Secret Desire(43)

“Call out if you need anything.”

“Just checking email. Oh, maybe a printer.”

“It’s connected. Over there. Just click print and you’ll get what you want.”

She arched her brow. “I wish.” She laughed.

“Don’t tempt me. For all you know your sister may be sitting at the airport, fuming.”

Her face paled. “My God, you’re right. I don’t remember if my phone is on vibrate or if it’s even charged.”

“I was joking. I’m certain she’d catch a cab if she couldn’t reach you. Not the worst thing to do. Especially for a New Yorker. It’s like breathing for them. I’d better leave you to it.”

He left her tapping keys. She was still very much under her sister’s thumb. It’d serve Fran right to sit and wait. He couldn’t imagine what Fran possessed that enabled her to throw Claire, except an overinflated ego. After Claire’s last attempt to stand up for her sister, he’d promised himself he’d not say another word against Fran. Whatever he felt or believed wasn’t worth the risk of upsetting Claire.

He went back upstairs to clean up. Inside the bedroom he smiled. The bed, for once, looked like it had been broken in, and his smile only deepened when he noticed two notches dug into the wall where the headboard had hit.

“About time.” He touched the wall, determining that these two spots would remain there as a memorial of their first night together. Dustin picked up the room, throwing his clothes into a laundry bin and retrieving a lacy thong and dress. She traveled light. Boy, he’d love to take her on a trip. Maybe tour Europe. Disappear with Claire. Well, hell, if he knew her plans maybe he could begin to work out some sort of set of objectives for the future.

At some point, she’d go back to Seattle. His throat clogged and threatened to make him cough. He didn’t know much about grief. What he felt when his parents divorced would barely compare to what Claire was going through. Could she pack it up and return to her life on the West Coast without a thought? He had a home but it was hours away from Seattle. Yes, the first order of the day was to see where her thoughts were running.

“Dustin?”

“I’m up here.” He went to the stairs. She held some papers in her hands. From her expression he understood she wasn’t staying for breakfast. He couldn’t bring himself ask how soon the wicked witch of the East was due. She came up the stairs and he followed her inside the bedroom.

“Fran’s coming in about an hour. I’d better go get cleaned up. Actually, she wrote that her assistant reserved her a rental car at the airport. I should have figured Fran would want her own transportation.”

“Well, I know you’ll be busy. I want to see you later. It doesn’t matter how long or when. Even if it’s just coffee or a kiss goodnight. Call me and I’ll find you. ”

“I couldn’t ask for a better—” She faltered then recovered. “A better lover.”

“I want to be more. Much more.” He pulled her into his arms.





Chapter Eleven



She slipped into her thong and stood still while he zipped her dress. He planted a kiss on her shoulder and his arms cinched around her waist. She melted against him placing her hands over his, lacing their fingers together. They walked hand in hand to the front door.

Claire didn’t want to close her eyes while she stood inside the doorway, kissing Dustin. It was overpowering, this raw attraction that ran between them, becoming stronger to point of making her breathless. Or was it the way he took possession of her mouth? She’d given him her body and it was as if her mind and spirit wanted to follow.

Except now she was more exposed, more vulnerable, and she was afraid that this would end. Fran was on her way back and what if Dustin couldn’t help but being attracted to her? She needed to see for herself that Fran had no hold on him. Was that even possible? They looked exactly the same, after all. She was torn between wanting to trust Dustin and wanting to protect her heart.

She broke away. Everything was moving so fast. Where had the euphoria gone that held her suspended just seconds ago?

“Claire, if you need anything, you’ve got my number or just come over. Nothing is too small.”

A well of emotion churned inside her. She had to gather her thoughts and assemble at least enough self-control to end this without tears. Step one, let go of him. She released her death grip on his shirt.

“You smell so good.” His words heated her neck.

“I’ll call you as soon as I know what’s going on. Soon, I promise.” She swung around in his arms and smiled, a full toothy grin, realizing there was nothing for her to do but shower and change. All she could do was wait and see what transpired between Dustin and her…and, of course, Fran.