by Lauren Wood
And then I thought about the fact that he was gone, and realty really began to sink in for me. It was just Klaus and I, now. This was really happening. I was going to be living with him for the foreseeable future. I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn’t want to peel mine away from the window.
What, exactly, was I avoiding?
“How have you been?” He asked, and he seemed genuine, like he wanted an answer.
I, slowly, turned around to face him. “Never better.” It was a lie. “And you?”
“I’ve been doing fine, except for one thing.” Klaus stared at me. “I can’t stop thinking about you. And the kiss.”
Straight to the point, but with him, what had I been expecting? “Well, you’re going to have to try.” Otherwise, this would be a very awkward stay.
“I don’t want to try.”
“It doesn’t matter what you want to do.”
“You’re telling me you haven’t thought about it?”
“I’m reminding you that I’m in a relationship.” Sort of.
“With that joke?” Klaus laughed. “Trust me, that’s not the kind of relationship that you need to be in. You need to be in something where you can be yourself without risking being judged. Isn’t that what you want?”
How could he know that I couldn’t be myself? “What I want is for this conversation to be over. I’m tired, and I’m going to bed.”
Klaus grabbed my arm to stop me from leaving. “Why can’t you admit it?” He asked.
“Admit what?”
“That you’re in love with me.”
My eyes widened, and I was shocked. He couldn’t be serious. “Because not every woman that you talk to falls in love with you.” I yanked my arm out of his grip and sent him a pointed look before walking to my bedroom.
10
Klaus
This had not been my day. I didn’t usually spend much of my time worrying about my investments and the people that I was giving my money to, but today had set itself apart from the ordinary when I received a call that a business I’d invested in was going downhill. It wasn’t that much money, at the end of the day, and it was something that I could make back in just a month or two’s time, but the point was that it was money going down the drain.
I wasn’t happy about that. It led me to frantically attempting to sell my shares to some unsuspecting buyers, so I could at least get half of what I’d put into it back. It was hard, and becoming increasingly more difficult by the second. After all, a good businessman was one that kept up with the market. And who was going to put money into a company that was running straight into the ground? I knew that I wouldn’t.
By the end of the day, I’d managed to find a buyer but only for thirty percent of what I’d paid for the shares. Still, it was better than nothing, and the best choice that I was going to be given. The longer I waited, the more likely the deal was going to be off, as the business continued to plummet. Losing money was not something that I liked to do, and I was only reminded once again how random the investing business was.
And my day didn’t manage to get much better when I went home, either. I was greeted with the living reminder of the redhead that I wanted but that kept managing to slip right between my fingers. She lived with me, and it was like I was nonexistent to her. And that was beginning to piss me off. I had opened up my home to her to stay when she needed it, and she avoided me like I was some kind of plague.
It was essentially two weeks of living with a ghost. And if the act continued then she was going to have to find somewhere else to live. This wasn’t what I’d had in mind when Klaus had first brought up her staying with me for a little bit.
She never ate meals with me. She was basically never home. Clara’s room basically looked like it was unlived in because she made sure to keep it clean, and maybe that’s what I should have been happy about. In some way, she was the ideal roommate, but not for me. This was supposed to be my opportunity, my chance, and every day I didn’t have her in my arms was like watching my hopes go down the drain.
When we both happened to be at home at the same time, I was quiet so that I wouldn’t disturb her. What was going on with me? I’d refused to bring any women home, and I was changing up my entire life for a woman that wanted nothing to do with me. I was beginning to remind myself of my older brother, Ezra.
But things were about to change in this house. I was going to stop walking on eggshells around her. If she wanted to disrespect me then I was going to do the exact same thing to her. Then maybe she would decide to change up her attitude. This was my house, and I was not going to be chased out of it by her. I wasn’t going to be made to feel like a stranger, in my own home. I was putting my foot down, and if she didn’t like it, then she was just going to have to find somewhere else to stay, rather than my house.
I pulled out my phone and decided to send her a message. Antonio had given me her number because he said that I would need it. He had given me several hints that his daughter wasn’t the easiest person to work with, but I’d been happy to accept the challenge anyways because I’d thought it would help for us to open up to each other, not for our relationship, or whatever it was, to keep plummeting down.
I texted her.
This attitude of yours stops today. I’m no longer going to tolerate it, and it’s about time that you’re appreciative of the things that I do for you. So, you’re going to bring your little ass to dinner, stop acting like a complete child, and eat with me, otherwise I’m all out of options for you, Clara. You’re going to have to tell your dad that you need to find another apartment quickly.
Was it a little bit petty? Maybe, but I meant every single word. I was not playing games with her anymore. I hated myself already for how much I wanted to spend time with her, and whether she liked it or not, she was going to give in to me. In the end, I always got what I wanted.
For a good bit of the day, I found myself casually glancing at my phone to see if she’d responded to my message. But I’d never gotten anything back from her which must have meant that she was going to be leaving. The thought saddened me, but I pushed it to the back of my head. It was what it was, and there wasn’t much that I could have to stop anyways.
