,tossing,andtestingdifferent clothesuntilanhourlaterwhentheyfinallygotreadytogo. "Wow!You'relookingsmokinghotgirlfriend."Genasaid whenClairefinishedputtingonalittlereddressthatcramped hercurvesintoplace.

"YoulookgreatyourselfSamuraiQueen!"Clairereturned. Withhairflailingfreelydowntheirshoulders,thetwobest friendswalkedintoahotclubintheCity,withheavymusicthat regardedtheminstyle.Genawasaregular,shejusthadashot ofmargaritaandslippedintothedancefloorthatwasalready active.Smilingly,Clairereformedherattentiontothebartender whofinallygrantedhisutmostattentiontoher.

"Haveyoumadeupyourmind?BecauseI'mnotgivingyou acherrysodawithhowsteamyyoulook"Thecurly-hairedguy behindthecountersaid.

Shelaughed."WhatmakesyouthinkthatIwantcherrysoda, huh?AndevenifIwere,what'stheproblemwiththat?"She returnedwithashout;itwasquitenoisytobeginwith.

Theguyleanedoverlaughingly."Everythingiswrongwith that;ItgoesagainsttheFridaynightrule."

"Ohreally?Fridaynightrule?"Sheeyedhim,sensually,and hefoundhimselfdraggedintothesphereofherterrificeyes. "Yeah,thatone."

"Areyousureyouhaven'tmadeitup?"Shesmiled.

Helaughedaloud."Okay,yougotme!"Heslowlywinced back."Sowhatwillyouhave?" "Surpriseme!"SaidClaireplayfully,withherelbowsonthe counter,supportingherheadashergazemethis,froma distance.

Hewethisplumplipstantalizingly."Asyouwish!"hesaid, beforemovingawayandstarteddoinghismixology. Clairerealizedthatbybeingthere,itwasthebestchoice.At leastshewasabletorelax;watchingpeopleminglingonthe dancefloor,somemakingoutinsomedarkcorners,others chattingandlaughingwhileseatedattheboothswithfaintlight; itwasallworthit.



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