It takes less than two weeks for her to come back, barely four days.
She insists they aren't dating, that this is purely a physical arrangement between two consenting adults.
Booty calls, he calls it even though she wrinkles her nose every time.
She prefers business arrangement. It makes him feel like a prostitute.
She shows up at his bungalow or at the paddock, summons him via texts or phone calls… He hates the way she kills any intimacy that could develop between them. Personal questions are brushed aside and left unanswered, sometimes she's so cold and distant he's tempted to believe everyone else is right and she is an Ice Queen after all… or he would be tempted if she didn't melt against him every time they kiss.
Still, four weeks of that situation show no progress on her part. She's still making it impossible for him to sneak past her defenses. Owen is a patient man – you didn't get into a job like raptors training without being patient – but he's starting to get frustrated and annoyed.
"I wouldn't hurt you, you know." he snaps, one night.
He's lying on his stomach on the bed, the sheets still tangled around his legs, and she's already dressed, already ready to leave, sitting on the edge of the bed and slipping on her heels.
She flinches.
"I don't understand what you mean…" she starts.
"Like hell, you don't." he scoffs. "You've got walls higher than the Great Wall of China." He props himself on his elbow and reaches out with his free hand, brushing his fingertips on the freckles on her cheeks. "You don't have to always be the strong one. I won't hurt you if you let me in."
She blinks and looks down at the heels she clutching in her hands like a weapon. "If that's because I like to be on top…"
He rolls his eyes and flops back down. "I'm not talking about sex, Claire. Although you having to be on top all the time is kind of symbolic of the rest, no? I want you to trust me, I want to earn it, but you're not letting me."
"I trust you." she denies.
"No, you don't." he sighs. "You don't even trust me enough to let me hear you when you come."
She flushes red in embarrassment.
"I'm not a vocal person." she scowls. "I know it's a turn on for some men to hear the woman they're with moaning and shouting but I'm not like that and I make no apologies for it." She puts on her second shoe and stands up. "Goodnight, Mr Grady."
He follows her out of the bedroom, refusing to let her have the last word.
"You're chewing so hard on your lip when you come I'm always afraid you're going to tear it in two." he argues. "It's all about you not losing control but that's not what sex is about, Claire. That's not what a relationship is about."
She turns around long enough to point an accusing finger at him but never stops walking. He wonders at which point she has become comfortable enough in his house not to need to look where she's going.
"We are not in a relationship." she hisses.
"No, we're not. 'Cause you won't let us be in one." he retorts. She slams the front door in his face but he follows her outside. "And you're running away. Again. I didn't think you were such a coward."
That stops her dead in her tracks.
She's halfway to her car and she turns on her heels to glare at him. "I'm not a coward."
"Prove it to me." he challenges.
She narrows her eyes.
"You are naked. Outside." she points out and it's so off topic he can't help but snicker.
He lifts his arms and lets them drop immediately. "No one's around. Live a little. Do you always have to be so uptight?" It's the wrong thing to say, he knows it at once. "Claire…"
She's gone before he can catch her and he's left staring at her the rear lights of her car.
He tries to call her but she doesn't pick up. He leaves messages but she never calls back.
"Sulking again?" Barry snorts the next day.
It's a way to put it, he figures.
o0°0o
How is it he can deal with raptors – raptors who have sharp teeth and claws and who could bit his head off easily – but he hasn't the first clue about how to handle Claire Dearing?
"I'm an idiot." he confesses to Blue, a week after Claire stormed off. He has tried to contact her, he has even tried going to her office but her assistant had guarded the door more fiercely than an attack dog.
On the other side of the barred door, his beta lets out a growl and tilts her head. It sounds and looks a lot like she's agreeing with him.
"Oh, shut up." he grumbles, sitting down cross-legged in the dust. "She called you a lizard, you know that?" Blue's tail sweeps the air with annoyance. It makes him chuckle. "Don't worry, I set her straight. My girls aren't just lizards, right, baby?"
The raptor lets out a pleased noise. It isn't long before Echo, Delta and Charlie join them, curious about what has their beta's attention and making jealous chirping noises once they spot Owen.
"I miss her." he confesses to his pack with a sigh. "Even if she's unbearable most days."