Chapter Ten #2
It takes all the focus and restraint I have not to jerk my hand away from him. I look to Blake for guidance, for reassurance, but he’s just smiling broadly, as if he’s so pleased with himself.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bristol. When is the wedding? Blake here won’t whisper a word of it at work.”
I slide my hand from his, immediately twisting my fingers together in front of myself as I swallow thickly. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Evercrest.”
“Please, call me Sheldon.”
Feeling uncomfortable with the situation and unsure what’s expected of me here, I just go with it, even if all I want to do is retreat into my bedroom. “Thank you, Sheldon. We haven’t set a date yet. We both have been so career-focused the last year that we haven’t made it a priority.”
“Well, maybe now is the time to make it one. A man is only as good as the woman at home waiting for him at the end of the day; he needs your support now more than ever. Especially now that he’s been promoted.”
My eyes shoot to Blake, who slips his hand around my waist, his fingers dipping lower until he’s practically groping my ass. There’s so much to unpack in Sheldon’s statement that I don’t know where to start.
“Another promotion?” I ask, confusion taking over, choosing to ignore his statement about a woman’s place. Asshole. If these are the types of people Blake has been around, it explains his prick behavior. Blake shrugs nonchalantly, as if this news isn’t a huge deal.
“He’s too modest, he’s a hard worker, your man. Very good for our business, and we like to take care of the people who are good for business.”
I’m unsure what to make of his statements, they seem almost cryptic. I never thought someone in finance like Blake could make as much money as he does, but the business he works for seems to be in business with some very rich people.
“I’m so happy for you, Blake. Will you still be doing their accounts?”
Before Blake can answer, Sheldon speaks up for him.
“Oh yes, we’re just going to be adding more accounts to his plate.
But don’t worry, we won’t keep him from you any longer than we need to.
And maybe we can up our monthly donation to your little pet project in town for the animals to lessen your workload there.
Perhaps get another vet in there so you can be home more, especially once children arrive.
Now, the wedding! Do you have venues in mind?
I’m sure I can pull some strings for you. ”
What the fuck did he just say? Blake’s boss is the anonymous donor for Bloomfield Animal Haven? What the fuck is happening? My heartbeat thuds loudly between my ears as I try to focus on getting words out of my mouth while the shock settles in.
“No, like I said, we haven’t had an opportunity to think of anything outside the engagement.
I think both of us are happy to enjoy a long one, and we’ll plan the wedding when we feel the time is right.
For now, let’s celebrate Blake,” I say, hoping I distract them all from planning a wedding I’m not in any rush to have right now.
Blake and I have a plethora of issues to deal with before I’m saying ‘I do.’
The night goes by like wading through quicksand.
The men sip expensive whiskey, Lexi drowning herself in a bottle of white wine, while I sit there and wonder how long this will go on.
Blake sits next to me with his hand over my thigh, his fingers pressing into the flesh.
It doesn’t give me comfort or reassurance in an otherwise uncomfortable situation.
I typically love talking with people, but this group is a different breed.
Conversation luckily stays off of me and firmly in the business category, with Lexi chiming in from time to time about the various destinations of their next vacations.
I smile when necessary, playing the role of supportive fiancé, but my mind has gone off into a million directions, and none of them are right here.
When the night finally winds down, it’s nearly eleven, and I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. Blake and I usher them to the door, the men shaking hands and stepping out. Blake kisses Lexi on her cheek before saying goodnight and walking back into the house, leaving me with Satan’s spawn.
“Always a pleasure, Lexi. Have a good night,” I say, trying to be nice.
But then her claws come out, and I imagine what it would be like to smack her head against the wall in a fit of rage.
I’m not a violent person, in fact, quite the opposite, I hate violence, but there’s just something so smackable about her that makes me want to reach out and slap her.
“Oh, Bristol, I can give you the name of my personal trainer, you know, so you can lose some of the weight before your big day. I’d hate for you to be limited on dress options because of your size.”
If the floor could open up and swallow me whole right now, I would love for it to do me that kindness. What an absolute bitch. I’m second-guessing not being a violent person.
