Page 16 of Frozen Flames

Gemma.

I close my eyes and sigh, feeling like a dick. If Gemma knew that Claire was in my room staring at me shirtless, what would she think?

The poor girl doesn’t deserve this.

I wear gray joggers and go commando, since it’s easier for me to pee like that, then pick out a long-sleeved white shirt.

By the time I wheel myself to the kitchen, I’m famished.

Claire’s blushing again when I transfer to the chair next to her. I decide to put her out of her misery. She saw my chest—big deal.

“This is good, Claire,” I tell her once I’ve dug in.

“Oh, thanks!” She’s smiling at me with her big doe eyes.

“Actually, thank you.” I nod, letting her know I appreciate it.

“So he does have some manners.” She winks at me, and suddenly my heart is beating and my dick is twitching in my joggers.

Why now, is he being serious?

“Only on Fridays,” I say back, bending forward slightly, mentally distracting myself.

The twitching stops, and I’m shaking my head in disbelief. She just winks, and we’re ready to go.

Fucking hell.

“So, what do you want to do today?” she asks once the food is gone and the kitchen is tidy. “We could play chess…”

“No, I’m good,” I tell her, eager to return to the cozy nest in my room.

“Oh, come on!”

“Claire, I’ve never played.”

Nor do I want to.

“I can teach you.” She grabs one of her bags and takes out a chessboard, lifting it up in excitement. She probably has other games in there—no doubt she’s hoping to pass the time.

I can’t help the growing irritation I feel as I sigh, knowing I’ll still pacify her when I see the smile on her face. She joins me at the table before relaying the possible moves of each piece. Somehow it reminds me of how I used to game with Gemma.

Except Claire talks most of the time.

Weirdly, it brings me some sort of relief. And with each minute that goes by, I feel a little better. Something about her presence appeases me yet bothers me all the same, since her being here means Gemma’s out there living her own life.

And I get why. I want Gemma to follow her dreams. But I still miss her company, despite how quiet she is around me now.

Claire and I start playing after a practice round, and with each move, I realize that this game will last an eternity. I watch her ponder her next move, her long feminine finger hovering over her pawn.

“Hmm.” Her brow creases as she analyzes her next move, her teeth biting the corner of her lip.

Would you stop that?

“You play chess a lot?” I ask, looking away, hoping to distract myself from her lip biting.

“I used to play with my father growing up.” She swallows. “Our quality time was rare, so naturally I grew fond of it.”

So, useless father. Gotcha.

---