Page 39 of If You Were Mine (After We Fall 3)
“Um.” Claire pulled her shirt over her head and squinted at something behind me. She was sitting on the table, her legs criss-crossed like a kid’s. Those fucking bunny pants were killing me. So much about her was youthful, even childlike—her exuberance, her trusting nature, her excitement over small things—but she was all woman, too. She had curves that made me dizzy, and once she gave herself permission, she moved her body in ways that left no doubt she knew what she wanted and how to get it.
I’d been more than happy to give it to her—but my time was about up. As enticing as she was, I was not a stayer.
“It’s after midnight,” she said. “Has your car turned back into a pumpkin?”
“Probably.”
“Good. Then you have to stay.” She smiled devilishly and fluttered her steepled fingers. I’d pulled her hair loose again, and it hung in thick waves past her shoulders. I fucking loved that hair.
“I’ve really corrupted you, huh?” I buttoned up my shirt. “I’m starting to feel bad. You were such a sweet girl before I got my hands on you.”
“I’m making up for lost time. And I’m learning.”
“You’re a star student. Teacher’s pet.”
She smiled back, a little color blooming in her cheeks.
I cleared my throat. “Your table can sure take a hell of a beating. It’s pretty sturdy for an antique.”
“Yeah, not too bad for a fifty-dollar garage sale find.”
“Really? That’s all you paid?”
“Yeah, and that even included the chairs.” She glanced at the one we’d been sitting on. They were wood with upholstered cushions, the fabric faded and threadbare. “Which need to be re-covered, of course, but this whole place is a work in progress. That’s what my mother doesn’t get—she comes over here and sees what it’s become over time because it hasn’t been taken care of, but I see what it could be. The bones beneath the dirt and dust are beautiful, they just need a little love.” She ran a hand over a tiny gouge in the wood. “Anyway, sorry for running on.” She laughed gently as she hopped off the table. “I get a little carried away talking about this house and things in it.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s good you see the potential beyond the surface of things. That’s a gift.”
Suddenly she looped her arms around my waist. “What’s your gift?”
“My gift? You mean besides my superhuman sexual skills?”
She giggled and slapped my ass. “Yes.”
“Hmm.” I’m an excellent liar. A damn good thief. And I’m a pro at a clean getaway—usually. Although tonight I was having trouble with that. “I’ll go with my instincts. I think I read people pretty well.”
She sighed. “You read me right, that’s for sure.”
“You were easy.” I gave her a little squeeze. “You wear your heart on your sleeve.”
She tipped her head back and looked up at me. “I do?”
“Yes. And someday, some lucky guy is going to come along and steal it.” I didn’t love the idea, which annoyed me.
“He sure is taking his time.”
“Lucky for me.”
She smiled. “I had an amazing time tonight, Theo.”
“Me too.” Time to make my exit. Her smile was putting weird thoughts in my head. “But I should get going.”
In the living room, I put my jacket on, slung my tie around my neck, and slipped into socks and shoes. Claire stood near the door, one foot on top of the other, her arms wrapped around herself like she was cold. The thought of it made my chest tight. It’s freezing tonight. Maybe I could just—
Are you nuts? What’s with you tonight? Get the fuck out of here.
Buttoning my coat, I moved for the door. “See you,” I tossed off as I passed her. It was an asshole move, but sometimes the shoe fits.
Five seconds later, I was alone on the porch with the door shut behind me. Fuck. It was like going from a steaming hot shower into an ice bath. Frowning, I braced myself against the bitter cold, icy air stinging my nasal passages and lungs as I hustled through the freezing dark to my car.
