Reborn To Love You

Ch. 13: Almost

Alex stood in front of Claire's door. Taking a deep breath.

"...Calm down."

His hand paused on the handle for a second, before he pushed it open.

Inside...

The lights were dim.

Warm and Quiet.

Claire wasn't in the living room.

Only the soft sound of a hair dryer echoed faintly from her bedroom.

Alex exhaled slowly.

He walked in...Put the drinks into the fridge...and place the snacks neatly on the center table.

Chips, candy, and everything she picked earlier.

Simple things..

But somehow...

They made this moment feel...domestic and real.

He sat on the couch.

Waiting.

The sound of the blower continued, and his thoughts-didn't stay quiet.

Images from earlier,

Her arms around his neck.

Her lips.

Her warmth...

"...Stop."

He ran a hand through his hair.

But it didn't help.

His chest tightened.

Just thinking about her, was enough to mess with his control.

Then, the sound stopped.

Silence.

A few seconds later...

The bedroom door opened.

Alex looked up.

And froze.

Claire stepped out slowly, her long hair slightly damp and soft.

Falling naturally over her shoulders.

She wore light sleepwear.

Simple.

But on her...

It wasn't simple at all.

Effortless.

Dangerous.

The silk robe draped loosely around her. Moving slightly as she walked.

Alex's eyes darkened, just for a second.

Then he quickly looked away.

"...Focus."

He raised a hand..

Lightly tapping his own face.

But his ears, were already red.

Because the thought...of being alone with her like this...was too much.

Claire noticed.

Of course she did.

Her lips curved slightly.

"...Cute."

She walked past him casually, glancing at the snacks.

Then picked up the remote.

The TV flickered on.

A familiar horror movie started playing.

Without a word.

She went back to her room.

And returned with a blanket.

Then, instead of sitting on the couch.

She sat on the carpet.

Close to the table.

Wrapped herself in the blanket, like she always did.

Comfortable.

Natural.

As if he wasn't there.

Alex just stared.

Completely caught off guard.

Then...Claire turned.

Met his eyes.

And lightly tapped the space beside her.

An invitation.

Alex swallowed.

His heartbeat...

Out of control.

"...Babe."

His voice was lower now.

"I think... we should do this next time."

Claire blinked.

"...Why?"

She stood up.

And walked toward him.

Step by step.

Until, she was right in front of him.

Too close.

Her scent...

Soft and Warm.

Wrapped around him instantly.

Alex's breath hitched.

"...Claire."

But she didn't stop, she leaned slightly closer.

Looking straight into his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

Her voice...

Soft and Innocent.

But to him...

It was anything..and everything about her right now...

Was a test of his control.

Of his restraint.

Of how much he could take...before he lost it completely.

"...You're doing this on purpose."

He said quietly.

Claire tilted her head slightly.

"...Doing what?"

Her lips curved faintly.

And that, was enough.

Alex let out a low breath.

"...You're dangerous."

His voice was rougher now.

Honest.

Because if she took one more step, he didn't trust himself anymore.

And he didn't want to rush this.

Didn't want to scare her.

Didn't want to ruin what they just started.

Claire watched him for a second...

Then suddenly, she smiled.

And stepped back.

"...Fine."

She turned, and walked back to the carpet.

Sitting down again.

"...Come here."

This time, her voice was gentler.

Less teasing, more real.

Alex stayed still for a moment.

Then, slowly, he stood.

Walked toward her.

And sat beside her.

Not too close.

But not far either.

The movie continued playing.

Dark scenes and soft whispers.

But neither of them...

Was paying attention.

Because between them, there was something else.

And far more dangerous than any horror film.

After a few minutes, Claire shifted slightly.

Then, without warning.

She leaned her head against his shoulder...

Alex froze.

Completely.

"...Claire."

"Hmm?"

"...You're not helping."

She chuckled softly.

"...Just watch the movie."

But her hand, slowly, found his.

And held it.

Tightly.

Alex looked down at their hands.

Then, without saying anything.

He intertwined his fingers with hers.

Light flickering across the room.

Claire sat comfortably on the carpet,

Wrapped in her blanket.

As if the dark scenes on screen didn't affect her at all.

Beside her...

Alex was anything but calm.

His attention drifted,

Not to the movie-but to her.

The way she leaned slightly forward.

The way her hair fell over her shoulder.

The way her fingers absentmindedly held his.

"...You're not even watching."

Claire spoke without looking at him.

Alex let out a quiet breath.

"I am."

"You're not."

Now she turned.

Their eyes met.

Too close.

The space between them, was smaller than before.

Neither of them moved.

But something shifted.

Subtle.

Dangerous.

Claire tilted her head slightly.

"...Why are you so quiet?"

Alex didn't answer immediately.

Because if he did-he wasn't sure what would come out.

"...Because of you."

His voice was low.

Honest.

Claire's lips curved faintly.

"Me?"

She leaned just a little closer.

"Yes."

That single word, changed the air between them.

He lifted his hand slowly, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.

His fingers lingered.

Warm.