"Where were you today?" asked Ryan, his eyes tentative on Claire's attire of denim shorts and a hoodie, her blonde hair tied up sloppily into a bun.

She looked like a high school girl, but a fine woman in her couldn't trick his manly mind for she was strangely beautiful no matter what she wore.

"To a friend's house," Claire answered curtly while chewing the grilled pork cutlets dipped in mushroom sauce, the chef's stern recommendation. "Her name is Gena, in case you are curious." She smiled teasingly.

"I'm not," he said flatly.

"But your face says otherwise," she came back.

Smiling, Ryan shook his head lightly. Something was mesmerizing about her, but he had no idea what it was. He just enjoyed looking at her, something new and concerning for his own good.

"You love arguing a lot, don't you?" Ryan muttered, his focus on everything she did.

Claire flushed as his eyes became too intense on her lips that slowly abandoned the glass of white wine.

"I do when I have a point to prove." She wiped her mouth softly with a napkin and took a recess, leaning gracefully back against her chair.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" The question came out unexpectedly from Ryan, and even so to Claire.

"No?" she answered truthfully.

Ryan's lips quirked disbelievingly, recalling the vague background check he'd done on her after their second encounter. He had to know more about her because she intrigued him.

First, she was in a life-and-death situation on their first meeting, and second, she was his brother's "friend" or whatever their relationship was, and then she was into this "unnamed" affair with him.

Not that she looked innocent. Hell no, she was far from being a little Jane afraid of men.

She seemed wild, and it drove Ryan insane whenever he'd thick of that bold kiss and the feel of her warm, petite body in his arms. She would make a very good companion in his bed, he couldn't hide this predatory intent of his.

At least not to himself.

He no more needed a woman to date, so if he were to have Claire, then she'd be nothing but a momentary pleasure.

"Why? You're young, beautiful, and smart, I believe. It's only natural to have someone, don't you think?" He reclined back, staring deeply into her eyes.

"Well... maybe I have high standards," Claire muttered, pulling herself forward to have a closer look at his face. "I don't date just anyone, that's the problem." She eyed him challengingly.

Ryan smirked. She wasn't bad to listen to, and her sassiness kept pulling him in with so much curiosity devouring him from within.

"High standards. I see," he remarked, a smile dancing in his eyes.

Of course, he was aware that by no means was she after his wealth like most women were, and it didn't even matter at this point.

A short silence settled and it made him more eager to read her deeply.

"What about you?" Claire asked a moment later. "Does your girlfriend know that you're here right now?"

"She doesn't need to," Ryan quipped, "because we have a mutual understanding."

Claire bit her lip uncomfortably. "Some kind of an open relationship?" she asked.

Ryan sipped some water, still smiling with his eyes.

"Sure, we can go with that," he replied.

Annoyed, Claire downed her glass in one go. "Good for you," she uttered.

"Easy there!" Ryan snapped with a wrinkled face. "This wine is a little strong."

"And I love it strong." Anger settled heavily in Claire's chest, the reason unknown to her.

"That is certainly interesting." Ryan smiled tightly, pulling the bottle away from her. "Yet I believe you've had enough. Finish your food," he said.

"I will, but not because you told me to!" She grabbed her fork and pulled her plate closer rather forcefully.

That foul mouth needs to be fixed. Ryan imagined several ways to shut it if he had the chance to do it right now. God, it made him hard.

It was the end of the conversation and he was highly amused by each moment they shared. As a reward, he learned that she was such a delicate thing despite her tough exterior.

But why the fuck was he enjoying pushing her barriers like a curious, hormonal college boy?

"I think I'm done," Claire snapped, tired of this moment that was another foolish mistake on her part.

Seeing her plate empty, Ryan nodded in agreement. "You have a good appetite. I like it."

Claire scoffed. Of all the things he could possibly say? What a moron!

Their ride back was was taciturn. The whole time Claire trained her eyes outside through the window, arms crossed tightly on her chest. Ryan kept staring at her from time to time with a smile that was never returned.

"You can call me when you need another ride or someone to drink coffee with," he said seriously, the sight of her sullen face when he found her at the cafeteria still disturbing him.

He hated it, and even though he rarely had time to waste around as far as his social life was concerned, he felt like he could spare a few minutes for her for the same reason he did today.

Maybe he felt sorry for her, he so badly wanted to believe, but he wasn't the type to feel sorry for random strangers either.

"I don't do that every day, okay? Don't mistake me for a loner," Claire returned while pulling off her seatbelt.

