Your Fierce Love (The Bennett Family)(22)

"Thank you, Sarah."

"You still live upstairs?"

"Yes."

My heart stops. I know it's terrible of me to eavesdrop, but I can't  peel myself away, though this is one of those moments when my ability to  make myself invisible is required. Instead, I'm rooted to the spot,  forcing myself to breathe in and out. If Blake wants to take this woman  upstairs and have his wicked way with her...

"I can wait for you to lock up," the woman says.

Stay put, Clara. Stay cool as a cucumber. Going out with women is his  right, and it shouldn't be a big deal to me. It shouldn't matter at all.  But it does, damn it, even though he's not mine. Yes, we kissed and had  some hot fun, but it's not like we made each other any promises. Maybe  it was a one-time thing, and I just didn't realize it.                       
       
           


///
       

"And then we can go upstairs. Like in the old days," she continues.

I feel a sharp pain in my chest as I hold my breath, waiting for Blake's answer. Please say no. Please, please say no.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Sarah, but it's not going to happen."

"Aww, what a pity. I'd ask why, but I don't want to hear you telling me  you're off the market. It would be a stab to my ego, knowing I wasn't  the one to tame you. It was good to see you, Blake."

"Take care."

I keep my ears peeled and hear the front door opening and closing, then  Blake's footsteps heading away from the bar, presumably to lock the door  and turn the sign to closed.

My mind is reeling, and I feel a huge wave of relief crashing over me. I  take a few steps back, planning to hover around the back room for a  minute or two, so Blake doesn't put two and two together. Unfortunately,  Blake himself steps into the room.

He takes one glance at me and just knows.

"You listened." It isn't a question. I'm pretty sure he can read the  relief on my face. I nod, keeping my gaze focused on the top button of  his polo shirt.

"And you're avoiding my eyes because … ?"

I chance a glance upward. "Why did you turn her down?"

"Because I'm not interested." After a beat, he says, "You think I'd  touch you the way I did on Saturday and then hook up with someone else?"

I can't find my voice so I just move my weight from one foot to the  other, feeling like a fool. Blake closes the distance between us,  raising one hand. He rests the pad of his thumb on my jawline, close to  my earlobe. His other fingers go into my hair. He brings me closer,  lowering his mouth to my ear. "I'm only interested in one woman. You."  He feathers his lips on my cheek, sending all my senses into a tailspin.

"I feel a little silly," I admit. My voice is shaking with joy and relief.

"Don't." He kisses my temple, holding me close to him. "But I will need  you to give me more credit than that." He hugs me even closer as I nod  against his chest.

"I thought...maybe it was a one-time thing, and I didn't realize it."

"It wasn't a one-time thing. And just so we're clear, I don't want you just in my bed. I want you in my life."

"You're a sweet talker, Blake Bennett, and you're so good at it. Can you do it some more?"

Snuggling against him with my entire body, I soak in all of that  goodness and warmth, and at the same time my fingers press into his  back, feeling him up. I'm an excellent multitasker if I do say so  myself.

"I mean it." He pushes me away a few inches so he can look down at me. I  swear to God, I will melt right here in his arms. "I don't share, and  I'd never ask you to either."

"Okay."

"So we're clear on this front?" His eyes are full of determination and heat.

"Yes."

He seals his mouth against mine and I sigh, bracing my hands on his  strong arms. Something shifted between us just now, and it fills me with  a giddy happiness, so I'm going to hold on to it.

"Go upstairs. I'm going to close here and prepare everything for tomorrow," he says when we pull apart.

"I'll help."

"Nah, you're tired."

"But I won't be able to sleep right now. I'm too wired." Being held in  those strong arms of his while he tells me he wants me in his life will  do that to me.

"Take a hot bath and relax."

I might have done that, if not for two things. One, I'm not ready yet to  say good night. And two, his voice is commanding again. I forgot how  much I like that.

"I told you before you're not the boss of me, Blake."

"You keep saying that. I'll have to prove the opposite."

