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the following week.
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It was late in the morning when Claire arrived at Levi's house, which was situated in a very upper class part of town, and parked in the drive way. She looked at the house and couldn't help but admire its sleek, sophisticated beauty. It was an elegant, dark grey double story modern home, with massive windows that let in a lot of sunlight. There was a large porch, a double garage and driveway. The huge yard was adorned with a well kept green lush lawn and lots of flowers. Claire loved the house on sight.
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The weather was cool and crispy, but Claire knew it wouldn't last long. It was bound to get warmer as the day progressed. She sat in her car for a couple of minutes and asked herself for umpteenth time what in the world had possessed her to agree to tutor his daughter. Judging from the way he made her feel, it was a wonder how she was ever going to survive being in his presence for long periods of time without making a complete fool of herself.
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Claire recalled again how her insides had twisted at the sound of his voice late last night when she'd called to ask him for directions to his house.
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After taking a long pleasant shower and wearing her cool nightdress, she had sat down on her bed and searched for his number in the phone directory hoping that he had a listed number. She felt foolish for not having taken down his address the last time she'd seen him. But it hadn't even crossed her mind, not much had. She'd been too preoccupied with how good he'd looked and how breathless he had made her feel.
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Feeling apprehensive about talking to him again she'd searched under P and had thankfully found it. As she'd dialled the phone she had taken a deep breath and waited for it to ring. After the third ring he'd answered in a brisk, slightly annoyed, "Yes." which had immediately gone through her like butter on warm toast. Her mouth had suddenly become dry and her mind had gone blank. When she'd been unable to promptly reply he'd said, "Hello!"
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"Hi ... hello, it's Claire." She'd quickly blurted out and his voice had hardened even more, "What's the problem? You haven't changed your mind have you?" She had considered saying 'yes' and canceling the whole thing. It would have certainly saved her a lot of anxiety. But then she had thought twice about it, she'd already made a commitment and it wasn't like her to go back on her word.
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"No, I haven't changed my mind. I called because ... well I realized I don't know where you live so I called to ask for your address." She rumbled.
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"Right." His voice hadn't lost its edge as he'd gone on to tell her his address.
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"Okay, I got it." She'd responded after jotting it down.
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A few seconds passed before he said, "Was there something else?"
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His deep voice been like a soft, fleeting touch along her spine and she'd whispered, "Yes there is."
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"Well?"
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She had smiled to herself in disbelief, amazed by the unsettling sensations churning in her stomach. "Right ... tell me about your daughter."
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She could almost picture the frown on his face when he asked, "Why?"
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"I need to know a bit about her so I'll have an idea on how to approach her. What is she like?"
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She had imagined him scratching his forehead before saying, "She's like all little girls I suppose. She likes playing with her dolls, coloring, running around outside. That sort of stuff. Her favorite color is pink and she's currently obsessed with mermaids, it's all she watches on tv. She's a happy kid although stubborn as hell."
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Claire had laughed softly and said, "That's helpful, thank you. She sounds lovely."
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"She is."
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She could hear his breathing over the phone. Deep and relaxed ... very sexy!
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A minute had passed.
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"Don't tell her I'm her tutor. I don't want her to get her guard up." She cautioned.
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"I won't."
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"What's her daily routine?"
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"She has breakfast when she wakes up, then has a bath and plays afterwards."
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"Great. Don't disrupt anything. I want to observe her first, get her to open up to me and trust me."
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"Alright."
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"Well then .... have a good night."
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Another heart stopping pause, before he replied, "Thanks."
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And the line had gone dead.
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She took another calming breath and got out of the car and walked up to the door and lightly tapped on it. A woman in her late forties opened the door. She had dark hair and warm hazel eyes. She wore a long green dress with a white apron over it stained with food and grease. She smiled at her while saying, "Miss Johnson I've heard so much about you. Please come in." Claire smiled back and entered the house.
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"I'm Miss Harrison but you can call me Pam dear. And you came at the right time, too. We're having breakfast in the kitchen." She said while taking her coat. "Lovely to meet you Pam, please call me Claire."
