Beneath Holy Ground

Chapter Seventeen- Wrath of Mrs. Hamilton

Claire's POV

"I am on vacation, I took a few days off to see you" and with those words I froze.

I was stunned by his words. Leon taking a few days from his busy work schedule just to see me seemed highly unlikely, there had to be another reason. He was either called to this side of town and that could not help me to believe that something bad was coming.

Something really terrible was on the horizon.

"It is okay for you to tell me the truth Leon" I said this because I awaited a warning about an impending trouble.

"I am telling you the truth as to why I am here, you just wish not to hear it Claire. It did not occur to you as to why Chris canceled?" he asked and I chewed the inside of my cheek. How could he possibly know that-

I failed to realize that Chris and Leon are far closer than I actually believed.

Of course, Chris really did disclose my address with Leon. It would have been nice for my older brother to consult me in such a manner first. I could not help but to think that my brother actually liked Leon as a person. Leon made the Redfield history book, he was the first guy my brother actually liked.

Odd but true.

"And I shall pretend that that is actually true and that you value me that much. Where are you staying?" I asked and Leon looked at his watch.

Why did it appear as though he had some type of deadline?

"Actually I would have that figured out after I saw you" he stated and I don't know what came over me but I was the first to exit the van. My heart drummed in my chest but the words left my lips regardless.

"Well, for all that trouble the least I could do is let you see my apartment" I stated and Leon looked at the car keys I had tossed to his lap. If it was a possibility to shrink myself I would have. My quick request actually sounded more like I was flirting with a friend.

"Clare you-" before he could finish I saw it fit that I altered my suggestion.

"You saved me from another form of zombie tonight so it's the least I could do. Besides you owe me an explanation and perhaps an apology" I stated and Leon locked the vehicle before he shook his head.

It was as though this was a typical Claire Redfield moment.

He followed after me and as I made my way towards the elevator with my arms behind my back. I would never openly admit it but I actually desired some company tonight. Sure, my brother would pay his visits but I was pretty much alone.

I crossed my arms over my chest as we made our way towards the floor on which my apartment stood. Leon was stiff as ever as silence consumed us. I counted the numbers with a deep sigh escaping my lips.

Why was this so filling yet intensely awkward?

The moment we exited the elevator my eyes moved to the witch in the building. Her eyes raked Leon as she straightened her posture, before her were a few boxes. I could not help but to see her as a major inconvenience. Why of all the time she had she chose to spring clean in the middle of the night?

I swore under my breath and Leon stared at me in confusion.

"Jesus Christ, another one?" She asked and Leon leaned close to my ear. I could feel his breath tickling the area but for the sake of control I expressed nothing. It was enough that one person here saw me as a whore.

"Another one?" He questioned and if I could soar throughout the ceiling I would have. I had to have the worst neighbour there is, the woman raising her brow the more she stared between Leon and I.

Chris paid so many visits yet he was never greeted upon by this witch. Again, why the hell was she standing by the door just now?

"She heard screams and just assume I'm fucking someone in the middle of the night. I'll handle this" I stated as I led the way to my apartment regardless of the woman's bitter assumption.

When Leon actually laughed I stared at him in horror. He cleared his throat while I slowly turned my attention to the witch.

"Goodnight Mrs. Hamilton, this is Leon a good-"

"I care not for introduction, some of us would actually like to sleep in peace. I swear if I hear a sound tonight you shall answer to my wrath Claire!" The woman gathered her stuff and slammed the door in my face.

"Damn, I swear that old bitch irritates me!" I hissed as I opened my door aggressively, Leon stepping aside so that I could enter first.

"She was friendly" Leon stated sarcastically and I actually had the wildest idea of initiating my revenge. I slammed Leon to the wooden door, Leon staring down at me oddly.

I placed the loose parts of my hair behind my ear, my fingers moving over the wooden door.

"Just play along" I whispered as I banged against the door for a few minutes and pretended to moan. Leon's eyes were wide until they slowly relaxed, his face completely passive.

I laughed at Leon's strict expression but I was stunned when I was captured by my hip and waist.

"She'll never believe that, she's on your left right?" he questioned as he made his way to the closest point to the wall that separated us.

I was in my bedroom in laughter, my lips on Leon's shoulder because with his strict expression it would be far harder to pretend. The last thing I needed was to have my wicked neighbour hear my laughter as opposed to my scream.

"You are far more evil than I stood to be" I mumbled as I slapped the headboard at intervals and pretended to scream in excitement. This had to be the craziest thing I had ever done, my laughter being desperately suppressed.

Gradually my chest grew heavy and I believe the joke fell on me because being this close to Leon actually made me feel something. The odd feeling that would arouse a few cold nights was now here.
My fingers fell on his shoulder and curled into fabric, gray eyes piercing me. I believe there was heat in his eyes, his eyes moving over my lips for a matter of minutes.

The silence was loud.

I was set to my feet and I took a small step backwards as though I actually expected the wall to vanish. We both fell out of character and now the room actually felt smaller.

I ran my tongue over my lips nervously.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't -" and my statement was cut short due to a hot mouth, fingers in my red hair. The kiss was just as heated as I would have imagined, my nipples growing hard against my blouse. He hadn't even touched me in the ways I dreamed of yet moisture was building in my underwear.

I wanted to feel him and it felt as though I had sinned just by thinking about intercourse with a friend. I wanted to say that we should reconsider this but my body had never been so hungry. My stomach was in knots and my lady bits desired penetration.

I closed my eyes as the kiss deepened, the sound of Leon's glove being removed filling my ear.