Forever.

Chapter 16: He's Strong

Claire's P.O.V. (Three days later)

"Yes, I still have it." Braden says as he pulls out his keys. "I never leave without it." He says as he shows me the keychain I got him.

"Oh dear god." I say as I laugh. "You really let me walk around looking like that?" I ask as I look at the picture of us.

"I know! I shouldn't have let you walk around town being that beautiful, someone might have taken you from me." He says as he slides his hand onto my waist.

I put the keychain on the coffee table and he brushes my hair away from my face. He kisses my neck softly as I place my arms on his shoulders. I run my fingers through his hair and he spins us around. He lands with his back on the couch, and I'm on top of him. I giggle as he kisses me. I kiss him back and he playfully bites my lower lip. I kiss him as he slides his hands from my rib cage to my hips.

There's a small thud from the floor above us, and I pull away.

"What was that?" I ask as I look up.

"Don't know, don't care." He whispers before he crashes his lips against mine once again. There's another thud.

"What is that?" I ask again.

"I'm sure it's fine." He says.

"Okay." I say as I lean back down to him. He puts his hands on my butt and pulls me forward a little. I start to run my fingers through his hair and he moans. He moves his hands back on to my waist and tightens his grip. He slides his fingers under the hem of my shirt and smiles.

"Like what you feel?" I ask.

"Little bit." He says. There's a strong smell coming from upstairs that could be smoke or something. I pull back.

"Are we sure that everything's okay? Should we go check?" I ask.

"I'm sure it's fine." He says as he tries to connect his mouth with mine again.

"I'm just gonna go look. I'll be right back." I say as I stand up. He follows me and wraps his arms around my waist.

"Everything is fine. Just, come on." He whispers in my ear, sending chills down my spine.

"How about I go check out what's going on and then we can do whatever you want?" I ask as I turn to face him.

"Whatever I want?" He asks with a smile.

"Whatever you want." I say.

"Okay, I'm gonna go take my pants off." He says.

I laugh.

"I'm serious." He says with a straight face.

I smile and shake my head. He kisses my neck and turns around.

I stick my head out of the front door and look in both directions. I see smoke pouring down the back staircase. Then there's a deafening siren that blares throughout the entire room.

"Braden!" I yell over the siren.

"The fire alarm! We have to get out of here!" He yells. He stands back up, and the sprinklers go off. He grabs my hand and leads me out the front door. Gray smoke pours farther down the hall and burns my lungs. "Cover your mouth! Don't breathe in this crap!" He yells over the alarm.

I cover my mouth and he looks down the hallway in both directions.

"Let's go!" He yells. He keeps a strong grip on my hand and we run down the hall. I hear a loud crack and I look up. There's a huge crack in the ceiling, and it's going to break soon.