Through The Pieces (5 page)

Chapter 8

Claire

I arrived at my new place early, two coffees in hand ready to get as much unpacking done as I could. Annie was in Maggie's room getting her toys and clothes put away. I was unpacking my own boxes in my room. When I opened the closet to hang some clothing, I stared in shock at what I found. My wedding picture was taped to the wall and my face was scratched out. Nausea washed over me, knowing it could only be one person. My body shook and tears spilled down my checks. I looked around frantic. How did he get in? Why would he do this?

"I said do you want summer stuff to stay boxed, or do you want it out?" Annie’s voice invaded my thoughts. I turned to find her standing in the doorway, and quickly shut the closet door. I knew the photo would upset her.

"Let's keep the summer stuff in boxes and put on her top shelf." When Annie had gone back down the hall, I opened the closet again, snatched the picture and stuffed it in the box. My hands shook as I scanned the rest of the room. Nothing seemed out of place. I went out into the living room and checked to see if anything seemed disturbed. In the kitchen, I checked the window and noticed it was unlocked. I locked it and rubbed my hands on my arms to get rid of the eerie feeling that Scott was here. He’d found a way to get in. I would need to make sure to keep everything locked. I screamed out when my Annie tapped me on the shoulder.

"You scared the shit out of me!"

"Sorry. You okay?"

"Yeah, I’m good. You just scared me!" This was my day, and I would not let Scott ruin it.

"You sure? You look like crap, and not the good kind. The kind Boris would have."

"Thanks, Annie," I said dryly.

"FYI, if I wake up to a penis on my face, I will retaliate in a way that you will never know it is coming. Last time I didn't know until I was standing in line at the gas station." Annie was pointing a finger at me.

This made me laugh as I recalled the night. It was a great likeness, the penis that is. "Only if you promise not to text Buck."

"Deal. Now let's hurry. I want to spend extra time on my hair. When I say I, what I mean is
you
. You always do my hair so nice."

We diligently unpacked until five, then we stopped and drove back to Annie's to get ready. Matt had made supper for us. We thanked him after eating and headed upstairs to get ready. We decided on wearing dresses and I was excited. I hadn't worn a dress in ages. Quickly showering and wrapping myself in a towel. I dried my hair and curled the ends. I went back in my soon to be old room and grabbed the red dress I was going to wear. It was form fitted and with this push up bra made me look sultry. Looking in the mirror and satisfied with the way the dress clung on me. It had long sleeves and a low neckline, the hem hit me right above the knees. I slipped on a pair of black heels and the made my legs look much longer.

"Wow, you are freaking hot!" I turned to see Annie in the doorway.

"It's not too much?"

"Hell no!"

"I’ll wait to dress until you are done with my hair, I hope I look as smoking hot as you." She made her way to the bathroom. Annie's hair was almost to her shoulders and suited her. I added some curls and she looked adorable. When she came back in the room she was wearing her black dress. It had a high neck and was form fitting also. Then she turned around and it was nearly backless.

"Sexy!"

"I know, right? Now let's go make Matt drool." Her dress was also shorter than mine. I hoped she didn’t drop anything. She put on a pair of heels, and we headed downstairs. Matt was playing Memory Princess Edition with the girls.

He looked up briefly then did a double take. "Annie you look absolutely breathtaking. Claire, you look beautiful as well."

By now the girls saw us and were beaming up at us. "Mommy you look so pretty." Maggie said.

"Thanks, Maggie. I don't think I can bend down to hug you. Can you stand and give Mommy a hug and kiss?" I wrapped her in my arms and pressed my lips against her hair. "I love you Maggie."

"Love you, Mommy."

Matt was still staring at Annie as they said their goodbyes. We were about to head out when Matt grabbed a hold of Annie, dipped her back, and planted a kiss on her.

