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The following afternoon Levi dropped Lauren off at Claire's house. He hadn't said anything to her and she'd become even more confused than before. It was as if what had happened in his office hadn't happened at all, when it had just about been the best thing to ever happen to her. She still felt goosebumps on her skin when she thought of all the shocking and awfully wonderful things he'd done to her.
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She supposed he wanted her, that much was clear. What she was unsure about was how he actually felt about her, she didn't know if he even liked her. She knew how she felt about him but little good that did her. Claire hadn't been able to sleep the previous night. Tossing and turning, her body aching for the relief only he could give her.
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"Wow. Look at all those pretty flowers." Lauren said when Claire ushered her inside. Claire loved her flowers, they made her house more beautiful and filled the air with a sweet fragrant scent.
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"You have cat!" Lauren excitedly said when she saw Charlie relaxing as he usually did on her couch.
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"May I pat him?"
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"Of course, he's very friendly." She said gently caressing Lauren's head.
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Lauren picked the cat up and stroked him. His deep purrs of pleasure making the little girl very happy.
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"He's so fluffy." She commented.
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"He likes you."
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Lauren looked up at her, "How do you know?"
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Claire smiled, "He only purrs for people he likes." Lauren smiled in return and hugged Charlie.
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"Are you ready for those yummy cookies I promised you." Claire asked and headed towards the kitchen with Lauren right on her heels.
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"Yes please."
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They had fun while they played music and baked cookies. Lauren was a great little helper and very conscientious, diligently following Claire's instructions. When they finished, while the cookies were cooling down they went outside to her garden to harvest some vegetables. She had a medium sized garden and kept it mostly because she enjoyed gardening but the veggies were a definite plus. She had beets, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, some peppers, kale and spinach. And a different range of herbs such as parsley and oregano.
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"We don't have a garden at home. I wish we had one." Lauren said as she uprooted some carrots.
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Before Claire could respond she noticed Sally in a long purple and white dress coming towards them. Claire wondered again how it was that Sally who was in her mid seventies still had a head full of hair. It was grey of course but still so thick and full.
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"Hi Sally." Claire greeted her, using a hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
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"What are y'all doing out here in this blasted heat." Sally inquired.
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It really was hot, Claire had thought about hustling Lauren back into the house but Lauren had seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the gardening experience.
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Claire smiled, "Sally this is Lauren. Levi Pierce's daughter. I don't know if you know him."
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Sally rested her hands on her waist and looked from Claire then to Lauren then back to Claire again. "Oh I know who he is alright."
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Claire smiled at the questions she could see burning in Sally's eyes. "Lauren is my neighbour Mrs Boone. But you can call her Sally she doesn't mind."
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Sally harrumphed, "Old as I am, can't get any respect around here."
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Claire looked at Lauren and mouthed, "She's kidding."
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"Hello." Lauren grinned and greeted Sally. "Pleased to meet you." She said politely, her gaze never leaving the old woman.
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"What are you starting at little girl. Ain't you ever seen an old lady before." Sally asked
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Lauren flashed, "I have too, grandma is old. Well, maybe not as old as you."
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Claire chuckled, "We decided to do a bit of harvesting while our cookies cooled off."
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Sally sat close by and watched them. She entertained them with childhood stories that fascinated Lauren and Claire was very pleased to see her happy.
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Afterwards Sally went back into her home and Claire and Lauren got themselves cleaned up before going back into the house. They later sat on her comfortable couch and watched a goofy family movie while enjoying their delicious treat. Charlie was on Lauren's lap enjoying the extra attention he was receiving.
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"I really like Sally. Did she really jump off a plane?" Lauren asked, wonderment in her eyes.
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"Knowing Sally, she probably did. Although I don't think I could never do that."
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Lauren shook her head, "Me neither, it's too scary."she added after picking up another chewy chocolate filled cookie, "Grandma only makes oatmeal cookies. I like them but they aren't as good as these chocolate ones." Lauren remarked.
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"Do you visit your grandparents often?" Claire remembered Levi's mother. She had only seen her once and from afar when she had worked as a waiter at one of her parties all those years ago. Claire remembered a strikingly beautiful and elegant woman.
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"A few times a week. Grandma says I mustn't eat too many sweet things otherwise my teeth will fall out."