Once I got home, it only made sense that my day would only progressively worsen. When I heard someone knocking on the door, my first thought was that it was Antonio, and he was here to help his daughter move into her new apartment. I hadn’t thought things were going to go like this, but if this was the end, at least maybe I could finally move on from her instead of constantly longing.
I opened the door, but it wasn’t Antonio. It was my brother, Ezra, and his wife, Quinn. What were they doing there? My face scrunched up into a frown. As overjoyed I was to play the happy host, today, really, wasn’t the day. “What are you doing here?” I asked them, trying to keep my dismay as far away from my voice as I possibly could. But it was a harder task than I’d given it credit for. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that they could feel my animosity, but they didn’t seem to care any more than I did.
“We’re here for dinner,” Ezra stated and rubbed his hands together. “We were both off for the night, and we managed to get a babysitter for the kids. We figured that we would pay you a visit and get a free meal out of it.”
He had changed so much since he’d gotten married. For so long, all I had ever wanted was for my brother to spend time with me and acknowledge my presence as anything other than a nuisance. Our bond had gotten stronger, as of lately, but I was pretty frustrated that they’d decided to come over completely unannounced.
I didn’t want to snap at them, but they were making an all-around bad day even worse. But I already knew that there was no point in trying to make them leave. Knowing the two of them, they weren’t going to do anything that I said just because I had said it.
Now, I finally knew how Ezra had felt all of those times when I’d swung by his house without telling him my intentions and that I was coming over. It wasn’t pleasant to h
ave company when you weren’t expecting it. Maybe this was his way of getting back at me.
I groaned. “Guys, today really isn’t the day…”
Ezra cut me off. “We’re already here, Klaus, we’re not going to go home.” He invited himself in, just like I thought they would do.
I closed and locked the door and followed them into the kitchen. “There’s not going to be enough food,” I stated.
Ezra waved his hand. “I called before we got here and paid your staff generously. He was more than happy to accommodate us.” He sent me a knowing smile that pissed me off.
“So you could call him and not me?” I asked.
“More important matters.”
We all took a seat around the table, and I didn’t think much while the table was being set. “I’m sorry that I’m late.” A voice called, as a familiar redhead entered the kitchen. “Class ran long, and I…” Clara looked up, realizing that I wasn’t the only person in the room. “Klaus, I didn’t know it would be anyone other than me and you. I’m sorry about my absence.”
“Don’t apologize,” Quinn said quickly. “Take a seat and join us.”
Clara did as she was told, which was a first. Ezra was staring at me, and I knew what he was asking without him actually having to use the words. Was this the girl that I’d been to them about? I gave a subtle nod. “Quinn, Ezra, this is Antonio’s daughter, Clara. I mentioned she was staying here for a bed for college. And Clara, this is my brother, Ezra, and his wife, Quinn.” She waved at them.
As the night wore on, I found myself growing less and less stressed. I got more into the conversation and laughed with them. Dinner was much more fun than I’d anticipated for it to be, and I had a reason to believe it was all because of Clara. She made doing things much more fun. And she fit right into my small family. I could already tell that she’d garnered approval from Quinn and Ezra, which was harder than it looked.
Those two could be ruthless.
“Goodbye,” I told Quinn and Ezra while they walked out of the front door. “And next time, please give me a call before you come by.”
“I’ll do that once you start doing the same thing, in return,” Ezra called back.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
“I like that girl, Klaus,” Quinn commented. “She’s a keeper.”
Then, they both got into their care and drove away to resume the life that they’d built together. With kids and a grand house and everything that a married couple wanted. And I was envious of them. Not because I wanted the things that they had but just because I wanted their confidence.
I locked the door before padding back into the kitchen. She was helping the housekeepers move the plates, but that was unnecessary. Besides, the two of us had something that we needed to talk about.
I cornered her against the table. She looked like she was a deer that had been caught in the headlights. Having her this close to me again was a turn on because all I could think about was the last time that I’d had her body this close to me. I wanted it just like it’d been in the ocean, with her naked body pressed against me and me kissing her like there was no tomorrow.
“Klaus,” she said my name slowly, as if with one wrong move or word, I was going to mess up everything. “What are you doing?”
“You want me,” I stated as if I was easily saying something about myself, rather than her. “It’s obvious, regardless of how much you like to pretend, that you feel something for me even if you might not want to. You like me, Clara.” She had to, because I liked her too, and I didn’t want to be in a one sided lust.
“No, I don’t,” she insisted, but we both knew that she was lying.
“You don’t owe me anything,” I stated. “But why are you lying to yourself?”
“Klaus.” It was a warning.
“All I need is one time, just a chance,” I told her. “If you don’t like it, Clara, then I’ll leave you alone and you’re welcome to stay with that asshat boyfriend of yours. I’ll never bring it up again. But if you do, and you can’t get enough, it means that there’s something between us. Give me a chance, Clara. Just give me tonight.”