Well, he's a terrible people reader if he can't tell this is exactly  what I'm aiming for. I might have to spell it out for him, but then he  might use it to his advantage, and who knows where that might get us?

"Go upstairs."

"Or what, will you boss me around some more?"

"You bet."

"What if I don't want to go upstairs?"

Blake leans in to me, brushing his lips on my forehead, then down my  temple. He stops when his mouth is inches away from mine. "Then I'm  going to throw you over my shoulder and carry you there."

"You're so hot when you're bossy," I admit. He frowns.

"You gave me shit for it at the ranch, and now."

Yep, I'll have to spell it out. "I was riling you up. Get with the  program. By the way, can I make you jealous from time to time? Back at  the ranch...you were so hot, all possessive."                       
       
           


///
       

He lets out a strangled groan. "You're killing me. Killing. And the  answer is no unless you want me to kiss you right on the spot, staking  my claim on you."

I grin. "But that's exactly what I'm going for."

***

Blake



I cup her head, kissing her hard. Then I take her hand and lead her to  the back with determined strides. There is a small office there, which I  never use. I prefer to work surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the  bar, often just sitting at one of the bar tables to work on my laptop.  The office is too small and private for my taste, but now I appreciate  its existence very much.

Once inside, I lift Clara up, propping her ass on the small wooden desk, which makes a dubious sound like it might give in.

"You're beautiful," I murmur. She's wearing jeans and a blue, strapless  tank, but she could be wearing anything and she'd still be stunning. Her  expression lights up, the corners of her mouth lifting in a smile. I'd  do anything to put that smile on her face every day. And I will. I don't  know where this urge comes from, but it feels right. She rocks back and  forth a few inches, and something in her expression changes.

"Blake, not here..." She blushes, which immediately clues me in to her meaning. Obviously, I need to clarify a few things.

"Make no mistake, I will make love to you on every surface-including  this desk. But the first time, it'll be on a bed. You'll need to be  comfortable, and I'll need it to be solid-because, babe, it'll take a  lot for me to get my fill of you. Right now I just want to kiss  you...make you come once. I need to hear you cry out."

She licks her lips but has no comeback, which is a first. Instead, she  parts her thighs in a silent invitation, exhaling sharply. Her eyes  widen as if her own body's reaction to me surprises her.

I kiss her hard, pulling her right to the edge of the desk. She shifts  even closer, parting her thighs wider. I love the way she opens up to me  like she's inviting me to take all she has to give. She wraps her arms  around my neck, sighing into my mouth. It's the sweetest sound, and I'm  overcome by the need to lure sounds of pleasure out of her. She fists my  hair, growing more desperate.

"Blake, won't anyone-"

"No, I locked the front door. Trust me."

She relaxes against me, trusting me. I won't give her any reason to  regret that. Ever. I want to taste and touch every inch of this woman,  but that will have to wait until she's in a more comfortable place.  This-tonight, is all about her. Still, I'm a red-blooded man, and I  haven't had the pleasure of worshiping her breasts. That will change  tonight. I push her tank top down and Christ, she's a sight.

Red cheeks with slightly puffed-up lips, her tank top cinched around her  waist. The bra is the half-cup type, pushing her breasts up. She looks  so sexy, I'm tempted to leave it on. But the need to taste her is  greater, so off the bra goes. She's gorgeous. I kiss down her neck, to  her chest. She leans back slightly, giving me better access. Her nipples  are already puckered and I haven't even touched them. I'm going to  remedy that right away. I palm one and take the peak of the other in my  mouth, swirling my tongue around it. Clara moans loudly, arching forward  into me.

I graze my teeth lightly around her nipple, watching her. I don't want  to push too much so soon. I'm going to drive her over the edge, give her  pleasure like she's never had before, but I have to pace myself. She  bites her lip, parting her thighs even wider. I've brought her to climax  with my mouth now I want to do the same with my fingers. And I want to  kiss her when she finishes, capturing the sound.