Chapter 4
Chapter Four
BLAKE
“I can’t believe it, man. You’re a dad!” Drew shakes his head, a grin spreading across his face.
“It’s crazy, right?” I rub the back of my neck, still trying to process it all myself.
After I left Julie’s house, I called my assistant in a daze. I told her everything and asked her to work a miracle. I needed the house ready for my girls as soon as possible.
And she delivered.
In just six short hours, she managed to track down all the essential furniture and supplies. Now, as I sit in my living room with my brothers, Eliza, and Willow, I’m still reeling from the whirlwind of it all.
Heath leans forward with his elbows on his knees. “So what’s the plan? Are they moving in here with you?”
I glance around at the flurry of activity in my new house—deliverymen carrying in furniture and my assistant directing traffic. It’s all happening so fast.
“That’s the hope,” I say. “Julie agreed to stay for the weekend with her sister Josie and Maddie. I want to show them that this can be their home, that I can provide for them.”
“Josie’s moving in too?” Drew asks, raising an eyebrow.
I nod firmly. “She’s mine too. Until she finds a man of her own to look after her, she’ll be under my protection.”
Eliza and Willow exchange a look, their eyes soft with sympathy.
“Oh, Blake, that’s so sweet,” Willow says. “I’m sure they’ll love it here. And we’ll do whatever we can to help.”
I nod appreciatively, but my mind is already drifting. I’m picturing the moment I first laid eyes on my daughter. Those big blue eyes blinking up at me, her tiny hand wrapping around my finger... I swear my heart nearly burst out of my chest.
I’ve always wanted to be a father, but I had no idea how powerful it would feel to meet my own flesh and blood. To know I helped create this perfect little person.
And seeing Maddie with Julie, watching the tender way she held her, the love shining in her eyes... It hit me like a freight train. This is my family. My whole world wrapped up in these two incredible people.
I know right then and there that I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work. To convince Julie to stay, to make her my wife. I want to give Maddie a sibling, a big house to grow up in, and a dad who adores her.
I’m pulled from my thoughts by Eliza’s voice.
“I can’t even imagine how overwhelming this must be,” she says gently. “But we’re here for you, Blake. Whatever you need.”
“Thanks, Eliza.” I clear my throat, reining in my emotions. “I don’t plan on wasting this chance. This weekend is going to be perfect. I’ll make sure of it.”
A knock at the door interrupts our conversation.
Drew arches an eyebrow at me. “You sure you want all of us here for this, man? It might be a little overwhelming.”
I nod. “I’m positive. I want Julie and Josie to see that they have a support system here. That they don’t have to go through this alone anymore.”
“We’ve got their backs,” Heath agrees, nodding solemnly. “No matter what.”
Emotion clogs my throat and I clear it roughly. “Thanks, guys.”
Taking a deep breath, I cross the room and open the door. And there she is. Julie. Holding our daughter and looking more beautiful than ever.
She shifts self-consciously, tugging at her clothes.
“Hi.” She offers me a tentative smile.
“Hey there, gorgeous,” I reply. “Come on in.”
As she steps inside, I reach out and gently squeeze Maddie’s tiny hand. “And how’s my favorite girl doing this evening?”
Julie laughs, the sound warming me from the inside out. “She’s been excited to see her daddy all day. Haven’t you, sweet pea?”
Maddie gurgles happily in response, and I grin, my heart so full it feels like it might burst.
This is what I want. This right here. Julie and Maddie and the family we’ve created together.
I take Julie’s hand and thread our fingers together as I lead her farther into the house. “Everyone, you remember Julie, Maddie, and Josie.”
Willow and Eliza immediately step forward, their eyes bright with excitement. “Julie, it’s so great to see you again,” Willow says warmly, pulling her into a hug.
Eliza reaches out to stroke Maddie’s cheek. “And this little angel has gotten so big!”
My brothers exchange a knowing look, and I chuckle. I have a feeling there may be some more Donovan babies coming very soon.
“Why don’t we let Blake give Julie the grand tour?” Drew suggests, jerking his head toward the kitchen. “We’ll get the food ready in the meantime.”
“Sounds perfect.” Heath rubs his hands together. “I’m starving.”
Willow and Eliza take Maddie from Julie’s arms, cooing and fussing over her as they head toward the kitchen with Josie in tow. That leaves Julie and I alone in the entryway.
“Shall we?” I offer her my arm.
She takes it, her fingers gripping my bicep as she looks up at me through her lashes. “Lead the way.”
As we walk through the house, I point out the different rooms and watch her reaction closely. I want everything to be perfect for her, for our family.
But more than that, I want her to know that she’s safe here. That she’s home.
With me.
I lead her down the hallway and stop in front of the first door on the right.
“This is Josie’s room.” I push the door open.
Julie steps inside, her eyes widening as she takes in the queen-sized bed, the plush comforter, and the brand-new MacBook sitting on the desk.
“Blake, this is too much. You didn’t have to do all this.”
“Of course I didn’t have to. I wanted to,” I insist, stepping closer to her. “Josie’s family now. And I take care of my family.”
Julie swallows hard, her eyes searching mine. “About that. The school thing, Josie is still in high school. She plays softball too.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. The Cooper Hills High girl’s softball team has gone to the state championships for the last three years in a row. I noticed that Josie was wearing a softball sweatshirt earlier, and I made a few calls. The coach assured me there is a spot for her on the team.”
