57. Chapter 56
Chapter 56
AJ
I woke up in a cold sweat; the image of Crowley holding a gun to Blake’s head lingering.
My heart pounded, and my mind raged.
“Andrew?” Blake asked, her voice thick with sleep.
She snuggled up close and nuzzled her head into my chest, soothing my fear and calming my anger.
She’s safe .
I pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Rather than lie, I avoided the question. “Sorry I woke you.”
She pushed off my chest and propped herself up on an elbow, before turning my face towards her.
“Your heart is racing.” I heard the repeated question in her statement.
“Just a bad dream.” An understatement if ever there was one.
As my eyes adjusted to the dim light in the room, I saw the concern in her eyes.
I brushed her cheek with the back of my hand. “I thought I was going to lose you,” I whispered. Unaccustomed to sharing my fears or showing my vulnerable side, I kept it simple.
“But you didn’t. You saved me.” She leaned down and brushed her lips across mine.
“Blake.” I said her name as if it held the answer to my heart’s desire.
“Andrew, I love you.” It was the first time she’d said the words I’d longed for but didn’t deserve. The vulnerability in her beautiful blue eyes was more than I could stand.
I wanted her more than I wanted my next breath, but how could I be with her? The rage I’d felt tearing through that house was something she should never have to witness. But she had. She had to watch me shoot someone without hesitation. Without remorse.
I’d kill a thousand men to protect her—but who’ll protect her from me?
“Andrew?”
“Blake, you have no idea how much I love you.” I looked at the ceiling while gathering my strength, hating the part of me that made my next words necessary. “But I’m not right for you. I want you more than life itself, but I can’t risk being the one who hurts you.”
“You think you’re like your father?” Doubt filled her voice.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Are you a drunk?” she asked.
“No.”
“Have you ever hit a woman?” Her voice was stronger.
“No.”
“A child?”
My eyes rounded. “No, never.”
“Then you’re not like him,” she stated, sounding like she was making a closing argument in front of a jury.
“How can you be so sure?” I wanted to believe her, but she couldn’t see the anger that often burned just below the surface.
“I trust you.” Those three words were the most precious gift she could give me, but I didn’t deserve them.
I forced the next words around the lump in my throat. “But you shouldn’t.”
I could tell from the look in her eyes, she wasn’t convinced.
She crawled out of bed, stood up, and crossed her arms. “Damn it, Andrew, you don’t get to decide for me.”
I sat up and faced her, planting my bare feet on the floor.
“You watched me kill a man.” There was no way she could dismiss what she’d seen.
I saw determination flash in her eyes before she let loose. “Do you go around shooting random people? Do you yell at old ladies who drive too slow? Do you steal candy from babies?” She yelled the questions as she paced in front of me.
“What? No. I…”
“No,” she said softly, putting her hands on my knees and leaning in close. “You did what you had to do to save me.”
It was true; everything I did was to save her.
“AJ, you’ve been violent when you needed to be, but you aren’t a violent man. You’ve been nothing but kind and gentle with me.” She laughed. “You drew me a bubble bath and apologized for having to use shampoo. Would your father have ever done something like that?”
I cupped her face. ‘I love you so much it hurts.”
“I love you, too,” she said, her eyes never leaving mine. “Now, will you please shut up and kiss me?”
I answered by pressing my lips to hers.
The kiss started soft; but when she sighed and parted her lips, I claimed her mouth.
Something in Blake broke free. Her kisses turning desperate, needy, demanding as she straddled my lap.
The kiss burned her name on every cell in my body, staking her claim.
I’ll never be the same. And that was probably a good thing.
I rolled her onto her back.
“Andrew, make love to me.”
“Are you sure?” Why did I ask?
Because I’m not my father . And I needed to be sure.
“More than sure. Please?” she begged, her hands sliding down my back and slipping under my t-shirt.
Wanting more of her hands on my skin, I leaned up and pulled off the offending shirt. I tossed it across the room before leaning down to kiss her. Her moan just about did me in.
My hands were on either side of her, dying to touch her. I planned to take my time, making sure she felt how much I loved her in every touch. I kissed her forehead, the tip of her cute nose, and her soft lips before trailing kisses down her neck.
Supporting my weight on one elbow, I trailed the back of my hand down her side, barely touching her full breast. Seeing her arch into my touch while a moan escaped her lips was more than I could stand.
“This has to go,” I said, my voice raspy as I tugged at her tank top.
I poured every ounce of my heart and soul into making love to Blake.
As I fell back to sleep, I promised to love, cherish, and protect her until my dying day.
Later that morning, I woke with the sun, feeling lighter and happier than I had in, well, forever. And it was all because of the sassy blond curled up next to me, with her head resting on my chest.
She looked peaceful. Happy.
My chest puffed with pride. I put that smile there.
Not wanting to disturb her, I eased out of her grasp and off the bed. Immediately missing her touch, I regretted my choice.
I slipped on a pair of grey sweatpants and headed to the bathroom.
After cleaning up, I went to the kitchen to brew coffee. Today would be a long day for Blake, dealing with the aftermath of everything that had happened.
If she’d let me, I’d be at her side every step of the way.
We’ll need a good breakfast . I didn’t cook fancy meals like Doug, but I made a killer omelet.
I chopped up tomatoes and peppers and whisked the eggs while the bacon fried. Before long, the smell of coffee and bacon made my stomach rumble.
I was on my second cup of coffee when I heard Blake in the hallway.
My body reacted to seeing her in my t-shirt, making me contemplate postponing breakfast.
“Good morning, Beautiful.” It didn’t matter that she was rubbing sleep from her eyes and yawning.
“Morning,” she said. Her expression relaxing as she closed the distance. “It smells good in here.” She stopped in front of me, suddenly shy.
“Thanks. Want a coffee, or a hug?”
“Both, but the hug first.”
Ignoring the sizzling bacon, I held Blake until she was ready to let go.