"Okay, Claire, do you want me to undress your seatbelt or something?" Ryan asked after a long moment of silence.Oh, they were home already! Claire smiled as her eyes met the parking lot."It's okay, I can do it," she muttered."Or we can't just work on your fantasy instead," Ryan teased.Claire rolled her eyes at him. "I'm starting to regret telling you that, Ryan. You're being too sex-driven." She unbuckled her seatbelt."We both are, Claire." Ryan was amused, happy to have her right now."Maybe, but I'd rather use that huge car of yours instead of this," Claire suggested playfully, biting her bottom lip at the thought."The Vogue?""Yeah, that one," Claire said."Well, that's a fair point. It's huge and spacious," Ryan said thoughtfully, and Claire couldn't contain her laugh. "So we're saving for another time?""Yeah, for tonight I want something decent.""Something decent? What is this, Claire? Are you suggesting I've been molesting you all this while?" Ryan laughed heartily sayin

Ryan was in his office going through several reports involving the remodeling project.Earlier this morning he had the pleasure of visiting the site, and the progress was visible. Heavy machines and equipment were active all over the place, with all the workers as busy as required."I found another one in Montesby. It's our new target," Ryan said while closing the file he'd been reading.Doris and Harry were also present in his office, and none of the other two seemed surprised by this news. Ryan always had a back-up plum—whether by luck or chance."Oh, finally we're kicking that bastard!" Harry was ecstatic. "Is it great?"Great was an understatement. Fuck, that land was a goldmine! Location itself was to die for—somewhere near the sea—and the look of it was already breathtaking without anything built yet. Ryan wondered if the owner was ready and willing to sell it. If not, he'd move heaven and earth to get the sale, by any means humanly possible."It's perfect for just anything," Ry

Being alone with Denis, inside the car, Claire could only think of the rides she'd had with Ryan.This felt different—awkward even— and she had to think twice before responding to whatev er Denis was rumbling about."Okay, I'm hereby dropping you home, safe and sound," he announced sassily once they arrived at Claire's."Are you sure you can't come in? The evil step mom will be very happy to see you," Claire said sarcastically."No, thanks, I'll pass," he replied defensively. Claire managed to laugh heartily. "Thanks for tonight; I had a terrific welcome back dinner." His tone softened, his eyes beaming."Um, pleasure," Claire answered. "I . . .guess I'll see you around. Have a good night?" She had nothing else to say, and the atmosphere was getting tense from the way Denis was staring at her.It was a longing stare."Sure. Be good." He smiled tightly, a wave of sadness crossing his face.When she walked inside the gate it was nearly eight. A sigh escaped her lungs as she stopped by t