A laconic laugh escaped Ryan, skating his gaze on her as she rose from her seat while clutching the door handle a bit dramatically.

"One more thing." He paused, and she eyed him curiously. "Don't you have a car?" His glance was earnest this time, his face devoid of a smile.

"I don't need one, I'm fine this way," Claire replied.

"Why am I not comfortable with that?" Ryan uttered thoughtfully, more to himself.

"Because you're kind of nosy?"

"I am nosy? Me?"

"No, my imaginary friend." Ignoring his smiley face, Claire collected her bag. "Thank you for today. I mean it."

"My pleasure," he muttered, and that heat from  her sparkling eyes staring at him so tenderly began surging through him.

How he wanted to grab her and kiss the hell out of her lips and every other part of her gorgeous body that could possibly be kissed.

But not now. Not ever again.

"Drive safe." Claire made her exit and walked away.

A wave of emotions seared through Ryan. It was emptiness he barely recognized.

And he hated it.

"Easy, Ryan," he breathed, watching her as nearing the gates of her house. "She deserves more than you can give."

Claire's phone lay on the passenger seat when Ryan's cast his glance aside to pull on his seatbelt. Such a clumsy one!

____

"Why wasn't I informed about the money you received?" Selma snarled at Claire the second she walked home after her dinner with Ryan.

"Because it's none of your business!" Claire retorted.

Selma gripped Claire's below and viciously spun her around before she could proceed toward the staircase. "You think I'm an easy target... don't you?"

Claire pulled her hand off Selma's grip and snapped, "I think you're one insufferable woman who will never be happy no matter how much you own in your bank account! I think you'll end up alone when you realize no one, absolutely no one, can stand you for too long—not even your son!"

"How dare you?" Selma's voice reverberated through the thick walls of the grand foyer, her fists clenched so tightly they could break.

"What? Does it hurt to hear the truth? That you are a damn gold-digger?" Claire snapped back, carrying the same menace and hatred.

"You insolent brat!" Selma was about to slap Claire when she caught her wrist in midair. "Let go of me!" she demanded furiously, her dark gaze trained between her wrist and Claire's face.

"I'll never let you hit me again! Do you understand me?" Claire spat irritated, eyes darker and ablaze. "I'm no longer that little girl who begged for your attention back then. I'm past that stage... Mother! And it's the last time you'll hear me calling you that because you never deserved it!" Anger coursed through her trembling body and she knew she'd reached an impasse.

Enough was enough.

"Are you on drugs?" Selma asked, astonished.

"I'm perfectly sober, Selma! But I'm not sure for how long because all I want is to beat the crap out of you right now." A horrid laughter ricocheted through Claire's chest and she knew the Chardonnay was pumping her adrenaline right now.

Selma gasped aloud, flexing her gripped wrist to no avail. "You—"

"I think I could use some fresh air," Claire cut in, "this one is certainly polluted." She finally freed Selma's wrist and scurried back outside.

The housekeeper was outside as she made her exit.

"It's your phone," she said, handing it to Claire. "A man brought it." She smiled warily at Claire.

"Ryan," Claire muttered under her breath. "Was he inside here? Did you let him in?" Panic ran through her at the thought of him hearing her argument with Selma.

The young redhead nodded affirmatively. "He said he's a friend and he had your phone so—"

"It's alright." Claire took a deep breath, gripping her mobile rather tightly. "I need to take a walk. Please, put my things in my room," She handed her bag and phone to the housekeeper and left.

As usual, she stopped at the park, her most peaceful place. The crispy, evening breeze blew smoothly, swaying the waves of her hair in sync with the dancing trees adorning the place.

"You can go back now, I don't need your pity," she said softly to the person who'd been following her from the moment she left the house.

"How long have you known I was behind you?" Ryan strolled closer, revealing himself in front of her.

"From the very beginning?" she answered with a smirk, gazing up at him with narrowed eyes. "I saw your car and figured you were still around."

A small smile kissed the corner of Ryan's lips as he uttered, "You forgot your phone in the car," while taking a seat next to her.

"I know. Thanks," Claire replied tiredly, her usually bright eyes now gloomy. "And since you are here, please forget whatever you heard today. Don't think that you know me now just because you happen to know my shady life."

As though her warning bored no importance to him, Ryan wandered his curious eyes around the park and asked, "So, is this the place you often come to?"

"Hmm." Claire nodded softly, and when Ryan's attention shifted back to her, she asked, "Why did you follow me?"

"I couldn't ignore you," Ryan replied promptly. "You looked sad and..." He paused.