She looked at me skeptically, and I could tell she didn't know what to say. Then, she nodded her head. “Okay,” Clara gave in. “Just one night.”
“That’s all I’m asking.”
“What are you going to do?” she asked. “Take me on a date?”
“Not exactly what I had in mind.”
My utter excitement caused me to lean down, press a hand against her chin and press my lips against hers. This time she didn’t gasp. Instead, she did me one better and let out a moan before pressing her body against mine. All of this time, she’d been so focused on pushing down the truth that, now that she was able to let it all out, her body was ready for it.
Just like I’d always suspected, she wanted me. It may not have been as much as I wanted her, or maybe it was so much more. But I didn’t care. All I knew was that I could finally have her, something I’d been wanting for over a month, since the first time that I had laid eyes on this girl. And now, it was finally happening.
I didn’t waste time because I didn’t have the patience. I hooked her legs around me and moved us toward my bedroom, our lips never ceasing their connection. Clara’s body pushed against me, desperate to find friction and I didn’t blame her. I wanted to be doing the exact same thing, honestly.
When we finally made it to my room, I dropped her onto the bed and watched as she bounced. Her face was flustered, and she was panting a little bit. It was exactly what I wanted.
“Clara,” I said her name assertively. “Are you a virgin?” I had to come right out and ask it even though I already knew the answer.
She didn’t bother lying. “Yes.”
I wanted to make a remark about Brendan, but I knew that if I did then this entire thing, between us, would be over, and I didn’t want that. I began to undo my belt and let my pants fall down my legs and pool, at my ankles. Clara watched and looked intrigued. “I’m not usually a gentle person,” I stated. “I like it rough and fast, but for you, I’ll try to be gentle. Just know that I’m not making a guarantee.”
“That’s okay.”
“It’s going to hurt.” Why did I care?
“I know.”
“Then take off that shirt.”
Clara took her shirt off, and I didn’t waste any time in jumping on top of her. I undid her bra and marveled at her breasts. They’d been pressed against me once, but it was entirely different when I was able to see them. Pale and pink with the nipple crying for attention. So, I gave in and wrapped my lips around them.
A gasp left Clara, and she arched her back, her eyes wild. I began sucking on her breast, and she let out a moan, her fingers clawing to the sheets of my bed. Poor girl. She hadn’t known just how good pleasure would feel. Well, now she knew, and I was going to make sure that she never forgot.
My hands pulled down her underwear, and I stood up to take my shirt off. My finger ran along the length of her mound, and she inhaled sharply. She was wet and ready for me, exactly what I wanted to find out. “I don’t know who you thought you were fooling when you kept saying you didn’t want me because you sure as hell weren't fooling me or yourself.”
She didn’t say anything. “You’re beautiful, Clara.” Her lips turned upwards, but they were soon letting out the softest mewls while I ran my tongue along her slit. I began to feast on her, swirling my tongue and sucking on her nub. She was writhing like crazy in an attempt to get away from me while simultaneously thrusting her hips against my mouth and begging me for more. She seemed like she didn’t understand what her own body was doing.
One of her hands found my hair, and she yanked it on hard. But I didn’t care. She could do whatever she wanted. She arched that back of hers and let out a loud moan, one that surely would have woken up other people in the house, had there been other people. But there weren’t, lucky for her.
Clara was trying to stay quiet, but s
he couldn’t, poor thing. I was reveling in it. She tightened against my tongue, and I began to thrust it in and out of her stronger, watching her lips part, as she began to rub her thighs together. I separated them firmly, and allowed myself a deeper angle inside of her.
That was her last straw. She exploded around me and cried out as she did, doing a small chant of my name. And I saw stars. She was calling my name, not the skeezy boyfriend of hers. I had been the one to make her feel this way, not him. Clara needed to decide to be with me instead of him because I could please her in ways that she couldn’t imagine.
I moved up, hovering over her entire body. My lips pressed back against hers to distract her from what was happening down below. It started to go awry when she felt the tip of my cock, at her entrance. She tightened up and seemed like she was actually beginning to get nervous. Because I didn’t want her to back out, I comforted her.
“It’s okay, baby girl,” I told her. “I’m going to take care of you. If you tense up, it’s only going to hurt worse. Stay relaxed for me.” She nodded her head, and I could feel her body losing some of the tension. My hand came back up to fondle her breast while my lips connected back with hers and I pushed myself inside of her, all in one go.
She squeaked into my mouth, and I knew that she was in pain. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I apologized to her and kissed her over and over again. I wished that I could wipe away her pain, but I couldn’t.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “Keep moving.”
I was slow with her, at first, slow and gentle to make it hurt as little as possible. But once she seemed to grow used to it, I increased my pace and thrusted inside of her the way that I wanted to. She felt heavenly, tightly wrapped around my dick. I was usually a man who could last a long time, but I hadn’t had another woman in weeks. Besides that, Clara felt too damn good.