Dangerous: A Seaside Cove Romance (9 page)

Please, please, please shut up. Shut up!

The words rang in Claire's head, bouncing off the sides of her skull and threatening to fly out of her mouth. She plastered a sweet smile on her face and continued to chop her steak into tiny pieces. Smaller and smaller until it resembled puree.

For a while, she pretended like she was not there, instead gazing out the window and studying the stars. Soon she stopped counting stars and examined the reflections from the dining room.

"Claire?"

She turned back to Ben.

"Sorry, I'm tired. Long day I guess." She forced a smile. Ben signed the check. Dinner was over.
Thank God.
"Thank you so much for dinner. I'm sorry I wasn't better company."

Ben shrugged, standing up and pulling his jacket off the back of his chair. Claire stood.

"I have to ask," Ben said, "how do you know Eli?"

"School mostly, but it's a small town." Claire's heart skipped a beat at Eli's name.

They walked down the stairs; Claire led the way, and Ben followed closely. His hand rested on her back, dangerously low, and her posture stiffened. She risked a glance to the bar, but he was not there. Instead, she smiled at Jack as they passed, and gave the little wave. Jack nodded. 

They stepped outside, Claire pulling her shawl around her shoulders. The temperature had dropped since they arrived. She shivered as they stepped out from the porch light. Ben slid his arm around her shoulders. 

Oh jeez.

Claire forced a polite smile, and stepped away, letting his arm fall off her shoulders.

"Ben, thank you so much for a nice evening," she said, "but, I don't think-"

"Shh," Ben said, placing a finger against her lips. Claire bit back a laugh. He looked so serious. His other hand found her arm, tracing her shoulder bone. Somewhere in the parking lot came the distant sound of laughter. A truck starting up. Ben dropped his finger from her lips. "Don't say anything."

Ben leaned in for a kiss and Claire turned her head just in time, his lips landed against her cheek. "I don't think we have to worry about that."

"What?" Ben leaned back.

"I mean... I didn't get a word in all night. I don't think we have to worry about me saying something now." She laughed a little, hoping he would too. "We don't mesh. I'm sure you noticed."

She hoped he noticed.

A loud bang made them both jump. A dumpster, Claire realized. They both laughed a short sound, the awkwardness easing away.

"Yeah, no spark, huh?" Ben asked, but to Claire's surprise Ben stepped in to her again, his hand on the side of her neck tracing her skin. "Doesn't mean we can't have a little fun."

"Oh, ha. Actually, that is what it means." She noticed she used her stern 'go clean your room' voice. Claire backed away from Ben until she stood in the porch light. "Goodnight, Ben."

Ben's hand dropped to his side. When he spoke again he used his businesslike voice. "That's fine. No hard feelings. Come on. I'll take you home, Claire."

"No." She shook her head. "Don't worry about it, Ben. Really, my friend can drive me home."

"Don't be ridiculous, Claire." Ben stepped closer to her, grabbing her hand with force. She jerked away.

Claire took a wide stance, planting herself firmly onto the ground. Her shoulders squared. She had taken the same stance when she faced a wild dog a few months back on a hike. She could not outrun it, but she could get loud, assume a position that made her seem larger and scare the shit out of the ugly beast.

It had worked on the dog, anyway. Ben stood, unmoved.

"Ben, I said I'm fine. But thank you." Claire kept the tremble out of her voice. Fear worked its way to the surface.
You are in control of the situation.
 

"Do you think I would do something to you, Claire?" 

She squinted at him.
Which type of asshole are you, Ben?
It can be so hard to tell.
Are you the kind the expects something after you buy a girl dinner? More than someone to practice your running monologue on?

"I'm just going to drive you home." Ben sighed. "You're being silly."

She might be overreacting. But she was not the type who could be bullied into taking a chance. "No, I'm sorry. It's just, I'm... I'm helping Molly plan her wedding, and she asked me if we could talk about something tonight. It'll be awhile."

