Claire's POV
I glared at my brother, not ready to release the slice of cake.
"Richmond," I called in a warning tone.
He smiled wickedly, sighing his spoon into the cake.
"Don't you dare!" I warned, but he was prepared, running away from the spot before I could catch him.
He had the last piece of cake. And it was mine. He ran off to his room.
"Richmond!!!" I yelled, but he only laughed, making me more defeated than angry. That was supposed to be my dessert. For goodness sake, he had eaten all the cake.
Dad was laughing and gently pushed a glass of juice on me. I grabbed the glass and drank it.
"You have to be quicker than him next time," Dad said, and I rolled my eyes. I packed the dishes and took them to the kitchen.
I washed them and walked to my room, briefly stopping to kick Richmond's door.
"Good night, Dad!" I yelled from the staircase.
"Good night honey," my dad replied.
I walked up to my room and shut the door. Being the only daughter of my dad and the lovely princess of the house I had the coziest bedroom. It was large and painted in soft powdered blue and peach.
It was the typical girly room with many accessories and things only girls would understand. I had a dressing table, a large mirror and a small purse mirror which served more use than the larger one.
A medium-sized box of makeup kits and some jewelry boxes decorated the room. I loved to be neat, and everything had its place. My laptop lay on my bed open, and I went to close it.
I placed it on the table and stretched out on my bed. My mind drifted to Rawl Benett. He was the man I had been crushing on for years since I was sixteen. He was my best friend, Vanessa's father.
I couldn't stop my feelings for him no matter how hard I tried. Every Time I was around him, I would stare and look away before he caught me. His fine, neatly trimmed beards made my hands itchy to touch, and those lips were always dreamy.
He was a fine hunk of a man, and those grey eyes always made me lose. "He's just so perfect," I mumbled.
Memories of the time he made me laugh when I was sad flooded my mind. I covered my cheeks in my hand as they turned warm.
"Why does it have to be so hard?" I murmured. "I love you but I can't be with you. You don't even notice me. You probably look at me as your daughter."
"Ugh, just my luck to fall for my friend's father," I said, rubbing my hand on my face.
My hands fell to my sides on the bed and I sighed. "I shouldn't be thinking of you."
Thinking of him made me shudder delightfully, and I closed my eyes, smiling.
My eyes flashed open as a faint knock came on my door. "Ugh," I groaned softly and went to open the door.
"Dad, shouldn't you be a…" the words caught in my throat as I stared in shock at the pair of eyes looking back at me. What was he doing here?
"Rawl," I gasped.
"Hey," he responded.
"Oh my God! Did anyone see you coming here?" I asked, searching for anyone behind him.
Satisfied with seeing no one, I pulled him into the room and shut the door quickly. I held my chest, panting and my gaze fell on him.
"What are you doing here? It's late!"
He smirked and walked closer to me. "I thought you wanted me around," he answered.
"I did but not like this. How do you even get past the door? Did Dad see you?" I asked.
He leaned closer, pushing me slowly to the wall. "I may have used the spare key. And no, I was careful enough not to be seen. I wasn't expecting to be so lucky," Rawl said, smirking.
My heart pounded faster in my chest, and my cheeks turned hot.
His fingers touched my chin and lifted my face to meet his gaze. "Look at me, Claire. You have gorgeous eyes," he said.
His eyes darted to my lips. "And those lips," he said, moving his thumb to caress my bottom lip.
"Rawl," I whispered and his lips brushed mine. My heart raced wildly at the touch. "I…"
"Shh," he said. "Don't say anything."
His soft lips mine, awakening the butterflies dancing in my stomach. I had never imagined it would be this beautiful. My lips moved against his.
I wrapped my hands around his neck, wanting more. He broke the kiss, and I felt disappointed. I looked up at him, my heart racing.
I watched him lick his lips and my legs shivered. He leaned in, giving me goosebumps as his warm breath touched my neck. "You're so beautiful, Claire," he whispered.
His fingers traced my jawline and I shivered. "I wished I had done this sooner. I'm not holding back anymore," he said.
"I love you, Claire."
"Rawl, do you mean it?" I asked, my voice whispering.
"Yes, baby," he replied.
"You don't know how long I have waited to hear those words," I confessed, touching his face.
"I love you, Rawl."
I wrapped my arms around him, pulled him closer and kissed him.
"I want you, Claire," he whispered after breaking the kiss.
"I want you too, Rawl."
"You're mine. Only mine!" His deep voice growled softly, and he leaned in, his lips brushing mine as I suddenly woke up.
"Rawl," I whispered, looking around to see an empty room.
I sat up quickly on my bed, moving the sheets off my body. I scanned the room, wondering what had just happened.
I kept looking around my room. I ran to the door and stopped once I noticed it was locked from the inside, which I could have only done.
"What just happened?" I asked. "He was right here. And we…kissed." I was with Rawl. How did I end up back in my bed?
I raised my fingers to touch my lips. It had felt real. Wasn't it?