Page 132 of The Auction Block

"Wasn't that hard once I followed the directions," I say smirking.

"Have I told you how much I hate you," Dresden says playfully.

"Not recently."

"Well, I'm going to shower. You all are supposed to leave in like an hour."

"Yep. Shower time it is," Blake says, a smile on his face.

I follow him out, winking at Teresa as we near the kitchen.

"I thought you had to finish da bed, Mr. Mason?"

"Lily got it," he says, heading straight for our bedroom.

"Oh, nice job, Lily. You know how to read directions, yea?" She laughs openly, sitting a handful of dishes in the sink.

"Yep. And here I thought they were the smarter ones."

I roll my eyes and we both laugh again. Sitting at the island, she hands me a bottle of water before turning to do the dishes. It's still early.

Hmm . . .

The echo of rushing water resounds through the bedroom. Stripping out of my clothes, I saunter to the bathroom door. It creaks, swinging inward. Blake's silhouette through the steamed shower door sends my blood racing through my veins. Stepping in behind him, he's standing under the spray, hands pressed against the wall in front of him, rippled body decorated with water droplets giving the illusion I've been transported to Olympus and am in the presence of a God.

Gently, I run my fingers up his back, loving the way his muscles move under my touch. He tilts his head to the side, and I trail light kisses across his shoulders, running my hands down his chest. He hums, low in his throat, straightening up.

He turns slowly and captures my mouth with his. We might end up being late today.

†††

"Can you and the others meet me there in twenty minutes or so?" I say quietly into the phone.

The breeze on the balcony is heavenly. After the impromptu shower sex, I hurried to finish setting up a surprise for Blake and the girls at the halfway house. I'm praying they like the arrangement, but I'm nervous beyond belief.

"Yes, ma'am. We'll see you then," the woman on the line says.

"Thank you," I say politely and hang up.

Blake is wearing faded jeans and a short sleeve button down. Casual clothes suit him. They hug his muscles and curve around his ass at just the right spots, showing off far more than his suits. I stare, remembering the way his muscles moved underneath me last night and this afternoon, a flash of desire pooling in my groin.

"Earth to Lily," he says amused, pulling me from my erotic thoughts.

I chuckle, my face growing hot. "Sorry, what?"

"Are you blushing?" he says, astonished.

I reach up and vigorously rub my cheeks. "No."

Blake strides over and grabs my wrists, pinning them to his chest. "Yes, you are! What are you blushing about?"

"Nothing," I whine, playfully pulling away from him.

"Tell me," he says, pulling me tighter against him. His muscles flex and another round of red hits my cheeks. "You're doing it again."

"Oh, for fuck sake. I get turned on by the way your muscles feel, which had me thinking about last night . . . and the shower. Now, let go, so I can take my embarrassed-ass downstairs and get ready."

"Hmm." He flexes his chest muscles and my stomach clenches.

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