"Get off or you will ruin my make up," she giggled. We got our coats on and headed out to meet Echo at Monty's. We parked my car by my place and walked the two blocks to the bar. As we got closer, we noticed it was quite busy. The sign outside indicated that a popular  local band took the stage in an hour. That would explain the amount of cars. Once inside, I scanned the crowd until I saw Echo waving. I grabbed Annie's hand, and we weaved through the crowd to Echo's table.

Dressed in her typical black shirt and jeans, she gave me and Annie a hug.

"First round’s on me. What will you have?"

"Two Bud Lights," I answered. Annie and I took our jackets off and set them on the chairs as Echo made her way to the bar. There had to be about two hundred people in the club already. On the stage the band was setting up. We had a drink, then two. Soon the band was playing cover songs of rock bands. We were laughing and having a great time. I didn't realize how much I needed this.

"Shots!" Echo hollered over the music and headed for the bar.

"This is so much fun!" Annie squealed. "I want to dance!" I nodded agreement.

Echo returned and handed around the shots. I tossed mine back. It went past my tongue smoothly enough, but then the afterburners kicked in and it scorched its way down my esophagus. I curled my lips in disgust. "Yuck! What was that?" I took a long pull from my bottle of beer.

"Tequila!" Echo sang out. "Let's dance!"

We went out to the dance area just as they began to play
The Killers Human
. Echo, of course, knew all the words to the song, I was just enjoying the beat. Some guy decided I was his dance partner, and he kept blocking my view of Annie and Echo.

I tried to walk away but he grabbed my arm and slurred, "Where are you going honey?" He was in my face. I jerked away from him and turned to leave, when I ran right into what felt like a brick wall. Another pair of hands grabbed me. I was ready to say let go when I looked up and I saw Buck standing there looking over my shoulder.

"You okay, Claire?" he asked, eyeing the man next to me.

"I’m fine."

His stare pinned me in place, it wasn’t possessiveness it was concern. "You look gorgeous, Claire. It's no wonder every guy in here is drooling over you."

What was he talking about? I looked up at him, confused. The tequila made my insides burn. Or was that Buck?

"You really didn't notice the men in here have been watching your every move?"

We stood in the middle of the dance floor, people dancing around us.

"No one is staring at me, Buck, except you."

He let out a puff of air, it skimmed my face, and I had to keep myself from closing my eyes. "Look around you, Claire. There are at least a dozen men looking at you with lust in their eyes."

I chanced a look around and noticed a few people watching us. A slow song came on. "I think they’re only looking because we’re the only ones on the dance floor not dancing."

"Well then dance with me, Claire." He wrapped his arms around my waist.

My hands were pinned between us as I continued to stare at him. He looked at me in a way that set my body on fire. We slowly swayed to the music, never breaking eye contact. He brought one hand to my face. I didn't flinch as he brushed my hair over my shoulder. I leaned against him, sighing.. My eyes fell shut. He was my drug. I could never think straight with him around. My body had a mind of its own and right now it wanted to be touched and touched only by Buck. I felt him cup my face and my head tilted to meet his hand. I opened my eyes to see him gazing at me intently. I could feel his uneven breath on my skin. He gently rubbed my lip with his thumb. I felt weak at the knees. The song ended and we held each other a few moments longer. I was about to invite him to the table when I heard Annie.

"BUCK!"

"Hey, Annie. You look quite amazing tonight." Annie hooked her arms between the both of us and ushered us to the table. There were at least six empty shot glasses and three full shots on the table. Echo and Annie were way ahead of me. There were conversations and secret glances at Buck. I took my shots and was about to ask for water when Annie brought me another beer. I could feel Buck's eyes on me as the night went on.

"I'll be back. I need to go to the ladies room," I announced. I glanced back at the table, only to find Buck staring at me. I smiled and he smiled back. In the bathroom, a group of women were loudly discussing their respective dates, one in particular was detailing how she was going to get this guy to bed with her. Tonight was his lucky night. I tried not to let it upset my mood, and was about to come out of the stall when she said, "Well good luck. He’s been hanging out with Annie and her sister." Wait. What?

