Page 20 of Crazy Obsession
She deserves to be claimed without shame.
****
Istart small.
The next day, when she walks into Blake’s with her muffins, I don’t just flirt with her from across the room.I stand, take the tray from her hands like it’s gold, and set it on the bar myself.
“Best damn baker in Severn,” I announce loud enough for everyone to hear.
Her cheeks flush, and she gives me a sharp glare, but I catch the flicker of something softer in her eyes before she storms out.
Later that week, when Mrs.Carter makes another snide remark at the diner, I cut in before Lenor can shrink away.“Another Blake boy dragging a girl’s name through the mud.Shame.”
“Funny, Mrs.Carter,” I say with a smile sharp as glass.“I didn’t know you were an expert on happiness.If you were, maybe you wouldn’t spend your nights alone with a cat that hates you.”
The whole place laughs and Mrs.Carter sputters with a deep blush of embarrassment.Lenor glares at me from across the booth, but her lips twitch like she’s holding back a smile.
Step by step, I keep at it.Not just chasing her in the dark but showing her, showing everyone in Severn that she’s more than a mistake.She’s mine.
Two weeks after I started my campaign, Wesley corners me in the storeroom at Blake’s.
“You’re playing with fire,” he warns.
I shrug.“I already got burned, so I might as well enjoy the heat.”
He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.“This isn’t just about you anymore.You know that, right?If you screw this up, you’re not the only one who pays.She does too.”
His words hit hard.Because that’s the point.That’s why I can’t screw it up.
I meet his gaze, steady.“Then I won’t screw it up.”
He studies me for a long moment before nodding slowly.“I guess we’ll see if the wild Blake can finally prove everyone wrong.”
I know my brother loves me and is just looking out for me, but knowing that he doesn’t have faith in me stings.I guess he is just another person I will have to show that I am in this for the long run.
The truth is, I’m not doing this for the town.I’m not even doing it for me.I’m doing it for the woman who looks at me like I could break her.For the woman who kissed me like I was salvation, even if she called it a mistake after.For the woman who thinks I’ll ruin her, when all I want is to build her back up.
Lenor Daniels isn’t just another fling.She isn’t a notch on my belt.She’s not one night.She’sit.And I’ll spend every day proving it until she finally believes me.And then I’ll keep proving it every day after that.
