Page 71 of Sheltered

My dad continued. “I’ve been worried, thinking about my daughter being alone. And I’ll state for the record that I’m not attempting to pressure you into anything with her, Blaze. I’m just making you aware that I’m glad Harlow has found someone to spend some of her time with.”

Just like he’d been doing so effortlessly from the moment we arrived, Blaze communicated his feelings with my father and the rest of my family. I loved that he seemed to be so comfortable with them. “I can appreciate and understand your logic, sir. Based on what you’ve heard so far, I’m sure you might be thinking that Harlow was lucky I was there the night she went on that date, but I want you to know that’s not how I see it. I’ve already shared it was her looks that attracted me from the start, but it didn’t take me long to learn there was a whole lot more to her than just her looks. This last month with her, dating and getting to know her, has been better than I could have ever imagined or hoped for. And I want you all to know I feel incredibly lucky to have met her.”

“Of all the gifts I could get tonight to celebrate my birthday, I think what you’ve said solidifies you’ve given me the best one,” my dad replied.

Tears filled my eyes.

Coming into this tonight, I was aware of the fact my family would accept Blaze and give him a fair shot to be welcomed into my family without the pressure. But I didn’t expect things would go this well. I didn’t expect my dad would be telling Blaze that his words felt like the best birthday gift he could have received.

In an effort to redirect the conversation so I wouldn’t break down completely, I said, “Blaze is a private investigator.”

“Oh, wow,” my mom marveled. “I bet that’s a lot of fun. Do you have your own practice, or do you work for a company?”

Blaze went on to respond to my mom’s question, sharing the details of his employment at Harper Security Ops. That information resulted in more inquiries from the rest of my family.

I had anticipated needing to be more involved in the conversation tonight to make it as painless as possible for Blaze, but he seemed to be handling it all brilliantly. Best of all, it became clear rather quickly just how much my family approved of him.

It felt good.

No, it felt tremendous to know I’d done a good job of finding a man to fall in love with.

Granted, I didn’t need my family’s approval, because when it all boiled down, I was the one who had to be happy with my choice. But it was nice to know they thought he was just as spectacular as I did.

And when our server returned to take away our salad plates and deliver our entrees, I took the moment to communicate with the man beside me.

I squeezed his hand, and his eyes came to mine. Smiling at him, I whispered, “I’m so glad you came here with me tonight.”

Blaze returned the squeeze and the smile before leaning toward me and pressing a kiss to my temple. “Me, too, baby.”

And that’s what did it for me.

Those simple words and gestures solidified my decision.

After Blaze and I left here tonight, I was going to give him the gift I now realized I’d held on to all these years just for him. Nobody else would ever be able to come close to deserving it like he did, and I couldn’t wait to give it to him.

TWENTY

Harlow

“I’m surprised by how much I enjoyed myself tonight. I think your family is great.”

A smile broke out on my face as I walked along the path leading from my driveway to my front door, Blaze holding my hand in his. This truly had been a great night. “Well, if you weren’t already aware, they obviously liked you, too.”

We made it to the door, where I quickly unlocked it, and the two of us stepped inside. Blaze had entered behind me, and when he closed and locked the door, he said, “It was nice to meet the people responsible for raising such an incredible woman.”

I halted in my tracks, spun around, and moved back toward him. Once we were mere inches apart, I threw my arms over his shoulders and pressed my body close to his. Then I gave him a chaste kiss before I returned, “You made my whole night, Blaze.”

He smiled back at me, his arms tightening around my body and keeping me right where I was. “I’m glad you feel that way.”

Since Blaze wasn’t making any effort to move away from the front door, I wondered if perhaps he was planning to head home for the night. I hoped that wasn’t the case, because I could no longer wait to have him.

Recognizing that it might help to offer a bit of incentive for him to stay, I brushed my lips softly back and forth across his lips. His hand dropped to my ass, and his fingers pressed in firmly against the flesh there.

I hummed my delight.

And when I felt Blaze smile against my lips, I took my chance. “I know it’s getting late, and you have to work tomorrow, but I was wondering if you’d like to spend the night here with me tonight.”

“Of course,” he immediately replied.