Claire
"Where are we going?" I asked Kaidan breathlessly. I was either dreaming or Kaidan was more drunk than I thought…because he had just kissed me. And it was amazing.
He gave me a mischievous grin. "Somewhere more…private."
Oh my god. Did he just say what I thought he said?
Kaidan led me to a cab and motioned me inside. He seemed to be familiar with the cab driver.
"Thanks, Cody. Just head to my place," he said, handing the man some credits.
"Wait," I interrupted. "Let's go to my place instead. There's…something I wanted to show you."
Kaidan grinned his sexy grin again. "Sounds good to me."
I told Cody my address and we left. Kaidan sat so close to me in the cab that I felt I was practically in his lap. I was still finding it hard to wrap my head around what was happening and couldn't help but feel a little worried if Kaidan would regret this later.
My apartment wasn't far so it only took a few minutes to get there.
"Thanks, man," I heard Kaidan say as we exited the cab.
Cody chuckled. "Have fun."
I felt myself blushing furiously from embarrassment but Kaidan's seductive voice broke my thoughts.
"Lead the way, ma'am."
"Um…right. Okay. Come on in." I led Kaidan inside the apartment and the lights flicked on.
"Whoa." Kaidan's eyes lit up when he saw my living room. "You changed it around in here. It looks great!"
I smiled sheepishly. "Thanks. That's what I wanted to show you. I took your advice and tried to make it a little homier."
I had hoped in the back of my mind that one day he would be back here to see the changes I made to my place and now here he was. Standing in my living room. What now?
Kaidan looked a little surprised. "You remembered that?"
"Of course. It was quite a memorable morning," I laughed.
He frowned and walked over to me, lifting his hand to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. "I'm sorry I was so rude to you then. I was...scared and unhappy."
"I know. Kaidan. I-"
His lips met mine before I could finish. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach from both nerves and excitement. Kaidan's tongue swept softly against my lips, looking for an entrance. I opened my mouth slightly and he deepened the kiss, exploring my mouth with his tongue. I let out a soft whimper, making Kaidan even hungrier.
His hands gripped me firmly and his mouth became more and more demanding. This wasn't what I expected. He groaned and shoved me toward the couch.
"W-Wait," I stuttered, caught off guard. "Maybe we should-"
He cut me off again, colliding his mouth with mine and reaching behind me to unzip my dress. His mouth only broke from mine for a second so that he could pull his shirt over his head, then his hands returned to my zipper and pulled it the rest of the way down.
This wasn't the kind and gentle Kaidan I thought I knew. Everything was moving too quickly. Something wasn't right.
"Kaidan," I muttered, breaking away from his kiss.
He groaned again and buried his face in my neck, kissing and exploring with his tongue while he worked my dress down my shoulders. "God, Jane, you smell good."
Jane?
I shoved him away and jumped up from the couch. "What the hell, Kaidan?"
He looked confused at first but then realization flooded his face. "Fuck, Claire. I am so sorry."
I pulled my dress back up my shoulders and tried to zip up the back but couldn't reach it.
Kaidan sat up on the couch and shamefully hung his head. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
I knew something hadn't felt right. As much as it hurt to hear him say another woman's name, I couldn't be mad at him.
"I'm so sorry, Claire," Kaidan kept repeating.
I sighed. "Just stop, alright? Stop apologizing."
He looked up and his eyes met mine. My heart dropped when I saw there were tears in his eyes.
"Kaidan-"
"I think I should leave."
"Kaidan, hold on."
He grabbed his shirt and threw it on before walking to the door.
I had to stop him. He couldn't leave like this. "Please just talk to me!"
"I am so sorry, Claire. You deserve better than this. I shouldn't have let this happen." Kaidan reached for the door and left before I could stop him.