I take a sip of my beer, looking back at Claire when I feel her eyes on me. She looks at me like she want’s to come over here and say something, even though I know she won’t. “I know, but she won’t talk to us unless she’s ready.”
She sucks her bottom lip in, biting on it as Davis whispers something in her ear. Her eyes never leave mine, she watches me with an intensity I’ve never felt before.
“God you two are so gross” Blair gags, walking up to August and I. “It’s painful watching you two long for one another like those stupid characters in romance movies.”
I roll my eyes and refocus on Claire, except she’s no longer up against a wall with Davis, they’re moving to the centre of the dance floor. My stomach churns at the thought of her grinding up against him, the thought of him touching her everywhere I want my own hands to be.
“Relax” Steph laughs, slapping me on the back as she walks past. She stands next to August and places a kiss on his cheek before turning back to me, “they’re just friends… she’s only doing this to prove a point.”
“And what point would that be?” I ask before chugging the rest of my beer.
Steph looks over her shoulder, a small smile playing on her lips as she watches her best friend dance, “that you can’t stand the sight of her with anyone else, and that you need to prove you’re worth her heart so she can finally give it to you.”
Claire wraps her arms around the back of Davis’s neck, swaying her hips while he places his hands on her hips. She grinds into him, and as the lyrics to whatever song continues to echo against the bar walls, I feel my face growing hot. My fists clench at my sides while I watch Claire dance with my friend.
Davis smirks at me before wrapping a hand around Claires throat, and her eyes close for a brief moment as she melts into him. When she finally opens them again she locks eyes with me, she tries to fight back a smile but I can see the corners of her mouth twitching.
“I’m going to kill him” I growl. My feet propel me in their direction, and without thinking I grab Davis and throw him off of her.
Claire plants her hands on her hips before looking up at me defiantly, “what the hell did you do that for?”
I wrap a hand around her waist and pull her in, the possessive asshole in me completely taking over, “you know how I feel and I know how you feel… stop trying to make me jealous.”
She snorts, “it’s working though, and I like seeing you at my mercySt. James.”
I close my eyes and revel at my name on her lips, “god I love when you mock me.”
She removes my arm from her back and leans in close, the smell of her shampoo wafting into my nose as she whispers in my ear, “prove to me that you won’t hurt me again and I’m all yours.” Her hands drift down my chest and towards my waist, they hover just above my belt before she walks away.
Tease.
* * *
Walking into the house after the bar, we’re all watching Claire carefully, waiting for her to notice.
We had that picture of the six of us printed out a while ago, but we thought we should wait to put it out until things cooled off between us. We replaced the original right before we left for the bar, and I think we’re a little anxious to see what she has to say.
She reaches into the fridge to grab a water, and when she comes out she looks at us weird, “why are all of you staring at me like that?”
“Can we just tell her? She’s clearly not gonna notice and I want her to know!” Miller whines.
“Tell me what?” She places both hands on her hips and waits for someone to spit it out.
I point to the photo sitting on the counter behind her, she slowly turns and walks towards it before grabbing the edges of the frame. A small smile grows and when she turns back around, she has tears in her eyes.
I feel myself start to worry, “shit, we didn’t mean to upset you.” I rush towards her, “we thought you would like it.”
Claire wipes a tear from under her eye while she nods her head, “I do, thank you guys.”
Her arms wrap around me, holding me tight. I melt into her touch, basking in what feels like the only time she’ll ever let herself love me again.
I understand why she’s hesitant to let me back in, but I’ll be damned if I don’t try my fucking hardest to sweep her off her feet.
“Don’t get too used to this St. James” she whispers against my chest, “you still have a lot of work to do.” Chills run down my spine as she drags her fingers up my arm, they land on the back of my neck as she leans up and smiles. Her lips are so close to mine, with one move I could have her sweet taste consuming every inch of my body.
She smirks at me and backs away, winking before hugging the others.
She’s going to be the death of me.
