Briar
Istep out of the shower, grab a towel, and wrap it around myself.
I close my eyes and take a slow breath. That hot shower was exactly what I needed after that argument with my parents earlier today.
When I think about how everyone in the house heard us, I want to melt into the floor and disappear. That was so embarrassing.
But then I think about how kind and understanding they all were.
How sweet Blake’s mom was to sit with me and let me vent to her.
How Anna and Poppy sat with me after that.
How, after everyone’s parents left, the guys checked on me and told me to go upstairs so I could relax while they cleaned up everything.
Blake has the best friends and teammates.
My mind drifts back to the way he marched into the kitchen and defended me. How he didn’t hesitate to tell off my parents for how they were treating me. How he was firm and unrelenting, but still respectful.
My heart flutters in my chest at how quickly he can shift from sweet and funny to attack dog, willing to do anything to protect me.
How he acted more like a protective boyfriend than a friend.
That fluttery feeling swoops through my entire body. I’m supposed to be taking this slow with Blake, not fantasizing about him being my boyfriend.
But I can’t help it. Blake is so perfect. I like him so much. And every day, it gets harder and harder to remind myself to take things slow…
I change into my pajama shorts and one of Blake’s T-shirts that fits me like a dress. I walk into his bedroom, get under the covers, and mindlessly scroll through my phone.
A few minutes later, there’s a knock at the door.
“Yeah?”
“Can I come in?” Blake asks.
“Of course.”
He opens the door. He’s holding a brown paper bag in his hand. “Thought you might like some tacos.”
My tummy does an epic somersault. There he goes, acting like the most perfect boyfriend in the world.
I sit up, and he hands the bag to me. He sits down next to me and grabs his laptop.
“Wanna watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine?” he asks.
I nod, my mouth full of carnitas tacos. He smiles and pulls up an episode. He leans back against the headboard. When I finish eating, I cuddle into his chest, humming softly as he wraps his big, muscled arm around me.
I look up at him. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
His beautiful ocean-blue eyes glitter as he gazes at me. “I’ll always take care of you, Briar. Always, no matter what.”
My heart beats faster in my chest. Does he mean that as a friend or….maybe…hopefully…something more?
I push the thought aside. Now isn’t the time to overanalyze Blake’s sweetness.
“I’m sorry for fighting with my parents in the middle of brunch.” My face is hot just thinking about it.
He kisses my forehead, and I melt.
“It’s okay.”
“It wasn’t though. You guys planned a nice brunch for your parents, and we made it all weird and awkward.
” I go quiet for a second. “You know, I actually thought they would hear me out. They were in such a nice mood from visiting with everyone. But then the three of us were alone in the kitchen, and my mom got all snarky.” My shoulders sink as I exhale.
“I was going to tell them about this internship I applied for. It’s over spring break in Mexico City at a prestigious international school.
I’d be a teaching assistant and help with lesson plans.
I’d even be able to teach one of the sections.
My professor invited me to apply for it, so I did.
I think I have a decent shot at it. I thought they’d be happy for me.
But then we started arguing. And I knew they wouldn’t have cared at all. ”
He pulls me into his arms, tucking me into his broad chest.
“I’m sorry,” he says softly. I close my eyes. His warm embrace and soft voice are the comfort I need right now.
“That’s awesome you applied for that internship,” he says softly. “I bet you’ll get it.”
“Maybe. Hopefully. It’s pretty competitive,” I say.
“Yeah, but you’re so smart, Briar. You have top grades, and you speak perfect Spanish.”
Warmth settles in my chest. He’s always building me up. Always my biggest cheerleader.
“If by some long shot I do get this internship, it could be a really good thing for me. I could get a job at the school after graduation.”
Blake leans back, cupping my cheek in his hand as he looks at me. He grins. “That’s so awesome.”
I bite back a smile. I clear my throat and try to rein in the excitement sprouting up inside of me. “We’ll see if I get the internship though. That’s step one.”
He winks at me. “You will.”
He presses a soft, sweet kiss to my temple. We go back to watching the show.
“I’m sorry tonight didn’t end up how we planned,” I say softly.
“What do you mean?”
“I was supposed to be riding your face, but instead we’re watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine while you watch me eat tacos and listen to me talk about school.”
His rough chuckle rumbles above me. “You don’t need to be sorry, Briar. I’m having a great time.”
“You’re not even a little disappointed that we’re not doing filthy things in your bed right now?”
His mouth stretches into a smile against my temple as he kisses me. “Nope.”
That fluttery, swooping feeling hits me once more.
He leans back to look at me, holding my face in his giant hand. “I like being with you, Briar. I don’t care what we do. It’s always my favorite. Because it’s you.”
I gasp softly. Goosebumps scatters across my body. Oh, wow.
Heat flickers in his eyes as he gazes at me. And something else. Something I don’t recognize. It makes my heart beat faster, and my breath catch in my throat.
He kisses me softly, gently, then turns back to the screen.
My entire body is aching, pulsing with just how much I want Blake. And I can’t wait to show him.
* * *
I wake up with my head on Blake’s chest. Above me, I can hear his soft, steady breathing as he sleeps.
His laptop screen is dark. I glance up at the clock on his bedside table. It’s just past midnight.
I can’t remember who fell asleep first. We were on our third episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine when I started yawning and struggling to keep my eyes open.
I sit up as quietly as I can and slip to the bathroom to pee. When I walk back into the bedroom, Blake is stirring.
He opens his eyes and blinks a few times. His mouth tilts up in a sleepy smile when he sees me.
“Hey.” His voice is low and rough with sleep, and god, is it sexy.
“Hey. Sorry I woke you up.”
He reaches up his arm and stretches. “It’s okay.” His gaze runs up and down the length of my body. I’m still wearing his T-shirt.
“Come here,” he says. I almost groan at the bossy tone of his rough voice.
I walk over to the edge of the bed. He reaches out his arm and touches the outside of my thigh. I shiver, aching for more.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
“A lot better. I think I just needed some tacos and a long nap.”
His grin stretches across his handsome face.
“Cuddling with you helped a lot too,” I say.
He circles his fingertips over my skin. “What else can I do to make you feel better, babe?”
My pussy aches just hearing him call me that. I love it way, way too much.
I look at his mouth. “Let me ride your face?”
His brow lifts, and the look in his eyes darkens. His throat bobs as he swallows. “You sure you want to? It’s okay if you’re not in the mood.”
I reach down and trace his lips with my fingertip. Heat flickers in his eyes as he looks at me. “I’m in the mood now. I really, really want to.”
His gaze focuses between my legs. His smile turns wicked as he licks his lips. “Hop on.”
A giddy feeling swoops through my tummy, and I bite back a smile.
Slowly, I pull Blake’s T-shirt over my head and drop it on the ground. I slip off my shorts, my heart pounding as I stand there, totally naked, in front of him.
I move to the bed, but he shakes his head.
“I just wanna look at you for a second,” he says in that low, rough voice.
He slowly drags his gaze down my body. His jaw works, and his blue eyes turn fiery.
“Fuck, Briar. You’re perfect. So pretty.”
My clit pulses at his praise and the way he’s looking at me—with the hungriest stare I’ve ever seen. Like he’s aching to devour me.
He skims his hand up my inner thigh and brushes the back of his knuckles over my pussy. I gasp at the light touch.
“Fuck, you’re wet,” he mutters.
“I’m really turned on,” I rasp.
His eyes cut to my face. He holds my gaze as he licks the back of his knuckles. My pussy throbs. Oh, wow. That’s so hot and dirty…
He sits up and pulls off his shirt. “Sit on my face. Now,” he orders.