Hooked - James Sirirus Potter.

Chapter Sixteen.

Claudia glared at the wall as she spoke to Ellis down the phone, who was currently sitting on a beach in the south of France. “You did this on purpose.”

“Of course I did.” Ellis laughed; “Like I’m going to set you up on a booty call and stay in the country.”

“I don’t need a booty call.” Claudia ground out.

“Nuns have more of a sex life than you do.” Ellis stated simply, “Claudia I swear to god you’ve not gotten your leg over since you were in your early twenties, which may I add was like six years ago.”

“I’m not a slag.”

“I know, that’s why I’ve sent a god to meet you.” Ellis shrugged, “Thick as two short planks, but Claudia, Elliott is a god amongst men.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve not sent you sloppy seconds.” Ellis snapped, “He’s a good friend of mine.”

“He’s an airhostess?”

“Yes.” Ellis admitted; “which is good because then you’ll not do a Sam.”

“Which is my main worry aside from STI’s.”

“Use a condom.” Ellis shrugged; “Look I’ve told him to take you to that chocolate world first so that you can flirt a little and see if you actually wanna bang him or not.”

“Ellis.” She groaned, walking away from the wall and towards the window to people watch. “I don’t want to.”

“Look Claudia, I love you.” Ellis sighed and Claudia knew a harsh truth was going to come. “You’re not going to fall in love with James and find the perfect happily ever after with Paige as the perfect daughter… I know you’ve never said it, but it was clear as day on your face.”

“I’m not stupid Ellis.”

“I know, you’re insanely smart.” She laughed, “But you need to take a step back from the labs and work and just go and do something stupid, go do Elliott.”

“I don’t want to do Elliott.” Claudia grumbled, picking at the letter she’d left on the windowsill.

“Oh Claudia, Claudie, Claud… wait until you see him and then tell me you don’t want to do Elliott.” She laughed, “Then ring me tomorrow morning and apologise for being a grump.”

“That won’t be happening.” She grunted as Ellis just laughed.

“Talk to you later, I’ve got to reap the rewards of this resort before I have to get back on the plane.” She grinned. “Love you, bye.”

“Love you.” Claudia sighed, hanging up the phone just as a knock sounded on the door.

Opening the door, Claudia’s jaw dropped as a gorgeous man smiled down at her. “Hi, I’m Elliott… are you Claudia?”

“Yes.” She said, still staring at him. His teeth were perfectly white and straight, his mousy brown hair was slightly long and curled about his chiselled cheekbones and strong jaw line. Her eyes drifted over his body, the broad shoulders gave way to a strong chest and smooth stomach.

“Are you ready to go now? Ellis suggested we go to the chocolate factory for a bit of a date.” He purred and Claudia just grinned.

“Give me five minutes.” She smiled, opening the door wider. “Please come in and sit down.”

Flying into the bedroom, Claudia flung open the wardrobe and quickly rifled through all her new clothes, the ones she’d bought and never worn. Instantly deciding upon a blue knee length skirt and an off the shoulder black tee shirt, she was back in the living room less than ten minutes later.

“You look lovely.” He smiled, standing up and holding a hand out to her. “Shall we go, I’ve always wanted to know what Chocolate plants look like.”

Claudia smiled, internally groaning as she bit her tongue and grabbed her handbag for him to lead the way. If nothing else, today was going to be interesting.

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Claudia watched as Elliott knelt down on his knees to look at what the little children were talking about, it was sweet really. He was listening to what they had to say, engaging them in conversation… the only sad thing was that he was in awe of what they were saying.

“Oh my god!” he gasped, twisting his head to look at what the little boy was pointing too. “That’s amazing!”

“I know right.” The little boy gasped as a few mums melted over him.

“He’s really good to talk to them.” One woman laughed as Claudia took another sip of her hot chocolate. “He’s been there for ages.”

“He’s stupid.” Claudia stated, “Earlier he asked me if we grew a chocolate tree could we have one with all three flavours on.”

The woman bit back giggles as Claudia smirked. “I shouldn’t laugh.”

“No do.” Claudia grinned, “This is our first date.”

“Well, he is gorgeous.” She shrugged as Claudia nodded, “I don’t think I’ve seen such tight bum cheeks.”

“Me either.” Claudia laughed, “Although if he’s this interested in a large kitchen mixer it’s starting to make sense, lots of squats.”

“Maybe I should start.” She mused watching as he began lifting all the children one by one so they could see over the top and into the large bowl.

“Which one’s yours?” Claudia asked, nodding to the children.

“We’re babysitting that one.” She said pointing towards a dark haired little girl. “She was having a tantrum about not wanting to leave her daddy… until we mentioned chocolate.”

“Paige?” Claudia asked, as the little girl turned around and looked awfully familiar.

“Do you know her?” The woman asked in surprise.

“I work with James.” She said, looking at the woman to see if she could see anything in her.

“He’s cousin to my boyfriend. Louis.”

“Claudia!” Paige gasped, running over and attaching herself to her legs. “Nicky’s looking after me because Daddy’s gone quiddish.”

“Has he?” Claudia gasped, squishing her cheeks together.

“Who’s this?” A tall blonde man asked and Claudia could see his father in him.

“This is Claudia, the woman James works with.” Nicky stated smiling as she took his hand.

“My dad interviewed you; your CV sounded very impressive.” He grinned, shaking her hand. “Who are you here with?”

“The six foot toddler.” Claudia nodded her head to where he was bounding towards her happily. “Blind date.”

“He is good looking.” Louis admitted, eyes sparkling with humour. “Stupid, mind.”

“Oh I already worked that one out.” Claudia smiled as he kissed her cheek. “Hi Elliott, having fun?”

“This place is so interesting.” He gushed, “Hi I’m Elliott.”

“I’m Louis, this is Nicky and Paige.” Louis smiled, shaking his hand while fighting laughter. “So Elliott, what do you do?”

“I’m a Host on an airline.” He smiled, “It’s a great way to see the world.”

“I can imagine.” Nicky smiled, getting in there before Louis could make a sarcastic comment. “We’ll let you get back to your date; it was lovely to meet you.”

“Yeah you too.” Elliott smiled, giving them all a high five before taking Claudia’s hand and running towards the next room. “This little boy told me that there was something amazing in here; we’ve got to check it out.”