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Ever since Claire had spotted Levi, she had been unable to concentrate on anything David said. She could feel his gaze on her. It felt as though she'd go half insane from the pulsating tension that gripped her. Why was he here? Was he meeting someone? Perhaps a woman! She didn't even know if he was seeing someone or not. A man like him though, it would be a wonder if he wasn't. The thought of him with another woman seriously disturbed her.
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She almost groaned in humiliation as she remembered how she’d bared her soul to him earlier. She had all but spilled her guts to him, telling him things she'd never told anyone else. She had just looked into his eyes and seen an understanding in them that had invited her to confess all her darkest secrets. He had a quiet strength about him that compelled her to share her thoughts before she was even aware of what she was doing. Dangerous!
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"Claire!" David called her.
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Her eyes shifted to him. God, what had he been saying?
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She smiled apologetically and reached across the table and touched his hand, "I'm sorry David, I seem to be distracted tonight. Please repeat what you said."
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"A lot on your mind?" He asked with an understanding that made her feel worse.
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"Yes. I had a long day."
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Which was true. She had been upset after leaving Levi's house. She hardly thought about her mother anymore. But their conversation had brought back many unpleasant memories. Memories that were better off forgotten and left buried deep in her mind. Still, she had visited her mother's grave at the local cemetery. She had sat down on the soft grass and cried.
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Cried for a mother who had never loved and cared for her. Cried for the family she had so desperately wanted but never had. Her only consolation was that as terrible as Noma Jean had been, at least she hadn't aborted her or dumped her out on the streets to fend for herself. Or allowed her men to abuse her. For that she was grateful because she knew it could have been worse. Way worse! But small comfort that it was, it hadn't been enough, not anywhere close.
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After that she had aimlessly walked around downtown, trying to build up some enthusiasm for her coming date with David. Twice, she had considered calling him and rescheduling but in the end she hadn't wanted to disappoint him or Sally. It was a bit selfish but she had hoped his company would amuse her and help her forget about everything that was weighing heavily on her mind. Even if it was for a little while.
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David gently squeezed her hand, "Would you rather go home?"
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"Not at all." She smiled and that seemed to please him. “I’m enjoying myself.” she added.
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"I’m glad you are, so am I. I was saying that I think Sally hopes we'll hit it off."
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She laughed, "I think so too."
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David frowned, "I worried a lot about her. She's been alone since Uncle Carl died. But now that I've met you and seen how close you two are I feel relieved. She has somebody to keep her company."
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"Sally is wonderful. She's been like a mother to me ever since I moved in years ago."
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"What happened to your mother? I believe you were quite young when you moved into Sally's cottage."
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Being asked about her mother again oddly felt like deja vu but she kept her serene composure intact.
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Claire looked down and fiddled with her glass of chilled white wine. They had already had a lovely dinner that she had scarcely enjoyed. “She died a few years ago."
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David flushed in remorse, "Oh God, I'm sorry Claire."
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She laughed lightly at his discomfort, "It's alright. It was a long time ago."
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Her light attitude reassured him. He reached across the table and stroked her cheek. “She must have been a very beautiful woman."
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Claire looked up at him, surprised by his unexpected touch. She moved away from his hand in a discreet way that caused no offense.
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She imagined her mother younger, happier and said, "She was. She had long red hair and light blue eyes, like mine."
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"I'm sure you miss her terribly." He said regretfully.
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"We ... weren't very close." Claire smiled, "Do you mind if we talk about something else?"
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David flushed again, "Of course not. I apologise."
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Claire laughed once more, his face had turned beet red with mortification. "There's no need to apologize. How long are you in town for?"
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"As long as I can. I wouldn't miss an opportunity to spend time you with. I really enjoy your company."
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It was Claire's turn to gently squeeze his hand, "So do I David."
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They continued to chat until his phone rang. He looked at the caller id and a faint alarm ran across his face.
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"I'm sorry I have to take this." He said. "Hello ... Steve! What happened ... calm down. Tell me what happened."
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His features increasingly grew solemn as he silently listened to the highly agitated voice over the phone.
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"Don't worry Steve. I'm on my way. Don't say anything else. Wait for me, I'll be right there."
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He hung up, "I'm sorry Claire." He said sincerely, “I have to go ... it's one of my clients. He's gotten himself into a tight situation and he needs me."
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"Oh don’t worry about it. It’s alright.”
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"I'm sorry I can't even drive you home. Will you get there okay?" He asked as he got up. She smiled and assured him that she'd be alright. He lightly kissed her on the cheek and dashed out.
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Her eyes immediately roamed over to Levi who was still sitting across the room from her. He was talking on the phone and drinking his beer. After some minutes he got off the phone and watched her for some time before getting up and coming toward her.
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She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and ran her suddenly damp hands over her dress.
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He finally got to her and sat opposite her, where David had been a few minutes ago. She looked at him and her throat went dry. His eyes were like liquid, golden fire that touched her everywhere. “Where's lover boy?" He asked in that lazy voice that turned her brain to mush.
