Chapter 19
Blake eyeballed the scene unfolding near the women’s bathroom. Who in hell was holding onto Vi like he never wanted to let go? “I’ll pick up the drinks in a minute,” he told the bartender. He strode toward her in time to hear her order the harasser away.
The man held up both his hands. “Cool down, Vi. I?—”
“Back off,” Blake threatened, his fists primed to throw a punch.
“Blake,” Vi said with obvious relief. “I’m so glad to see you.”
The man, obviously drunk, squinted at him. “Who’re you?”
The answer fell out of Blake’s mouth without missing a beat. “Vi and I are together.” Tonight, they were. He put a protective arm around her. She didn’t seem to mind, sank against him willingly.
The man’s jaw dropped. Not counting reeling some, he didn’t budge. “You’ve had too much to drink, buddy. Get lost, or I’ll call security,” Blake warned.
“All right, all right, I’m going. See you around, Vi.”
“Not if I can help it,” she muttered when he was out of earshot. “Thank you, Blake.”
He felt her tremble and tightened his arm around her. “Wish I’d come sooner. Who was that jerk?”
“Believe it or not, Devin.”
Oh, man. “The cretin from the grounds crew.”
“Unfortunately. I was coming out of the bathroom and he bumped into me. He looked at me like I was a piece of meat.”
She shuddered, and Blake wanted to deck the guy. “You okay? I can go after him.”
“He’s not worth it. I can’t believe how bad he looks. I’m doubly grateful I haven’t seen him since college. How did you know he?—”
“While I waited at the bar for our drinks, I glanced toward the restrooms and there you were. With him.” The thought of those hands on her…
“Don’t squeeze me so hard.”
He realized his arm had tightened too much and relaxed. “Sorry about that. Do you want to go home?”
“No, but I don’t want to be here, either.”
He didn’t blame her. “Bastard really shook you up.”
“Yes. I don’t want to run into him again.”
Blake seconded that. “I left our drinks at the bar. Come with me while I let the bartender know we’ve changed our minds. I want to alert him about Devin, too.”
When Blake told the man, he nodded. “As soon as I saw what he was doing, I notified security. You okay, miss?”
“Yes, thanks,” Vi said, but Blake knew how shaken she was. “He’s too drunk to be driving.”
“We’re on it.”
The band came back and started a new set. As toe-tappingly good as the music was, he wanted to get her out of there. “Drunkenness is no excuse for what he did,” he said close to her ear as they headed toward the table to get her jacket. She’d left her hair loose, and flyaway strands teased his cheek.
“You’re more upset than I am.”
“Probably. I’m also proud of you. You held your own. If Devin hadn’t let go of you, I figured you’d kick his shin.”
“I never even thought of that. I was too stunned and scared.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“Thanks, but you’re the man who got rid of him. My hero.” She gave him a weak but grateful smile.
“I did what any decent man would. Where do you want to go?” he asked as they made their way to the exit.
“I have no idea except that I don’t want to be around other people right now.”
Fine with him. He wanted to be alone with her, hold her and make her feel better. No fooling around—she’d been through enough for one night. Besides, she’d made it clear she didn’t want that. “It’s a warm night and there’s a full moon. My deck overlooks the ocean. Of course, we can’t see the water, but the reflection of the moon on it should be fantastic. You’ll love it. I’ll behave myself, I promise.” He caught his breath.
“I guess that’ll do,” she said, and he could breathe again. “I’ll follow you to your house.”
She was still upset, and he wanted her in the car with him. “I’ll drive, then drop you back here at the parking lot when you’re ready to go home.”
“Why are you offering, when I’m perfectly able to drive?”
“I want to, okay?”
“How can I argue with that?”
As Blake navigatedthrough the darkness, Vi attempted to calm down. But the adrenaline still flooding through her kept her from relaxing. She reviewed what’d happened at the Highway Club. Seeing Devin planted in front of her and grasping her arm in his too-warm grip… Ugh. She shuddered all over again.
What if Blake hadn’t seen what was happening? Would security have come as quickly?
