There was a hunger in his eyes that sent shivers down her spine. With a sense of anticipation tingling through her veins, she held her breath as he leaned in closer. His touch was electric, igniting every nerve in her body.
"I have been wanting to do this for a while," he confessed in a low voice, his lips hovering just inches from hers. "And I want to savor it."
The air around them seemed to crackle with tension as their lips finally met, and the world narrowed down to just the two of them in that moment. His hands found her breasts as he continued to devour her mouth.
Claire arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping her lips as Desmond's skilled fingers teased and caressed her sensitive skin. The coolness of the bathroom counter against her back contrasted sharply with the heat radiating from his body. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer as their kisses grew more urgent and passionate.
Desmond broke away from her lips, trailing hot kisses down her neck and collarbone. His hands roamed her body, mapping every curve and plane as if committing it to memory. Claire's head fell back, eyes fluttering closed as waves of pleasure washed over her.
"Desmond," she breathed, her voice husky with desire. "Please..."
He looked up at her, a devilish glint in his eyes. "Please what?" he teased, his fingers ghosting over her inner thighs.
Claire bit back a moan, her body trembling with anticipation. "You know what," she gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair as she tried to guide him where she needed him most.
Desmond chuckled, his warm breath fanning across her sensitive skin. "I want to hear you say it," he murmured, placing feather-light kisses along her inner thigh.
"Touch me," Claire pleaded, her inhibitions melting away under his sensual assault. "Please, Desmond. I need you."
With a satisfied grin, Desmond finally gave in to her demands. His tongue found her center, eliciting a sharp cry of pleasure from Claire as he began to explore her most intimate areas. Her legs tightened around his shoulders, holding him close as he worked her towards another peak of ecstasy.
Claire's head fell back against the mirror, her breath coming in ragged gasps as Desmond's skilled tongue worked its magic. She gripped the edge of the counter tightly, her knuckles turning white as waves of pleasure coursed through her body.
Desmond's hands gripped her thighs, holding her steady as he continued his relentless assault on her senses. He alternated between long, languid strokes and quick flicks that had her writhing beneath him. Claire's hips bucked involuntarily, seeking more friction as the tension within her coiled tighter and tighter.
"Oh god, Desmond," she moaned, one hand tangling in his hair to pull him closer. "Don't stop... please don't stop..."
He hummed against her in response, the vibrations sending shockwaves of pleasure through her core. Claire could feel herself teetering towards the edge. And then he was gone, pulling back to look at the work of art he had created.
Claire gasped at the sudden loss of contact, her eyes flying open to meet Desmond's heated gaze. He stood before her, chest heaving, lips glistening with evidence of his ministrations. The intensity in his eyes made her breath catch in her throat.
"Why did you stop?" she panted, her body still thrumming with unfulfilled desire.
Desmond's lips curled into a wicked grin. "Because I want to be inside you when you come undone."
Before she could respond, he was on her again, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Claire moaned into his mouth, tasting herself on his tongue as he pressed his body against hers. She could feel his hardness against her thigh, reigniting the fire in her core.
With surprising strength, Desmond lifted her off the counter.
Claire gasped as Desmond lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping tightly around his waist. He carried her out of the bathroom, their lips never parting as he navigated them towards the bedroom. The ancient floorboards creaked beneath their combined weight, a stark reminder of their surroundings even as they lost themselves in each other.
Desmond gently lowered Claire onto the dusty bed, the old springs groaning in protest. He pulled back slightly, his eyes roaming over her flushed skin and heaving chest. "God, you're beautiful," he murmured, his voice thick with desire.
Claire reached up, pulling him down to her. "Show me," she whispered against his lips before kissing him deeply.
Their bodies moved together with a desperate urgency, hands exploring and caressing as if trying to memorize every curve and plane. Desmond's lips trailed down Claire's neck, leaving a path of fire in their wake. His hands roamed her body, caressing and teasing as he worked his way lower. Claire arched into his touch, desperate for more contact. When his mouth finally reached her breast, she let out a low moan of pleasure.
