Time for Change(20)

Claire wanted them both to be happy. He truly believed her sister would be happy regardless of whom he fell for. Their happiness was for each other.

She walked out of the bathroom five minutes later wearing a bathrobe. Her brown hair was wet from the water. Serving up some toast on a plate he smiled over to her.

“I’m sorry for leaving you this morning.”

“Don’t worry about it. I knew where you were going.”

“Is that because you know?” she asked. Her tone sounded bitchy, and he looked at her harshly. “Sorry, I guess I’m nervous about us being together.”

“We’ll work through it.”

Rachel nodded, grabbing a knife and fork. He poured himself some coffee then handed her another slice of French toast.

“Are you going to eat some?”

“Yes.” Sitting opposite her, he started to eat some toast all the time watching her, waiting for her to freak out on him. “When we’re done you can go and get dressed, and then we’ll go and settle your apartment and job.” He wanted to deal with Richard himself. She could be talking to the management while he was having a word with the man.

“Sure.”

They ate in silence. After minutes passed without another word spoken Rachel started to relax. She was like a deer caught in the headlights, waiting for him to explode.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said, meaning it.

“I know you’re not going to hurt me. I’m sorry. I’m not used to this at all.”

“Haven’t you been in a relationship before?” he asked. Chris had always assumed she’d been intimate with men. In fact, he knew she had. How far had that intimacy gone? Claire never talked about her bringing men home or talking about men. Whenever he asked her in the past about men she’d chuckled and brushed his curiosity aside.

“I’ve not been in a relationship before.”

“At all, dating, flirting, making out?” At forty-two years old he’d done his fair share of making out.

“No. I mean, I’ve had sex before. None of it was as good as last night.” Her cheeks were bright red, and her words stroked his ego a little bit.

“I’m not talking sex. We have something special.”

“No, I’ve never felt like I do with you with other men. Claire asked me to bring dates home, but it never felt right. I didn’t want to bring them into my world with you guys.” She looked down at her hands. Her plate was empty. Standing, he took the plate from in front of her and placed it in the wash bowl.

“Were you embarrassed by us?” he asked.

“No, not at all. I didn’t want them to get close to me. After Mom and Dad died, I didn’t want anything to do with other men. Bringing them close would mean I had to talk about everything all over again.” She tucked some hair behind her ear. “I wasn’t going to open myself up like that.”

“I already knew about everything. It was easier for you to spend time with people who wouldn’t open old wounds?”

“Yeah. Then when I got over it, the guys didn’t appeal to me.” She shrugged. “So I guess I’ve never been in a relationship. I never finished college, and for some reason, I can’t hold a steady job.” Rachel looked at him. Her bottom lip wobbled. “I sound pitiful.”

“You’ve had it easier than most but harder than others. I can’t turn round and say you’re pitiful. Death, no matter in what form it happens, hurts.” He licked his lips. His throat suddenly felt dry. “I lost my parents a long time ago. I learned to deal with the life I was handed.”

“How did they die?” she asked.

“They were shot in a bank robbery gone bad. I was ten years old and was taken into care. I had a rough eight years until I got out on my own. I was smart, and I had excellent grades. My life has been a lot better than when I started. I’m handling my own,” he said. Chris was shocked to realize he’d never once told Claire about his family. When she’d asked he’d simply told her he had no family.

“I’m so sorry.” She wiped the tears from under her eyes.

“Don’t be sorry. We’ll figure everything out together.” He rounded the counter, pulling her into his arms. Chris was strong enough for the both of them. He’d teach her how to deal with him as a man in her life. “Now, promise me you’ll talk to me about everything on your mind. I never want to wake up with you gone again.”

“Okay.”

He leaned down claiming her lips underneath his. “Good, go and get dressed. We’ve got some work to do.” He watched her go, checking out her ass as she went. Fuck, her body was pure perfection to him. Every curve called to him, and he couldn’t wait to explore his wild side with her.