Submerged(Bound Together Book 1)(38)

 

I look back at him, and I can practically feel the honesty seeping through his pores. He has secrets, this much he has already confessed to, but there’s something more. Something deeper. He wants to tell me, but he can’t. I can either ask him to leave and go on with my life, maybe sharing our child every other weekend, or I can put a little faith in him and wait for the right time where he can tell me what the hell is really going on. It doesn’t take me very long to come to a decision. Hell, I already knew the answer. “I trust you,” I whisper. I don’t know why exactly, but I do.

 

Blake’s eyes visibly relax and his hands tighten around mine. He pulls them to his mouth and I feel his breath fan against my skin for the first time in a very long time. He places a gentle kiss on my knuckles, heat spreading through my body like a wildfire. His eyes darken as he keeps them trained on my face. My breath quickens as I spread my legs ever so slightly, just enough to allow him to slip between my knees a little easier. He keeps his eyes locked on mine as he slowly leans forward. The feel of his rougher lips against mine sends me soaring. It feels as good as it did that night two years ago, and instantly, I crave his mouth on other places a little lower on my body.

 

Blake doesn’t deepen the kiss, though. Instead, he places his forehead against mine, just sitting there, as our labored breathing mixes together. “God, have I missed your lips.” His declaration renders me speechless.

 

After sitting like that for several minutes, he finally pulls back. “I should head out. You’re probably exhausted after your day, and I’m guessing the baby still wakes up at night.”

 

“Yeah, she gets her days and nights mixed up still. She could be waking up any moment and won’t go back down until God knows what time,” I tell him with a small smile. Even though this is a difficult time to get through, especially as a single mom, I wouldn’t trade these days for anything. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t kill for just one single uninterrupted night of sleep every now and again.

 

“She does?” he asks with a smile. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here to help you.” With each declaration he makes, I seem to be pulled deeper and deeper into the trance that is Blake.

 

“Yeah, she’s a bit colicky so nights tend to be long around here,” I say.

 

“Can I help?” he asks, his hopeful eyes back on me.

 

“It’s okay. I’m used to it. You should take advantage of your sleep while you can,” I reply with a chuckle.

 

Blake shakes his head from side to side. “No, I need to help, Carly. I can sleep on your couch. I promise not to be a bother, but can I stay? Just for tonight? I need to be here when she wakes up next. I don’t know why, but I just can’t leave right now.” How in the hell am I supposed to say no to that? Other than the fact that I don’t know him at all. He could be a serial killer or something. Am I really considering letting him sleep on my couch tonight? Under the same roof as my daughter?

 

And then the voice in my head speaks up. Our daughter.

 

I trust him. I don’t know why, but I do. I know he’s a good man deep down. I can feel it now as true as I felt it that one night we shared years ago. The night we created the life that is sleeping in her crib on the other side of that bedroom door. “Okay,” I whisper.

 

Blake flashes that handsome smile once more and places a kiss on my forehead. Standing up, I walk into my bedroom and retrieve an extra pillow from the bed. “The bathroom is right there,” I tell him, pointing to the closed door. “Nat is mobile now and will head straight to the bathroom if you don’t keep the door closed.”

 

“Got it,” he says as he pulls the afghan from the back of the couch. “Anything else I should know?”

 

“Oh, there’s plenty, but I figure we’ll just give you a crash course here in a bit when she wakes up,” I say with a laugh.

 

He rewards me with another killer smile. “I can’t wait.”

 

I take the glasses from the living room and place them in the kitchen sink before making sure the deadbolt is engaged and the lights are off, leaving the small lamp behind the couch on for Blake. Realizing that there isn’t anything keeping me in this room any longer, I turn and head towards my bedroom.

 

“Carly?” he asks, stopping me before I can head into my bedroom.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Thank you,” he says, standing in front of the couch with his hands on his lean hips.

 

“You’re welcome,” I reply, gripping the doorjamb to keep myself upright. I give him a small smile before stepping into my quiet bedroom. I stop myself suddenly and take a few steps back out into the hallway. Blake is in the same place, looking down at the floor as if in deep thought. Quietly since I’m standing in front of Natalia’s door, I say, “Blake?” His eyes find mine immediately and I feel the impact of his gaze clear down to my painted toes. “What is your last name?”