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He gave her a kiss on the forehead then released her and pointed towards the bathroom door The e marble whirlpool tub dominated one corner of the rooranite top vanity Claire wrinkled her nose as she inspected her appearance She looked pale, tired and ruain

Claire stripped off and slid into the shower She sighed in pleasure as the spray of the water eased some of the tension in her shoulder She reached for Jason’s shampoo and lathered her hair and rinsed Twenty minutes later, she felt like a different person She located a hair dryer under the vanity and was soon looking for her suitcase Claire found that Jason had left it right outside for her The only nightgown she’d packed was a bit dressy, but she didn’t feel like changing back into clothes

She pulled the long Lilac silk gown over her head, grateful she’d thought to pack the htly around her waist and then pulled a hair clip fro and secured her hair in a loose knot at the nape of her neck

Claire opened the bedroo delicious She followed her nose to the kitchen and found Jason at the stove with a kitchen towel thrown over his shoulder and a frying pan in his hand He had also opted for soe pants and a South Carolina Gamecocks t-shirt

She’d seen Jason in expensive suits and in jeans but this was the look that seemed to suit him best He didn’t look like a rich business owner even with the opulent surroundings; he simply looked like soirl, where did that couy a couple of ti his naue had apparently affected her ile and entirely too needy where Jason was concerned It was hard to reo; she was livid at his and never look back As if in ht up even though Claire kneas just on hold and not forgotten

Jason had been wonderful today, and his support had felt so good She rarely had anyone to lean on any for her, but somehoasn’t the same The issues with Jason were far froth to do it For now, there was co that someone loved her

"I hope you like omelets; it’s the specialty of the house"

"I love them It sounds wonderful I’ured you for a takeout kind of guy," laughed Claire

"Don’t be too iets very old to eat out every night I’ to lie; I do have a housekeeper who corocery shopping and cleaning If left tobut chips and beer in the kitchen and dirty clothes trickling through the doorways"

Jason set two plates and glasses in front of the bar stools at the island along with orange juice Claire poured thelass of juice and walked over to theto look out at the dark ocean "Youable to see this view fro"

With a smile, Jason said, "I’ve always loved the ocean It’s one of the reasons I’ve never h there have been row at a faster pace located elsewhere, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave this area; it's ho up there, but Myrtle Beach is whereo her juice, Claire waited for hiether A fewin as if she were starving Claire was embarrassed to find that she’d co her with an amused expression in those beautiful blue eyes "Guess I was hungrier than I realized"

"You have barely had anything to eat today Would you like me to make you another one?"

"Oh no, I’reat cook" Jason finished his own and took their plates to the dishwasher Looking at the wall clock, Claire was surprised to see that it was al yawn escaped her ue firmly settled in Jason took her hand and used his other to switch off the lights as they walked back to the bedrooe pants on Claire went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and left her robe on the hook next to his Jason took his turn in the bathroom, and she climbed into the bed on the side he indicated With another yawn, she closed her eyes to rest for a few minutes until he returned

Suddenly, she felt an arainst a hard chest, her head resting in the crook of Jason’s shoulder She allowed herself to ainst him, and soon settled into a dreah the night

~~~

So to rise over the ocean, Jason turned her in his ar love to her Every tiether seehts that she’d never dreaainst hiainst her forehead His hands stroking her back and hair with such tenderness it brought tears to her eyes

"Honey I hate to but I have to go into the office for awhile thisto call a car to pick me up so that you may use mine today Do you think you know the way to the hospital from here?"