Catching Claire Read Online Free PDF Page A

and her nipples tightened as he skimmed his
tongue along her lips. The kiss deepened, and her heart fluttered.
How had this happened to her? The girl the kids in high school had
called Mousey Claire wanted to throw caution aside, forget what her
friends might think about her hooking up with the hot guy from the
bachelorette party, and go for it.
    Physically, emotionally, in every way.
    With one last tender sweeping of lips, Ridge broke
the kiss. Brushing her hair back from her face, he said in a gruff
voice, “You have somewhere to go.”
    Claire cleared her throat. “The dress fitting.” She
was the maid of honor. She couldn’t crap out on Tanya. “Alicia’s
waiting.” And probably growing more worried by the second, despite
Claire’s door note.
    Or more likely because of it.
    “Forget Alicia. I’ll drive you. We can have lunch
afterward.”
    She’d love that. “I need my clothes.” She’d left a
change of panties as well as a clean top and socks at Alicia’s.
Then there were her jeans and everyday shoes.
    “Take a shower if you want,” Ridge said. “I’ll dress
and grab your stuff. I need to throw my wash into the laundry,
anyway.”
    “Your basket’s still downstairs?” What if someone
had stolen it because of her antics? She’d never drink
again.
    He grinned as if he’d read her thoughts. “I’ll never
regret meeting you, Claire.”
    “I’ll never regret throwing myself at you.”
    “I’ll never regret catching you.”
    “ I’ll never regret what will happen later
tonight.”
    “Will?”
    “Definitely.” If she had her way.
    He kissed her. “No regrets.”
     
    ~*~
     
    Ridge dressed in jeans and a clean T-shirt before
visiting the laundry. He dumped detergent onto his stripping
costumes in the washing machine closest to where he’d met
Claire.
    After, he rode the elevator to the fourth floor, a
grin splitting his face. He couldn’t believe he’d volunteered to
take a woman to a bridesmaid dress fitting. Not his usual Saturday
agenda. However, Claire wasn’t just any woman. She intrigued him on
more levels than he’d experienced in months. He didn’t care if her
promise of “later tonight” materialized or not. Well, he cared . After all, he was a guy. But he wanted to enjoy more
than sex with Claire. Despite only knowing her a few hours, he felt
a strange connection to her. It electrified and excited him.
    The elevator dinged his arrival. Leaving the
compartment, he strolled toward Alicia Maxwell’s apartment. A new
message on the small whiteboard announced: “Cupcake emergency!
Sorry, C. Meet you at the salon. Lacey has your stuff.”
    Ridge stepped across the hall and knocked. The
blonde who’d brought a man to last night’s bachelorette party
answered. A yawning dachshund stretched behind her bare feet.
    “Hey.” Ridge waved. “Lacey, is it? Ridge Pederson.
The dancer from the party.”
    She blinked, and tiny lines of tiredness feathered
around her eyes. Apparently, Claire wasn’t the only partygoer who’d
enjoyed a late night.
    “Oh, right.” Lacey’s gaze lit up. “Claire’s friend.
I didn’t recognize you without your, um, costume.” The dog nosed
between the legs of her jeans. She blocked the canine with her
shins. “Back off, Spazz,” she admonished the animal. To Ridge, she
said, “I’m watching him for Alicia.” To the dog again, “And he’d better not steal my lingerie samples this time.”
    Ridge wiped his hands on his butt. “There’s a note
on Alicia’s door that you have Claire’s stuff.”
    Lacey nodded. “Just a minute.” Tugging the dog
inside, she closed the door. When the door opened again, the dog’s
barking carried from another room. “Everything’s in here,” she said
as she handed Ridge two big bags. “Claire’s clothes from the party,
a change for today, her purse, jacket, and shoes. Alicia said to
remind her not to forget the purple sandals for the fitting. They
match her dress.”
    “Thanks, I will.”
    “Also,