Hooked - James Sirirus Potter.

Chapter Twenty Seven

It had been three weeks since she’d woken up.

Three weeks since she’d seen or heard from James. Sam had taken control and kept her fed and watered while recuperating but now she was gone and Claudia was alone. The flat echoed silence, everything was cold and empty apart from the bed she was in.

In three days she would have to go back to work, they said she could have a phased return and take it easy. But she still felt anxious about going back. Closing her eyes she wished the time away, wished for her to be back at work properly and just be normal again.

A knock sounded, radiating through the flat seconds before the door opened. “Hello?” James called.

“In here!” she called, pushing her hair from her face as she sat up. “What are you doing here?”

“Came to give you this.” he said, stepping around the doorframe and grinning at her. “You look so much better.”

She shrugged and held out her hand for the letter. James passed it over and kicked his shoes off before bouncing on the bed beside her. “What is it?”

“Things have changed in the last month.” He sighed, leaning his head back against her headboard. “Seeing you is the highlight of it.”

She grinned over at him as he shut his eyes, quickly taking in his features she turned back to the letter and read it. Then she re-read it and gripped James’ arm. “What does this mean?”

“From what I’ve been told, it means our project is being put on hold and you are being promoted.” He smirked, covering her hand with his. “You have a place in Cambridge don’t you?”

“Yes… but why me?”

“You’re obviously the best.” James laughed, “Really Claudia you’re the smartest person I know… are you going to take it?”

“This is more money than I’ve ever known someone be offered.” She whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. “What about you, when am I going to see you and Paige?”

“We’ll be around.” He smiled, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles.

“I’ve forgiven you by the way.” She said suddenly, James turned looking pale. “When I was asleep or whatever it was, I knew I’d forgiven you then… you’re not a bad person James, I know you just did it so we could still be friends.”

“We’ll always be friends.” He smiled, “Come on, I fancy going for a walk and some fresh air would do you good.”

“Let me shower first.” She sighed, standing up and letting his hand drop. “I’ll be quick.”

Slowly, she turned around and removed her pyjama top giving James a view of her bare back before biting her lip and dropping the baggy bottoms. Leaning over she picked up the towel off of the side, held it to her front and walked around her bed and into the bathroom, leaving the doors open. She kept her back to him as she moved around the flat, reaching in she turned the shower on and then finally turned to look at him.

His eyes were locked on her; they were dark and full of lust. She smiled and nodded her head towards the shower as she stepped in. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest as she relished in the heat of the shower.

“Claudia?” Looking over her shoulder, James was standing in the doorway watching her.

“Are you coming in?” She asked, picking up the shampoo and lathering it into her hair as he stood frozen. “James?”

“I don’t know.” He said, now standing just inside the bathroom. “I don’t know what to do.”

“I want you to make love to me, here.” She said honestly, “I don’t want you to ever leave me; especially not because of what you think might happen.”

“What I think might happen?” he asked, feeling his fingers itching to pull off his clothes as she stepped out of the shower and towards him.

“That I might not want you, that I might leave you alone and hurt Paige as well as you.” She whispered, kissing his cheek. “I’m not going, we don’t work together anymore. I’ll sign the contract as soon as we’re done and take it to work.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, as her fingers pulled at his clothing. “Claudia?”

“This is what I want.” She laughed, stepping back into the shower. “Now hurry up.”

---

James walked back into the ministry and felt like everyone was staring at him, as if they knew what he’d just spent the last two hours doing… who he’d just spent the last two hours doing. In his hand he had the signed contract from Claudia, stating that she would be moving to the Cambridge offices on Wednesday.

This Wednesday coming, meaning he only had to work with her for another two days without touching her.

Now all he had to do is get through today and think about what he was going to tell Paige. He wasn’t scared she’d throw a tantrum, in fact he knew she’d be excited but how was he going to explain it to her? Sitting down at his bench, he stared at the flames beneath the cauldron as he just thought.

“James!” jerking his head back he saw Rose standing before him.

“Hi Rose.” He smiled, trying to act normal because he felt far from it. “How can I help?”

“I’ve just got this!” she stressed, waving Claudia’s new contract in his face. “Claudia’s leaving?!”

“Yeah, have you seen how much they’re going to pay her?” He asked, pointing at the papers. “It’s ridiculous.”

“Yes, I have seen it and I’m deathly jealous.” She ground out, “But do you understand what this means?”

“What does it mean? That I get a new colleague who’s going to be an idiot in comparison?” he laughed, “We all knew that was coming didn’t we?”

“It means that you and Claudia can finally be together!” she all but shouted. “This is the perfect ending to a love story!”

“Me and Claudia?” he asked, schooling his features.

“Don’t try that one James, we all saw you on that night out.” She whispered, leaning down towards him. “You couldn’t keep your hands off of her; do you know how many times I had to lie and say Claudia had a muggle boyfriend to keep people out of here?”

“You did?” he gaped, “Was it that obvious?”

“If you weren’t as good looking none of the single women would have noticed.” She sighed, “It’s really annoying being related to you, you know.”

“Thank you Rose.” He sighed letting out a massive breath.

“Oh and by the way, you have sex hair and your shirt is on inside out.” She laughed, standing up and walking back towards the doors.

“This isn’t sex hair, I had a shower.” He said, running his hands through his messed up hair.

“I know, I can smell the shampoo, which isn’t yours.” Rose grinned, “You’re forgetting I’ve been to Claudia’s and we have the same shampoo; you have baby shampoo still.”

“Have I told you how much I hate you.” He called as she laughed and left the labs. “Only bloody Rose.”