Live Me Page 25

  “You’ll put that back on later. I like you in my clothes.” He hooked his fingers into my panties and I lifted off the counter, helping him pull them off. “So perfect.” He removed his boxers and kissed my neck. “Wrap your legs around me.”

  Hooking my legs around his waist, he hoisted me up. I couldn’t ignore the feel of his hard flesh pressing against my bare opening. I blushed, wondering what it would feel like to lower myself onto it. Blake gave me a lopsided grin, seeming to read my mind once again, and I looked away.

  What was happening to me? Was I turning into some sex-crazed psychopath?

  Eyes on mine and with his hands cradling my ass, he lowered us into the warm, sudsy water. He dropped a kiss below my ear and then spun me around so my back was pressed up against his chest. I relaxed, enjoying how comfortable I was. Blake twirled my long hair in his hand and twisted it up, knotting it effortlessly.

  Reaching over, he took the shower gel, squirted some into his palm, and began massaging my shoulders. I hadn’t realized how tense I was, but as his fingers circled and pressed into the tightly wound flesh, I felt each muscle unknot and ease into his touch.

  I leaned my head back against his shoulder and closed my eyes as he brought his hands to my neck, spreading suds. Sliding over my breasts, he came up around the sides, circling, kneading, and pressing his palms against the taut peaks before twisting my nipples between his skilled fingers. They hardened in response and I whimpered, dropping my head to the side as he began the process all over again. My core tightened in anticipation of him trailing his hands lower. I reached around Blake’s thighs and held him to me, pushing my bottom against his swollen manhood. He was nestled perfectly between the crevice, the head of his erection resting on my lower back.

  His teeth scraped along the curve of my neck and then finally bit into my shoulder and I moaned in pleasure. Trailing soap along my belly, his hands finally came to rest on my sex.

  “Blake, I need . . .”

  “Shhh.” He took my chin, turning my head toward him, and covered my mouth with his.

  Grabbing the insides of my thighs, he secured me against him while spreading me open. The need to have him fill me was overwhelming and I whimpered into his mouth, pleading. He circled and tugged on my clit, toying with it, before sliding his fingers inside. At the delicious intrusion, I sucked his tongue, his cock hardening against my back when I did. He worked himself in and out of me, massaging with his palm as he deepened the kiss, mirroring what he was doing to me. His other hand lay across my belly, holding me tight to him.

  The pressure built until I couldn’t hold it in any longer. My teeth sank into his bottom lip and I cried out, digging my nails into his thighs and then went limp in his arms, resting in a euphoric bliss. “What are you doing to me? I feel like I’m losing myself in you.”

  “That’s exactly what I want you to do. Give yourself over.” I sighed as he kissed the top of my head and wrapped his arms around me. “Come on. It’s time for me to feed you.” He squeezed me and then his hold loosened as he readied himself to stand.

  I wanted to reciprocate. No matter how scared I was of what was going on, I needed to make him feel as good as he made me feel. I whirled around onto my knees, shoving him down by his shoulders. “Not so fast, loverboy.” A devious smiled played on my lips.

  “Baby, I’m not sure how much longer I can last with you in this tub. I am still a man, ya know.”

  “Yes, I know. I can see how much of a man you are.” I smiled and gripped his throbbing flesh in my hand.

  Blake closed his eyes and laid his head back against the wall. “Angel . . .”

  I poured shower gel into my palm and stroked his length. My first kiss was to his Adam’s apple. His features settled and I knew he wasn’t going to fight me. I traveled to the hard peaks of his chest, licking. My hand never let up, gliding and pulling. I pushed my tongue into Blake’s mouth; loving the feel of his gasp on my lips. I felt his core tighten, his lips becoming taut while he kissed me feverishly.

  His body trembled, giving away how close he was. I reached down and cupped him with my other hand, gently massaging and Blake lost it. He sucked my tongue into his mouth and moaned as his body quivered with his release. Panting, he rested his forehead against mine. “You’re so fucking hot. I hope you’re ready for when I can finally have my way with you. You might not survive it.”