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Claire had worn a light pink cotton dress that stopped right above her knees and two inch white, opened toed sandals. She'd left her hair free and hanging down her back. Pam led her down a short opulent entry hallway which opened into a stunning, spacious living room. The wide windows were opened, letting in warm sunshine and fresh air. There was a big fireplace and comfortable but expensive looking furniture in dark neutral colors.
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She also liked the room instantly, it looked cozy and inviting, stylish and classy. It was a beautiful home but considering how rich Levi was his house was surprisingly modest. Expensive in her books but definitely modest for him. The climbing vines next to the windows added a nice homey touch too. She guessed it was Pam who was to thank for that. It was hard imagining Levi hanging vines and caring about such domestic things.
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She followed Pam into an equally spacious and modern breathtaking kitchen, "Claire. What a pretty name. My ... and you're even more beautiful than people say you are. Honey they don't do you justice at all. All that gorgeous hair and what perfect skin you have."
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Claire smiled and thanked her for the compliment. Although she usually heard such statements from people she never really believed them. Telling herself that it was just what people said to be kind. She looked around the kitchen, at the beautiful white cabinets and a big island in the middle where a little girl sat eating pancakes. She looked up as Claire walked in and stared at her.
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She was the most gorgeous little girl Claire had ever seen, with dark red hair and dark eyes exactly like Levi's. She looked adorable in her pink pjs that matched Claire's dress. "Have a seat dear. I'm sure you're hungry." Pam said and immediately started dishing up a plate of pancakes and strawberries before Claire could even consider declining.
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She was grateful for the food. She'd been so nervous when she'd left her cottage that she had only been able to manage a cup of coffee. "Hi. I'm Claire and you must be Lauren." she said as she sat directly in front of the little girl. Lauren shyly looked up at her and nodded. Pam gently chided her as she put the plate in front of Claire. "Is that how you greet people, young lady?" Lauren shook her head and mumbled a tiny, 'no'
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And Pam asked , "What do you say?" And Lauren glanced up at Claire, "Hello." Pam approved and went on to wash the dishes.
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Claire smiled, "Hello, how are you?"
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"I'm okay." Was the soft reply.
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Claire smiled again "I see you're enjoying your breakfast. Do you like pancakes?" She asked.
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Lauren nodded again and after a stern glare from Pam she added, "I like them a lot especially with maple syrup."
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"Me too. But I haven't had any in a long while."
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Lauren looked up at her, curiosity in her eyes, "How come?"
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But before she could reply Levi walked in. Claire could tell that he had just come out of the shower because his hair was still wet. He wore old faded jeans and a white shirt. She didn't know how it was possible but he seemed to get more breathtaking every time she saw him. He kissed Lauren's head and sat next to her so that both of them were facing Claire.
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Their eyes met and she felt that tightening sensation in her stomach that his look always evoked in her. She suddenly felt very self conscious and couldn't control her increased heartbeat.
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"Good morning." She said.
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"Morning."
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She quickly added, "I hope you don't mind, Pam offered me breakfast and I couldn't refuse."
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He raised one dark eyebrow, "Why would I mind?"
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"I wouldn't want you to think I was taking advantage of the situation."
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A curious look entered his eyes, "It's just breakfast."
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Claire nodded and started eating. She was sad however to discover that she had lost her appetite but she continued anyway and swallowed the juicy strawberries that she didn't really taste. Pam placed a cup of steaming hot coffee in front of Levi along with his plate, filled with pancakes, southern buttermilk biscuits, eggs and sausages. Claire watched in silent fascination as he wolfed down his breakfast and finished it in record time, his motions were quick and efficient and so utterly masculine that she couldn't look away.
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Lauren broke the silence by asking Claire, "How come you haven't had pancakes in a while if you like them?"
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Claire welcomed the question as it pulled her attention away from Levi. "I guess I never have the time to make them. Most mornings I usually have some toast and coffee before I leave home for work.
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Lauren made a face, "I don't like toast."
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She laughed and mimicked the face Lauren had made, "Neither do I."
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"So why do you eat it then?" Lauren asked, confusion in her eyes.
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"It's quick and easy to make. It saves me a lot of time."
