Chapter 12
Inside Vi’s house, Blake kicked the door shut, shrugged out of his jacket while she did the same, pulled her into his arms and went back to kissing her. She tasted even sweeter than before. Her lips eagerly meeting his with growing passion, the feel of her soft body in his arms… He couldn’t get enough. Craving deeper kisses, he slid his tongue into her mouth. With a soft moan, she pressed closer, her body tight against his. Killing him. He cupped her hips to anchor her there. “I want you.”
As soon as he uttered the words, she stiffened as if he’d poured a bucket of cold water on her and pushed him away.
“We have to stop, Blake. This isn’t right.”
The words didn’t match her enthusiasm or the restless way she’d shimmied against him. He let go of her and stepped back. “It feels right to me, but I get it—we’re moving too fast. I didn’t mean for that to happen, but I can’t lie. You turn me on.” Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly red from the passionate kissing and her hair loose and messy, and he hungered to get right back to it.
“I don’t want to turn you on, and I don’t want to be turned on.”
“You were, though. We both were.”
Mr. T sashayed toward them and twined himself between her ankles. “Fine watch cat you are,” she grumbled. “Why did you kiss me this time, Blake?”
“Truthfully, I’ve been thinking about it on and off since the last time. But I didn’t plan anything, I swear. It just happened. I enjoyed spending the past few hours with you and commiserating over the situation with our grandparents. A goodnight kiss is customary after a date.”
“This was not a date,” she stated with heat in her voice.
“Your mixed messages are confusing. One minute you’re warm and friendly and step eagerly into my arms. A few hot kisses later, you tell me you don’t want to date and act like you’re ticked off.”
“You came over uninvited to talk about a shared problem. I appreciated the food and I enjoyed the walk and the ice cream. I thought we were friends. Other than that, I don’t want to get involved with you.”
Too late. “The way I see it, we’ve moved beyond simple friendship. I agree, we got involved more quickly than usual, but this is how we are together. It’s as much your fault as mine. I gave you a chaste good night kiss. You wanted more and hauled me into the house.”
“I didn’t want the neighbors to talk, okay? The same thing happened in the back seat of your car, only you did the pulling. It was wrong both times, a mistake.”
“Was it? You can’t deny the chemistry between us.”
She covered her hands with her ears for a few seconds, as if not wanting to hear another word about it. “I’m not some gullible female, and I don’t want to be seduced, especially by you.”
Especially him? What did she think he was, anyway? He started to ask her to explain, but her dirty look and crossed arms silenced him.
“By your clueless expression, you want me to clarify.” An exasperated breath huffed out. “All right, I will. You flit from woman to woman. That’s your choice, but I refuse to be one of them. Not again. Now please, go.”
She opened the door and ushered him out.
As tired as Vi was,she slept badly. She woke up way too early, thinking about the night before. Getting tangled up in Blake’s arms and melting into his kisses. She was furious about losing herself with him. If only she could go back and end the evening with the light kiss at the door and stepping into the house alone. Then she wouldn’t be reliving everything and craving more.
She gave him mixed messages, he’d said. In the light of day, she realized he was right. As torn as she was between steering clear and wanting him, was it any wonder? She didn’t understand herself at all or have any idea how he felt about her, except that she turned him on. It stopped now. She intended to forget all about the fire sparking between them and hoped he would, too.
If Gran and Malcom decided to part ways, she wouldn’t have to see or talk to Blake. Please, let that be the case. For now, like it or not, they were stuck having to deal with their grandparents together. Why did she ache for Blake when he wasn’t at all what she wanted? He enjoyed playing the field. She didn’t do that, was looking for someone with a heart of gold who was true blue to the woman he cared about. Was that asking too much?
Maybe it was, and like Gran said, her standards were impossibly high.
In need of advice, she texted Carmie. Want to talk. Meet in an hour at the Hastings between where we live?
Good friend that she was the reply came right away. Chris just left my place—he has to work today, but I don’t. How about an hour from now?
Perfect. Hastings was busy, as it usually was on a Saturday morning. A couple about her age were leaving, and she set her jacket on the back of a chair to reserve the table. Then she joined the line of people waiting to order.