Claire took one step on the stairs, turning her back to Ben.
Show him I'm not afraid. Tell him who's boss.
Was that a lesson from her self-defense class? Or was she simply annoyed that she had wasted a free evening?

She climbed the stairs, relieved not to hear Ben's footsteps behind her.

"Tease," Ben said. Claire told her feet to keep walking, but they stopped and spun her around instead.

"Excuse me?" Claire's heart raced. Her hands still trembled, but not with fear. She was pissed off.

"Wearing a dress like that and letting me buy you dinner. You sure dressed the part of a slut. You owe me your half of the check."

Claire had a moment of tunnel vision, all she saw was Ben. Her head throbbed. She was going to hit a guy running for mayor. Her fist balled and she raised one foot ready to charge, hoping she could run in the stubby little heels she wobbled the evening through.

Before she took a step, something rushed past her, laying Ben out. 

Claire stood without speaking, watching as Eli picked Ben off the ground by his lapels and threw him into a large wooden post. Ben seemed to be stunned into silence; the longest he had not spoken all evening.

"Get the fuck out of here, Ben." Eli's voice did not match his words nor his actions. Too calm. Too quiet. Goosebumps trailed up Claire's arms.

"Eli, brother-" Ben said, brushing his jacket off.

"Don't call me brother. Get out of here." Eli started towards the steps of the brewery.

She grabbed his arm with both hands, his muscles solid and warm under her fingers. Eli looked at her hand, then to her face. His expression softened in a second. The way he looked at her, it gave her tingles all over. Eli's hand dropped over her own. She forgot about Ben.

"Eli-" she breathed before Ben interrupted. 

"Ah, so you're his skank-"

Claire's hands emptied before Ben got the word out of his mouth, Eli pounced on top of him. The two men rolled across the ground. Eli grabbed Ben's head and slammed it back into the asphalt of the parking lot. Ben stopped fighting, and grabbed his head.

"What the fuck man?" Ben groaned.

Eli let go of him, and squatted back to stand, but Ben knocked Eli to the ground again.

"Stop it!" Claire yelled, but neither man listened to her. Ben punched Eli in the eye, and Eli's hands wrapped around Ben's throat. She turned back to the restaurant and screamed for help, doubting anyone heard her. She would have to leave the idiots on the ground alone and get help.

Unless she pulled them apart. Claire ran over and reached for Ben's collar but missed. "Stop it!"

The two men back on their feet again, she considered stepping between them. She grabbed Eli's arm, hoping to gain leverage, but his arm moved out of her grasp, not even acknowledging her. An elbow sailed close to her nose, just before they moved and a leg knocked Claire over onto her butt.

Eli's arm wrapped around Ben's neck, and he turned to face her. "Claire?"

He barely had the word out of his mouth before Ben's fist flew upwards, connecting with Eli's nose. She pulled herself to her feet.

She had better grab help. She ran up the stairs, passing the bucket she had noticed when they arrived. She stopped, dipped a finger in the water. Freezing.

She hoisted the bucket in her arms and ran back to Ben and Eli. Water sloshed over the side, dampening the front of her dress just enough to make her shiver.

Eli had Ben against a tree and his fist pulled back to punch him. She could tell they were tiring, the exertion and adrenaline having worked its way through their systems already. They might stop being stupid all on their own if she waited another minute.

But,
Claire looked down,
I do have this bucket of ice water.

She summoned all of her strength as she approached. She lifted the bucket and threw the water at the men, drenching them. 

The men fell apart, gasping and staring at Claire. Eli's shirt clung to him, the white becoming see-through, water dripping from his hair. Ben's suit held up a little better, but he still shivered.

"Same thing when dogs are fighting," Claire said dismissively. Claire felt hand on her arm and she looked over; Molly. Jack limped as he ran down the stairs with a two waitresses and the bus boy. A few patrons leaned against a window, mouths agape. 

"Go inside, Eli," Molly said, concern in her voice. "You'll get hypothermia."

