Page 81 of Because of Blake
“Better than I expected.” Blake rolls back to his side and props up on his elbow so he can look at me. “I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds with the gifts.”
I turn over to face him, cupping his cheek with my hand and caressing his beard with my thumb. “No, absolutely not. You did a great job. Thank you.” I lift my head to kiss him. “It amazes me you thought to give me something to honor my marriage to another man.”
“Maggie,” Blake’s tone is suddenly very serious. “I told you I’m not trying to take Charlie’s place. I know he’ll always be in your heart, and I want you to know I respect what you two had. That’s what your gift is about.”
I run my hand through Blake’s hair, pushing it to the side of his face. “You’re the best boyfriend anyone could ever have, and I’m gladIhave you. But doesn’t it bother you Charlie is on my mind most of the time?”
Blake shakes his head. “No. Charlie may be your past, but I’m your present, and hopefully your future, too.”
“That’s the cheesiest thing you’ve ever said,” I say with a laugh.
Blake doesn’t laugh. He keeps his serious expression. “I mean it.”
My eyes flick between the two of his, conviction burning in them. “How is it you can stay so level-headed, knowing you have to share my heart?”
“Because I love you.”
I jump up to sit. My eyes widen and my lips part. “You… what?”
“I love you, Maggie. I’ve known it for a while now, but I didn’t know how, or when, to say it.”
My jaw trembles as I say, “Blake… I–”
“Don’t say it back.”
“What?”
“Don’t if you’re not ready. I know it’s soon for these feelings to come out. We’ve only been together six months, but I feel like I’ve known you for so much longer.”
“It does feel longer, doesn’t it?”
Blake nods. “And I want it to keep going. I love you, and as much as I want to hear those words from your gorgeous mouth” –he runs his finger across my lips– “I don’t want it to be forced, or said for my benefit. I want you to mean it. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Blake leans in to kiss me. “Merry Christmas,” he whispers against my mouth.
I give into the kiss. I let Blake’s tongue inside and I melt into him. His hand grips my waist, inching our bodies closer. So close, in fact, I feel him harden against my hip and it takes everything I have not to tear his clothes off.
Maybe I should.The man not only gave me an incredible gift, but he also gave me his heart. He deserves something, right?
I reach down between our bodies and run my palm down the front of his pants. He groans into my mouth as his hand makes a beeline for my inner thigh. I jerk away, but keep my hand on him. “I can’t be quiet when you touch me, you know that.” I swallow deep. “But I can if I touch you.”
Blake’s eyes flick between mine.
“I know you’ve been holding in some really strong feelings lately, and I want you to know how much I appreciate your patience. Let me do this for you, please?”
The confusion in Blake’s eyes melts away, replaced with a hungry need, and he nods.
I put my lips back to his and slide my hand into his sweatpants. His breath hitches as I grip him, but soon, he’s thrusting into my palm, matching my rhythm. He’s doing a good job keeping his hands from reaching certain places, and I know he’s struggling as his moans get a little louder, his breathing heavier, ragged.
When his fingers graze my ribs and shoot back down to my hip, I take pity on him. “Go ahead,” I whisper against his mouth, and without hesitation, his hand is up my shirt and pulling down my bra.
As soon as my nipple is between his fingers, it hardens, and I know I can’t last much longer. If this continues this way, I’ll break my rule and never forgive myself. So, I grip Blake harder, pump him faster, and move my lips to his ear. I take his lobe between my teeth and whisper his name.
He comes almost instantly. The tension in his muscles releases, and I mentally pat myself on the back for a hand-job well done.
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper, and kiss his forehead.