"Desmond," she gasped, tangling her fingers in his hair.
He looked up at her, eyes dark with desire. "Tell me what you want," he murmured against her skin.
"You," Claire breathed. "I want you inside me. Now."
A wicked grin spread across Desmond's face. He positioned himself between her legs, the tip of his arousal teasing her entrance. Claire whimpered, trying to pull him closer.
"Patience," he chuckled, though his own voice was strained with need.
Slowly, tantalizingly, Desmond began to push inside her. Claire gasped at the exquisite sensation of him filling her completely. For a moment, they remained still, savoring the feeling of finally being joined. Then Desmond began to move, setting a steady rhythm that had Claire moaning with each thrust.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper as they moved together. The old bed creaked beneath them, but neither paid it any mind, lost in the waves of pleasure washing over them. Claire ran her hands down Desmond's back, feeling his muscles flex and strain as he drove into her.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, muffling Claire's cries as Desmond picked up the pace. She could feel herself climbing higher and higher, chasing that elusive peak. Claire's nails dug into Desmond's shoulders as he angled his hips, hitting that perfect spot inside her with each thrust. She cried out, her back arching off the bed as waves of pleasure crashed over her.
"That's it," Desmond murmured against her neck, his voice strained. "Let go for me, Claire."
His words pushed her over the edge. Claire's body tensed, her inner walls clenching around him as her orgasm washed over her. She cried out his name, clinging to him as tremors of ecstasy coursed through her.
Desmond's movements became erratic as he chased his own release. With a low groan, he buried himself deep inside her, his body shuddering as he found his climax. For a long moment, they remained locked together, breathing heavily as they came down from their shared high.
As their breathing slowly returned to normal, Desmond gently rolled off of Claire, pulling her close against his side. She nestled into the crook of his arm, her head resting on his chest as she listened to his heartbeat gradually slow. For several long moments, they lay in comfortable silence, basking in the afterglow.
Claire traced lazy patterns on Desmond's chest, marveling at the solid warmth of his body next to hers. Despite the chill in the air and the less-than-ideal surroundings, she felt utterly content.
"Well," Desmond finally broke the silence, his voice a low rumble she could feel vibrating through his chest. "That was..."
"Unexpected?" Claire offered, tilting her head to look up at him with a small smirk.
He chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "I was going to say incredible," Desmond replied, his fingers tracing lazy circles on Claire's bare shoulder. "But unexpected works too."
Claire hummed in agreement, a contented smile playing on her lips. "Definitely both."
They lapsed into comfortable silence again, the only sound their steady breathing and the occasional creak of the old building settling around them. Claire found herself marveling at how natural this felt - lying here with Desmond, their bodies intertwined as if they'd been doing this for years instead of mere minutes.
"So," Desmond said after a while, his tone light but with an undercurrent of uncertainty. "Where do we go from here?"
Claire propped herself up on one elbow, her gaze lingering on the man lying next to her. In the dim light filtering through the dusty windows, she could see the vulnerability in his eyes - a stark contrast to the confident, teasing man that she had gotten to know over the last six weeks. His features were softened by the shadows, making him seem almost ethereal.
"Let's take our time," Claire murmured against his lips, savoring the warmth of his breath. She traced her fingers along his jawline, memorizing every curve and angle. "I want to explore this with you, see where it leads."
His response was a whisper, barely audible in the stillness of the room. "Me too." Desmond brushed his thumb over her cheek, his touch gentle yet possessive. Their foreheads touched as they both took a moment to revel in the intimacy they shared.
"Just... let me catch my breath for a second," Claire finally spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. Desmond smiled, understanding and patient. He took a step back but kept hold of her hands, intertwining their fingers as if he couldn't bear to let her go.
"We have all the time in the world," he reassured her, his warm gaze searching hers.
She couldn't help but smile at his words, feeling safe and cherished in his embrace. But reality soon crept back into her mind and she huffed out a laugh. "The team might argue that. We should get back before they send Lucy after us."