Eli stormed by Claire, and she breathed a sigh of relief to see the water had washed most of the blood from his face. He breathed heavily, holding his side, and there was a cut on his face. Other than that, he looked unharmed. She turned to Ben, still bent in half, his hands on his thighs.

Jack walked over to Ben, towering over him. "If I see you on my property again, I'll call the cops."

Ben pulled himself straight and glowered at the small crowd around him. "You'll be lucky if I don't press charges."

Ben walked toward the parking lot, turning before he disappeared into the darkness. He smiled. "Goodnight, Claire."

Jack stepped in front of the two women, and Molly's fingertips dug into her arm. Molly leaned close to Claire's ear and whispered, "See? My guy's better."

Eli stood in the shower, hot water running over his body. His nerves tingled as they came back to life. He rubbed his throbbing knuckles.

He would have killed Ben earlier if Claire had not stopped them. Or he would have come close.

The minute he saw her on the steps outside with fire in her eyes and her fist balled at her side, he knew. He fell for her and he was not going to let Ben hurt her.

His body grew heavy, and he turned the shower off, grabbing his white towel. He toweled himself off as he walked into his bedroom. Then he slid into his boxers and studied the cut on his upper cheek in the mirror. It could have been worse. Ben looked worse. Eli smiled.

He stepped into the open living room and kitchen, stopping as he noticed a figure leaning against the wall. Claire faced the window looking over the ocean. He padded across the carpet and flipped the small light on over the sink.

"Are you okay?" he asked when she turned around.

"I am. Are you?" Claire moved closer, reaching out for his face. "You need a bandage."

He nodded remembering his cut cheek and opened a cabinet to pull out the first aid kit.

"Here, let me," she said, taking the kit from him. She motioned for him to sit at the kitchen table, and rummaged through the white box.

Her hands were silky smooth. He breathed her in as she leaned closer. She smelled different that night, like soap and something else. Something sweet.

Claire cleaned his cheek then placed the bandage over the cut.

"I think you'll live," she said, smiling. Her eyes traveled over his chest. She did not speak, but a million words passed over her face. A thousand questions. A hundred sympathies.

"Car accident," Eli said, dismissing the jagged scars above his heart. "A long time ago. My dad had a drinking problem after my mom left."

She reached out to touch it, but closed her hand as if she thought better of it. Eli took her hand, leading it back to him. Goosebumps formed on his arms as her fingers grazed the rough skin. He imagined grabbing her, pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her. Her soft skin against his bare chest. His lips finding a place on her neck.

Maybe it was not a good idea, letting her touch him.

"So, the blind date?" Eli asked, clearing his throat.

"Yeah, a real gentleman." Claire pulled her hand away and walked to the cabinet, placing the first aid kit back. "I meant to tell him no, when he called to set the date up, but, I was in a weird place."

"He's not a good guy." Eli eyes traveled over Claire's body as much as he willed them to stay still. They followed every line and curve. He thought of Ben touching Claire's curves, and he fought the jealousy threatening to burst out of him. "I knew Ben a long time ago. A different life. He's..."

"Yeah, an ass." Claire pulled a clip out of her hair, letting the curls tumble over her shoulders. She massaged her scalp.

"More than that. Stay away from him."

"I don't plan on running into him again." Claire smiled, turning her toe against the floor. "I wanted to thank you, for what you did down there."

"I'd never let anything happen to you." Eli stood, not caring about so many thing he should; not caring that he wore only his boxers; not caring Claire had been a date with Ben; not caring what touching her would mean in the morning.

Eli was shattered, and for some reason he believed she might be able to collect the pieces.

He walked to her and placed a hand on the back of her neck, trailing his thumb behind her ear. He waited for a protest. For her to wiggle away or turn her head.

Instead, her lips parted and she tilted her chin up.

Eli pressed his mouth against hers, tasting a hint of chocolate on her full lips. Her mouth received his with greediness and he accepted the invitation to take more. His tongue darted between her lips, searching. She moaned against him. His erection grew, pressing against her.

