"I desire the things which will destroy me in the end"

CHAPTER THREE
PAGE FIVE
They had all just had dinner, Wren and Jamie made an Italian dish which Clementine made a mental note to have them make it again before they left for home.

As Alexander scrubbed away at the pots in the sink Clementine leaned against the counter staring at the storm as it continued its path of rage.

"It's beautiful isn't it" Alexander passed comment while handing Clementine a plate.

"It is," she replied "it gives me a warm feeling inside. I'm in here safe and warm while just outside everything's fighting against it"

Alexander looked at her as she spoke, a small smile came up on his face.

"You say that with a bunch of convicts in your house" he deadpanned

She turned to look up at him now placing the plate on top of the stack.

"Yeah but you guys aren't going to hurt me"

"And you're certain of that?" He questioned as he walked towards her causing Clementine to press her back up against the counter.

He looked down at her, took the towel out of her hands and begin to dry off his hands.

"Yes, I am. If you were going to hurt me not only would you not be here, you'd still be up the road in the prison but also you guys haven't done one thing too give off the impression that you are here to cause me harm"

By the end of her speech she was staring up into his eyes, both searching and reinforcing.

"I knew there was a reason you excite me" he teased flipping a finger under her chin only to wipe away a hair from in front of her face and place it behind her ear.

"You'd be wrong to think that we aren't dangerous in any way...we won't hurt you though that's a promise."

"I think that's a given" she laughed hoping up on the broken counter.

"Why did you accept us? You didn't have too"

"Well I wasn't aware of what crimes you had committed for a start, if I was to know I might've got the guts to apologise. The main reason though is that I really struggle saying no to people who seem like they've got some kind of authority"

"That just won't do, we'll have to work on that"

They both grinned at each other before they fell into a silence.

"I'm going to ask a question you don't have to answer."

He raised an eyebrow,

"Why did you go to jail?"

With a calm inhale of breath he leaned forward towards Clementine he lightly placed his hand on her cheek and smiled largely.

They gazed into each other's eyes and drew closer.

"Can I?" He questioned his eyes searching her face.

"Only if you answer my question" she remarked a cheeky smile on her face.

"Rioting" he whispered before pressing his lips against hers.