  I laughed and kissed him on the side of his neck. “I look forward to it.”

  After rinsing off, Blake helped me from the tub and then proceeded to take his time toweling me off. He seemed to be enjoying it. I marveled at him, bent on his knees, drying between each of my toes. “Better and better.”

  Grabbing my hips, he kissed my belly button and then stood, dropping his shirt over my head. “You ain’t seen nothin yet. Stick around.” He winked. “Come on, you must be starving.”

  Escorting me down the hall, he passed the kitchen, heading for the living room. I tugged back on his hand. “Where are you going?’

  “To put a movie on for you. I want you to relax. I got dinner.”

  “Oh no. I don’t think so. You’re letting me help or I’m going home.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

  “You’re so stubborn. We’re going to have to talk about that hard head of yours.” He tapped the edge of my nose.

  “Yeah, good luck with that,” I chided before smacking him loudly on his ass, sending him scooting through the doorway of the kitchen.

  “And now you’re assaulting me. What’s happening?” Blake rubbed his backside, walking over to the refrigerator. He opened the door and bent to peer inside at the contents. The roundness of his ass was so delicious in those boxers. I admired the muscles gliding along his back as he pushed items around on the shelves. Turning at the waist, he peered at me, breaking me from my thoughts. He pointed to a lower cabinet. “Grab a frying pan.”

  Blake moved about the kitchen effortlessly. I was right on his heels, helping where he needed without him saying anything, like we’d done this for years.

  A lemon flew at me and I reached out quickly, snatching it in one hand. I cocked an eyebrow. “Still throwing fruit at my head?”

  “I can’t help it. It always amazes me you can catch it that way.” He shook his head and turned the flame on beneath the pan. He deftly sliced the chicken, his fingers moving with skill as I made the first cut into a lemon.

  Eyes on what he was cooking, Blake stated matter-of-factly, “You’ll have to meet my family now, you know.”

  Slicing down with the knife, I responded sarcastically, “Yes, and I can’t wait.”

  He looked up at me from the corner of his eye. “And I’ll have to meet yours.”

  I gulped hard, momentarily taken aback as my brain scrambled to come up with a plausible answer as to why that shouldn’t happen yet. “Blake, I left home for a reason. I don’t plan on going back there any time soon.”

  He turned his focus back on his knife, disappointment clouding his eyes.

  “Can we talk about this another time? Let’s not ruin today, okay? Let’s just focus on you wowing me with your culinary skills for now. Deal?”

  Ever so slowly, the dimple appeared on the side of his cheek, the glimmer in his eyes telling me I was getting a pass. He placed the cutlets in the pan, washed his hands and turned to lean on the counter. “I thought I wowed you enough today with my . . . other skills. How much wowing do you need, woman?”

  I ducked my body down and squeezed between his arms, wedging myself between him and the island. “I know. I’m very needy aren’t I?” I walked my hands up his chest, circling his tanned nipples, and then dragged my nails around the hard curve of his shoulders.

  With a grunt, Blake took a handful of sliced lemons and reached back, tossing them haphazardly into the pan. Pushing aside whatever was behind me, he hooked his hands under my arms and lifted me onto the counter, pressing himself against my parted legs. “Be careful what you wish for. I was letting you remain mobile today, but I c
an easily take you out.” His eyes glowed into mine.

  My belly clenched, the muscles drawing inward, loving the dominant tone he used. It should have scared the shit out of me, but something in me knew he would never hurt me. That anything he did to me would be for my pleasure. Leaning back on my forearms, my body inclined, I pushed my chest upward. “Show me.”

  His eyes opened a little wider, showcasing his dilated pupils. “Don’t push me, Angel. You’re getting your date.”

  “I know.” I hooked my legs around his ass and pulled him as far into me as the counter would allow, pushing up even higher with my chest. “But can’t we play just a little more?”

  I knew Blake couldn’t say no to me. I was his weakness. A rumble rolled in his chest as he reached one finger into the V of my T-shirt and pulled down, exposing one of my breasts. He laved his tongue around the taut peak and then used the pad of his thumb to spread the moisture over it while taking my other nipple between his teeth through the thin material.