Things moved slowly, and Vi people watched. Two college-age guys in front of her talked about their plans for the evening. “I really like this girl,” one said to the other.
“Cool. What’s your next move?”
“To take my time. I don’t want to mess up my chances by moving too fast.”
“Wow, you must more than like her.”
“I do. She could be the one.”
Vi sighed. Just once, it’d be nice to meet someone like that, a man who thought she was The One and they decided together to move slowly enough to make sure they were right for each other. With Blake, it was like a forest fire raging through water-starved trees.
“Hey, you,” Carmie called out from behind her. There were three people between them. “Come back here with me.”
The woman directly behind Vi smiled. “Why don’t you come up here with your friend? I don’t mind.”
“That’s so nice—thanks,” Vi said, and Carmie joined her. “I got us a table over there by the bookcase. I haven’t eaten yet. The ham and cheese croissants look good.”
“I had a bowl of cereal but could go for a muffin.”
Moments later, they took their coffees and food to the table.
“Chris invited me to Sweet Sue’s next Friday night,” Carmie announced as soon as they sat down.
“Now, that’s news.” The classy restaurant in the upscale area downtown was especially popular for celebrations and other special occasions. Vi smiled. “He must have something important to discuss with you.”
“You mean like a proposal? Fingers and toes crossed.”
“But not our eyes,” Vi said and laughed at her own words.
Carmie laughed, too, then nibbled her muffin and studied her. “I’m glad you texted this morning. We haven’t seen each other in a while. What’s up with you?”
Vi started with the easiest topic—work. “It’s been insane all week, but surely things will settle down soon. I haven’t changed my mind about looking for a new job. If I stick around and wait for the dust to clear, I’ll be in a good position for the promotion I want.”
“They’d better pay you the bonus you’re owed, too. What’s going on with your grandma and her boyfriend? Are they recovering after the car accident?”
“They seem to be. The problem is, Gran hasn’t mentioned Malcom to me, and Malcom doesn’t say a word about her to Blake. We can’t figure out if they’re still mad at each other or if they made plans they don’t want us to know about. Which reminds me. If they decide not to get married and she wants to leave the 709, she’ll need a place to rent. Do you think you can find her something reasonably priced?
“I can try. What will she want in an apartment?”
“I don’t know—we haven’t discussed that.”
“When you figure it out, let me know and I’ll get to work. Why don’t you ask her? Blake should do the same with his grandpa and find out his opinion on the matter.”
“We’ve been waiting for them to tell us on their own. Neither of them is exactly flexible, and we don’t want to get on their bad sides. Our hopes are that they’ll tell us when they’re ready.”
“If they don’t?”
“We’ll keep strategizing.” The thought of her and Blake figuring out what to do together tied Vi up in knots. She wasn’t at all sure she wanted to see or talk to him.
“You look like you swallowed a bug,” Carmie said. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m a mess. I have so much to tell you.” Vi lowered her voice and shared about the kisses both in Blake’s car and the previous night.
Carmie smiled and shook her head. “You two don’t waste any time.”
Vi set the croissant down and wiped her fingers with her napkin. “Both times were a mistake. Blake mentioned that he dates a lot of women and hasn’t had many girlfriends. He was engaged once, but he and his then fiancée called off the wedding.”
“He’s honest. That’s good.”
Vi agreed. “From what he says, he doesn’t stay with a woman for long. I don’t want to be another female he sweet talks into bed and then moves on to someone else.”
“Hey, you do the same thing.”
“Not sexually. I happen to be testing the waters and trying to find the right person.”
“Pot calling the kettle?”
“No way. Blake’s a player. I’m not.”
“I get the feeling his behavior reminds you of Devin. If you know that, why mess around with him?”
“I ask myself the same question. The truth is, he’s not easy to resist.”
“So that’s how it is. What’s your plan?”
“After we finish dealing with the grandparents thing, I’ll stop seeing him.” And meanwhile, keep a respectable distance from him, no matter how challenging it was.
“When do you think that will be?”
“Soon, I hope. Blake’s visiting his grandfather now. I’m going to stop in at Gran’s in an hour or so. We’ll compare notes and go from there.” Staying well out of touching distance. “Wish us luck.”