50 Shades Of Claire Bear (Andrew's POV)

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

I pull into Claire's driveway a few hours later. It's only been a few hours and I miss her.

All I have to do is get through this dinner with her grandmother and we can be together.

I ring the doorbell—still not sure if I'm completely able to walk in unannounced—and hear multiple footsteps approaching the door. It's very probable Claire and Kyle are racing.

I never thought I'd get fought over.

Kyle answers the door, Claire lingering in the stairway behind him. "It's snowing out there?"

I step inside. "When is this place not snowing?"

Kyle runs up the stairs and Claire takes his place. She wraps her arms around me, preventing me from unlacing my boots. Her warm lips kiss my neck. She pulls away, our noses brushing.

"God, Claire bear. You're the tease."

She pecks my lips, but I'm not done. I run my hand slowly up her body, underneath her shirt, until I graze the bottom on her bra. She releases a tight breath and urges me further.

"Claire, is that Andrew?" Megan calls from the stairs.

"They're probably making out on the stairs," I hear Kyle say.

Our moment has ended. Shit.

I hang up my coat and kick off my boots. She leads me up the stairs where her family awaits. Now that Claire and I are dating, the dynamic at the Mitchell house has changed. It's no longer Kyle's house—it's my girlfriend's house and my girlfriend's family. Megan loves me, she's told me so, but I still have to keep on her good side.

Claire looks a little anxious, but tugs me next to her side, facing her grandmother. "Grandma, this is Andrew."

The woman stands up from her chair and embraces me. She smells like cheap TJ Maxx perfume. "It is so great to be reacquainted with you. Claire seems crazy about you."

God, I hope so.

Claire looks at the ground, blushing. When her grandmother takes a seat again, I press my lips to Claire's jaw. "Crazy about me, huh?"

She laughs. "Maybe just a little bit."

During dinner—which is spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and baked potatoes—Jennifer does most of the talking. She's newer to the family than I am and genuinely seems interested in getting to know their grandmother. Fine by me.

I stare at Claire nearly the entire time. I'm counting down the minutes until we can have alone time.

"So, Kyle," their grandmother says, grabbing my attention. "What's it like to have your best friend and sister dating now?"

Kyle looks at both of us, smiling. "They're a good couple. I have to admit that I was actually waiting for it to happen."

You and me both.

Their grandmother puts her hand over her mouth; so does Megan. "That's so sweet, Kyle. I'd expect most people to be upset, especially when Claire is your twin."

Geez, Granny, what did I do to you?

The table is silent following her comment.

"Kyle's fine with it just like we are," says Megan. "Andrew's been part of our family since he and Kyle could talk. He and Claire's relationship isn't going to ruin anything, it'll just make it stronger. Now if you all don't mind, let's get on a different subject."