She held back.She’d seen enough emotion in his eyes.She wasn’t sure she could handle any more.It was hard enough being witness to him transforming into a raw thing of beauty.He penetrated her, and not just physically.
“Claire, look at me.”
So she did.
What she saw almost broke her down completely.The ferocity in the lines of his face.The tenderness in his eyes.His brow was furrowed and full of confusion.
Just like whatever emotion currently rode her heart.
This wasn’t just a hookup between friends.Something else was happening here,hadbeen happening, whether she was willing to face it or not.
And Nick knew it too.
She needed to get them back on track.
No emotions—they’d promised it to each other.
Just pure physicality.
“Fuck me, Nick.Fuck me hard.”
He pounded her to the point of delirium.Caught up in his own orgasm, Nick let out a series of grunts.A few more thrusts, and they were there, tumbling.She hadn’t even realized she’d climbed so high until she was falling.
He ground against her with his final thrust, trembling from the impact.When he collapsed, neither of them said anything for a while.She just lazily stroked circle patterns on his lower back, wishing they could stay like that forever.
He finally moved and she sighed as their bodies lost contact.After bestowing a gentle kiss on her forehead, he went to the bathroom to get rid of the condom.
Claire rolled over to face the bathroom door, unwilling to lose sight of him for one minute.Would he see the need etched into her face?She hoped not, because she was in no position to school her features right now.
Not after that.
His face had changed too.When he walked out of the bathroom, all the wildness had disappeared from his eyes.In its place was awe, shocking in its clarity.
Claire’s bottom lip wobbled, but she bit it back.
She’d thought she could keep her emotions at bay.
She’d been wrong.
Chapter Seventeen
The Sunday night Zorn family dinner was mostly a blur to Nick.A happy blur, full of congratulations for him, but a blur, nonetheless.His parents couldn’t stop gushing over him and his new show, and they had lots of questions for Michael and Eli, wanting to ensure his brothers were content in making the contracting business their focus again.Nick was glad his parents were proud of him, but he was relieved to take a back seat when Michael and Emily announced their pregnancy.
That was when the shrieks of delight hit the roof.His folks were so excited about having a grandchild.His mom teared up a bit, but his dad shocked everyone when he broke down.
“I’m sorry,” said David Zorn, wiping his eyes.“I really am happy.I just love you all so much.”
Of course, they pretty much all started crying at that point.
Nick knew he should have expected it.His mom had always been more likely to cry at weddings and such, but his dad had always had soft moments too.And even though the three Zorn brothers liked to act tough, they’d inherited much of that softness.
Which was probably why Nick was spent by the time dessert was served.He might have attributed his raw emotions to the evening’s news, but one other thought kept gnawing at him.
He would have loved for Claire to be part of an evening like this.
He would have loved to have her at his side, holding his hand when his parents shared their joy about his new job.It would have been great to draw her near when things got emotional with his dad.
Dude, a dinner like this is not exactly part of a ‘friends with benefits’ situation.
