Page 27 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

A few minutes go by, and the rustle of fabric quiets. “Safe to turn around?”

“I guess,” she whispers under her breath. I face her and momentarily lose my train of thought when I see her full tits in my black T-shirt.

I stand and pull the corner of the blanket down for her, gesturing for her to climb in. She looks utterly confused but lets out a tired sigh before relenting. All tucked in with my blanket up to her chin, she asks, “Where are you going to sleep?”

“I’m gonna go check on my friend again. Close your eyes, Angel. Get some rest.” I turn out the light and leave her exactly where she belongs.

Jasper’s still fast asleep and breathing normally. Thank fuck he’s alright. Blake saved his life tonight and I’ll be eternally grateful.

I linger for a few minutes, letting myself calm down from the image of Blake between my sheets. Her beautiful body curled up against mine while we rest our weary heads. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more.

Back in my room, Blake breathes in a steady rhythm. She’s fast asleep on her side, cuddling one of my pillows to her chest. I pull off my mask and watch her from the shadows. All the tension she carries in her face disappears when she’s asleep.

If I could carry all her burdens, I would, but I know one thing: I’ll sure as shit make sure she has a lighter load from now on.

I slide my jeans off and grab a pair of sweats. I’d normally sleep naked but I’m taking it slow with Blake. I need her to trust me, to know I’ll always protect and care for her, even if that means pushing her out of her shell. Or punishing her when she needs it.

I lay beside her, keeping a few inches between our skin. I’m drawn to her in every way and being this close only makes me crave more.Fuck it. I draw her against me, my arm around her waist, as sleep begins to claim me.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

BLAKE

I wakeas the late afternoon sun streams through the blinds. I’m in a stranger’s bed and should be panicking, but instead I’m experiencing an odd mix of disorientation and restfulness. I can’t remember the last time I slept that hard.

The other side of the bed is empty but there’s still an indent from whereheslept. I reach out and brush my hand over the spot but pull back quickly. What’s wrong with me? Am I wishing for him to still be in bed with me? That would be insane.

“Morning, Angel, or I guess afternoon.” I jump back at the sound of his deep voice. “Didn’t mean to scare you. I was letting you sleep a little longer.”

He’s leaning against the far wall, holding his phone in one hand at his side. Sadly his chest is covered by a clean shirt and he’s wearing a pair of low slung gray sweats. Can’t forget about his trusty mask. Seeing him there, by the light of day, is nothing short of surreal.

“Last night felt like a dream, a nightmarish fever dream,” I say, stretching my arms over my head. I realize how badly Ineed a shower, a toothbrush, and some deodorant. “How’s your friend?”

He sits on the edge of the bed beside me, overwhelming me with his masculine smell—like he’s fresh out of the shower. It’s subtle and natural, nothing like Ethan’s cologne. “He’s doing alright. Still in pain, but he was up and about this morning. All because of you.”

I can’t help the small grin that lifts the corners of my lips. “I’m glad he’s okay. Still not happy about you breaking into my house and kidnapping me. Not cool at all.” I poke his chest to punctuate each word but he grabs my hand.

“I think you liked it,” he says, rubbing circles on my palm. God, that feels good. I’m ashamed at how my body reacts to him. I pull my hand away before whatever this is goes too far.

“No… I can assure you I didn’t.” I inch away from his thick thighs. Those sweats that leave little to the imagination.

“You can’t tell me our little game of hide and seek didn’t soak your panties, Blake. That you weren’t hoping I’d find you and punish you for running.” My mouth goes dry and I stop my eyes from fluttering closed. No. I hadn’t thought about him punishing me. Not at all. “That’s what I thought.”

“I didn’t say anything,” I argue.

“You didn’t have to. I can read you like a book.” He pulls his mask up a few inches, showing off his chiseled jawline and perfectly shaped lips. My breath catches as he leans closer. “I can tell when your pulse is fluttering, right here.” His lips hover over my racing pulse point. “Or when you’re holding your breath, here.” He moves lower, grazing the swell of my chest with his teeth. I let a breathy exhale slip out and feel his lips turn up against my heated skin. My head lolls back to accommodate his size as he lifts onto his knees in front of me. I’m staring at his perfect lips with all the right words spilling from them and I feelmyself coming undone. “Or when you’re silently pleading for me to suck this bottom lip between my teeth.”

I whimper as he inches closer, knowing that I’d let him do it. This completely unhinged man… this stranger. I’d let him kiss me here and now in his bed. His warm breath fans across my parted lips and I close my eyes. “I know you, Blake, and with every passing day you’ll know me too.”

My eyes snap open to find him climbing off the bed. I’m mortified. I almost let him kiss me and I don’t even know his name. He pulls his mask back down and watches me from the doorframe. “I’ll bring you home after you check on him.”

I can’t meet his gaze, not after whatever that was. “You can just call me an Uber.”

“Look at me, Blake.” I hate the way his voice drips dominance. How every time he opens his mouth, I feel like I’m his to control. Well, he can’t control me. Not now, not ever. I turn my head to face the other side of the room. “Blake,” he repeats, coming closer.

“What?” I finally reply. I don’t need him climbing back on the bed again with that whole,I can read youthing.

He guides my chin, turning and lifting it to meet his gaze. I’ve never seen eyes like his. They remind me of warm honey. The black ring encircling his iris creates the most hypnotic contrast of color. I hate that he draws me in.

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