Lacey headed out and the caterers did the same, just a few minutes afterward.
At that point, Adele turned to Claire, her eyes wide.“So…want me to stay?”
“It’s okay,” said Claire.“Everything’s taken care of.Thanks for coming, Adele.”
“You bet.”She kissed Claire on the cheek.“Have a good night, you two.”
Once Adele closed the door behind her, the house got very quiet, or so it seemed to Nick.He helped Claire collect the last of the chip bowls and glasses and they brought them into the kitchen.
Once they deposited everything in her dishwasher, they turned to one another.
Speechless, yet again.
Damn, he’d never been so at a loss for words around a woman.
She was just so lovely.No, not just lovely.She looked fucking hot, to be perfectly honest.She’d worn her hair down, and the chocolate waves danced around her shoulders.Her jeans were like a second skin, emphasizing every curve.She wasn’t wearing one of her usual slogan T-shirts.Instead, she’d put on a silky black blouse, one that hugged her breasts.Although she’d been wearing ballet slippers earlier, she’d slipped them off when everyone went home.She now went barefoot, but her toenails were painted a vibrant pink.
They were the sexiest feet he’d ever seen.
Claire didn’t wear a lot of jewelry, from what he’d seen so far, and tonight was no exception.Her only ornamentation was a silver bracelet that dangled around her slim wrist, and some sparkly earrings.
And her wedding rings, of course.
“I hope you enjoyed the party,” she said, her voice soft and sexy.He could just imagine what it would be like to have a voice like that whispering in his ear first thing in the morning as they snuggled in bed.
Naked, of course.
Anytime he pictured himself snuggling with Claire—and he’d begun to imagine it a lot—they were always naked.
“I did, thanks.”His throat was parched, and no matter how often he cleared it, it didn’t help.“Do you mind if I get myself some water?”
“Here, let me.”She filled a glass.
As Claire turned to hand it to him, she must not have realized he had already stepped closer.Their arms connected at an odd angle and the water splashed out of the glass, all over the front of his shirt.
It clung to his gut, as if he were a contender in a wet T-shirt contest.
“Ohmigosh.I’m so sorry.”
Nick plucked at his shirt.“It’s okay, really.I was kind of hot anyway.”
Claire looked at the wet patch and let out a strange laugh.
She was totally checking him out.
Interesting.
Grateful for that ab routine his trainer had given him, Nick reached for a couple of paper towels and dried himself off as best he could.
“I could get you another shirt, if you’re uncomfortable.”
“I’m fine, thanks.It’s just water.It’ll dry.”
“Of course.I’m sure you’d rather not dress up in my dead husband’s clothes.”She pulled a face.“I’m sorry.That was meant to be internal monologue.Ugh.I’m not very good at this.”
“Oh, yeah?”Nick chuckled.“What’sthis, exactly?”
“You know.”
