Page 184 of Sin With Me

Chapter21

Eric

It was halfan hour after Emma left that I heard the crunching of a bicycle’s wheels over the graveled part of my driveway. I wiped my hands on my soiled jeans and took a step out of the barn. Claire was riding her bike toward me, her hair blowing to the wind and breasts nearly falling out of her blouse. At one time in my life, the sight of her would give me a hard on, but not anymore. Now the minute her mouth opened, my cock would have preferred to be castrated over and over again.

After she’d pursued me for years, I’d finally given in, and we dated. I learned quickly that she only wanted me for two things – to gain stature in town and inherit my ranch. Her persuasive mouth and willing body overpowered my senses at the time. I’d thought I was in love at first, and made the mistake of staying with her out of guilt. Why the heck was she here now? It must had taken her at least an hour to ride to my ranch on her bike. She had probably taken a short cut through the forest.

I pulled my shirt over my head, sweat sticking the fabric to my back and chest as I stepped out of thebarn.

“Hi, Eric,” she chirped, hopping off her bike, swaying her curvy hips towardme.

“Claire.” I nodded a lukewarm greeting, wondering what excuse she’d have this time to see me. It had been over two years since I’d called things off after catching her with her legs spread wide open in a friend’s barn – and needless to say, we hadn’t been friends since then. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Oh, just stopping by with some blueberry muffins. I picked the fruit this morning.”

“Thank you, but you didn’t haveto.”

“Nonsense, Eric. I doubt your city visitor can bake. She’d ruin her manicured hands.”

“You leave Emma alone, Claire.” I’d prayed my ex wouldn’t get a chance to run into Emma in town, but doubted my luck. Claire sauntered toward me, handing me the basket.

“She’s a bit skinny for you, Eric. Maybe if you give her my muffins, she could grow a curve ortwo.”

“Are they poisonous?” I asked, only half kidding. Claire was one of those women who’d stoop as low as she could to make a point. I just wished I’d known that before we got involved.

“Oh, please.” She waved her hand, forcing a laugh. “You’re so funny. If I wanted her out of the picture, she’d already be gone, Eric. She’s obviously not a country girl. I give it another week before she flees for a cappuccino from her corner coffee shop. So I’ll just let nature take its course. How did you two meet?” she asked.

“We have a mutual friend in NewYork.”

“Hunter? I haven’t seen him in such a long time. Is he still single?”

“No, Claire. And you know he’s too smart to fall for your tricks.”

She placed her hand over her heart and opened her mouth in astonishment as if I’d just offendedher.

“Eric, you know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you again. I’m sorry for what happened. Really. If you could just listen…”

“Claire, we’re over. We were never meant to be. What happened is history.”

She lowered her hand to her buttoned up shirt, popping the top fastening loose.

“It’s a hot day today. Can I bother you for a glass of water?”

Aha! I’d forgotten that Claire was the master of changing a topic, but if that was all it would take for her to leave me, I was willing to fetch her water all the way fromhell.

I breathed out a sigh. “Sure.”

We went to the house where I poured her a glass. When I turned around, she was standing almost in my face. I pushed the glass between us, needing more space.

“Thank you.” Claire’s voice lowered to a seductive whisper. She pursed her mouth and took a sip of the water before the glass slipped from her hand and soaked her top, revealing much more than anyone could take in. Her nipples poked out, responding to the cold. Luckily I’d caught the glass before it crashed to the floor.

“Oh, look at clumsyme.”

“It’s all right, Claire.”

“I should wait until this dries.” She tugged at the hem of her shirt and brought it over her head, leaving her in her see-through bra. She sauntered over to the back yard and wrung out the top, flinging it over the railing.

Fuck!

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