"He won't even remember her name when I put my moves on him."

"I don't know, Jenny. He looks pretty into that chick in the red dress. What's her name anyway--Annie's sister?"

I needed to leave. I opened the stall door and their mouths dropped open. They all turned to stare at me. I went to the sink and washed my hands. As I started out the door then, I turned and said, "My name is Claire."

The evil eyes I got from the three women were comical. I weaved my way through the crowd and locked eyes with Buck. I felt brave right now. I strolled up to him and grabbed his hand. I pulled him onto the dance floor and began slow dancing with him. He never once said a word. He merely held me tight as I laid my head on his chest, a feeling of peace settling over me. I opened my eyes to see one of the girls from the bathroom, arms crossed over her chest, staring at us. She was pretty in a fake way. She looked like an angry Barbie. Then Annie and Echo came into view, mocking us as they danced together. I giggled at the sight.

"What's so funny?" Buck whispered in my ear. It sent goosebumps throughout my body.

"Well, first that Barbie wannabe was talking about this being the night you two hook up. Then, Echo and Annie were making fun of us by copying us."

"Barbie wannabe?"

"Oh, they called her Jenny."

"I see. You know I think there is a special gal for me, and I’m lucky enough to be dancing with her." On glance in his eyes confirmed this as truth. "As for Echo and Annie copying us, I’ve got an idea of what to do." He smiled at Echo and Annie, who were still mocking us.

"What..." I was cut off by his lips crashing onto mine. They were soft yet firm. I sighed in his mouth. The kiss was tender yet demanding. He coaxed my mouth open with his tongue and my body clenched in need. His tongue expertly caressed mine. I could now feel his arousal, pressed as he was against me. He took a hand from my waist caressing the skin on my back, lighting a fire along the way. He stopped at the base of neck to pull me closer. He growled and I moaned deep in his mouth, as we explored each others mouths. When he broke the kiss my lips felt swollen and missed the contact. He looked down at me his intense eyes filled with pure lust making my body clench and wanting more. I glanced over to Annie and Echo their mouths hung open, then back into Buck's eyes. Dreamy, I tell you.

"So you don't like stripper looking Barbie?" He smiled down at me.

"Not even a little."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Buck pulled me even further into his embrace, my head cradled against his chest. I smiled to myself. This felt right. It felt good. Hope bloomed inside my chest.

Once the slow song ended, we took our place at the table with Annie and Echo. They were deep in conversation, and I was still trying to grasp the thought of the kiss on the dance floor. I needed to figure this out and I needed air. I let everyone at the table know I would be right back. I ignored Buck’s offer to go with me, and stepped out into the cold air night, letting it wash over me. It cooled my skin, and I took a deep breath. I needed to clear my foggy head and think. Just as I was about to sit on the part of a street bench not covered in snow, the door to the bar opened.

Annie emerged with my jacket. She handed it to me and tilted her head. "You want to talk about it?"

I shrugged. "What if we’re moving too fast? What if I think I like him? I am not used to someone treating me nice. Is this the right choice for me and Maggie?"

Annie put an arm on my shoulder and gently squeezed. "What if this is right? What if he is everything you deserve and want? What if you really like him for him? Not this idea that you don't deserve him or his kindness. Let me ask you this, do you like him?"

"Yes, I really do."

"Then maybe you should let your guard down and give it a shot."

Oh she was wise for her age, and she reminded me that I was worth something special. I gave her a big hug and thanked her, then went inside and said our goodbyes. Buck walked us back to my place. I could tell he was concerned about me going outside.

I wanted to give this a fair shot, so when we got to my door, Annie went in, and I turned to him, grabbed his hands, and pulled him close. I stretched up to meet his lips, kissing him softly. I wanted him to know I did indeed like him. Buck kept the kiss light and on my terms. He truly was a wonderful man. We came apart from our kiss he smiled at me.