The important thing was he’d noticed and acted. She’d started out the evening intending to keep her distance from him. But they’d had such a good time dancing that she’d begun to feel differently. Those feelings had only grown stronger after what’d happened. He was a good man, and he cared about her. He’d told Devin they were together. Did he mean that, or were they mere words uttered to get rid of the drunken menace?
“You’re awful quiet,” Blake commented at a red light. “Sure you’re okay?”
“Getting there. You were wonderful tonight.”
“Wish I’d seen what was happening sooner.”
“Don’t worry about that. What matters is you were there.”
“I guess.”
He started to reach for her, then stopped himself. Wanting his reassuring touch, she caught hold of his hand. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. Despite the darkness outside, she was able to see the gleam of warmth and caring in his eyes. The light turned green and she sat back. “Hey, Blake, do you think we could stop at Melissa Ann’s? We’re not far from the bakery now, and they don’t close for another fifteen minutes.”
“That’s a great idea.”
Moments later, he parked. “Feel like coming in, or should I surprise you?”
For some reason, she wanted to stay close to him. “I’ll come in with you.”
There were several customers in the store. She reached for his hand again. His warm fingers wrapped around hers, and he almost smiled. While they selected their treats and he paid, she realized that something inside her had changed tonight. Maybe it was time she stopped holding herself back from doing what she really wanted, to be held and kissed and adored even for a short period of time. To let feelings run wild as Rose had suggested.
A scary thought. Don’t do it, a little voice in her mind urged. I don’t expect anything serious to come of it, so I won’t get hurt, she answered back. Talking to herself and answering—that was a new one.
She wanted what she wanted—him—and that was that.
Moments later, treats in hand and back in the car, Blake drove on. “Suddenly, you seem different,” he said after another long silence.
“What happened tonight gave me the willies.”
“I don’t blame you. But your whole vibe has changed.”
Wondering at that, she glanced his way. “How so?”
He was quiet a moment, thinking, she guessed. “I can’t describe it. Less tense, like you’re calming down.”
The man had no idea. “I’m better,” she said and wanted to show him exactly what had changed.
Slowing, he signaled. “We’re almost there.”
“That didn’t take long.” Decorative street lights illuminated big lots and houses that were lit up inside. “You live in an upscale neighborhood. Maybe it’s the lights, but being here gives me a good feeling.”
“Funny, that’s how I felt when the real estate agent showed me the house.”
He pulled into a driveway but stopped short of the garage. She wondered what he had packed in there. Oh, please, don’t let him be a packrat.
“The shed out back where I kept my bikes and equipment was in bad shape,” he said, almost as if something in her expression gave her thoughts away. “The contractor demolished it and hauled out the mess. He’s getting ready to build me a new one. Until then, I’m keeping everything in there.”
Then not a packrat. From what he said, anyway. She hadn’t seen the inside of his house. A two story that looked to be a decent size. “Your house is much bigger than mine.”
“Three bedrooms isn’t that big. I bought it because I wanted a place that was mine, plus I liked what I saw.”
“Stability. I know that feeling.”
He nodded. “I’ll give you a quick tour, then we’ll sit out on the deck with our treats and wine or pop. Your choice.”
“Wine sounds good.”
She enjoyed seeing the house. On the main floor, a living room about twice the size of hers with a gas fireplace, comfy-looking chairs and a sofa. Also a dining room and a kitchen big enough for a table, plus a full bath and a bedroom he used as a home office. Upstairs, another full bath and the additional two bedrooms. The smaller of the two for company and the other where he slept. A glance around showed no signs of clutter. He wasn’t a packrat or a messy person. Check and check.
But the deck out back was her favorite. Soft outdoor lighting illuminated a fenced yard. Beyond that, darkness. The house was close enough to the ocean to smell it, and she could hear the rush of the waves. “I love being out here,” she said from her comfortable lounge chair. Blake sat in its twin, a wood patio table between them. “You were right about the moon. Its reflection on the water is so pretty.” Also romantic.
“I knew you’d like it. You should see the view in daylight.”
