“The best. You meant the best,” he corrected, dipping down to lick the soft exposed skin beneath my ear.
Tingles raged across my skin. “Yes. The best at being the worst.” My head bent toward the warmth spreading on my neck.
Blake put his lips to my ear, whispering, “I want you.”
My voice dipped low as I swore, “Fuck me . . .”
“Yes, please.” He smiled against my neck and nibbled.
My head relaxed into the pillow and a soft moan escaped my lips, giving away my weakness. “Another hour. Just let me study one more hour.”
“Okay, Angel. I’ll let you study . . . in one more hour.” Blake kicked the papers out of the way and pushed up on his arms, grinding into my pelvis.
I gave in.
Lord, did I give in.
I spotted Blake across campus. Running full speed, I leaped and wrapped my legs around him. “I got a ninety-seven!”
Blake twirled me around. “Congrats, babe. I’ll let you thank me later.” His dimple greeted me whole-heartedly.
“Always taking all the credit,” I scoffed. “It was my brain that took the test, ya know.”
He gave me a naughty grin. “Yes, but it was my dick that pounded the information into you.”
My cheeks flushed as memories of Blake’s unorthodox teaching methods flooded my thoughts.
A hearty, sexy laugh rumbled in Blake’s chest. “I want to take you somewhere to celebrate. You need to unwind.”
“Where?”
“Just dress warm. I’ll be by in twenty.” Blake set me on my feet and slapped me on the ass, sending me scooting away, as I rubbed my sore bottom. He and Jace wouldn’t quit with that.
To keep Bertha from getting lonely, we stopped there first before venturing out on Blake’s little excursion. It’d been pretty cold and she was starting to look depressed, but she seemed happy to see us, so we didn’t rush. By the time we left, her branches were extra perky.
A short train ride brought us to mid-town. Blake insisted on covering my eyes while we walked. My heel caught on his toe, and I tripped for the umpteenth time.
“This is awkward. Are we almost there?”
“Almost. Haven’t you learned you need to have patience with me yet?” Blake stopped walking and turned me to the left. “Now you can look.”
He dropped his hands, and my head fell back to take in the enormous tree before me.
Glittering lights lined every inch. It was so tall, it seemed to go up to the clouds. I stared at the golden statue of the Greek God Prometheus, contemplating the irony that I, myself, was standing next to my own God as well. I took in all of the beauty. I’d never come to see the tree at Rockefeller Center before.
Flash.
I blinked repeatedly, trying to focus on Blake.
“Sorry. I gotta take my moments.” He moved his line of sight to the tree and snapped another photo.
I frowned. “You really do have to start warning me when you do that. You’re going to blind me one of these days. I’m seeing spots now.”
“Nonsense. Then it wouldn’t be the spontaneous shot that I’m looking for.” Blake laced his fingers with mine and tugged me alongside him. “So can you skate?”
I shrugged. “Kinda. I can’t do anything fancy, but I liked to skate when I was little.”
We approached the rental counter, and my mind drifted as Blake ordered our skates.
Giggles echoed in my ears, children playing, and I felt myself being swept away by a memory.
“Damon stop!” I laugh, trying to keep my newly developed body balanced on my skates.
“I am stopping. See?” He races at me full speed again and then twists to the side, sending a blanket of ice my way.
I cross my arms over my face to block the spray.
“Control your boyfriend!” I squeal at Abby.
Abby crosses her arms over her chest. “Leave her alone, Damon. Don’t pick on people smaller than you. It’s not flattering.”
“Oh stop. She knows I love her. I’m just playing.” He turns toward me. “Sorry, beautiful. You okay?”
“Now I’m all wet and cold,” I pout.
“Here. Take my jacket. I’m sorry.” Damon puts his coat over my shoulders and takes my sister’s hand.
She offers a soft smile, forgiving him quickly, and they skate off together at a much slower pace.
Jace skates to my side. “For a cute boy, he can be a real jerk sometimes.”
It’s taken some getting used to, hearing him talk like that. I’m the only one he’s been comfortable enough to ‘come out’ to. It’s our little secret.
“I know, but he was just kidding around. He wouldn’t actually hurt me. It’s just annoying.”
“Very. Come on. Pretend to be my date.”
I nudge his shoulder. “I am your date.”
Blake snapped his fingers in front of my face. “You left me again.”
“Sorry.” I shook my head, pulling myself back to the present.
There was a teasing glint in his eyes. “What did I say about that word? Now you owe me a kiss.”
“That’s my punishment? Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.” I laughed as Blake leaned in, peppering me with short, sharp kisses.
“Sorry,” I added for good measure, and he smiled against my lips.