Page 356 of The First Time

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"Sometimes." I chew and swallow my food. Half a plate to go. I will my appetite to return. This time last month, I would have killed for a meal like this. "She thinks I'm doing it for her."

"Aren't you?"

"Yeah. But she doesn't want me to… She still has this idea that I try to stay in control of everything." I press my fingertips together. I do try to protect Lizzy, but that's my job. She's my baby sister, even if it's been a while since she's been a baby.

His expression is intense. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. You and your sister aren't exactly on the best terms. I'm not sure I want your advice."

"I'd like to help you."

"You are," I say. "That money is going to change my life."

"But more than that." He stares into my eyes. Brushes my hair behind my ears. "I want to make you happy."

My stomach flutters. Blake has no idea what he's doing to me. He has no idea how unfair this is.

I take a deep breath. "Don't do that."

"Do what?" His fingertips brush my neck. My shoulders.

"Don't say sweet things."

"I do want to make you happy."

"Don't."

It's just like the pool. I'm about to be swallowed whole but, somehow, I believe it's going to be okay.

"I care about you," he says.

I close my eyes, soaking in the feeling of his hands on my skin.

I want all of it.

All of him.

"Blake. Don't. If you're going to whisper something, whisper a dirty promise."

He presses his lips to my neck. Then my ear. "I want to make you come."

My sex clenches. That's more like it. "How?"

"Pressed up against the wall begging for more."

I nod.

He slides his hand up my thigh. "Is this all you want from me, Kat?"

"It's all I'm going to get."

"That isn't true."

"Are you ever going to love me?"

"No."

"Then yes. This is all I want."

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