Page 68 of Merry with Me

My gut tells me that Blakely is nothing like Hannah. In fact, I’m certain of it from the short amount of time we’ve been hanging out, but the fear of heartache and rejection are still present and making themselves known.

I don’t know what to say, so I’ll try to show her instead. “Blake.” My voice is gruff. She lifts her head and peers at me, and every thought in my head disappears, all except for one.

Show her.

Without asking, she lifts further and straddles my lap. I sit up and wrap my arms around her. We’re chest to chest. Mine is heaving with all these conflicting, swirling feelings inside me,and hers, well, I’m not sure, so I place my hand over her heart. I can feel the heavy beat beneath my palm. The steady rhythm soothes me.

She places her hand over mine. Our eyes meet, and something passes between us. It’s a feeling I’ve never experienced, one that sparks not only desire but need. Ineedto get closer to her. I can’t ever seem to be close enough.

I cradle her cheeks, tilting her head slightly before pressing my lips to hers. I kiss her once, twice, three times before she takes over and slides her tongue against mine. I drop my hands to her hips and let her have control. I don’t know how far she wants to take this. And to be honest, I feel so wildly out of control. I need her to take the lead tonight.

“I need this off,” she says, gripping my shirt.

“Yes, ma’am.” My hands go to the back of my shirt at the neck, and I pull it off, tossing it to the floor. Her palms roam freely over my chest, and she exhales.

“Better,” she mumbles, moving in for another mind-numbing kiss.

I slide my fingers up under her shirt, tracing her ribs, until I reach her bra. She pulls away from our kiss and tugs her shirt over her head. My hands slip around to her back and unclasp her bra. With a naughty glint in her eye, she slowly peels the straps off her shoulders before pulling it away and tossing it to the side.

“Perfect,” I rumble. There’s a slight tremble in my hands as I brush my thumbs over her pert nipples. I don’t understand why I’m acting this way. What is it about this woman on my lap that has me so unhinged that my hands are shaking?

“Ollie?”

“Yeah, baby?” I ask, my eyes still laser-focused on her chest.

“More.”

“More what? This?” I bend down and capture a nipple between my lips. I lick and suck and nip gently, just enough tohave her squirming on my lap. “Is this more?” I ask, moving to her other breast, giving it the same attention.

“Yes.”

I palm her breasts, testing their weight. They’re perfect.She’sperfect in every way. “Tell me what you want, Blake.”

“I want to come,” she states boldly.

I love that about her. That she’s not afraid to ask for what she wants. She’s not afraid to be open and vulnerable. “Can we take these off?” I tug at the waistband of her leggings.

“Only if you take yours off too.”

I glance down at the dark sweats I’m wearing. I knew we were just hanging out this evening, so I went for comfort. When I nod, she moves from my lap and shimmies out of her leggings while I do the same to my sweats, which leaves me in just my boxer briefs.

“All the way, Thompson.” She gives me a pointed look, like I should already know she wants me naked.

I swallow hard. I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold back if I’m all the way naked, but I also know I can’t tell her no. How this woman is still single is beyond me. I’m thankful that I’m the lucky bastard who gets her time. For now.

“You better catch up, old man,” she says. I look over to see her with her panties in her hand. She swirls them around her finger before she tosses them to the floor.

Knowing there is no turning back, I peel my boxer briefs over my thighs and kick them to the floor. My cock slaps against my stomach, and she makes a sound, something between a groan and a hum of approval. She lies back on the bed, and I turn to my side to study every inch of her. I’m thankful for the glow of the TV giving me the light I need to take in her beauty.

“You got me in my birthday suit, Dr. Thompson. What are you going to do with me?”

“Just Oliver. I’m just Oliver when I’m with you.”

“You’re still a doctor.”

“I know, but I just want to be us. Blakely and Oliver. Making good decisions.” I wink at her. She laughs, and fuck, do I love that sound. “You’re missing your movie, baby.”

“I’ve already seen it.”

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