One hand ran through her hair, pulling her face close against his, his other against her lower back.
Claire.
He had given up tasting her. He had given up on a chance for them. Because of Ben.

Eli pushed Claire away to protect her, and Ben still found a way to hurt her. The kiss might have been between Ben and Claire because Eli had pushed her away. Jealousy coursed through Eli's veins, making him pull Claire that much closer.

His hands found her round butt, lifting her. Her legs wrapped around his torso as if by instinct, and her dress rode up, leaving her cotton panties the only barrier between Eli and her warmth.

He staggered into the living room, collapsing into his easy chair, bringing her down on top of him. His hands trailed up her back. Her mouth broke free and traveled down the side of his neck, grazing and kissing as she went. Hot breath against his sensitive skin.

"Claire." Eli moaned as her tongue worked expertly, finding his scar, pressing against the jagged area. Avoided by Eli's girlfriends in the past, her trace replaced the memories of hot metal searing into flesh.

Eli's hands moved to Claire's thighs, rubbing the soft flesh, massaging and moving until he reached thin fabric. Damp and waiting for his touch, she pressed against him. He rubbed against the line of her slit, wanting to pull aside the cotton and thrust inside. He had to stop before he crossed a line she did not want to cross.

"Claire, wait," he said, breathlessly. She kissed him one last time, then pulled her head away from his chest and looked at him. He stared at her full bottom lip, his hand against her heat. "We have school Monday night."

Claire smiled. "I think we'll be finished before then."

Her mouth returned to his neck: hot, moist, sensual. He wanted her, but there could be nothing between, not with Ben lurking around. Eli groaned and pushed her back.

"Claire, can we do this and be okay? Not awkward?" Eli asked, pulling away from her. The unspoken words; this is only for tonight.

"It's already awkward," she teased. "I need this. I need you."

"That's the alcohol talking," Eli said.

"I only had iced tea." Claire's hands were at the edge of her dress one second, lifting it above her head the next. Eli sat taking in her black strapless bra and panties. "Touch me."

Eli's hands gripped the arms of his chair. As if all the blood in his brain flooded to one part of his body, the rest of him was left, unable to move.

Claire took control, grasping his hands and running them over her bare skin. He touched where she wanted to be touched, starting with her thighs. He moved over her stomach and finally to her full breasts. She slid his hands under her bra, the hidden rough skin of her nipples, enough to put him back into action. His fingers slid to her back, undoing the clasp and let her bra fall to the floor.

Her breasts spilled out, revealing taut nipples. All reasoning and self-control disappeared. 

He pulled her against him again, her breasts pressed against him. He stood and walked to the bedroom, dropping her on his gray comforter.

"Don't move," Eli commanded. His cock strained against the thin material of his boxers, but first he wanted to see all of Claire.

His mouth moved to her breast, flicking her nipple with his tongue, sucking and pulling the textured skin between his teeth. His free hand cupped against her wet heat. He pushed the elastic out of the way and she grabbed his hand, pressing him against her harder. He pressed his mouth against her ear.

"I said, don't move. Be a good girl, or I'll have to tie you to the bed." He smiled when Claire wiggled and groaned.

Her hands back at her side, Eli stood and grabbed the sides of Claire's panties, yanking them down over her feet. He let them drop to the floor, placing a hand on her soft stomach.

"Fucking beautiful," he said. "Literally."

Eli moved down her stomach and to her wet folds, sliding a finger inside of her body. She was tight, in the way only a woman who had not been with a man in a long time could be.

Gliding in and out while his thumb found place on her sensitive bud, he pressed gently at first, then built up speed. He slid another finger in, and she cried out, "Yes, oh God!"

Swifter with each passing second, he moved rough against her clit. He loved watching her struggle to stay still, not to sit up and wriggle in ecstasy. It was how he had felt since the day he met her. Wanting to take charge, to grab her, but unable to act for fear of losing everything.

