Page 86 of Fire

Glancing down at her outfit, she pinched the middle of the tee and pulled it away from her body, showing how much extra fabric there was. “I think that depends on whose perspective.”

His smile grew into a grin. “Mine, of course.”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course.”

Laughing, he got up from the table. “Can I get you some coffee?”

It hit her then, she’d never seen Blake so carefree. It was almost as if a weight he’d always carried, but she’d never noticed, was gone from his shoulders. His movements seemed lighter, less stiff and more fluid. His aura was brighter, and hell, he even appeared taller. She didn’t let the fact that he’d covered his back with a shirt diminish the moment.

Baby steps.

“Gwen?”

She mentally shook herself. “Sorry, I’d love a cup.”

She watched him carefully as he moved to make her coffee. And then he started whistling. Something off-tune so she couldn’t place the melody, but it sounded beautiful to her ears just the same.

He turned, walking to her, but before she could reach for the cup, he raised it over his head. “There’s a fee.”

She looked up at him, blinking.

He laughed again. “The look on your face. I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but all I’m asking for is a good-morning kiss in exchange.”

Andnow she could add playfulness to his long list of changes.

He set the cup on the counter and scooped her into his arms. His expression turning serious as he looked down at her, and she regretted spoiling the mood. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, giving him a smile that stretched her cheeks. “Nothing.”

He gave her a squeeze. “You sure?”

“I’ve never been surer.”

She got his smile back. “Then kiss me.”

She got up on her toes and did what he ordered.

The phone call she received Monday afternoon intruded on their lovefest.

Gwen had been pleasantly surprised and touched, when after their kiss in the kitchen, Blake had dragged her into the living room, plopped down on the couch, pulling her with him, and cued up all her favorite shows he’d been recording on the DVR.

“I’m going to assume you haven’t developed a man-crush for Sam and Dean.”

He threw her a smirk, reaching for her with one hand while hitting play on the remote with the other. “Not my type.”

Climbing onto his lap and straddling his legs, she placed her hands on his shoulders and asked, “Oh, yeah. So, what is your type?”

“I have a sudden craving for a certain brunette with forest-green eyes.” His hands found her thighs, slowly gliding up until they hit her hips and he pulled her flush against him. “And legs that squeeze me tight while I’m fucking her.”

She’d spent the next twenty-four hours with her clothes off more than on as they’d made love in every room of the house. And though it was hard to choose, she had to say, the bathroom shower had been her favorite, but the kitchen counter had been a close second.

Reaching over, she grabbed her ringing phone off the coffee table as she lay sprawled on the couch, her feet in Blake’s lap, and Chopped on the TV.

Looking at the display, her stomach dropped, and her heart started a quick tempo. She swung her legs to the floor, sitting up while hitting the answer button and bringing the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Gwen!” Frank Evan’s voice boomed over the line, and her eyes landed on Blake’s questioning expression. The smile she gave him was forced, as Frank continued, “Got those contracts ready to be signed. Was hoping you could stop by my office sometime this afternoon.”

“Um… about that—”

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