Forever.

Chapter 14: His Touch

Claire's P.O.V (A few moments later)

"So, where are we gonna-" I begin, but Braden cuts me off by sliding his hands onto my waist. "What are you doing?" I ask.

"Well, I like it when you run your fingers through my hair and glide your hand across my chest, I'm just trying to find something that I can do that'll make you weak in the knees." He says.

"Really?" I ask sarcastically.

"Yeah, it makes me feel good when you do something that I like. I want to be able to return the gesture." He says with a small smile. I give him a small smirk and he gives me one in return.

"Tighten your grip." I say as I put my hands on his shoulders.

"Huh?" He asks.

"Your grip. Tighten it, not a lot though." I say. His fingers gently close around my hips and I get a tingling sensation throughout my body.

"Like that?" He asks.

"Yeah." I say through a happy sigh.

"Well that's good to know." He says with a smirk.

"You know what else would be good to know?" I ask as I move my hands to his hair.

"I almost don't even care as long as you're doing that." He says.

"Where are we going to dinner? Knowing you, it's gonna be somewhere fancy." I say.

"Oh my god I totally forgot about that. Wait, what time is it?" He asks, frantically looking around.

"Calm down, it's 4:45." I say.

He releases me and grabs his phone. He looks through it a little.

"I'm so sorry, I hate to do this, but I have to go set some stuff up. Does 6 sound good?" He asks.

"Um yeah." I say as I nod.

"Great. Thank you." He says as he kisses my cheek.

"Fancy?" I ask before he leaves.

"Fancy." He says. He heads towards the door and backs out. "Love you!" He shouts.

"Love," I say but the door closes before I can finish. "You too." I say even though the door is closed.

I turn around and go to the bathroom. I look in the mirror and lift up my shirt to look at my stomach. I can see the outline of my rib cage along with many scars all over. I run my fingers over the rough skin and the memories of how they got there come rushing back to me. My fingers brush against my ribs and I can feel the pain from when Max hit me. I feel the large scar that goes from my right rib to the left side of my waist, and other small ones that surround it.

How am I going to make it through tonight without getting the cramps?

Forget about it. It'll be fine.

I get in the shower and let the warm water run all over my body. I wash and condition my hair, as well as wash my body. I turn the water off and grab a towel off of the hook. I pat down my hair and dry off my body. I look at my phone and it's 5:15. I have 45 minutes to get ready. I wrap the towel around myself and reach down to...I totally forgot to bring new clothes in here.

Braden won't be back yet. Right?

I open the door and cold oxygen runs in and begins to take over the steam in the bathroom. The rush sends chills down my spine and goosebumps appear all over me. I step out and head to the bedroom.

"Yes," I hear from behind me. I turn around and see Braden standing in the kitchen with a smirk across his face. "Please." He finishes. Heat flushes to my cheeks and I hold the towel tighter around myself. He's wearing blue jeans, a white t shirt, and a black tux jacket. He's wearing black dress shoes, and his hair is shorter, he must have gotten a hair cut.