Chapter 198
Chapter 198
Claire's POV
As we stepped out of the car and into the cool night air of Seattle, the tension from the ride home from Emerald Pulse clung to me like a second skin. My body was still buzzing from the way Daniel had looked at me, his voice a low growl when he’d whispered, “Now take me home so I can show you exactly what I’ve been thinking about.” My panties were already soaked through, the fabric sticking to me with every step toward my Queen Anne Heights apartment. But I didn’t rush. I never did. Not because of some high moral code like Daniel’s, but because I savored the anticipation, the slow burn of wanting something so bad it hurt.
I unlocked the door with deliberate calm, stepping inside and slipping off my coat. I hung it on the rack by the entrance, then placed my purse on the sleek glass table in the foyer. My heels clicked on the hardwood as I walked further in, aware of Daniel’s heavy footsteps behind me. I could feel his eyes on me, hot and intense, but I didn’t turn around. Not yet.
“Daniel,” I said softly, my voice smooth as I glanced over my shoulder, catching his gaze. “I’ve got a little wish I’d like you to grant me tonight.”
He raised an eyebrow, his blue-gray eyes narrowing slightly as he dropped his jacket on the couch. “What kind of wish, Claire?” His tone was cautious, but there was a rough edge to it, like he already knew this wasn’t going to be simple.
I smiled, slow and deliberate, and led him toward the master bedroom. My heart thumped hard, but I kept my movements graceful, my control absolute. Once inside, I walked to my dresser, pulling open the top drawer where I kept my La Perla collection. My fingers brushed over silk and lace until they found what I wanted—a wine-red thong, delicate and barely there, the fabric so sheer it was almost nothing. I held it up, letting it dangle from my fingertips.
“Recognize this?” I asked, turning to face him fully. My voice dipped low, teasing. “You owe me this one. Remember when you ruined the original in my office at Stanton Group? You promised to replace it.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened, a flicker of memory crossing his face. He shifted on his feet, hands slipping into his pockets. “Yeah, I remember. What about it?”
I stepped closer, my bare feet silent on the plush rug, and ran my fingertip along the edge of the lace. “I’ve never worn this one. I kept it just for you.” My eyes locked on his, green meeting gray, and I saw the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “I want to see you in it.”
His brows shot up, and a flush crept up his neck. “Claire, don’t mess around,” he said, his voice gruff, almost a warning. His eyes darted away for a moment, uncomfortable, before snapping back to mine.
I moved even closer, until I could feel the heat radiating off his body. My hand reached out, fingers grazing the hard plane of his chest through his shirt. “Please, Daniel,” I murmured, my tone soft but firm, leaving no room for argument. “Do this for me. Just this once.”
He stared down at me, his gaze conflicted. I could see the battle in his mind, the way his principles clashed with the raw need to please me. “You’re serious,” he muttered, more to himself than to me.
“Dead serious.” I tilted my head, letting my hair fall over one shoulder, and gave him a small, pleading smile. “You said you’d play any game to keep me. Remember that?”
His lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, I thought he’d refuse. Then, with a heavy sigh, he took the thong from my hand, his rough fingers brushing against mine. “Fine,” he grumbled, his voice low and defeated. “But don’t think I’m happy about this.”
I bit my lip to hide my grin as I leaned in, my breath warm against his ear. “I love you, you know that,” I whispered, letting the words linger as I pulled back to watch his reaction. His eyes softened for a split second before he turned and stalked toward the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind him with a firm thud.
I perched on the edge of my California king-size bed, crossing my legs as I waited. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the city outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. The Seattle skyline glittered in the dark, a perfect backdrop to the storm brewing inside me. My core throbbed, wet and aching, but I stayed still, patient. Ten minutes ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last.