Julie stares at me in shock with her mouth open. “You did that? For Josie?”
I nod and reach out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “I told you, baby. You’re not alone anymore.”
She blinks rapidly to clear the tears welling in her eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just let me take care of you,” I murmur, brushing her cheek with my thumb. “All of you.”
The air between us crackles with tension, and for a moment, I think she might kiss me.
But then she steps back and clears her throat. “What’s next on the tour?”
I lead her farther down the hall to Maddie’s room. I push open the door, revealing a bright, airy space with a crib, a changing table, and a rocking chair in the corner.
“I know it’s not fully decorated yet. I wasn’t sure what kind of stuff Maddie liked or what she needed for baths and clothes. My assistant only had a few hours, but I hope this is a good start.”
Julie walks into the room, trailing her fingers over the crib railing. She picks up a stuffed elephant from the shelf and hugs it to her chest as she turns to face me.
“It’s perfect,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. “You did a great job, Blake.”
My heart swells with pride and love for this woman and for our daughter. I want to give them the world to make up for all the time I’ve missed.
“I’m glad you like it.” I step closer to her. “I want Maddie to have everything she needs. Everything she wants.”
Julie sets the elephant back on the shelf and wipes at her eyes. “You’re going to spoil her rotten, aren’t you?”
I grin, unashamed. “Absolutely.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “I should have known.”
The final stop on our tour is the master bedroom. I push open the door and usher Julie inside with a hand at the small of her back.
“And this,” I say with a flirtatious smile, “is our room. You’ll be sleeping here with me.”
Julie’s eyes widen at my bold statement, but I don’t back down. I know I’m being pushy, but I can’t help it. I’ve been away from her for too long, and I want her by my side.
“Blake,” she starts, her voice hesitant. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
I take a step closer, crowding into her space. “Why not? We’re meant to be together, Julie. You know it, and I know it.”
She bites her lip. “It’s just... It’s been so long. And there’s so much we still need to talk about.”
I reach out and cup her cheek in my hand. “We’ll figure it out. All of it. But right now, all I want is you.”
Before she can protest, I lean down and capture her lips with mine.
The kiss starts off slow and gentle, but it quickly ignites into something more.
Something hungry and desperate and full of need.
Julie melts into me, her hands fisting in my shirt as she pulls me closer. I wrap my arms around her waist and haul her against my body until there’s no space left between us.
I walk her backward until her legs hit the bed, and we tumble onto the mattress, our lips never breaking contact. My hands roam over her curves, relearning every dip and swell that I’ve dreamed about for months.
Julie arches into my touch, and a breathy moan escapes her lips as I trail kisses down her throat. I nip at her collarbone, soothing the sting with my tongue, and she shudders beneath me.
“Blake,” she gasps, her fingers tangling in my hair. “Please...”
I know what she needs, what she’s asking for. And I’m more than happy to oblige.
I slip my hand down into her leggings, skimming up the smooth skin of her thigh. She’s so soft, so responsive to my touch. It’s driving me wild.
I find the lacy edge of her panties and stroke her through the damp fabric, groaning at how wet she is for me already. Julie bucks her hips, seeking more friction.
“Do it. Hump my hand,” I encourage as I rub tight circles around her swollen clit. “Let me make you feel good, honey.”
I slip my fingers beneath her panties and tease her slick folds before slowly pushing one, then two digits inside her tight heat.
Julie cries out as her inner walls clench around me.
“Fuck, you feel incredible,” I grunt, pumping my fingers in and out as my thumb works her clit. “I need to taste you, Julie. Need to make you come on my tongue.”
Her answering moan is all the permission I need. I kiss my way down her body and pull down her leggings and panties in one go as I settle between her thighs.
The first swipe of my tongue through her folds has Julie arching off the bed, a stream of desperate pleas falling from her lips.
“Blake! Oh, yes. Don’t stop, please don’t stop.”
I have no intention of stopping. I lick and suck and tease until Julie is writhing against my mouth, her hands fisting in my hair almost painfully.
When I feel her tighten and her legs tremble with her impending release, I slide two fingers back inside and curl them just so as I close my lips around her clit.
Julie shatters with a hoarse cry, her body shaking through the aftershocks as I work her down gently. I lap at her until she’s boneless and spent.
I crawl back up her body and take in her flushed cheeks and the dazed bliss in her eyes. She’s never looked more beautiful.
“I love you so much, Julie Murphy,” I murmur, the words slipping out. But I don’t regret them. Not for a second.
Julie blinks up at me, wonder and tenderness replacing the haze of passion. “Blake… I… I….”
“You don’t have to say it back right now.” I rest my forehead against hers. “Just say you’ll stay with me tonight. Please.”
Julie smiles, soft and sweet. “I’ll stay with you tonight, Blake.”
A buzzing from my pocket shatters the moment and I groan, reluctantly disentangling myself from Julie’s embrace. It’s a text from Drew.
Drew: Time to eat. Stop defiling my future sister-in-law and get your asses downstairs.
I bark out a laugh and shake my head as I type back a reply.
Me: On our way. And she started it.
After tossing my phone aside, I extend a hand to Julie and pull her up and into my arms. I can’t resist stealing one more kiss, nipping playfully at her bottom lip.
“To be continued, baby,” I murmur. “Once everyone clears out, I’m getting you naked and keeping you that way for the rest of the weekend.”