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“She's right. But a sweet treat once in a while won't hurt." Claire replied.
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"I once heard daddy say he hated all that sugary shit when grandma offered him dessert."
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Claire looked down at Lauren, surprise all over her face. Lauren glanced at her, mischief in her eyes, "He didn't know I was listening outside the door."
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Claire smiled and gently pinched her cheek, "Naughty!”
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Lauren giggled, "Grandma said she ought to wash out his dirty mouth with soap and daddy apologised."
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Claire laughed, imagining the scene in her mind. A taciturn Levi grumbling an apology to his mother after a stern reprimand.
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A comfortable silent moment passed before Lauren said, "Claire you like my daddy don't you?"
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Claire's heart skipped a beat. "I ... I do like him."
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The little girl's eyes lit up, "Then you can marry him and come live with us. Then you never have to leave."
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"Oh darling!" She sighed. More than skip a beat her heart broke. "You do know when summer ends I won't be back right?" She asked.
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Lauren looked down and twisted her hands on her lap, "Yes, daddy said so." She looked up at Claire again, "He said you'll be going back to work."
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"I wish you could stay." She added sadly. Claire knew this had been a terrible idea. It was already too late, no matter what happened Lauren would be heartbroken when she left. They finished their movie in silence. As soon as the movie ended there was a knock on the door and Claire knew it was probably Levi back to pick his daughter up.
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She opened the door with Lauren trailing behind her.
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"Bye Claire. I had lots of fun." She said although the tone of her voice suggested otherwise.
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"Good Bye darling. So did I." Claire knelt down and gave her a tight hug before releasing her.
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"Hi daddy." Lauren muttered. Levi patted his daughter's head and told her to go wait for him in the car.
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He then entered a little further into the house and closed the door behind him. He was still wearing the same clothes he'd been wearing earlier. Black jeans and a dark blue golf shirt and she could hardly meet his gaze.
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"What happened?" He asked, his voice like stone.
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Claire turned away from him and shrugged. "Nothing." She answered.
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He reached out and turned her around to face him. "Don't bullshit me Claire. Something happened. Why is she upset."
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She grudgingly met his gaze and almost flinched from the hardness in his eyes, "She's upset because I won't come to your house anymore when summer ends. She asked me to but I told her I couldn't."
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He cursed and ran a hand though his hair. Then silently watched her until she almost squirmed in discomfort.
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"She can already read so there's really no point in prolonging the inevitable."
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Claire felt her heart shatter. "There's still a lot I haven't taught her Levi. Reading was only the foundation." She hated the hint of pleading she heard in her voice but she couldn't help it.
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"It doesn't matter. I appreciate the progress you've made with her so far but I'll find someone else."
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Claire swallowed back the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. "Alright."
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He stepped closer to her but she backed up. She could tell from the clench of his jaw and the hard look in his eyes that he didn't like that.
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"I'll honor our deal and pay you for the rest of the summer." His emotionless tone made her want to scream. It was unbearable, how could he be so blasé when ... when she felt like she was coming apart inside.
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She cleared her throat. "No, thank you. That isn't necessary."
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He remained silent but continued to stare at her. He came close to her again and this time she didn't move away. She looked up at him, realising that that might be the last time she'd see him and to her dismay a single tear rolled down her cheek.
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He gently brushed it away with his thumb, then slowly reached down and kissed the wet spot. "I guess the attachment hasn't been one sided." He remarked, his voice low as they breathed in the same air. The intimacy of the moment stunned Claire to the core.
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“No." She whispered, "It hasn't." She fought for control, it was all too much. His actions, so tender and completely unexpected, nearly undid her.
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He stroked her lower lip with his thumb, a fierce intensity in his eyes. She unconsciously moved closer to him. Breathing him in, loving how he smelled, craving his warmth and secure strength. Wanting him. Afraid of the magnitude of her feelings for him. Terrified that she would slowly die inside if he didn't put his arms around her and never let her go.
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It was that thought that immediately sobered her. It was utterly useless, pining for something that would never be. She closed her eyes, took another deep fortifying breath and stepped away from him, hugging herself.
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He paused and looked at her before opening the door and leaving without another word.
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After she'd heard his car drive off Claire sat on the couch. As the silent tears fell, she felt the loneliness and hopelessness completely consume her.
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