Desmond nodded in agreement and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before releasing her so she could finish getting dressed. As much as they both wanted to stay wrapped up in each other's arms forever, duty called and they couldn't ignore it any longer. But for that brief moment, they had escaped into their own little world filled with love and possibility.
With a gentle hand, he assisted her down from the counter and then reached for the backpack he had prepared with extra clothing. Claire eagerly rummaged through its contents, pulling out an oversized gray sweater that immediately enveloped her in warmth. The fabric was soft against her skin, like a hug from an old friend. She paired it with dark jeans that hugged every curve of her body and ankle boots that added a touch of edge to her outfit. As she looked up at him with a grateful smile, she couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and security in his presence.
Claire's fingers lingered on Desmond's cheek, tracing the rough stubble that had grown over the past weeks. His eyes softened at her touch, a tender smile playing at his lips. For a moment, they simply stood there, savoring the intimacy of the moment.
"We should head back," Desmond murmured reluctantly, though he made no move to pull away.
Claire nodded, her hand falling away from his face. "You're right. The others will be wondering where we've gone."
They gathered their things in comfortable silence, exchanging soft smiles and lingering touches as they prepared to leave their temporary sanctuary. As Claire zipped up her backpack, Desmond approached her from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.
"Thank you," he whispered against her ear, his breath warm on her skin.
Claire turned in his embrace, meeting his gaze with a soft smile. "For what?"
Desmond's eyes were filled with warmth as he looked down at her. "For trusting me. For taking this chance with me." His hand came up to cup her cheek gently. "I know our situation isn't exactly ideal..."
She leaned into his touch, her own hand coming to rest on his chest. "Desmond, after everything we've been through, I think we've earned a little happiness. Whatever happens next, I'm glad we have this moment."
He nodded, leaning down to press a tender kiss to her lips. When they parted, Desmond rested his forehead against hers for a moment before reluctantly stepping back.
"We really should get going," he said with a wry smile. "As much as I'd love to stay here with you forever."
Claire nodded, a mix of reluctance and determination in her eyes. "You're right. We can't hide out here forever, as tempting as that sounds."
They gathered their few belongings and made their way back downstairs. The old inn creaked and groaned around them, as if lamenting their departure. At the entrance, Desmond paused, his hand on the doorknob. He turned to Claire, his expression serious.
"Whatever happens out there," he said softly, "I want you to know that this - us - it means something to me. It's not just..."
"I know," Claire interrupted gently, placing her hand over his. "It means something to me too."
Desmond's shoulders relaxed slightly, relief evident in his eyes. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips before pulling back with a smile. "Ready?"
Claire took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders as she met Desmond's gaze. "As ready as I'll ever be."
With a nod, Desmond pushed open the door. Bright sunlight flooded in, momentarily blinding them after the dimness of the inn. As their eyes adjusted, the abandoned streets of Monteriggioni came into view once more. The eerie silence that had greeted them earlier now felt charged with possibility.
They stepped out together, hands brushing as they made their way down the cobblestone path. The warmth of the sun on their skin was a stark contrast to the chill of the shower they had shared not long ago. Claire couldn't help but smile at the memory, stealing a glance at Desmond as they walked.
He caught her looking and raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Something on your mind?"
Claire caught Desmond's questioning look and felt a blush creep up her cheeks. "Just thinking about... earlier," she admitted with a coy smile.
Desmond's eyes darkened as he recalled their passionate encounter. He stepped closer, his voice low. "Already planning round two?"
Claire laughed, giving him a playful shove. "Focus, Miles. We have a job to do, remember?"
"Right, right," Desmond chuckled, falling into step beside her. But he couldn't resist reaching out to intertwine their fingers as they walked.
The abandoned streets of Monteriggioni seemed less foreboding in the bright morning light. Birds chirped in the distance, and a gentle breeze rustled through overgrown vegetation. It was almost peaceful, if not for the constant reminder of why they were here.
As they entered the main room, Claire and her team were greeted by the familiar sight of their equipment laid out and preparations being made for their next dive into the Animus. The air hummed with a palpable mix of excitement and determination, but Claire couldn't help but feel a warm undercurrent emanating from within her, in stark contrast to the cold she had just escaped moments ago.
