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Defeated, he blows out a breath before disappearing.
It’s only seconds, but it feels like forever before Jake storms to the door, panic wild in those whiskey eyes. “Claire? Jesus, woman, it’s freezing. Get in here.” He reaches for me, but I back away.
“It was you,” I say, voice shaky and thick from crying.
“What was?”
A heavy tear escapes before I can catch it.
“Fuck. Come in, Claire. Please. Just give me a minute.”
Teeth chattering, I nod as he steps aside to let me through. I’ll never get my words out when I’m shivering so much.
My arm brushes against his shirt and the heat from his skin sends a jolt down my spine. “Should I wait in the living room?”
“Sure.”
It’s like second nature when he reaches up and wipes the tear away with his thumb.
The brief contact makes my heart seize.
I remind myself to breathe.
It doesn’t work.
I can’t think straight when he stands this close.
I manage a small smile before going to the living room.
Everything’s the same, yet so different.
Fresh eyes.
Eyes that see in color.
I comforted Jay-Jay in this room.
We danced on the floor under my feet.
I look at the couch and remember how Jake took me there and made me his. Branding me and ruining me for all others.
A few minutes later, I hear chatter from the hall.
He’s making them leave.
“Your friends must really hate me. I’ve ruined poker night twice,” I say as he steps inside, making the room smaller with just his presence. “You shouldn’t have done that. I could have come back.”
“This is more important.”
A step closer.
“You don’t even know why I’m here.”
Another step.
My gaze lifts the closer he gets, my heart hammering in my chest when he crowds me.
“It’s still more important.”