  My body bucked into his as I dipped my head back, feeling the pull in so many different points. Toying with the exposed nipple, he sucked and pulled on the other through the shirt and then released it, dragging his tongue from the center of my heaving chest, up along the curve of my neck. He smacked his hands to my ass with a squeeze. My eyes flew open as he looked right in them and said, “Saturday.” Then he smirked and turned to tend to dinner.

  My mouth fell open and my body was reeling. “You’re kidding?”

  “Not kidding.” He pointed to a head of lettuce. “Chop that up. There’s a bowl in that cabinet.” He pointed above his head to the right, flipping the cutlets with the other hand.

  With a scowl, I jumped down from the counter and hissed in his ear. “Payback’s a bitch. Just remember that you asked for it when it comes—or when it doesn’t come.” With that I reached up onto my tippy toes, elongating my body, to grab the bowl that was the furthest back in the cabinet I could find.

  Blake looked out of the corner of his eyes and licked his lips before focusing his attention back to the pan. “I won’t crack, woman.”

  I huffed, walking around to sit at the kitchen bar, and began chopping the lettuce. “Your loss. So tell me about your family. This way I know what to expect when I meet them.”

  “There’s not much to know. You know all about my dad. Mom’s different. She loves me to death and tries to sympathize with me but always winds up defending him. I know she means well, but it gets old. And Victoria—she’s a spit-fire that one. I think you’ll like her.”

  “Can’t wait. It should be interesting to meet the people responsible for Blake Turner.” I drizzled balsamic vinegar and olive oil into the salad and began to toss.

  He set the plates in front of me, and sat down beside me. “Trust me, no one is responsible for Blake Turner but Blake Turner.”

  “Well, either way, I’m grateful they brought me you. No matter how you feel about them.”

  Blake opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something and then closed it just as quickly. I felt bad he was still so in the dark about me, but for now, it had to stay that way. I leaned forward and breathed in the most divine scent. “This smells amazing.” My stomach flared to life. I didn’t realize how famished I was.

  “Dig in. It’s my specialty.”

  “Is there anything you can’t do?”

  Blake popped a forkful of food in his mouth and tapped his chin. “I can’t sing worth a shit. But I make for a damn good show trying.”

  “Really? I’ll have to see that one day.” I laughed.

  “Let’s wait till you’re really head over heels before you do. I wouldn’t want that to be what sends you running.”

  My taste buds soared as the most delicious bite I’d ever taken flooded my mouth. “Wow.”

  “Good huh?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” My tone was sarcastic. “You know, if you weren’t so cute, you would never get away with being so cocky.”

  “Confident you mean?” Blake tipped his head at me winking.

  “Whatever.”

  “You know you love me.”

  He rocked his shoulder into mine and I smiled thinking maybe he just might be right.

  We paused before entering Sandra’s hospital room.

  “You ready for this?” Blake whispered.

  My smile answered for me. We were going to tell them about us, and I was more than ready.

  Jessie and Jace were already there when Blake and I walked in hand-in-hand. We didn’t earn any head tosses since they were growing accustomed to his constant hold on me. But when I clamped his face between my hands and pushed a big sloppy kiss to his lips, Sandra nearly rolled off the bed, and Jace leaped into Jessie’s arms, howling, “Yazzzz!” His fabulous version of “yes”, of course.

  I giggled and rested my head on Blake’s chest, hugging him tight. “You can all give a round of applause to Ms. Sandra here for opening my eyes.”

  Jace made the sign of the cross. “Praise baby Jesus! I said a million novenas for this.”

  “Stop being so dramatic,” I chastised.

  “Who’s being dramatic? I was about to jump that boy’s bones myself. For Blake’s sake, of course.” He winked, and we all laughed.

  “So, I have you to thank for this then?” Blake asked Sandra, smacking my ass. I yelped and hopped away from him, but he caught me by the arm and yanked me back into his chest. “Uh-uh. I don’t think so. Not anymore, sweetheart. You’re all mine now.”

