“I have nothing to do with this break-in,” Tony said. “I do, however, think you should consider staying here. It is significantly safer.”
“Well, Tony, I’m being honest with you. That laptop contains information regarding Nathaniel and Samuel Rawls. If you aren’t the person responsible for its disappearance, then perhaps you’d like to learn who has it.”
“I’ll do my best. This is getting out of hand.”
“Well, back to my original question: do you have a car I can take into town for coffee with Sue? I need to call her.”
First, her damn detective work and now her brazen pursuit of a subject he didn’t want to broach. Tony leaned forward. “Claire, are you asking? I’m having difficulty with your wording.”
“Are we in the presence of others?” She dramatically turned from her right to her left and lowered her tone. “No, I’m not asking permission to go into town, only permission to use one of your cars. I would hate to be accused of stealing.”
He pressed his lips together. “Claire, that’s ridiculous, I’d never accuse you of stealing—”
“No, just attempted murder,” she interrupted. “I’d rather avoid repeating that history.”
The muscles in his neck tightened. “Claire…”
She didn’t miss a beat. “Tony, it happened. I told you that I’m not going back. I’m not going to a time and place of unapproachable subjects or closed conversations. If you want this charade to continue, and if it has a snowball’s chance in hell of being something more, you’ll be open and honest.”
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. “Please, by all means, take whichever car you’d like. If you plan on driving yourself, I recommend you avoid the limousine and the Lexus LFA.” He watched as she slowly shook her head. “Not because of their price, I don’t give a damn about that; however, they require a little more behind-the-wheel experience.”
“Thank you, I hardly want to drive a limousine by myself or your Batmobile—a simple car will do.”
“Batmobile?” His brows arched. Claire giggled and the tension eased from his shoulders. Giving her everything she rightfully deserved and desired wouldn’t be easy. It would be a continued battle, but somehow they’d stopped this conversation from becoming a total disaster.
“That was what I thought it looked like when I first saw it.”
“Hmmm,” he mused. “If my memory serves me right, that would make you Catwoman, and if you’re willing to try on the suit,” he said slyly, raising his brow, “then I’ll wear a cape?”
Claire shook her head. “I will take that as a yes, on borrowing a car?”
Tony shrugged. “Should I call my personal shopper for some pointed ears?”
Her expression turned quizzical. “Only if Batman wore pointed ears.”
His laugh reverberated over the expanse of their back yard.
During Tony’s unpleasant conversation with Mr. George, he glanced at the clock. The wedding wasn’t until 5:30 PM and it wasn’t even noon. Nevertheless, he had no idea when Claire would return. After he’d told Catherine where she’d gone, Catherine recommended sending Eric to watch her and be sure of her return. Tony refused. Obviously, Claire would recognize Eric and know who sent him. No. Tony decided he would do what they’d promised: he would trust in her return.
Mr. George’s broken phrases came through Tony’s phone. “I’m sorry.” “She was supposed to let me know.” “I’ve tried.”
Tony was done with the conversation. “As you know, my original directive was two days ago. I wanted an answer yesterday. Your incompetence is…” Tony’s speech stalled. A knock and simultaneous opening of his office door caused him to turn. He expected to see Catherine and glared at the interruption. That quickly changed to shock, when he saw that Claire was the one who’d entered. There was a time when she was not allowed to enter his office without his permission. Obviously, Claire was now playing by her own rules. He stifled the chuckle that threatened Mr. George’s verbal lashing. Unable to contain the grin, Tony kept his gaze fixed on his ex-wife and continued his tirade. “It seems as though another pressing matter has come to my attention. We will postpone this conversation. Mr. George, I expect to hear from you Monday morning. Do not disappoint me.” Tony disconnected the line.
Claire smiled as he walked around his desk. With each step, he assessed the woman before him. Having her return—as she’d said she would—propelled his senses to an unexpected high.
“That should be your tagline.” Claire said as he stopped mere inches away.
“Oh, but you are so right. I don’t like being disappointed.”
“I remember that about you.” She hesitated. He said a silent prayer that Claire would lean forward—press toward him—and he’d feel her warmth against his chest. Maintaining their distance, Claire continued, “Your car has been returned in one piece, scarcely a scratch.”
The tips of his lips twitched, and his eyebrow cocked. “A scratch?”
Claire’s grin broadened. “Wasn’t that your concern, that I might scratch it?”
Tony took the initiative and closed the gap. Was it her erratic heartbeat that he felt or his own? “I don’t recall being concerned with a scratch. The whole damn car can be replaced. I believe my concern was with your safe return.” His willpower was suddenly spent. Wanting Claire closer, he wrapped his arm around the small of her back and pulled her against him as he cupped her chin, maintaining his gaze of her sparkling emerald eyes.
Her words slowed with breathy expectation. “I have returned.”
“You, my dear, are continually teaching me new things.”
“What, pray tell, have I taught you?”
His lips tenderly brushed hers. “I believe I mentioned before that I liked the black panties. The other night, the light blue satin bra strap monopolized my thoughts. Every time I looked at you, I wondered if it was part of a matching set.” Claire nodded, their noses brushing one another’s with the movement. “And just now, I realized how much more satisfying it is to have you bring yourself home, freely, willingly, than to know you have been driven—perhaps reluctantly.”
“It seems…” Claire giggled. “…you can teach an old dog new tricks.”
His hearty laugh rumbled from his chest.
She went on, “And as I recall, you’ve taught me quite a few things, too.”
“I had been thinking about the pool, but I’m up for review if you’re willing?” By Claire’s expression, she knew he was speaking literally. No other woman in the world could take him from angst on the phone to the edge of ecstasy in such a short time. Would she allow it?
Her hands reached up to his hair as her eyes opened wide. He pulled her closer, pressing his hips to hers and flattening her growing breasts. They fit together perfectly. When their lips connected, the room around them disappeared. Tony no longer cared about Mr. George or Sophia. Rawlings Industries could crash and his estate could burn. Tony didn’t care. What he wanted was in his arms, after returning completely on her own. He needed more. When she parted her lips, his tongue plunged deeper, tasting her sweetness and feeling her warmth.