“It’s my middle name. What I go by these days. Jules was then, and Claire is now.”
“Why?” My hand twitched to brush the long layers away from her eyes.
“It was for the best. To make a new life, and all that. Too many ghosts in my past. My first team—you know what they did. And then you ... you and me.”
I rolled up my shirtsleeves. Suddenly, I hated the fact that I didn’t wear a T-shirt. I was burning the fuck up.
“No one knew about you and me. That’s why I left, so you could have a clean break, a second chance. What the hell happened? Don’t tell me you wasted everything I did for this fucking shit. Fuck.”
I cursed for no reason and for every damn reason in front of me. The concept of Jules as a waitress wrecked me, thinking of random cocksuckers leering at her in that tie and tight oxford shirt while she worked for tips, forced to endure sleazy come-ons.
“I gave it all up for you. Thank fuck I did, but not for this second-class bullshit.” Rage boiled up my spine, forcing me to spew angry words I knew I’d regret.
She moved away from the wall and started packing up her tote. Loosening her tie, she tugged it off and shoved it in the bag. She unbuttoned the top button of her shirt, and I saw hives spreading on her neck.
I couldn’t stay put any longer; my body ached to get closer to her.
“Jules, what happened?” I traced the side of her neck with my finger, and she flinched. I didn’t shy away, though. I couldn’t even if I wanted. She was honey, and I was a bee.
Crap, I’m a goner. Done for this woman.
“Where’s yourJ?”
“Don’t. It’s gone with Jules. Please don’t touch me.”
“I never meant to hurt you. I left for you. Believe me when I say the last few years have been hard for me, thinking about you, wondering what you’re doing. Thoughts of you have consumed me on too many nights to count.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Please ...”
I didn’t care what she wanted; I was going to have my say. I’d waited long enough.
I took her hand and laced her fingers with mine, wondering why her calluses from playing were gone. I knew each and every one of them, just like I’d memorized the freckles dotting her skin.
“I was falling for you, in every way imaginable. I couldn’t coach you when all I wanted to do was love you, protect you, ravage you. My feelings were on my sleeve. There was no way no one would notice.”
She tugged her hand from mine. “It’s fine, Drew. We overstepped boundaries, but that was a long time ago. I’m guessing you live near here, so if you can’t keep your distance, I’ll be forced to move.”
“What?” Her reaction sent me reeling, mystified and unable to comprehend what she was saying. “You didn’t care for me at all? You’re leaving? For where?”
“It’s a nonissue now. Life has moved on.”
“But here we are, standing in front of each other.” No way I was letting her slip through my grasp. Not again.
“It’s been seven years. It’s long over. If you’ll excuse me, I have to go. It’s been great seeing you. Seeing you’re good, healthy, and well. Makes me feel good.” She waved her hand up and down my body.
I watched her swallow a lump in her throat. Was it a lump of regret? Or need?
As she brushed by me, I realized there was something missing from her eyes. A small light had been extinguished, and I wanted to light it again. But she was rushing past me and nearly out the back door before I could grab her and keep her.
Keep her?
Maybe that was it. Maybe there was someone else.
“Wait! Jules ... Claire ... let me walk you to your car.” I had to know what my competition was. Whoever it was, I planned to take them down fast.
She waved me off and slipped out the door, the heavy metal banging on its frame just as I got there. I swung it open, hearing it bang again behind my back as I made my way toward her. She beeped the locks on a smart-looking sedan and opened the back door on the driver’s side.
“Please, wait,” I said, breathless, more from nerves than a lack of stamina. I reached for her arm, the one stuffing her tote in the backseat.
