Page 172 of Consume Me

“Oh, he will rest,” Mia says.

I can’t say no to either of them for two different reasons. One is the matriarch, and she has my loyalty, the other is the love of my life, my woman, and my future. So I am going to listen until I am good as new. I have some fantasies to fulfill.

We accompany Cassandra down to the ground level, and she smiles at me, nodding at us before she slips into the car.

“She knows why Felix is interested in Bailey, but she didn’t tell me.”

“Well, she’s the matriarch. She must have her reasons.”

“We have to watch over Bailey.”

“She doesn’t like the attention and the pressure…”

“Fuck, I know that.”

“At least we know she doesn’t like that. My brother is set to make her explode.”

“How the tables have turned. Do you remember when he called her annoying?”

“I told that idiot that one day he’s going to regret it.”

Pulling her to my side, I kiss the top of her head. “I’ve been one too. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

Tipping her chin up, a radiant smile paints her face. “Thank you for giving me what I wanted so I didn’t have to settle for less.”

Felix is out there waiting and plotting to get to us, but I refuse to let that knowledge dampen my happiness. All I focus on is the fact that Blake survived, that we’re both healing, and that our group’s bond is strong and tight.

It’s been a month, and Blake has respected the doctor’s bed rest order. The wound in my chest has been healing nicely as well, only leaving behind a faint scar.

Blake’s front is plastered to my back, and I feel his erection poking my back. I live in a permanent state of horniness. But I have been so afraid to hurt him that I’ve stopped every time he would try something.

Before he can even start groaning and arguing about the only thing that’s hurting is his dick, I turn around and kiss him and slip out of bed. His intense gaze follows my every move. I miss his hands on me, his body pinning me under him as he fucks me. His patience is wearing thin—just like mine.

“Get your ass in bed this instant.” His command, delivered in that deep, husky voice laced with desire, almost undoes me.

“We’ve managed so far… we can do it for a while longer.”

“You were with me yesterday when the doctor cleared me,” he reminds me, sending a ripple of lust straight between my thighs.

But the fear of losing him is still fresh. It’s a wound pulsing with terror every time I remember him teetering between life and death. I’d forsake sex to have him with me. I tell myself that my fear is unfounded, but it will take a while to get over what we went through, and that’s okay, too. Healing is a marathon, not a sprint, and that involves patience. Cutting yourself some slack and exercising self-care and love during hard times is imperative.

Blake slips out of bed and wraps his arms around me, kissing my forehead.

My palms rest against his chest, his heart beating under my touch, instantly calming me. Every day, it’s a compulsion to feel the life pumping in him. I believe if his ends, mine will too, and vice versa.

“Talk to me, baby.”

I sigh. “We’ve been talking for the last month about my fears. You must be getting tired.”

“No, because your physical, emotional, and mental well-being are all that matter to me. I am afraid, too. Just the thought that I could lose you makes me go insane.”

“Have I told you that you’re the best boyfriend ever?”

“Hmm, I am, aren’t I?”

I slap his chest playfully. “You’re so full of yourself.”

“And I want you to be full of me.”

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