I Need Your Warmth (Original, English Version)

Chapter 7 - Allen Smith

It's as good as the actual deed. We both reached our climax at nearly the same moment. We slumped on the bed as we catch our breath. Her forehead is beaded with sweat. I moved off her to let her compose herself properly. She tugged her slip back up to her shoulders. I wrapped an arm around her waist to prevent her from escaping, but she pleaded.

"I need to pee." She immediately ran to the bathroom. After a while, I heard the sound of shower as well. I groaned. We could've showered together. I tried to calm my heart.

I smiled, remembering her expressions as I took her higher until she exploded with her release. She looked sweet enough to eat. We should go on another date today. Where can I bring her? I dozed off as I waited for her to finish her shower.

When we got out of the room, both wearing my shirts and shorts, we found Alex on the living area.

"Where are the others?" I asked as I tugged Clara to sit down.

"I'm not going to bite her, you know." Alex stated, I'm sure he noticed how I didn't want him near Clara. I only grunted in response. I reached for the menu on the side and handed it to Clara.

"Choose what you want to eat. We can order in."

"Oh, really?" She started browsing the pages, looking intently at the pictures.

When I turned to Alex, he finally answered my question, "They went home early this morning. Do you guys have plans today?" He asked, stealing a glance at Clara.

"We'll go out. I'm not sure where to go yet." I replied; his response is an expression that reads "oh, such a small problem", then he sips his coffee. He only has a plate of simple breakfast.

"Well, I'm not one to suggest anything... but really, you can go anywhere in this city. The mall, the parks, the resorts... how many leisure properties do you have? Don't you have a few islands?" I rolled my eyes at his suggestion.

"That will require more time than just a couple of days."

"Start with simple things, then. Right, Clara?" He dared to call her name.

"Yes. I'm fine with anything." She answered without looking up, continuing to browse but holding a few pages between her fingers.

We had breakfast before driving to her apartment. She changed her clothes before we went out again.

"Where are we going?" She asked serenely.

The mall might've been a bad idea. We went to the department store to browse for clothes and accessories.

After half an hour together, she ran off on her own. She told me to meet up at the same spot after another half hour. I frowned as she walked away. Why would we separate? After ten minutes, I decided to follow her from a distance. I didn't find her, though. After walking around, I saw her by a counter, ringing up her purchases. She bought something?

Just as I was about to walk up to her, the woman behind her recognized me.

"Allen, are you alone today?" She stated with a hint of mockery. I raised an eyebrow. She does look familiar.

"No, he isn't." It was Clara who answered calmly. The woman turned to look at her.

Clara stared back with curiosity. I'm still trying to remember who she is. When she noticed my expression, she rolled her eyes at me.

"Couldn't even remember an ex-girlfriend?" She asked, before turning to Clara.

"Guess how long we lasted?" She continued while Clara frowned, glancing at me.

When the cashier handed Clara her purchases, the woman handed her basket over, as she continued to chat us up.

"I'm not really interested to know." Clara replied.

"It was only three weeks. Seeing as how you used your own card, this guy isn't spending money on you, is he?"

At her statement, I guess she's one of those women. The ones after my money.

"He's not my wallet, no?" Clara politely responded. I sighed. I should've taken her away.

"Let's go." I took her hand and pulled her away, not sparing another glance at that woman. Three weeks, huh? I tend to forget the ones who don't matter. They don't deserve a space in my head.

I feel a little unsettled in my heart. In a way, her words got to me. I do buy gifts for my dates, but I don't gift them with a card they can use limitlessly. I've put a limit on how much I spend on them. Looking back on it, it's a bit contradictory. I stared at Clara as she continues to look around the place. She pulls me forward from time to time. I realized I kept my hold on her hand. She looked at me when she heard me sigh.

"What's up?" She asked as we stood side by side on a corner.

"Nothing." I might have answered too fast.

"Want to get coffee? It is tiring to walk too much. Let's take a break." I was silent as she pulls me to a nearby coffee shop.

"What do you want?" She asked as we sit on a table.

"Anything." I really don't have preference with coffee. I drink what I'm given.

I frowned as I watched her go. She came back with iced cold coffees.

We were silent as we stare at each other. She only squinted her eyes at me but she didn't say anything. I'm not sure what to say either. Suddenly, I saw her blushing. I can't help chuckling. She blushed further. Even her ears are red. She finally looked down in embarrassment.

"What are you thinking?" I teased, must be what happened early this morning.

"Nothing." She tried answering with a straight face.

We also went to a bookstore where we surveyed various books from different authors. We exchanged opinions on certain books we saw. I get to tease her when I pulled some novels with explicit covers. She keeps blushing when she sees them. I get to hug her from the back as she chooses some good books to read. I told her which books I've read are good. When she's about to pick them, I told her I'll simply lend her mine. I could bring them when I visit her next.

"Should I still buy a few books?" She asks, her choices getting less.

"Your choice." I stated and she looked annoyed.

"How many books are you lending me? I bet I won't be able to finish them all this year." Her statement may be the truth.

When I get home after dropping her off, I saw one of the packages Clara bought today.

I called her about it, but she said it's mine. I should check it out, see if I like them. They turned out to be shirts with designs. Simple designs, if I'm honest. Nothing over the top. I could wear them. I tried a white shirt with some checkered prints across the front. I thanked her, sending over a photo as well.

As I review the events of today, I realized I haven't actually given her anything yet. She even beat me to it. I can tell she's pure at heart. I'm not sure what to give her, though. I could ask my assistant tomorrow.