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Lauren thought about something for a second, "Pam makes pancakes almost everyday. You can come again and have some if you like."
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"Oh does she?" And Lauren nodded enthusiastically.
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Claire smiled, "Well, in that case, I'll definitely come again. Thank you for inviting me. She makes very yummy pancakes."
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Lauren seemed happy with that and finished the last of her strawberries. "Alright little lady time for your bath." Pam said when she'd finished washing the dishes. Lauren stood up and left the kitchen with Pam right behind her. Claire almost screamed for them to come back.
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She glanced up at Levi and found him staring at her. Unable to stand the silent stare she said the first thing that came to her mind, "Levi, she's very beautiful." She realized it was the first time she'd addressed him by his name and from the hard look in his eyes he'd noticed it too.
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"Sure is. Just like her mother." and Claire felt a sharp pang in her chest.
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"Yes. I heard she was very beautiful." She said and added, "I was sad to hear of her passing."
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He looked at her, his gaze guarded. He took a long sip of his coffee, "Why would that make you sad? It's not like you knew her."
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"I was sad for you. It must be very lonely without her. You must have loved her very much, so much that you haven't remarried." She said softly.
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He smiled sardonically, "How touching! I had no idea you cared."
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"I don't." She blurted out.
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Then quickly added, "It's just ..." she faltered and he raised thick brows in question. "... well I know how terrible it can be to be alone that's all."
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He looked at her so seriously that it made her squirm in her chair. She tried to concentrate on finishing the last of her breakfast, all the while feeling his hot gaze on her. It felt exactly as it had in the past when he'd stared at her that way. Only it was more intense. More so that she felt as though she would soon burst from the constricting tension.
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"Are you married?"
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She looked at him and smiled faintly, "No, I'm not."
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"How come you aren't married if you're so lonely."
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She awkwardly cleared her throat, "I never said I was lonely."
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"Didn't you?"
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"No." She said, a bit defensively. "I said I know what it's like to be alone. There's a difference."
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He gave her knowing look and shrugged, "If you say so."
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Another silent moment passed.
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"Why aren't you married?"
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"That's personal. I don't have to answer that." She replied with a hint of a smile on her lips.
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He laughed, but there wasn't any humor in it, "That's rich coming from someone who just commented on my state of presumed loneliness."
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"I was almost married once." She said without thinking and looked into his eyes to gauge his reaction.
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But they only remained expressionless, revealing nothing. She could never guess what he was thinking and it was surprising how much that frustrated her.
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"Why didn't you?"
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"I'd really rather not talk about it. Let's just say we weren't .." she searched for the right word, "how can I put it? ... compatible."
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He snorted, "What? He didn't rock your boat in bed, is that it?"
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She flashed hotly, "No that's not it at all. What a ridiculous thing to say." She replied passionately and almost groaned out loud in embarrassment. He'd been so close to the truth and her response might as well have confirmed it.
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He smirked, a dark glint in his eyes, "Right ... well, I don't blame you. Who would want to be stuck having lousy sex for the rest of their life."
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She looked at him and wet her lower lip with her tongue. They were quickly getting into dangerous territory. "I never said anything about ... about sex."
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His gaze slowly moved to her lips, resting there for a few seconds then moved back up to her eyes. And Claire felt hot all over, it had felt like he'd actually caressed her. Like he'd reached over and brushed her lips with his. The sensation fanned the flames of the constant, electric tension that was always right beneath the surface when ever they came across each other.
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"But you agree?"
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"Agree with what?" She asked her voice low.
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"That you wouldn't want to be stuck having lousy sex for the rest of your life."
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She swallowed, "I suppose so."
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"Good thing you left the bastard. Although I wonder what his problem was." He said and added, "From what I remember it doesn't take much to get you going." He said in a suddenly husky voice.
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She blushed from head to toe and at the same time was assaulted by vivid memories of their tongues meshing together and sexy sounds of pleasure. And from the way he was looking at her she knew he was recalling the same visions.
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Before she could think of an appropriate response to diffuse the situation, Lauren ran into the kitchen saying, "Daddy, daddy! Pam let me pick my clothes today. How do I look?"
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