CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

After dinner and shower they retired to bed. It was past midnight and evidently exhaustion was part of both of them.

Ryan flicked the lights off. "You looked sexy in that red dress," he said while laying down.

"So I've heard," Claire bragged, "from two guys, excluding you." She grinned at him. Ryan glowered at her through the luminous mood outside. "Oh yeah? And you must be very happy, huh?" Sarcasm splattered on his displeased face.

"Of course, I am! Who wouldn't be?" Claire smiled, provoking him.

Ryan sighed heavily. "I'll let it slide this time." He drew back onto the pillow. "But don't you ever dress like that when I'm not with you, get it?"

There was a crazy part of Claire that loved his controlling nature. She had no idea why but it stirred her up in some strange ways, and even more from the fact that she would object to him whenever he played bossy.

"Says who? I can wear whatever I want . . . and whenever," she argued. "Okay, pray that I don't catch you," Ryan muttered. "Becaus