Page 56 of Crave Me

It took me an hour after I dropped her off in front of Bean Haven to send a text to Wes, the private investigator, asking him to look into Blaire and her background. Not too long ago, Sawyer asked me what I would do if my girl was in trouble and whether or not I’d breach her trust to get ahead of the problem. I didn’thesitate. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect and care for what’s mine. But is Blaire mine?

My brother drones on in front of me from behind his desk while my thoughts are lost to Blaire. I’ve given her space but I’m not happy about it. She spooked, and I don’t know how to make it better without her getting even more cagey. As if I summoned her from my thoughts, her voice pulls me back to the present.

“Excuse me, Sawyer?” Blaire peeks into the office after knocking lightly, nerves written all over her pretty face. She avoids meeting my eyes and it makes me angry as fuck. Like I didn’t have my tongue in her pussy a few days ago. Like she doesn’t know what it feels like to have my cock buried inside her.

“Come on in, Blaire, what’s up?”

“Could we have a moment to speak privately?” Sawyer looks at me cautiously, unsure how to navigate the situation. I haven’t come right out and told him what happened between us, or how I’m feeling, but he’s my twin, and he knows something is up. I don’t take any chances and speak up for him.

“I’m not leaving if that’s what you’re insinuating, Blaire. Feel free to talk with me here.” I gesture to the seat next to me and she shifts on her feet before pushing her wild red hair behind her ears. Fuck, she’s so damn beautiful.

“Okay. Well, I’d like to request some time off from work. I know this isn’t ideal with everything going on here, but I have a family emergency that I need to take care of as soon as possible.” I sit up straight, cock my head to the side, and study her. She still won’t fucking look at me. What the fuck is going on?

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes and no. I just need to handle some things, my grandparents need me to visit as soon as I can get leave from work. The sooner the better.”

She lives with her goddamn grandparents. I recline further into my seat and do my best to appear relaxed, even though thisnews just put me on edge. It takes all the control I have not to call her out in front of Sawyer, but I know by now that cornering her will only ensure her claws come out.

“Of course. Send Dallas and Carter over everything that you have on your plate this week and we’ll take care of it. Let me know when you plan to leave and when to expect you back.”

“Thank you, Sawyer. I appreciate it. I know this isn’t ideal. I’d like to try to leave tomorrow morning. I’ll get to work right now on wrapping things up to send them and hope to be back shortly after the new year.”

“I don’t want to pry, so just let us know if you need anything, yeah?”

“I will. Thank you.”

I watch as Blaire hurries from Sawyer’s office, leaving the door open behind her. Body on autopilot, I stand and follow her, not giving an ounce of shit what impression my shithead brother gets from it. I catch up to her in front of a utility closet, and without thinking, I grab her arm and yank her in behind me, kicking the door shut. She spins on me, her eyes shooting daggers in my direction, her mouth parting to lash me with whatever vicious words she has on reserve. I don’t plan on giving her the chance though, and my mouth collides with hers, my hands threading through that wild fucking hair I can’t get enough of. My kiss is just as brutal as always, bruising, devouring her mouth like I need it to live. Maybe I do.

She meets me in the middle, her tongue pushing through and clashing with my own. Fuck, I missed this. The way she feels in my arms, the taste of her kiss. And it’s only been a few days. I yank her closer to me, her breasts pushed against my chest, my already hard cock pressed against her lower abdomen. Her hands roam my back as her body melts into mine. I tighten my hold on her hair and slow our kiss, nibbling on her bottom lip,pulling her head backward to arch her neck, forcing her to look up at me.

“Now that you’re nice and compliant, wanna tell me what the fuck that was back there?”

Her eyes go wide, the submissive and dominant sides warring with each other in her pretty little head. “Talk, Blaire.” Her body slackens in my arms, her eyes closing in defeat. I wait, giving her the patience she deserves, but knowing full well I’m not letting her leave this closet until I’ve got the answers I need to help her. Unable to stop myself, I gently trace her hairline with my fingers, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes flutter open and the look on her face stuns me. It isn’t lust, or that vile little attitude she likes to give me. It’s a look I don’t ever want to see on her face again.

Fear.

“Hey. Talk to me. What’s got you so worked up?” I rub my hands up and down her arms as a tear slips free from her eye. That’s all it takes. One tear. My body softens toward hers, wanting to do everything in my power to make sure I never see another tear that isn’t from happiness or pleasure ever again.

Wiping her tear away with my thumb, I lean down to kiss her again. I take her tenderly and kiss her like I’ve never kissed anyone but her. Cautious to take my time, worshiping her mouth in a slow, passionate kiss that makes my heart beat erratically in my chest. Those plush lips like satin pillows against my own drive me crazy. Whatever she’s about to tell me, I’m certain that no matter what it is, I’ve got her. I pull back and open my eyes, finding hers glassy and vulnerable. I’ve never seen her like this before and it rattles me. I’d do anything to help her, she’s just got to talk to me.

“I just can’t, Dallas.”

“Princess,please.” Her eyes dart around the room, looking everywhere but at mine. I can’t let her pull back from me now.“You said you live with your grandparents. Why do they need you to come visit if you live with them?”

Her eyes snap back to mine, her mouth parting slightly. That got her attention, and she realizes her misstep because it’s written all over her face.

“You ready to tell the truth now? You know I don’t like repeating myself, but you need to start talking or we can go back into my brother’s office and you can explain it to both of us.” She rears back like I smacked her, her reaction catching me off guard. Fuck, I knew the moment the words left my mouth it was the wrong thing to say. She takes several steps back, her armor firmly back in place, and I know I’ve lost her.

“They’re visiting family. It’s none of your business. It’s a family emergency. Not a workplace one. I requested emergency leave, and I am taking it because I have no other choice. Butt out.” Her shoulder bumps purposefully into me as she yanks open the closet door and storms out. I drop my head back in a huff.

“FUCK!” Why does she have to be so goddamn difficult? I want to shake the shit out of her. Taking a moment to try to settle down, I spot a black object in the corner of the room with boxes stacked around it.

Fucking Gloria.

Defeated and pissed, I push my favorite chair to my office, finishing up my tasks to get this miserable day over with and head to Dom’s to expel some of this shit brewing inside me before I explode.

Reid’s stepping out of his truck as I’m pulling into Knockout, energy coursing through me at a volatile rate.

---