HIS By Design -Coveting Claire by Helen Karol Read Free Book Online Page A

agreed deceptively before sliding
her arms around his neck.  "How do you suggest we seal
it?"
    He kissed her gently on the lips and then
straightened, obviously intending to go no further.  Claire
didn't push him, removing her arms from around his neck, sensing
he’d become serious.  He didn't look directly at her when he
spoke.
     
    "Look, Claire, it's not that I'm averse to a
change in our relationship. It's just that I think it's too soon
after..."
    He paused and Claire supplied rather wryly.
 "My lusty experiences in New York?"
    He looked at her then with reproachful
amusement.  "I’ve a feeling you're not going to let me forget
that remark."
    Claire didn't reply, merely taking a sip from
her coffee, but her eyes supported his comment, promising future
reprisals.
    "You're right though, that is what I mean.
 I'd rather not be used as rebound material."
    Claire protested, “Julian, that’s not the
reason.  Do you find it so hard to believe I'm attracted to
you?"
    "No, but you're confused right now."
    Claire became exasperated.  "I'm old
enough to know my own feelings.  I don’t need you to explain
them to me,” conveniently forgetting that she’d relied on his
judgment only the night before.
    Julian didn't remind her, his answer only
slightly impatient.  "I don't care how old you are.  No
one can completely assess their emotions under pressure, and you've
been in a stressful situation for a number of weeks.  All I'm
suggesting is you take a breathing space."
    "And then?"
    "'We'll see," but his eyes were full of
promise.
    Claire considered.  His suggestion made
sense. She nodded.  "Alright.  Should we lay down the
ground rules?"  A little of her earlier sauciness returned,
drawing a chuckle from him.
    "No.  I don't think that'll be
necessary."
    "Well, I don't know.  Is kissing
allowed?"
    Julian answered her through action, his lips
lingering longer than before.  "Yes.  As long as they
don't go much further than that.  And they shouldn't be too
frequent, either," he added, backing away from her advancing
mouth.
    Claire stole another kiss anyway, before she
slid off the stool and left to change.
    Showering quickly, she pulled on casual
clothes similar to his.  She towel-dried her hair and prepared
to return it to the topknot she'd worn for her swim.  Changing
her mind, she used the blow dryer until it surrounded her head like
a golden veil, curling around her shoulders in soft waves to frame
her face.  
    Julian was still at the breakfast bar when
she returned, although he’d moved round to sit at one of the
stools, gazing out at the ocean, lost in his thoughts.
 Hearing her enter, he turned his head.  As he caught
sight of her, a startled expression crossed his face.
    "You cut your hair!"
    "Yes, I forgot you hadn't seen it.  It's
easier to care for this way.  I got fed up with it last month
and did the evil deed.  It's alright. It didn't hurt a bit,"
she reassured him, surprised at his reaction. He looked positively
bereft.  However, he recovered quickly and like the perfect
gentlemen he was, complimented her on the change, adding, "It gives
you an air of sophistication."
    Inwardly Julian shrugged.  It did suit
her and at shoulder length, it was still long enough and thick
enough to...  "How about an omelet for breakfast?"
    Claire nodded, following him into the
kitchen, wondering what his secret smile was about.  She
discontinued her speculation when he separated some articles from
the ones he’d taken from the fridge and dropped them in front of
her on the counter.
    "How come I always get the onions?"
    "Cook's helper always gets the dirty
jobs."
    She eyed him resentfully. Nevertheless, she
began peeling and cutting.  Together they prepared the omelet.
 Claire had forgotten how easily they moved around in this
kitchen.  It’d been three years since they prepared a meal
together.  They’d always eaten out when Julian was in New
York.  But when he placed the onions in front of her