Page 34 of Embrace Me Forever

As we drive, he updates me on his guy in Denver, his former colleague who’s been keeping an eye on Anne and Coco. “Everything is okay,” he reassures me. It’s a small victory, but in my world, it means everything.

The airport looms ahead before I’m even ready. Blake had told me he’d checked us in. He stays by my side, guiding me through the maze of security and checkpoints with an ease that speaks of frequent travel. Just as I’m about to follow him to our gate, he stops and turns to me, a glint in his eye.

“I’ve got a little surprise for you,” he says, pulling two digital boarding passes from his phone. “With my membership, I managed to upgrade us to business class.”

My eyes widen in surprise. “Blake, you didn’t have to do that.”

He shrugs, his lips tugged in a smile. “I promised we’d sit side by side, didn’t I? Consider it a perk of traveling with me.”

I can’t help but grin as we make our way to the business class lounge—one I usually glance over with a tinge of envy. The seats are luxurious, and the atmosphere is calm and quiet, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the airport outside. We down more coffee as we wait, but before we know it, our flight is called.

Boarding is swift, and soon, Blake and I settle into our seats. This flight might be more enjoyable than I’d anticipated.

The plane ascends, leaving the Los Angeles skyline behind as the morning sun finally makes its appearance. Blake shifts in his seat, sitting up before slouching down. He turns to look out the window, trying to avoid my scrutiny, but it doesn’t mask the fatigue etched into his face. His eyes, usually sharp and alert, are now shadowed with exhaustion. I doubt he got even a blink of sleep last night.

“Blake.” I nudge his arm. He offers me a faint smile, clearly struggling. “You should get some rest. I’ll be fine.”

He opens his mouth to protest, but I place my hand on his arm. “Really, just close your eyes.”

After hesitating, he relents. “All right, but wake me if you need anything.” His voice is already fading as he leans back into his seat. Within minutes, the tension in his features ease as he slips into a much-needed sleep.

I watch him for a while, my gaze tracing the lines of his profile. His strong jaw is tempered by a neat beard, one he just trimmed this morning. I heard his shaver. There’s something rugged, yet gentle about him, a combination that I find incredibly irresistible. His chest rises and falls, and I can’t help but marvel at the quiet strength he exudes even in his sleep.

Reaching for the blanket, I unfold it carefully and drape it over him. It’s a small gesture, but it feels significant, especially after he did the same for me last night. Though my sleep was short, it was deep, something I can’t remember experiencing for a long time.

The plane flies steadily toward Denver, the first hour slipping by unnoticed. As if stirred by an unseen nudge, Blake opens his eyes and turns to me.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” I whisper, imagining how I’d say it if we woke up together somewhere else.

He chuckles, appreciating my playful greeting. “Are we there yet?”

“Halfway,” I reply, still giddy from seeing him wake up.

Blake notices the blanket over him and shoots me a grin. Damn! Sleep deprivation has no right to make him look this scrummy.

He wipes his face and quickly runs his fingers through his hair. He says, “After we land, I’ll drive you to Colorado Springs. And we’ll talk about the next steps.”

My trust in him is absolute now. I want him to meet my daughter. Apart from her doctors, she hasn’t known, let alone gotten close to, a man. “Would you like to meet Coco-Rae?”

He smiles so sincerely that it almost feels like he’s about to cry. “Of course, I’d love to meet her.” His deep voice lifts emotion.

“I don’t have her photo anywhere. But I guess you’ll see her in person. She’s a happy baby despite her illness.”

He leans in closer, perhaps almost wishing he could make the armrests between us disappear. Then, with an impossibly soulful gaze, he murmurs, “Maybe because her mother loves her so much.”

I blink furiously to stop my tears from falling, my insides a complete mess, when he reaches out and takes my hand.

“Blake…” I quiver. “You’re really willing to protect us?”

“With every breath in my body.”

The grit in his voice takes center stage, clearly coming from the heart. His body tenses, the muscles in his jaw tightening as if he can barely contain his determination. He flings his long arms toward me, effortlessly bridging the gap between our seats.

Fierce protectiveness radiates from within him, wrapping around me like a promise etched into his very soul. All I can do is close my eyes, taking him in. When I open them again, he’s even closer. The space between us shrinks until it’s nonexistent. His breath mingles with mine, warm and soft.

“Georgia-May,” he whispers, quickening my pulse. “I…”

I don’t let him finish. I close the distance between us, my lips meeting his. It’s a sweet, winsome brush, a question and an answer all at once. His hand slides to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair as he deepens the kiss ever so slightly.

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