"And you felt sorry for me?" Clare accused.

She despised the gesture.

"Sorry? Maybe. What's wrong with that?" Ryan said, and her eyes widened somehow. He smiled at that. "I don't know you much, Claire. But I can tell you're a tough cookie."

"A tough cookie?" Claire chuckled lightly. Ryan's eyes glowed luminously at the sound she made. "You're weird," she added under her breath and it suddenly felt alright being here with him despite every odd.

She was tempted to lean onto his shoulder each time their body made subtle contact.

And she did it.

Ryan flexed a bit, startled by her boldness rather than the gesture. His lips stretched into a warm smile as he slid closer and allowed her to relax comfortably by his side. Carefully, his arm snaked around her, and she fitted perfectly.

Perfect. It all felt too perfect to be true.

Claire felt safe and assured at this moment. Immersed in the feeling, she shut her eyes at the gentle nuzzle of Ryan's nose into her hair. She could feel him, his tense muscles, his heart beating faster than usual; it made her smile.

"I love your smell," she muttered out of the blue. "I mean, the perfume or whatever you're using; don't get the wrong ideas." She gazed up at him, blushing.

"Oh really, now?" Ryan coaxed an eyebrow at her. "Maybe I could bring you the bottle of my cologne one of these days if you like it that much, and you can smell me all day long," he teased.

Claire pulled back, scowling. You're spooky, you know? Who said I want to smell you all day long?" She giggled at the idea.

It was thrilling, honestly.

"Don't you?" Ryan's eyes narrowed at her.

"No?" Claire huffed, averting her gaze.

Jeez, why was he so hot? She blew some air to stop devouring his lips that she so badly wanted to kiss.

"Are you sure?" Ryan smiled and held her chin, drawing her face closer. She consented, glancing back at him with a soft. "You have the most beautiful lips," he breathed, stroking her cheek gently.

Oh, and you're just perfect! Claire breathed heavily inside.

"I bet it's what you tell every woman you hook up with," she murmured, hardly keeping her legs together.

Ryan smirked. "You won't believe it even if I deny your baseless accusations," he said. "But I mean it." His voice was gentle; the attraction stretched into Claire's groin was palpable. "I want to kiss you deeply," he whispered.

Claire's breath ragged, her heart beating at a strange fast pace.

"Kiss me," she said, and automatically Ryan's lips took hers ravenously.

A goner! She was a goner.

A soft moan leaped out of Claire as Ryan held the small of her back. He propped himself a bit to hold her steady, tightly, letting no distance fill between them.

Fuck, had anyone kissed her like this before? Claire was in awe, totally astounded at the expertise of his hands on her body, caressing every accessible inch of her skin, and her thighs began parting willingly as his fingers slid between them.

The skirt of her little floral dress was smoothly rising upward and the arousal was enough to shudder her skin. Oh no, she wasn't going to let him touch her there, was she? She quickly pulled back, breathless, and the effect was a replica of Ryan's.

But before things could escalate, Claire quickly pulled back and said, "I-I think we should go now. It's getting late." She took a breath, watching Ryan shyly through the glowing hue of the silver-gray moon shining above them.

"Can't you stay a little longer?" Ryan whispered, eyeing her so deeply with a faint salacious smile.

"Um—" Damn if she stayed she'd end up fucked in the park! "No, I must go, Ryan, and please don't stop me."

Although reluctantly, Ryan gave in to her plea.

He was driving moderately about fifteen minutes later, and he couldn't stop thinking about Claire. What exactly did he want from her? The kisses? Some good sex? Because he'd imagined it so many times since he first held her in his arms, but was that what drove him toward that goddamn park in such damp weather?

Fuck, Ryan, you can have any chick you want! Leave the poor Cinderella alone! His inner voice rebuked.

Ryan sighed heavily after pulling over into the traffic lights. And just as he was about to do away with any thought regarding Claire, his phone flashed with a message from her. He pondered for a few seconds and immediately opened it.

From: Lady in Rain
Thanks for being there. Maybe I needed a shoulder to lean on and yours was spectacular.
(Received: 20:1 p.m)

A small smile manipulated his features. He didn't think twice to text her back.

I'll remember to add one shoulder day to my workout routine. Think of good things and get some sleep.
(Sent: 20:2 p.m)

He smiled widely and continued driving upon the greenlight. This woman was going to bring him some trouble, he could feel it with all his guts. And when Doris' name beamed on his phone, his smile dissipated like a whisper in the wind.