"Take care of my girl. I have to go."
"Short day?" he asks after she's gone.
I decide to rip it like a Band-Aid. "Nope. I quit."
"What happened?"
Sitting on the swing, I tell him everything quickly, trying not to make a big deal out of it. Blake grows angrier by the second.
"I can't believe this," he explodes, pacing around the balcony. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"Didn't see the point. I didn't want to worry you, and I was dealing with it."
"Clara..." He stops pacing, training his eyes on me. "Being part of my family doesn't mean just attending birthday parties and weddings. A whole lot of shit comes with the territory too, and people like this Quentin are at the top of the shit list. I've dealt with this kind of people for a long time. I'm not going to let you fight my family's fights. That's what I'm here for."
"Oh, sorry I didn't tell you. I promise I will if it happens again. Honestly, I thought he'd eventually drop the whole thing."
"I want you to tell me everything-not only if it affects my family. Anything that bothers you. Anyone who makes you uncomfortable. I want to know. Okay?"
I nod, too overwhelmed by the intensity of this moment to find my voice.
"There's something else on your mind," he states.
"Yes, I received an e-mail from my building's developer. They're handing the keys over this week."
Blake's expression turns blank. "You're moving out?"
Hugging my knees to my chest, I shake my head. "Actually, I meant to ask if I could stay here until I find a new job? I thought about renting the condo so I can make the mortgage payments. I know there's a lot of interest in that building, and I was hoping to swing it by not paying rent here."
Blake sits next to me on the swing. "That's not even a question. You're staying, and I'm taking care of you. Anything you need. Anything you ask for. Actually, it'll be more than what you ask for because you have the lousy habit of not asking for nearly as much as you deserve."
"Thank you, Blake. You're a lifesaver."
"You quit your job without a second thought rather than blab about my family. Do you have any idea how much that means to me?"
The vulnerability in his eyes startles me.
"It was the right thing to do."
"People usually do what's right for them. You're different. Loyal and sweet, and-"
Without warning, Blake takes my hand, leading me inside his apartment. He kisses me softly. My lips, my cheek, descending to my jaw and my neck.
"You're so precious to me, Clara, you have no idea."
This closeness between us right now is unlike anything I've experienced with him. With a startled gasp, I realize his chest is shaking slightly. He kisses me anew, deeply and slowly.
I am so lost in him, soaking in all his warmth and deliciousness that I don't even realize he's ridding me of my clothes until I'm buck naked in front of him.
He lowers himself on his haunches, gaze focused on me. The glint in his eyes is a mix of wicked and yet even more vulnerability. Maybe he feels this change between us too. All I can do is hold my breath and watch him. He lifts one of my legs, and I wobble for a split second before he places my thigh on his shoulder. He kisses my inner thigh, inching closer and closer to my pubis. When he runs his thumb along the rim of my opening, following the movement with his tongue, I bite back a moan. Oh damn, he's sexy. So unbelievably sexy. He's so good with his tongue, and his hand.
He's teasing me again in that delicious way of his, dragging his tongue up one fold, then down the other, so close to my clit, but without touching it. Oh God, I can't take this anticipation. I-
Fuck.
He nips at my clit, and I buck forward, out of breath. Out of everything. For a split second, my vision turns black. Every muscle in my body tightens, absorbing the shock of pleasure.
Maybe it's that I have a direct view of him nuzzling my clit with his nose while his tongue probes me on the inside, or maybe the vulnerable moment we shared before he opened me up intimately, but I feel my orgasm building inside me faster than ever before.
"I can't...I'll fall...I'm...Oh God, Blake." I know I'm not making much sense, but I have to warn him. "I'll fall."
"Hold on to me."
I grasp his shoulders, but the leg I'm standing on wobbles. "I am, but"-I breathe in sharply-"don't let me go," I rasp, and I'm not talking just about this very moment.
"I won't. Trust me. I won't let you go, Clara. Promise."
I come apart in his arms, and Blake keeps his promise, holding me until I'm steady on my feet.