Page 69 of A Kiss at Midnight

He shocks me further when he stands. He grabs both of our plates, takes them into the kitchen, rinses them, and loads them into the dishwasher all while I stare at him, unsure of what’s going on.

“Thank you for sharing dinner with me.” He then turns and walks toward my door.

“You’re leaving?” I ask, so confused I don’t move. I’m not drunk anymore... or at least I don’t think I am.

“For tonight. Goodnight and sweet dreams.” He then walks out the door, leaving me staring at the space, not understanding what just happened. He hadn’t tried to kiss me, had barely touched me. He’d treated this like a first date. I have absolutely zero idea what this means... but I wish he hadn’t left...

Chapter Review

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Jewel

Silence is what Iexperience for two days after Blake’s dinner visit... and his unusual exit. I don’t like not talking to him. How have I gone from wanting to avoid him to desperately wishing he was here? This morning I wake up and something feels different. I can’t figure out what it is... until I hear his words whisper in my ear.

“Open your eyes, Jewel.” My body instantly heats. His voice has been in my dreams, in my thoughts, and in my soul for every minute of every day ever since I first met him. I try keeping my eyes closed, but curiosity is too much, and I slowly slide them open and gaze at this man who looks far too good to not be considered a hazard to every woman’s health.

“What are you doing, Blake?”

“I gave you enough time to think about all of this. Giving you space doesn’t seem to be helping.” He’s leaning over me, making it hard to breathe. He slips his hand beneath the covers and cups my breast, only a thin piece of cotton separating his hot touch from my skin.

My traitorous body instantly responds, my nipples hardening, my stomach quivering, and my breath hitching, unable to hide this from him. He leans over and kisses me, and I’m quickly falling. He kisses his way down my neck, and my body arches.

I’ve fought this man for so long, but it’s impossible when I want him this dang much. If only my guilt over my desire wasn’t constantly nagging me, I could let go... and simply enjoy every second of this.

Blake looks into my eyes again, a sexy smile resting on his lips. “You can either stay right here where I’ll strip away your jammies and make you scream my name over and over again...” he says, the low timbre of his voice sending heat straight to my core, and befuddling my brain. He kisses me again as his skillful fingers squeeze my nipple.

“Or you can get up and come out for an adventure.” He continues touching me, and it takes several heartbeats for me to process his last sentence.

“Adventure?” I huskily ask.

My shirt inches up as his magical fingers trail across my skin. His breath on my nipple as he leans down and slowly runs his tongue across it, makes me moan. He takes his time licking and sucking before he leans back. I protest before I realize I’m doing it.

“Choice A or B?”

I look at him in confusion. “What?”

He chuckles. “Is it bed or adventure?”

Isn’t being in bed with him an adventure? I barely keep from saying that. I want to stay right here and finish what he started. But he seems so relaxed, so excited... and not just about sex... that I want to know what this adventure is. He’s hard to resist when he’s cold and demanding. This more playful side of him is impossible to pull away from.

“I guess adventure.” I instantly want to kick myself. I know I’ll enjoy spending a day in bed with him. I’m not so sure the adventure will be good.

“Better shower then,” he says before he rolls off the bed, only seeming a little disappointed. When he stands, I see he’s only wearing a pair of silk briefs... that hide absolutelynothingfrom my view. It makes me want to change my mind.

He laughs. “Nope, you made your choice,” he tells me as he walks from my room. I let out a groan, flop back on the bed, then five minutes later, climb out and slowly walk into my bathroom. It takes fifteen minutes to get out of the hot shower. I dress in jeans and a sweater, unsure what we’re going to do next. Blake’s sitting at the bar, drinking coffee, and reading a newspaper on his iPad.

“Where are we going?” I ask, pouring myself a cup.

“To the marina.”

“What are we doing?”

“You’ll see. I have plans,” Blake says. This is a playful side of him I’ve never seen before. It’s really throwing me off.

We finish our coffee, then he grabs my jacket from the coat closet, and helps me into it, letting his hands linger on my shoulders before he smooths them down my sides. Another shudder passes through my body, but before this leads us back into the bedroom, he takes my hand, and we walk out the door.

He says nothing as we step into the elevator, and then suddenly, it’s as if a dam breaks, because I’m pressed against the elevator wall, with Blake’s body covering mine, and his head descending. The kiss he gives me leaves my knees weak. His hands travel up and down my back, and my body melts underneath his possession. What was I thinking to turn down lovemaking in favor of going out?

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