Scorching Heat Down South

Chapter 13

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As the weeks passed one after the other, the weather steadily got hotter and hotter. The local weather channel had predicted that it was going to be the hottest summer Fairview had seen in years. It was so hot that you could hardly think in the blistering hazy heat. Sometimes Claire swore, with amusement, that you could fry an egg on the sidewalk. It was that hot.

She felt dejected as she got ready to go to Levi's house. Lauren was such a star pupil. She was making progress in leaps and bounds. The point was fast approaching where Lauren wouldn't need her anymore. It ate at her how close they'd gotten. She knew that there would be certain heartbreak when their time to part finally came. She'd thought about putting some boundaries between them but she hadn't been able to. Lauren was so thirsty for feminine attention that Claire couldn't bring herself to shut her out just like she couldn't willingly stop breathing.

But the real cause of her melancholy was Levi. Ever since the night he'd kissed her outside her home he had completely ignored her like she didn't exist. She saw him almost every time she was at his house, she even had breakfast with them everyday she was there which meant she spent more time in his presence which wasn't at all good for her peace of mind.

Even though they talked, he was always polite but distant. Often times he watched her as she taught Lauren and when she gave in and looked at him, the hunger in his eyes was so overpowering and yet, she was always unable to look away. She would feel completely disoriented, like prey held spellbound by a powerful and terrifying predator. He was always on her mind tormenting her during the long lonely nights as she longed for his presence and his kisses that left her breathless and yearning for more.

David had left and gone back to his life in the city and she hadn't heard from him since. He was a busy man and they might as well have been worlds apart. She certainly wasn't heartbroken over his absence though, only Sally had been disappointed that they hadn't liked each enough to start a relationship.

Claire looked at herself in the mirror. She'd chosen a simple forest green skirt and a light blouse that was the same colour. She'd always thought that dark green looked good on her and when ever she wore the color she usually felt great but today it failed miserably at raising her spirits. She slipped on a pair of small gold earrings and a matching bracelet. She finished the look with black sandals and tied her hair into a low chignon.

As she drove to Levi's house she hoped he wouldn't be around because as much as she enjoyed seeing him, being in his presence was much more devastating to her horribly frazzled nerves.

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After her lesson with Lauren they sat outside in the backyard, under the cool shade of a big tree and played Lauren's favourite game which was blowing bubbles. Claire blew the bubbles and Lauren happily ran around popping them. The air was sweet and filled with their joyful laughter. Lauren's delight was so infectious that Claire soon forgot she had a single care in the world. Lauren ran over to her and put her arm around her shoulders.

"Claire, can you make chocolate chip cookies?"

"Yes, darling. Why do you ask?" She asked and gently tickled Lauren's tummy until she giggled.

"Please make some for me? Pam won't." She breathed through her laughs.

Without giving it any thought said, "How about I ask your daddy if you can come to my house and I make you the best chocolate chip cookies you ever had in your life?"

Lauren looked up at her, boundless excitement dancing in her eyes. "Really? Oh that would so much fun."

Claire knew she would be over stepping her boundaries, she was only supposed to be Lauren's tutor after all. But she really did enjoy spending time with her and it wouldn't hurt to ask Levi. The worst that could happen was that he would simply refuse.