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She tried to act as casual as possible, "He had to leave. An emergency came up."
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"Probably for the best." he said.
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She frowned, "Why's that?"
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He slowly looked her up and down and took a sip of his beer. She could feel his legs underneath the table crowding and touching hers, spreading heat through out her entire body. Her heart was racing and she couldn't stop fidgeting either. He made her feel so on edge, as if she was a big animal trapped in a tiny cage. His eyes where so dark, almost back, they seemed to just go on and on with no end insight making her forget which way was up or down.
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"He wasn't your type." He finally said.
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She let out a little laugh, "Oh yeah and I suppose you know what my type is?" She teased.
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"Sure I do."
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She regarded him curiously, “What's my type?"
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He looked deeply into her eyes for a long time before taking another slow sip of his beer.
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"You're a very sensual woman, maybe even more than you realize. It's downright sexy as hell and I bet you're warm and soft in all the right places too ..." He paused slightly.
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Then continued, "It'd take a man who knows what he's doing to unleash all that passion you've got buried underneath that cool exterior.”
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She swallowed nervously as his words washed over with a fury she couldn't contain. She could see it from the confident, predatory look in his eyes that he thought he was just that man.
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"A classy lady like you." He went on and sized her up again, "You probably like it hard and fast ... but I'm sure you'd be surprised ..."
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Claire gasped soundlessly as shock mixed with pure need rippled through her, making her hot all over. She licked her lower lip and nearly groaned when his greedy eyes trailed the movement.
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"Surprised by what?" She asked in a barely audible voice.
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He put both his arms on the table and leaned closer to her. "Surprised to discover that you'd like it a hell of a lot more if a man took his time and gave it to you real slow ... nice and easy." He said his voice low, deep, seducing. The effect it had on her along with his words was so incredibly arousing that she felt lightheaded and drunk with overwhelming desire.
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She cleared her throat and tried to lighten the mood by laughing but the sound was awkward and strained, "I suppose you think you are that right man huh?"
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She'd meant it as a joke but he looked at her seriously and said, "That's right baby. I sure am." He replied in a low husky whisper.
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They stared at each other for a long time. Until a waiter came to their table and broke the spell by asking them if they needed anything. Levi answered with a curt 'no', his eyes never leaving hers and the young man probably in his late teens immediately left.
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"I have to go home now. It's getting late." She said and tried to regain her composure.
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He smirked and leaned back on his chair, "You're always running away."
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"I'm not." She said defensively. And he raised his eyebrows. "I'm just tired." She explained lamely.
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"Right! I'll drive you home. I'm guessing lover boy drove you here."
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"His name is David and yes he did." She said still battling to control her over exposed emotions.
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"I don't care what his goddamn name is." He said and stood up, making his way to her side to help her up as well.
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"I ... I really don't need you to drive me home Levi. I'll call a cab. I'd hate to inconvenience you." She said quickly as he ushered her outside.
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Although the sun had long gone down, it was still warm and humid outside. The thought of being in a car with him even for a short period of time frightened her. It wasn't that she was scared of him, she was just terrified by her own lack of self control wherever he was concerned.
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He had his hand firmly on her back as he walked her to his car. "It's not an inconvenience."
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His car was a monstrous, slick black ford pickup truck and from the looks of it she guessed it was the newest and most expensive model. He opened the passenger door for her. She knew she wouldn't be able to get in with the height of her heels and her narrow dress. He must have seen that too because he deftly lifted her in his arms and for a brief second she was enveloped in his warmth and felt the solid strength of his hard body against hers but before she could lose herself in the thrilling sensations he placed her on the seat before going over to the driver's side. She deeply inhaled the musky scent that permeated the entire interior of the car. She was so tightly wound up that she felt as though she would snap at any moment.
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"Where do you live?”
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She hesitated for a moment but then decided to tell him. He'd already made up his mind about taking her home. No way would he change it now. Her cottage was close to town so the ride lasted no more than five minutes in which neither of them said a word.
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As he walked her to her door her heart beat so fast and loud that she wondered if he could hear it. It was a dark night devoid of any moonlight. Since Fairview was such a small town, the stars were shining brightly and beautifully undisturbed, unlike in the big cities.
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She fumbled with her house keys until he reached around her, took them in his hand and unlocked the door himself. He was right behind her, so close that she felt completely surrounded by his heat. She held her breath when he moved her hair to the side. He then planted a hot kiss on her neck, then another and another. He slowly turned her around until she was facing him. His lips brushed against hers, parting them with his tongue. And with a low grunt he thrust his tongue inside her mouth and skilfully kissed her until she was helplessly clinging to him.
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She cried out in disappointment when he abruptly and prematurely ended the kiss. He whispered in her ear, "See you tomorrow Claire." Before he disappeared into the night, leaving her aching with a torturous need that held her in it’s deadly grip.
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