Page 49 of Because of Blake
He clears his throat. “Did you sleep okay?”
As I nod, my lips part to let my mouth hang open slightly. I didn’t have any nightmares. It has to be a coincidence, right? I mean, Blake isn’t the reason for my great sleep, is he? I guess multiple orgasms could do the trick.
“Maggie? You okay?”
My hand flies to my mouth, and with a curt nod, I glance away.
“Sorry to leave you up there, but Oscar started barking at like six o’clock to be let out, and I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Oh, I didn’t even hear him. Guess I was sleeping good,” I say, eyeing a stool at the island, not entirely sure I should take it.
“I’m glad you slept well. Have a seat.”
He didn’t ask me to leave right away. That’s a good sign.I sit down, keeping my posture straight and laying my hands in my lap.
“Are you hungry? I make a pretty mean omelet.” His cheerful expression falls a bit. “Do vegetarians eat eggs?”
He has a great memory.“Some do, but I don’t. It’s a texture thing with me. They’re fine when they’re in something, like cake, but I can’t do them as a main dish.” My heart pounds in my chest. This is usually when I get push-back.How do you live like that? Eggs are fine. There’s nothing wrong with eating meat. You’re so weird.
I’ve come to terms with my dietary choices. I made them a long time ago, grown used to it, and now I don’t even have a second thought about how I eat. My kids eat whatever they want because I refuse to push my lifestyle choices onto them, but I live how I want. Normally, I don’t give a rat’s ass what someone thinks of it, but right now, my nerves are on high alert at the thought of Blake judging me.
“How about waffles, then?”
I swallow down my heart, the pounding slowing to a normal beat. “Maybe some coffee first. I had a late night.”
“I take full responsibility.” He winks, and I melt. He might as well pour me into the mug. As he slides the mug across the island counter and I reach for it, our fingers graze. Considering the things we did last night, I feel silly such a small touch sends butterflies through me.
“So, what are your plans today?” I ask, changing the subject to find out what my next move should be.
Blake shakes his head, but keeps his eyes on mine. “No plans, except you.” The grit in his voice makes me squirm, like always, in my chair. He smiles, and I’m beginning to think he does this on purpose.
“I think I’ll take those waffles now.”
“Coming right up.”
Blake’s waffles are delicious. Maybe it’s because I’m starving, or maybe because I’m imagining licking syrup off his chest. Other than me moaning in delight over my food, we eat in silence. It would be awkward if I wasn’t so busy stuffing my face. When I’m done eating, I drink my last bit of coffee, and wipe my mouth with my napkin.
“Those were really good. Thank you,” I say as I get up to put my dishes in the sink.
“Glad you liked them.”
I set my dishes down, turning on the water to rinse my plate, when Blake’s hand slides down my arm, coming to rest on the back of mine. He steps closer, pressing his body against me and wrapping his other arm around my waist. Nuzzling his face into my neck, his beard scratching against my skin as his hot breath runs down my collarbone.
He gently sways our bodies from side to side. “Thank you for staying the night.”
“You’re welcome.” My eyes dart across the counter. “I guess I should go home, though.”
Blake sighs, and I feel his shoulders slump. “You don’t have to, unless you want to. Do you want to go home?”
“I… I don’t know.”
Blake kisses my shoulder, moves up my neck, and presses his lips to my ear. “Let me help you decide.” His strong arms wrap around me tightly, one hand gripping my waist, the other lowering itself to squeeze my inner thigh. “Do you want to go home,now?”
“No,” I whisper.
“Good, because I’m going to need my shirt back before you do.”
I spin myself around to face him, my hands splayed across his warm chest, his arms still wrapped around me. “Then you’re going to have to take it.”