  A round of cat-calling and atta-boys erupted around the room as I rubbed my sore bottom. “Take it easy there, killer, or I’ll cut you off before you can seal the deal.”

  “You wouldn’t.” He folded his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.

  I leaned my head against his chest as a wave of butterflies took flight inside me. My hand slid against his thumping heart, and a warm smile spread, knowing he was feeling the same. “You’re right. I wouldn’t.”

  Blake’s mouth descended toward mine, and I licked my lips in anticipation.

  “Oh boy. I can tell how things are gonna go now that you guys can finally have at each other.” Jessie fanned herself, folding her leg beneath her to sit on the bed beside Sandra.

  I cleared my throat. Showing enormous restraint and willpower, we both took a second to compose ourselves and loosened our hold ever so slightly.

  “Well, I’m glad there was some good in all of this.” Sandra waved a hand over her battered form. “And I’m glad you paid attention to what I said. I love you, chick. I just want you to be happy.”

  “I love you more.” I put a knee to the edge of Sandra’s bed and brushed my thumb along the top of her hand. “How do you feel today? Any better?”

  “Better than death? Yeah. I have a crazy headache twenty four-seven, but I know what it could’ve been, so I’m just grateful to still be here. Anything else is cake.”

  “That’s my girl.” I lightly patted her bruised arm, happy to see she was more herself today.

  Jace took Sandra’s hair in his hands, delicately fingering strands into a braid, careful not to disturb her bandages. “That hurt, love?”

  “No, you’re good. I must look like a train wreck.” Sandra held the side of her head, self-conscious.

  Jace waved her off. “You’re gorg. Now shutty.” He finished off his handiwork and twirled the edge of the braid between his fingers just as a knock sounded on the door.

  We all swiveled to see Jeremy standing in the doorway, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand, and a teddy bear and a balloon in the other. “Did I come at a bad time?”

  A blush crept over Sandra’s cheeks, and she strained to scoot up higher in the bed. “No, no, perfect timing. Come in.”

  I cleared my throat and nodded my head to the others. “We were just leaving.”

  Sandra sent a look of thanks my way as Jace hopped off the bed, looking Jeremy up and down. “Rawrrr,” he purred, accentuating with a clawi
ng, catlike motion. I loved how Jace needed to test the newbies.

  Jeremy, bless his heart, didn’t flinch.

  He’s a keeper.

  “Don’t worry about it, dude. He’ll ease up.” Blake winked at Jeremy who stood motionless, not three feet from the door. Lacing his fingers with mine, Blake bent to give Sandra a quick peck, and we all followed suit.

  “When I come back, I’m signing that cast.” I smiled over my shoulder as Jeremy moved to hover by the foot of Sandra’s bed, looking lost for words. I’m sure, just like the rest of us, he was struck with the severity of what she’d gone through.

  The next few days leading up to my date were excruciating. They were divided between classes, work, visiting Sandra, and squeezing my legs shut so tight in Blake’s presence, I was sure they’d lose circulation.

  Jessie seemed to have the same life-changing moment as me and forgave Rick, thank God. I couldn’t take the two of them being on the outs anymore with her quieter than I ever imagined was within her capabilities, and him a pain in the ass to work with. Jace popped in to see Sandra now and again, but was MIA for the most part, which could only mean one thing—man candy.

  I sat, gnawing at the inside of my cheek, feeling Blake’s eyes peering into the side of my skull.

  “Something wrong, Angel?”

  “Huh? Oh. No, I’m fine.” I tried to focus on the white board at the front of the classroom.

  “You sure?” He brushed his knuckle along my cheek. “You look nervous, and I’m afraid the inside of your mouth could use a stitch or two.”

  I released my clenched teeth and exhaled. “I’m fine. Really.” You’re not fine.

  Blake paused, his head tilted as he studied me. “Does this have anything to do with our date tomorrow night? Because we can wait. There’s no rush, babe.”