She doesn’t say anything; she just stares at me. Since I have her full attention, I keep going.
“Tatum, how much do you remember from last night?” I ask.
She takes a deep breath. “I remember throwing myself at you and you rejecting me. I remember you telling me you were doing it for me.” She breaks our connection and looks up at the ceiling. “I remember you saying you want me. In my dream…” She swallows hard. “In my dream, I was, um, having a hard time. You were holding me, telling me you were there for me.” Her eyes find mine. “I assume that part was real as well?” she asks.
I nod my head. “Yes, you were upset. I’m here if you ever want to talk about it,” I tell her.
“Thank you, but I’m good,” she whispers.
“I’m glad you remember. I was afraid you wouldn’t. However, I still want to clarify in the light of day when we both have clear heads.” I raise up and rest my weight on my elbow so I am looking down at her. Her body is close and I can feel the stirring of desire. By the look in her eyes, she can as well. “I want you, Tatum. You have consumed my thoughts since the day I met you. The more time I spend with you, the more I want. I swear you’ve cast some kind of spell on me.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “I just want you to let me in. Let me be a part of your life. Give me the chance to show you what you mean to me. I know it’s fast, but I feel it in here.” I pull her hand and hold it against my chest, right over my heart.
Tatum closes her eyes. When she opens them, I see the sadness has returned. “Blaise, I’m a mess. I’m trying to find out who I am, where I belong. I lost my parents and my ex…” She stops, collecting her thoughts. “He cheated on me the day my parents died. I’m afraid to open myself up again. My parents’ death was tragic and Josh’s betrayal deepened the wound. I don’t know if I can let you in.”
I nod my head in understanding. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere,” I tell her.
She chuckles and I relish the sound.
“What? What’s so funny?” I ask her.
“This…us. Last night my plan was to seduce you. I wanted one night with you. I wanted to forget the pain.”
Her words elate me and piss me off all at the same time. “One night?” I ask.
She blushes. “Yeah, I mean, I never would have thought you would want me, you know, for more than just one night. In my mind, it was a solid plan, until you turned me down.”
I try not to let her words hurt me. I know I have the reputation of a ladies man, but she’s different. I’m different with her. I remind myself Tatum doesn’t really know that. She only knows what she’s seen and heard. I’ll just have to prove it to her.
“Yeah, one night is not an option. When I have you,” I place the palm of my hand against her cheek “and trust me, I will have you; when I finally get you in my bed, I’m never letting you go.”
Tatum licks her lips. “And when will that be exactly?” she asks, her voice husky.
I move in close. “When you understand you’re mine. When you’re ready to commit to this chemistry and the feelings between us. When I know this,” I place my hand over her heart, “is mine.”
Enough talking. I capture her lips with mine slowly. I lick her bottom lip, then gently bite. Our tongues are in a slow battle of passion. I put my every emotion I have for her into the kiss. I hope she gets used to this, because kissing her is my new favorite thing.
Tatum releases my lips; her chest is heaving with exhilaration. Good, looks like I got my point across.
“Blaise, I don’t know if—” She tries to speak, but I stop her by placing my finger to her soft lips.
“I’m not going anywhere.” I flash her a cocky grin. “I’m going to make it hard for you to resist me.” I kiss her once more, before hopping out of bed. “Now, I’m going to go make us some breakfast. Jackson and Ember will be up soon.” Leaning down over the bed, I kiss her forehead, then turn and walk out of the room.
My eyes follow Blaise as he walks out of my room. So much has happened. Blaise says he wants me. The look in those silver eyes of his says he does. His actions say he does. Can the playboy commit? Can I? It’s only been four months since my parents’ death and the death of my relationship with Josh. UGH! Why does life have to be so damn complicated? Last night, I wanted one night with him. Just one night to forget the pain. Do I get that? No! Instead, I get Blaise and his gentle caresses begging me to let him in.
My heart wants that, wants to let his sweet words and gentle kisses take over. My head is telling me it’s a bad idea. Sighing with frustration, I head for the shower; maybe that will clear my head.
After my shower, I feel refreshed, but my head is still a jumbled mess and my heart is still screaming to trust Blaise. I make my way to the kitchen and find Blaise at the stove making pancakes. Ember and Jackson are sitting around the table, already eating.
“Good morning, roomie,” Ember says cheerily.
“Good morning,” I say.
I stop at the counter and pour a glass of orange juice. Blaise reaches around me and sets a plate full of pancakes in front of me. He leans down and kisses my cheek. No words are said. He goes right back to the stove and continues making breakfast. My face is burning with embarrassment. I’m not used to the attention, not publicly; that wasn’t Josh, at least not with me.
I grab the bottle of syrup and douse my plate before joining Ember and Jackson at the table. I know they’re watching me. I don’t make eye contact. Instead, I focus all of my attention on the mouthwatering pancakes Blaise has created.
Ember bumps her shoulder with mine. “I don’t know what you did to my brother to bring that smile to his face, but whatever it was, keep it up.” She sits back in her seat and cuts a big bite of pancake. Her hand stills in the air. “I hope he makes breakfast every time he stays over. We may have to move him in,” she teases.
“Hey! I can make a mean pancake myself.” Jackson fake pouts.
Blaise joins us at the table, taking the seat next to me. “Good, next time it’s your turn so Tate and I can sleep in,” he says without missing a beat. He looks at me and winks.
He did say he was going to make it hard for me to resist him.
The pancakes are as delicious as they smell and soon all four of our plates are empty. Jackson cleans the kitchen since Blaise cooked. Ember and I try to help, but he pushes us away.
“Let us take care of you,” he tells us.
Ember smiles sweetly at him and pats him on the ass. I, on the other hand, am having a hard time accepting it all. Brent and my father are the only two men I know who treat the women in their lives like precious gifts. I know men like that are out there. However, what are the odds of Ember and I having found them. Of course, it’s her brother and his friend, but still. To find a man like that, it’s a rarity. My mom always used to say I needed to hold out to find a man to love me like Daddy loved her, and mutual respect and love were key ingredients to a relationship. Tears spring to my eyes at the thought of them. Would my parents approve of Blaise? Would I have ever met him if not for the move and the events leading up to it?
Suddenly, I need air. I can’t let them see me cry. Let him see me cry. Not again. I grab my keys and cell from the hall table. “I’m going out for a walk. Be back in a little while,” I say as I walk out the door.