He would never let her lose anything. If given the chance, he would make sure she had everything.

"Eli," she moaned, quaking around his fingers. "Yes. Yes." Her body twisted, her face diving into the pillow beside her.

Claire stared at Eli's strong chest muscles as he moved. Flawless, even with his scar. She should be embarrassed under his gaze. She was not thin like Rachel, and her breasts no longer perky after two pregnancies. Her appearance had been under a microscope with Robert's comments and wandering eye for years.

With Robert's help, she had perfected her imperfection list. But Eli made her momentarily forget her insecurities.

"Oh God," she moaned, as Eli fell on the bed next to her again. His mouth found hers and pulled her into a deep kiss. She did not remember a time when someone had kissed her so passionately. 

Her climax finished crashing down, and Eli removed his fingers from her depths, trailing over her stomach and further up her body.

He twisted and tugged at her nipple, the small beaded tip rolling between his thumb and finger. She squirmed, excited for what else the evening held.

Eli's mouth was at the space behind her ear. He kissed her. "Did you like that?"

"So much," she moaned, her fingers finding the elastic of his boxers. She slid her hand under the fabric, grabbing Eli, hard and throbbing, in her hand. A quiver of excitement ran through Claire as her fingers wrapped around his shaft. He was so large.

Eli let out a groan as Claire stroked him. She wanted to bring him release, just as he had for her. She studied him, gliding down the length of his cock. He fell back into the mattress as she propped her head with her free hand. His breath labored.

How had she gotten here? Kissing Eli had passed through her mind a time or two, but after he grew cold towards her at school, she accepted that it was just a fantasy.

But here she was, and though a responsible voice in her head yelled at her, the rest of her body pushed that woman away. Claire wanted to be wanted. Touched. Craved and worshiped. Just for one night, then she would go back to boring Claire the single mom, student, bakery worker and failed home renovator. She needed this.

Not until she saw Eli fresh out of a shower, did she decide being with Eli was how she would let go of all of her Robert induced anxiety.

Eli's hand stopped her stroke and pulled her face to his, kissing her lightly. "I want to be inside you."

She nodded. "Yes."

His mouth grew rough against hers, rolling her onto her back. She heard the sound of a drawer opening, foil being ripped.

Eli positioned himself over Claire, his thick head waiting at her entrance. He lowered himself to her, and his eyes were only inches from her. The moment became too intimate. She looked away.

"We don't have to," he said, dropping to his hip beside her. His hand traced her shoulder. She trained her eyes on the window. "Look at me, please."

Claire turned back to him. She started this; so why did she feel frightened? Was it about seeing him at school? No. Was it the fight with Ben earlier? No. Then what was it?

Eli kissed her on the forehead, and suddenly, she knew what it was. She liked him. Honest to goodness, not only for one night, but wanted to take him home, make him dinner, curl up next to him on the couch and watch a movie.

She felt it in his touch, he liked her, too, but there was something in the way, blocking him from admitting it. She had seen it in his eyes. Hadn't she?

"Claire, what is it?"

Claire opened her mouth to speak, but before she could an alarm sounded.

They both jumped. Eli ran to the window and looked at the parking lot. Claire's heart pounded against her ribcage, and she rolled out of the bed, disorientated. She found her underwear on the floor and pulled them on, before rushing to the living room to find the rest of her clothes.

Eli followed her out of the bedroom, zipping his jeans. He slid into a pair of sandals.

"Fire alarm?" she asked, still breathless as she pulled her dress down over her head.

"Yeah," Eli said, taking her arm and pulling her behind him and out the door. They were halfway down the steps when she realized she did not have her shoes. The parking lot was already full with patrons from the brewery, milling about, while others were getting in their cars and leaving.

Eli shielded her body as they moved through the crowd. He pointed to his truck and handed her his keys.

"My truck; get in and turn on the heat. I need to make sure everyone's outside." Eli pressed his lips against hers without hesitation before he disappeared.