Love Me Forever

Old flame

Chapter 6

The words "Hello Claire" reverberated down my legs; I couldn't believe that Jake was standing right in front of me. My eyes were now fixed on the brown and white curtain blinds; I needed to leave, but how could I pull that?

"Claire Claire," Dan called out. I was so deep in thought that I didn't hear him call my name.

"Is there a problem?" Dan looked into my eyes and blinked them in a

"don't mess up this deal" kind of look. My knees were tightened against each other, and my blood pumped so fast, that my heart was in a state of shock.

"I'm here, Sir, let's continue" I took a chair and sat adjacent to Jake with my head looking away from him. I guess the same thoughts ran through his mind too, but he looked confident and so handsome. I blushed as the thoughts of our last s*x saturated my mind.

"Claire?" Dan hit the table and called out. "so sorry, I had a bad evening yesterday" I stood up and was about to excuse myself when Jake looked up and spoke,

"It's OK if you want to excuse yourself or if you don't want to be a part of the deal, I completely understand."

"it's OK with me." I stammered as I spoke. Dan's eyes observed both of us intently and couldn't help but suspect that something serious must have happened between Jake and me.

I brushed a loose curl from my face trying to appear confident and tapped the black and white tile floor rhythmically. "is there something I need to know?" Dan looked at me and asked. Why didn't he ask his client Jacob Martins? Why was I the one who he had to ask? Maybe because I was his employee.

The boss instinct in me wanted to get up and leave, but I had a wager to win against Dad. I wouldn't give it up for anything, not even for fear of falling hard again for Jake. "Jake and I were old-time friends back in high school; we haven't seen in a long time, that's why I'm kind of surprised."

Let's focus on this meeting; you guys can catch up later after office hours. " I knew Dan was going to give that answer; no doubt he was a good businessman and a hard worker. He started this business with nothing, but he became successful anyway.

I sometimes drew inspiration and learned from him how to run a fashion company. At 30, Dan was proudly single and had a chain of girlfriends he often showered with gifts.

No wonder he was emotionless and couldn't sense an iota of heartbreak in my eyes. I sat down and handed him the file for our new client. We discussed business for hours, and I tried my best to avoid meeting Jake's blue eyes. Gush, he was handsome; he wore a brown leather suede shoe that glittered his blue Shirt. He looked so clean and even had stylish hair.

No wonder he was a successful movie producer and now owned a production company. "here it is, Mr. Jacob" I tried to be formal so as not to get Dan infuriated.

As I handed him a copy of our presentation for his upcoming movie, my hands shook. I hoped. he didn't notice. He knew my body response like the back of his hands, or maybe he had forgotten. Six years is a long time.

I gave a relieved sigh as the meeting came to an end. "Thank you, Mr. Dan, and Miss... or is it now Mrs?" Jake asked. "Miss" I replied calmly. "Thanks, Miss Claire, for a wonderful presentation; the deal is yours for my upcoming movie. Hope to see more of you.

"We gave a business handshake, and I walked past him. Oh, the air around him still had a pleasant scent of lavender, only that now, it was more masculine. I couldn't help but notice his strong biceps, which was obvious through his well-buttoned shirt. I hurried into my office and placed my head on my desk, relieving the day's event.

A knock on the door, and someone came in before I could say, "Come in" Jacob Martins was standing right in front of me! I thought he was gone, but he wasn't. "Hey Claire, Fate must have something planned for us to meet this way. I know you must be furious with me, but I'm still wondering what the rich and beautiful Claire Madison is doing working here. Dan doesn't know who you are, I guess?"

Jake continued speaking and didn't notice that I was still perplexed." no, Dan doesn't know." I replied. "and what the hell are you doing here, Jake? You have no right to be here, and I don't owe you any explanation why I work here. Please leave me alone!" now remembering he called me beautiful, he must be surprised.

I wasn't the uptight Claire anymore. I knew I passed as beautiful to everyone now, thanks to my tanned skin and well-styled hair." why don't you let me explain why I didn't call, Claire? It's more than what meets the eye."

"I don't need this now, not in my office." I stood up and walked to the door, holding the doorknob to pull it. "don't, Claire" he put his hands over mine and closed the door. "I'm Sorry" his words sent shivers through me; I lost control that very minute. I wanted to feel his strong hands caressing my body and his soft lips kissing me at the same time.

But I took control and shoved his hands off mine. "What do you want, Jake? I have long moved on and don't give a damn about you or your success. Just go." I lied! He searched through my being as he looked at me intently. "your mouth speaks one thing, and your body tells me another" he pulled me closer and brushed a curl off my face. I was at my breaking point, but I wasn't going to give in easily,

"Leave Jake" his mouth and mine were only a tiny space apart as I spoke.