Paper Birds

Chapter Forty-Four ; Breaking Claire

Harry's P.O.V.

I woke up to find a small spot of drool on my chest.

Clarissa had her head lying on my collarbone and she fell asleep with her mouth open, so I guess that's how it got there. I nudged her, stifling a laugh that turned more into a giggle. "Wake up, buttercup."

She stirred and groaned, digging her head into the crook of my neck. "Uh-uh."

I laughed and twirled a piece of her hair with my fingers. "C'mon. You're drooling on me."

A muffled 'good' left her mouth, but she turned over and sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"Why do we have to wake up so early?" Claire asked with a yawn, running a hand through her hair.

"We don't have to." I grabbed her hand lightly and pulled her back down. "We can stay in bed all day."

She sniffed. "Then why'd you wake me up?"

Obviously she wasn't picking up what I was putting down. I flicked her chin with my thumb. "I just wanted to talk to you again."

She closed her eyes and kissed my cheek, setting her forhead against mine. "Good. My legs feel like boulders that I can't move."

Her big, brown eyes widened a little bit when my hand slipped to one of her calves. "I can help with that." She closed them and moaned as I gently squeezed the muscle.

"Keep doing that," she whispered.

I chuckled. "You sound like I'm fucking you."

"You would like that, wouldn't you?" she asked drowsily, kissing my cheek again.

"Probably," I answered simply with a smug grin. Claire tapped her index finger on my nose.

"What the hell about me is so attractive to you?"

"You're the sexiest badass I've ever met."

She rolled her eyes. "Thanks."

I probably should've said something different.

She rolled over and the second she stepped out of bed she fell onto her knees and hung her head. "Ow."

I jumped out from under the covers and lifted her up. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just sore." I helped her back into the bed with me. "My legs feel like jelly."

"A minute ago they felt like boulders."

She gave me the glare of death that told me to shut it.

"I'm sorry." I pulled her into my arms and hung my head against her upper chest. I started to massage her legs again, working my way upward. "Am I making you feel better?" I glanced up with a smirk as I squeezed the inside of her upper thigh, making her gasp.

She bit my bottom lip and whispered, "It would be better if you weren't looking to get laid." I pressed my mouth into hers.

"What's so bad about that?"

She pulled away and rolled her eyes again, this time successfully getting out of bed and walking to the kitchen.

"Claire, I'm sorry! I was joking."

Her mouth twitched, turning back to face me. "I know. I just feel that.. Never mind. It's stupid."

I rolled out of bed and lightly took her hips in my hands. "Nothing you ever say is stupid. Tell me."

Her eyes flickered away from mine. "I don't know.. I just feel like every time I see you, you just want to have sex."

Shit. I winced and paced the room, bad memories rushing to my head. I groaned and dug my hands into my hair, praying that I wouldn't remember.