"Look who finally graces us with her presence!" Lucy called out with an arched eyebrow and a knowing smirk as she caught sight of Claire's flushed face. She fidgeted with the hem of her oversized gray sweater, the soft fabric providing a comforting warmth against her skin. Her dark jeans hugged her curves and her ankle boots let out a light click on the floor with each step she took. The warmth of the room enveloped her, offering a stark contrast to the chilly outdoors and causing her heart to race not only from lingering adrenaline but also from the surge of emotions swirling within her.
"Yeah, save the teasing for later," Desmond quipped back, his grin impossible to contain. He stood close by, his black jacket accentuating his broad shoulders and tousled hair that was still damp from his recent shower. As their eyes met, they both struggled to suppress their laughter, sharing a secret that added a playful tension to the room. A wave of affection washed over Claire for Desmond, filling her with a sense of belonging she didn't realize she yearned for.
"Seriously, you two were gone for ages." Shaun's voice echoed through the dimly lit room as he leaned against the wall with crossed arms. The surprise in his eyes was unmistakable, and he exchanged a glance with Rebecca, who looked equally taken aback.
Claire couldn't help but laugh, her heart bursting with exhilaration. "Oh, you wish. We were just... taking care of some unfinished business," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant but failing to conceal the giddy smile on her face.
"Unfinished business?" Lucy chimed in, a knowing smirk spreading across her features. But Claire caught a hint of disappointment flicker behind the facade. "Well, let's focus now. We have a lot ahead of us."
Desmond stepped closer to Claire, his expression shifting to one of sincerity. "We're ready for whatever comes next. We'll handle it," he said softly, slipping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her gently against him. Claire leaned into him, feeling safe and supported, the tension in her chest easing as she looked up at him.
"Yeah, there seems to be a lot happening right now," Claire added, her tone serious. "What's the plan?"
Lucy moved to the console, her fingers deftly adjusting the settings. "We're picking up right where we left off. Amelia wakes up in Monteriggioni, and Ezio returns a few days later," she explained, her focus shifting to the screen that displayed the new memories. "We need to see how their reunion unfolds and what that means for the larger mission." The soft glow of the computer's screen bathed Lucy's face in an otherworldly light as she worked, adding to her already mysterious aura.
As the team gathered around the Animus, Claire's eyes met those of Shaun and Rebecca, who were both exchanging looks of astonishment. The tension in the air was palpable as they processed what had just happened.
"You two really did it, huh?" Rebecca whispered, a mix of excitement and disbelief evident in her voice. She kept her tone low to avoid angering Lucy, but her excitement was barely contained.
Shaun chimed in, his serious tone belying the smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "This better not make things awkward." His eyes flickered with amusement as he glanced between Desmond and Claire.
Desmond pulled Claire closer, his grip on her shoulders tightening as he looked down at her. His expression was a mixture of determination and affection, and Claire couldn't help but feel a swell of emotion at the sight of him. "It won't," he asserted confidently, sincerity shining in his eyes.
Claire smiled, feeling warmth radiate through her at his words. "Let's dive in," she said, eager to begin exploring the memories waiting for them within the Animus.
Before stepping into the machine, Desmond gently tilted Claire's chin up, searching her eyes for reassurance. Then, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a soft, lingering kiss. In that moment, everything else fell away as they melted into each other's embrace. It was more than just a kiss - it was a promise; an acknowledgement of their shared experiences and the journey ahead.
As they pulled apart, breathless and slightly dazed, Claire couldn't suppress her smile. Her cheeks were flushed with color as she spoke with steady excitement. "Okay, let's do this."
Rebecca's voice broke through the moment, filled with incredulity. "Claire and Desmond? Kissing?" A wide grin spread across her face as she continued teasingly. "This is the best plot twist I've seen in a while!" Claire couldn't help but roll her eyes at her friend's antics, trying to hide her own smile.
With a deep breath, she made her way over to the Animus, grounding herself in the present moment and ready to embark on an unforgettable journey.