“Maybe you’ll show it to me someday,” she said, trying not to want that too much. “I’m ready for my treat.” The bakery box was on the table. She opened it and salivated at the aroma of the chocolate eclairs.
They set their treats on napkins, and Blake poured the wine.
While they enjoyed the desserts, she heard a hooting sound. “Is that an owl?”
“Yep. They like the tall evergreens in the area. So do the eagles.”
“Wow.” Wishing she could sit next to Blake and cuddle up, she glanced longingly at the glider swing at the side of the deck.
“Would you rather sit there?”
She nodded. “I’ve never been in a swing like that. It looks fun.”
“It can be. Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” Pushing the seat back and forth with her foot was relaxing. “Know what?” she said. “I’m not stressed out anymore. The moon is so bright tonight, we don’t need the outdoor lights.”
“I’ll turn them off.”
He started to stand. “I’ll do it,” she said, rising and flicking the switch. “I can still see you clearly.” She frowned at him. “This time, you’re the one with something on your face—chocolate.”
“Oh? Where?”
“I’ll show you.” She slid closer to him, leaned up and planted a kiss on the corner of his mouth. “Right there.” Feeling both daring and awkward, she licked it off. “You’re good now.”
He went very still. “What are you doing, Vi?”
She smiled at him. “I’ve decided kisses are okay.”
“You sure about that? This isn’t a way to blot out what happened earlier?”
“I don’t think so, but let me kiss you again to make sure.” She gave him a teaser kiss, which wasn’t nearly enough. “Nope, it’s not about that at all. It’s about you and me and nothing else.” She pulled him down for more.
He groaned softly and wrapped his arms around her. “I’ve been wanting to hold you since we left the Highway Club.”
“Me, too. Now be quiet and kiss me again.”
This time was more intense. He tasted of chocolate and wine. Ambrosial.
“I can’t get enough of your mouth,” he murmured.
“Really?”
His reply came in warm, ardent kisses that involved tongues and squirming on her part. The world shrank down to her and him. She lost herself in sensation. His strong arms around her, the heat from his body, the smell of him. Before she knew it, she was sitting on his lap, enjoying his every move.
He nuzzled the sweet spot beneath her ears, kissed the skin exposed on her V neck top. She grew damp between her legs. Hungry for him, she wanted his hands and mouth on her. Everywhere. She angled back and thrust out her breasts.
His warm hand slid inside the V and down the top edges of her bra. Fingers on either side of her nipple teased and stroked, making her wild. One nipple, then the other. Craving more, she squirmed and pushed her breasts harder against his hands.
“Like that, do you?”
“Yes.” She was about to take off her top when he inched back for a few disappointing moments. Then, thank you, God, he slid his hand under her skirt, up her thigh… Certain female body parts got all excited.
“Your legs are gorgeous.”
The compliment barely registered—she was too focused on other things. Feel free to slide that hand on up, she silently urged, shifting restlessly on his lap. He was aroused. That made two of them.
Suddenly he broke away. He was breathing as hard as she was. “If kisses are all you’re ready for, we should’ve stopped a while ago.”
She wanted to stay exactly where she was and let nature take its course, but he was right. Pulling back was a wise choice. She climbed off his lap and scooted toward the far edge of the glider. “Maybe it’s time for you to take me to my car.”
On the drive back, they didn’t talk much, and the events of the evening played through her mind. Dancing, Devin, kisses and more on the glider.
“Hey, Vi?” Blake said as he pulled up beside her car.
“Hmm?”
“I thought you stayed away from guys like me, whatever that is.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” she said and meant it. Smart or not, she’d moved beyond caution. “Not counting what happened shortly before we left the Highway Club, I had a great time tonight. Thanks for celebrating with me.”
She exited the car, and he followed suit. “What are you doing?” she asked and unlocked the Hyundai.
“I need a goodnight kiss, and we’re not doing that in the car.”
He lifted her up and hugged her close. Chest to chest, hip to hip. Delicious. “Mmm,” she said, pressing closer. When he set her down, letting go of him wasn’t easy. With reluctance, she stepped away. “Good night, Blake.”
“Night.” He stayed where he was until she buckled in and started the car.