The Way My Heart Beats

Chapter 27

Clara

I think I'm a pretty good actress, sometimes. I mean, of course my feelings are real, but I couldn't just let him walk back into my life. I had to make him work for it; make him think he didn't have a chance.

I think he passed my test with flying colors, especially with that kiss. Holy macaroni! I even moaned. That was an accident, but it slipped. I kind of gave myself away with that one.

I know we still have plenty to discuss, such as, what our plan for this thing is. I know we're both on the same boat but we have to make sure we're using the same map.

"Clara? Are you okay?" He must have noticed I zoned out.

"Yeah." I say, almost breathlessly.

He hops out of the truck when we pull up in front of his house. We're both adults. We may not have said it, but we know where our minds are. He's nervous, I can tell. This has been a long time coming.

Don't get me wrong, I'm nervous as hell, but I'm certainly not going to show him. I'm crawling in my skin, giddy, over watching him be so awkward. It's absolutely adorable, but I would never tell him that.

He opens my door for me, silence surrounding us like we've had our mouths duct taped. We both want to say something, but not sure what.

He holds the door open for me as I walk into the warm house. It's just as I remember it, other than a few new items replaced since it was all destroyed.

Amelia finally replies to my text letting her know Grant and I were going to take off for some fresh air and talk. Her reply? "Get it, girl." I roll my eyes and laugh putting my phone down on the bar. 

I feel his hand trail down my forearm sending chills down my spine. I look down at his fingers toying with mine. Heat boils under my skin. I look up meeting his eyes, and suddenly I'm against the wall.

Our foreheads touching, our breathing rapid, and his hands holding my hips against the wall. His thumb is pressing into my hip bone causing my toes to curl. Just the thought of what he's gonna do to me makes me moan. He smiles against my lips. "I haven't done nothing yet, baby," he says in a low, breathy tone.

My breath catches in my throat when his hands throw my arms above my head, pinning them against the wall with one hand. He presses himself against me while slowly trailing his fingers down my face and to my hip.

He runs his free hand up by side under my shirt. His thumb teases with the wire of my bra until it slips under. I arch my back as his fingers roll my nipple. His hot breath on my neck makes me ache for more. I'm begging for his lips to be on mine, but instead he pulls my shirt over my head tossing it somewhere behind him.

Finally, his hand grips behind my neck and he kisses me hard with need and urgency. In one sweep of his hands he has me lifted with my legs wrapped around him. He blindly carries me to the counter and sits me down. I slide my hands under his dark cotton shirt and slightly grind my nails into his skin. He lets out a grown and grips harder on my thighs. His thumbs move farther up making me tingle. I pull his shirt off, tossing it.

He tugs me close so our skin is touching just enough to ignite the fire. In the midst of the hunger, Grant somehow got my jeans off, leaving me in just my bra and panties. He steps back, rubbing his thumb on his bottom lip and smiles this crooked smile. "You are absolutely beautiful, Clara Jane." He steps closer to me again, rubbing his thumb across my lips, and looks me in the eye. "I love you. I can't remember a time I didn't love you." He closes his eyes and leans his forehead against mine. My breathing still rapid. "I don't want to remember a time before you, and I'm going to show you right now how much I mean that." He grabs me from the counter suddenly, causing me to squeal.