“So sweet of you, Lexi, but if I wanted to look like a walking, talking stick figure, I would. I’m very happy with my body, but I appreciate your concern. On that note, do you want the name of a different plastic surgeon? Your cheek implants are looking a little droopy.”
Lexi gasps, and I slam the door in her face, not giving a shit if Blake finds out about it later. Rude bitch. I walk to my room, feeling more exhausted from tonight’s shitshow than I have in a while, and pull my sweater up over my head, dropping it into the laundry basket, followed by my jeans.
Blake leaves the closet in nothing but his boxer briefs, and for a moment, I’m stunned. I’ve gotten so accustomed to getting ready for bed and going to sleep alone that I don’t remember the last time I saw him naked.
He saunters up to me, a hand sliding through my hair and gripping the base of my neck, using the hold he has on me to roughly pull me against his body.
He doesn’t waste another moment, sliding his free hand between my legs and pressing hard against my core.
It’s much rougher than I would like, and extremely sudden. It does the opposite of excite me.
“You were perfect tonight, darling. So perfect. He was so impressed by you,” Blake mumbles as he presses his face into my neck. I melt slightly at his words, but I’m still pissed about the situation, especially about finding out his company has been funding the shelter and my pay.
“Blake . . .” I urge, as I try to push him off me slightly, bracing my hands on his shoulders. “Why didn’t you tell me they were the donors for the shelter?”
He leans in again, lapping at my neck, leaving overly wet kisses under my ear. I lift my shoulder to get some space between us again, trying to get his attention. “Blake, talk to me.”
“I knew you’d say no; can’t a man take care of his woman? You wanted the shelter, I gave you the shelter. Now, say thank you and let me fuck you.”
He gave me the shelter. He made it possible. He saw how hard I was working to save Bloomfield Animal Haven, and he got his company to save the day. Maybe he does appreciate me. Maybe this is his way of showing me he does see the value in what I do. I can’t believe he did this for me.
Before I can say another word, Blake kisses me, and the taste of alcohol on his tongue makes my stomach turn slightly, but I try to relax, try to melt into his touch, even if it’s a bit too aggressive.
He’s never been quite so aggressive like this before, but at least he’s showing me some affection, or trying to at least. It’s been so long since he’s wanted to be intimate with me that I’m not about to deny him now.
We need to connect; maybe this will help us.
My hands roam his shoulders, arching my neck to give him better access. I try to slow him down as he trails sloppy, wet kisses down my neck and shoulder. “I’m gonna take what’s mine, Bristol, enough holding out on me,” he mumbles against my skin. His words slither down my spine.
“I’m not holding out, Blake; we’ve both been busy.”
“We’re not busy tonight,” he slurs, palms moving to my breasts, gripping them roughly, almost to the point of pain. I grip his wrists, pulling them off of me, but he’s determined, his hands moving toward my underwear. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea.
“Blake, you’re drunk.”
“I’m not drunk, honey. Now lay down and let me have you.”
Everything is all wrong. Sex with Blake has been bland for a while now, but tonight feels different; he feels off. His kisses are rough and messy, and not doing anything in the way of turning me on. His touch feels wrong, like my body is rebelling against it.
After a moment, he pushes me back onto the bed, and I go willingly, letting Blake pull down my underwear and toss them off to the side. I feel anything but sexy right now, but as he steps out of his boxer briefs, I notice he’s already hard and ready to go.
Heat flushes over me, my body eager for touch.
Any touch. My eyes roam over his body, his chiseled abs, his unmarked porcelain skin.
He really is good-looking. It’s been so long since I’ve had any type of physical attention, I try to force myself to relax, to give in to the moment here with Blake.
We so rarely have sex, and at least he’s trying now.
“He still refuses to eat your pussy?” Kira’s voice drops into my head, and I should be frustrated, but she’s annoyingly not wrong, per usual.
I want to feel the warmth of a mouth on me, a wet tongue slide against my clit so bad that I almost ask Blake to do it.
Fear of rejection holds me back. The last thing I want is to ruin this moment when he’s finally giving me attention.