I
disconnect the call and see Claire staring at me. Our eyes meet, and I cannot read her expression, which surprises me. Usually, people are an open book as far as I’m concerned, but no, not Claire. She is complex—much more than people realize. The tears are gone, and she has gathered herself looking thoughtful and serious. I’m not sure what to expect. Of course, not gratitude, as what I have just done to our blackmailer was for my own protection as much as hers. Perhaps for a fleeting moment, I think she will be impressed, but again, that is not something I care about or the point behind things I do. Ever. Finally, she tilts her head and steps closer. “Then, it’s finished? The video of me is gone?”
I nod. “Yes, my colleague will ensure no trace of the thing exists anywhere. Even if Johnny has a physical copy on a flash drive, if he tries to access the internet at any time, he will be flagged as a hacker. The data will be considered a virus and blocked. Forever.”
Claire shakes her head, relief and a little incredulity on her face, as she looks away at the windows which are now showcasing a twilight sky over the city. “So, it’s finally over,” she says more to herself than to me. I wait as she processes this. After another minute, she turns back, and her face is softer. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“That’s not necessary,” I say, although a part of me can think of ways she could easily thank me. The sexual energy between us, even at this moment, is still there. The chemistry. The passion. A small flutter of desire tightens my stomach, but I ignore it. This is not the time. She is still dealing with everything, I can tell. Plus, there is the fact I lied to her by omitting who I am, what I represent, which will need to be reconciled. “You don’t owe me anything.” It is my turn to look away as I stare at the floor and take a deep breath before continuing with the last thing I ever want to say to her. “You can go if you wish. I only brought you here to ensure you are safe. It’s up to you.”
There is silence between us, and I don't meet her eye. As unusual as it is for me to be afraid of anything, I actually fear if I look, I will see her answer is to leave me and in doing so, leave me devastated. Then, I hear footsteps and can’t stand that she is going. She at least needs to listen to me and let me explain things. “Claire, wait,” I start, looking up to see she walked toward me and is only a foot away. So much emotion is in her eyes, and I see a war going on there. It is easy to guess her conflict, and I hate myself for making her feel any of it.
“I’ll stay,” she tells me. “For now. But you hurt me.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell her, a phrase I don’t use often, but this is heartfelt. “I should never have deceived you. But I had reasons.”
Claire regards me, not responding. I swallow, not used to this kind of scrutiny in my regular life. I am always the one in control. People answer to me, not vice versa. “And the bet?” she finally asks.
At this, I sigh. The stupid bet. “Between a friend and myself. Over sports, which I lost. The penalty, if we must call it that, was for me to stop making headlines.”
She furrows her brow. “Headlines? How does that pertain to me?” she asks.
I reach out my hand to take hers. “Can we sit? I will explain what I can, but it’s complicated. My friends are very private.” She ignores my gesture but sits on the couch. I join her, getting as close as I dare, and wait for her to look at me again. After a moment, she does, and I see less anger and more confusion. “My friends, who are also lesbians, need me to stop making headlines by being seen with so many different women. Stop being so public about it. They want me to find someone and stick with her,” I say realizing how shallow and ridiculous it must all sound.
“And you picked me?” she asks, the anger flashing in her eyes and I reach out again, this time taking her hand before she resists. I slide closer and our knees touch. My body has longed for this contact, more than I realized, but I stifle my desire to do more, even though I want to kiss her so bad I ache for it.
“You hit me with your car,” I answer with a smile. “And when I opened my eyes, there you were. I can’t explain what happened next other than I was captivated by you instantly.” Putting my other hand over hers, I slide closer still and our thighs touch. A hint of color rises to Claire's cheeks, and I know she is feeling the power of the electricity between us too. Encouraged, I charge on before I lose my nerve. “I have a confession.”
Her eyes hold mine. “What is it?”
I pause, knowing what I am about to say is crazy and might scare her away, but I need to tell her. “Since that moment, when I first saw you, you are all I think about. Day and night. Always.”
In response, she leans into me until our faces are close and never in my life have I wanted to kiss a woman more than at this moment, but I wait. I need to know her response first. Finally, she whispers her answer. “You are all I have thought about too,” she says, so close I feel her breath on my lips. “All of the time. I crave you.” Then, she kisses me, and the kiss sears me, the heat of it is so intense. As she parts her lips to invite me in, I take her mouth with my tongue. A moan escapes her throat, and I slide closer, putting my arms around her waist to pull her to me. My passion for her pulses through my body and the hunger is strong. I could push her down on the couch and ravish her in an instant, but before I can, her hands are on my chest, stopping me. “And the bet?” she asks making me pause.
“It's over,” I tell her because it is true. If Claire wants to leave and never see me again, I will not look for another woman to take her place. I will settle down on my own, stop making headlines, so the club is pacified, but no one else can replace her. I only want Claire, and as crazy as it sounds, I believe she is my destiny. I feel it, and there is no choice in my mind other than to wait for her as long as time exists. “I want you for you, no other motivation. No other reason.”
Claire looks hard into my eyes, and I know she is reading them for truth. For her, I let my guard down so she can see the real me and know my heart is sincere. “I believe you,” she says after a pause and stands suddenly catching me off guard. For a second, I think she is leaving. My heart races at the thought, but then she walks toward the penthouse’s main bathroom. “May I take a shower? I need one after being cooped up with Johnny for two days.”
“Did he hurt you?” I ask the fury from before flashing back. It is replaced with relief when she shakes her head and starts across the room.
“No, he wouldn’t dare,” she says. “My brother would kill him if he touched me. Johnny’s only power over me was the video.” She pauses and looks out the windows again at the night. The city lights are starting to sparkle. “You know, that’s the only reason I agreed to work at The Golden Rail. And now, thanks to you, it’s done.”
I stand up to join her, wanting to hold her again. “I promise, Johnny holds no power over you anymore.”
She turns to me, raising her hand, and touches my face. The gesture is tender, and I cannot help but lean into the caress. I miss her. “Thank you,” she says and kisses me gently. “I will never forget this.” Then, she turns away and continues toward the bathroom. “But now, a shower.” I nod trying to keep my composure when I think of her naked under the hot water. While I wait, I will make a drink and behave myself. As I watch her go, when she is almost to the door, she glances back over her shoulder at me. “Aren’t you coming?”