She thought about flying through the window and landing on top of a car. In that moment, her life flashed before her eyes and the only person she’d thought about was Justin. Now, she could only think of Blake and the life they could build together with Justin.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders when his lips left hers.
“You’re so beautiful.”
“Kiss me again, Blake. Kiss me like you’ve dreamed of kissing me.”
He took her mouth, and she opened to him. His tongue slid against hers, tasting, tempting. He ran his fingers through her hair and pulled her head back so he could take the kiss deeper. His tongue slid over hers as he explored the depth of her mouth. His hands trailed down her back and cupped her bottom, pulling her hips to his. She pressed her aching breasts to his hard chest. His hand slid up over her bottom and under her blue sweater, his fingers tracing her spine and some of the scars that didn’t stop him from exploring.
He filled her mind and her senses. His rough hands caressed her back, and his mouth never stopped kissing and nipping at her throat and back up to her mouth. Everywhere her fingers roamed over strong, taut muscles. She loved the feel of him. More, she loved the feel of his arms banded around her and the way he pulled her closer with gentle demand. She didn’t think she could be any closer to him, and then his arms tightened, and he pressed her into the sturdy wall of his chest. Her thighs rubbed against his. The contact sent heat through her system in a tidal wave that washed over her, overwhelming her senses. Safe and protected in his strong arms, she never wanted to be without them wrapped around her.
Someone knocked, then pushed the door open. They broke apart in a start. Blake held her at arm’s length with his hands on her hips. Both of them needed a moment to catch their breath. His gaze fell to her mouth. He wanted to kiss her again. She wanted him to do it again.
“Were you kissing?” Justin asked, staring from her to Blake and back again.
Gillian and Blake answered together.
“No,” she said. “Yes,” Blake said.
They looked at each other and she said, “Yes.” Blake said, “No.” They smiled at each other and laughed. It was just what they needed to break the coiling tension.
Gillian took over with Justin. He was her responsibility. “We kissed.”
“So, you like him?”
“I do.” Something weighed on his mind. He stared down at his feet and avoided looking at Blake. She went to him and kneeled on her good knee in front of him. “What’s wrong?”
Justin leaned over to her ear and whispered, “Is he going to hurt you?”
Blake heard him and wanted to answer him immediately, but, like Justin, he waited for Gillian’s answer. He needed to know that she knew he wouldn’t hurt her. He wanted Justin to hear that she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, because it would be more meaningful coming from her.
Getting involved with Gillian included Justin. A package deal. He’d never interfere in their relationship. He wanted to be included in it. Blake needed to prove himself to her and Justin. It wasn’t one or the other, but both. Which added another layer, because if Justin wasn’t on board with him seeing his sister and it caused problems, Blake had no doubt he’d not only lose Gillian but he could also lose his job and the home he’d built here.
Could he take care of Gillian and Justin? Be everything they needed? He sure as hell wanted to try.
Gillian wrapped Justin in her arms and held him tight. She looked him right in the eye and spoke the truth reflected in her steady gaze and voice. “Blake would never hurt me like that, Justin. He cares about me. He cares about you. He’s a nice man. He’d never hit me. He’d never hit you.” That was the underlying question Justin wanted to know. “Blake isn’t like our father.”
Blake kneeled in front of Justin, too, and looked him in the eye. The boy needed reassurances, and Blake needed to give them.
“I’ve never hit a woman or a child in my whole life, and I won’t start now. You’ve seen me with the horses. I’d never hurt one of them. I don’t believe in hurting others.”
“You’re nice to them,” Justin confirmed.
“And I’ll always be nice to your sister and you. That’s not to say that we might not argue, or get upset with each other. That happens sometimes, even between friends. But I’d never hurt her. I’d never hurt you. I promise.”
He held out his hand to shake on it. Justin glanced at Gillian to be sure she believed Blake, too. Then he put his little hand in Blake’s big one and shook. Blake couldn’t help himself. He pulled Justin into his arms and hugged him. So cute. So worried about his big sister. Blake stood with Justin in his arms and gave him a soft poke in the ribs to make him laugh.