Read Online HIS By Design -Coveting Claire by Helen Karol - Free Book Online

that
severely. Not only had he repressed that intensity in his nature,
but Claire was never likely to misbehave enough to warrant it. She
was prone to tantrums and a bit careless at times, especially over
locking doors and keeping track of keys, but in general, she was
careful and well behaved. She was independent, but not headstrong
like Susanna or likely to deliberately bait him, other than in fun
as she did earlier. In the six years, they'd known each other there
was hardly ever a cross word between them. The intimacy and
familiarity of marriage would change that some he knew, but overall
he expected spanking to be mostly playful and erotic between them.
He imagined he might have to discipline her for real now and then,
but he didn't anticipate the need to be severe with her.

    ***

    Claire looked across at Julian and voiced her
selection a second time. He was clearly elsewhere. She was quite
capable of ordering and buying her own ice cream, but it was a
long-standing ritual for him to supply this treat. She felt a silly
desire to keep to it, especially on this first weekend together.
Happily, he came to at her second request. After ordering and
paying for the ice cream, he handed it to her with a tender look
that told her this ritual was important to him as well. She was
just about to thank him when an all too familiar voice rent the air
and Claire was eternally grateful she'd changed her clothes.
    The afternoon crowd parted and Andrea
appeared in all her splendor.  She was dressed in lavender
slacks of the same style as Claire's, and looked just as good in
them, regardless of the fact Claire knew her to be well over twenty
years older than herself.  Unlike Claire's, which were cotton,
they were made from the same material as Andrea’s elegant, cream,
silk blouse.  Numerous gold chains adorned her neck, wrists
and even her ankle.  A pair of cream strappy sandals added to
her already towering height, and the whole effect was regally
capped by a silky scarf, in the same shade of lavender, woven
through her smooth, platinum-colored hair. As usual, Andrea looked
outrageously fabulous.  She didn't look a day older than at
their last meeting, two years ago in New York.
    "Julian, I knew it was you, I'd know those
curls of yours, anywhere."
    Claire could've sworn she was going to ruffle
his hair in much the same manner she would one of her three
full-grown sons.  It was amazing how such a maternal woman
could dress in so unmatronally a fashion and get away with it.
 Andrea's attention was drawn away from Julian as she noticed
Claire.
    “Why it's Claire.  I hardly recognized
you.  You're all grown up.  Isn’t she, Julian?"
    He handed Claire her ice cream (who fervently
wished she'd chosen any flavors other than bubble-gum and
tutti-frutti) and refrained from answering.  He merely sent
Andrea a warning look.  A look missed by Claire.  Andrea
paid no attention.
    "Of course she is.  It's more than your
hair, which really does suit you.  You've acquired a New York
polish, created your own style," and then she added with an
emphasis and a pointed look at Julian.  "Nobody would take you
for a teenager now."
    "I should hope not, I'm twenty-six."
 Claire replied and stuck her nose mutinously into her
cone.
    "Twenty-six, how time flies.  Next we
know you'll be married with babies.  Won't she be,
Julian?"
    She looked at him quite pointedly and Claire
could tell he was struggling not to laugh outright.  Really,
she was incorrigible.  Claire could tell he’d just decided to
come to her rescue when he was forestalled by the appearance of
Andrea's husband, Stephen, and their three-year-old granddaughter.
 The little girl squealed with delight at the sight of Julian
and threw her arms around his legs, demanding to be picked up.
 After this'd been accomplished, she announced to all and
sundry that he was her favorite person in the whole world, and then
deflated this statement by qualifying it with. "Next to mommy