High Hopes

Chapter Twenty-Six

Henry is ill for the better part of the week, only returning to work on Thursday. Still feeling weak, not being fully recovered, his doctor instructs him to take it easy. Leaving work early that evening, texting Claire to cancel their dinner date, he goes straight to bed.

Claire, feeling more stressed with each passing day that's she unable to speak to Henry, is beside herself with guilt. She spends every evening, that she can, with Will. They eat meals, discuss their future and sleep together, growing even closer each day. When Henry cancels on her, she calls Will to say that she's now free.

"Brilliant. I must admit, I was at a loss as to what to do tonight without you. How quickly can you get here?"

"Fifteen minutes tops."

"Get moving then!" he says, before hanging up. He was clearly smiling on the other end of the line.

During a cooked meal of grilled chilli sausages, creamy mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli, Will looks sideways at her. "So what are your plans for tomorrow night? Drinks, then dinner with your group?" He finishes his last bite before pushing his plate away from him.

Her face falls as she remembers, first her promise to him about her group of friends, then the fact that actually she's meant to be attending a Business Awards black tie event with Henry tomorrow night. Him being nominated for the 'Businessman of the Year Award' means that there's no way she'll be able to talk to him beforehand. To break their engagement at the awards, whichever way they go, would be just as thoughtless. "Oh God, Will. I've just remembered that I've got a party to go to tomorrow night and unfortunately it's invite only."

"That's okay. I was only asking because I'm not free tomorrow night either. I have a work event that I have to attend as well. So I guess we'll just have to wait until Saturday."

"It seems so. I'll miss you."

"Me too," he says, "But luckily you're here right now..."

Moving her plate out of their way, pulling her chair closer to him, he takes her face in both his hands to kiss her bottom lip with little kisses. Standing up, helping her to do the same, he continues his trail of little tantalizing kisses all over her lips, her chin, her neck until he reaches her covered breasts. Before he can start removing clothing though, Claire puts her fingers under his chin to guide his head back to hers. Kissing him in the corner of his mouth, leaving a trail of tiny kisses all along his lips, she eventually ends up near his ear. "Two can play this game," she whispers.

He laughs his throaty, sexy laugh, which completely thrills her. "You minx. Mark my words - you'll be naked, in my bed, in less than three minutes."

This time she laughs her sweet, womanly laugh. "You're very sure of yourself, Will Stevenson." Exactly three minutes later, Claire's precisely where Will said she'd be. Seconds later, she's being ravished like never before. Will takes her to a place that only he can take her. She fulfils him like no-one ever has before. It's like they're two identical pieces of the same puzzle, a perfect fit whichever way you put them.

The next evening Claire leaves work early enough to get ready for her night out. Showering first, she then curls her hair, takes extra care with her makeup and slips on her red velvet slim-fitting long dress, with it's sweetheart neckline. Her red killer heels complete the look, along with her silver clutch bag. Staring at herself in the mirror, she wishes Will could see her.

Arriving on the sidewalk outside her building, seeing Henry waiting outside the limo in his tuxedo, she swallows hard. He looks so attractive in his black and white suit with his dirty blonde hair slicked back, his hazel eyes shining expectantly. She glances down at her ring finger for a second, to ensure that she's remembered to put it back on. It's been a challenge for her to remember when to have it on and when to leave it hidden away in her jewellery box at home. I'm amazed I've managed not to get confused, a miracle in itself.