Chapter Two-Hundred and Seventy-Six
"Okay, I'll bet you can't say this." John leaned back on the bench, smirking as he spoke in clear, perfect Spanish. "Besame ahora."
She cocked a brow, able to see that bad boy smirk and the glint of passion in his eyes —like the sharp edge of a knife, or the fangs of a wolf ready to bite. "That doesn't mean something profane and graphic, does it?"
He laughed, the hearty, roaring, joyful laugh that no one had heard since he and Phoebe had been rescued from Mexico. "No. It means 'Kiss me now.'"
She opened her mouth, nodding sarcastically as she gave him a sidelong glance. "Uh huh, sure it does." She smirked, not giving him the satisfaction of speaking such words in the language that she adored coming from his lips.
He snapped his gum, nudging her with his shoulder and taking her hand in his. "I love you Sweets." He chuckled, catching the mischievous smile on her lips.
She stood, kicking off her shoes and taking off through the grass. "Bet you can't catch me!" She called, laughing as she ran.
"You little fart!" He yelled, dropping his Spanish book, before he bolted after her. "Come back here!" He tripped on a uneven spot in the grass, tucking into a ball and rolling before he got back up. "Claire! Come on!" He slowed in his steps, gasping for air as he placed his hands on his knees. "God… I'm out of shape."
Claire jumped onto a low tree limb, waiting patiently for John to come join her. "John, I'm not gonna wait forever!"
He sighed, jogging toward her and climbing into the tree with her. "I must be out of shape."
Claire nodded, touching his side where the bullet wound had been. "Well, it did take a while for that to heal and you were bedridden for weeks." She kissed his jaw, giggling before she scrambled up the tree like a squirrel.
John sighed, rolling his eyes before he started to climb after her. He whistled, ignoring the rough bark as it scratched at his fingertips. "I like this view the best!"
"John!" She squealed, shooting a fake glare down at him. "Stop looking up my dress!"
He smirked, yelping as his foot slipped slightly and he had to scramble to regain his footing. "I'm okay." He gasped, smiling up at Claire when he saw her worried face. "I just slipped a little. I'm okay."
She climbed onto a limb, waiting for him to join her near the top of the tree. "Look," she pointed to the pond in the middle of the park, "a duck family."
He chuckled, turning to her and resting his scruffy chin on her shoulder. "Quack!" He smiled as she pushed his face away from her, tenderly kissing her lips. "I love you." He whispered, looking into her eyes as he held her close.
"I love you more." She sighed, listening to his strong heart deep in his chest.