Prequel
Claire had felt her lips tingled long after she'd gotten up and taken Aaron to bed. She still didn't know what abnormal impulse drove her into doing such a thing. She'd only begun to forgive Charlie, and the feeling of betrayal still rung clear in her brain. She had planned to be cautious. To take it slow. But sitting so close to him, seeing the pain he was in, although he was trying hard not to show it. Something in her was simply compelled to reach out to him, to give him some sign of hope.
When her lips first torched his, she felt a tiny spark go off inside her. A blend of shock and surprise, as well as the undeniable delight that something she'd thought about for so long, even when she was trying hard not to think about it, finally happened. At first, she was worried that Charlie wouldn't react well.
After all, he'd had a rough day judging by the gash on his arm and the few on his head, plus his mild lack of hearing ability. Claire had hoped it would make him feel better, but when she kissed him and he didn't quite respond, she was terrified that she'd upset him in some way.
But once that familiar boyish grin appeared across his face, she knew she'd done no wrong. Then, as if the butterflies hadn't already been swarming in her stomach, he took her hand, innocently toying with her fingers as looked into her eyes, needing no words to express how he felt.
Parting with him had been a little awkward. Claire could sense he wanted to kiss her again, but didn't quite have the courage. Claire had been hurt before, both by him and other men in the past, and she was usually reluctant to taking gestures of affection so early in a relationship. But although this had been their first kiss, Claire felt as if she'd known him for ever, and would have gladly welcomed it.
She settled for a small hug instead, keeping space between them so that Aaron was not crushed in their embrace, adding a quick peck on his scruffy check before heading back to her tent, hiding the blush that had taken her face hostage.
She'd barely been able to sleep thinking about it, replaying the short interaction over and over in her head. She felt warm and giddy, like she was back in high school, even though her baby was sleeping close by. Even after she'd fallen asleep, the memories crept into her dreams, keeping her warm through the night.