AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’m walking in my front door, smiling at my success, when my phone buzzes with a text from Blake. “Any interest in dinner for two tomorrow?”
Something in my stomach flutters. “No nieces this weekend?”
“Nope. They’re at their grandparents’ house.”
I think back to my discussion with Linda. Build trust with Blake. “Sounds nice.”
“Pick you up at six?”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Sleep well, Beautiful.”
When I drift off to sleep, I’m picturing his slow, sexy grin.
MARK
Charlie’s said she’s going out with Blake again tomorrow night. It’ll be her first time going out with him since I gave him some basic information about her past.
Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything to him the other day in the gym. Maybe that’s crossing a line Charlie wouldn’t have wanted crossed.
Then I shake my head. I only gave him the same short version she gave dozens of other douchebags on those ridiculous Wednesday Whiner outings Lila engineered. Well, that plus his own personal health and safety warning.
There’s just something about him that doesn’t sit right with me.
My initial objection to Charlie going out with Blake stemmed from my own issues. He reminded me of how I was prior to the explosion, when I was strong and athletic and whole. Blake was an unintentional reminder that I’ll never again be what I once was.
My objections now have nothing to do with how I feel about myself and everything to do with how he acted in the rehab gym the other day. The way he so flippantly declared she needed to get past her past, to quit clinging to it, has chafed at me like sandpaper in my boxers for days. That dumbass doesn’t have a clue, and I’m afraid he’s going to end up hurting Charlie.
The way he said Tom’s already warned him against hurting her tells me that Tom sees something that gives him pause as well. Maybe he’s being overprotective, but I don’t think so.
I realize my fists are clenched just thinking about Blake.
I meant what I said.
He’d better not hurt my Baby Girl.
CHARLIE
I’m spritzing on perfume when Blake pulls into the driveway Saturday night. “I’ll let him in,” Mark calls. I check my reflection in the mirror. My red wrap dress with butterfly sleeves fits perfectly now that I’ve regained some weight. I insert earrings to match my gold lariat necklace and finger my loose waves one last time. As I’m slipping into my heels, I hear Mark open the front door. I grab my purse, feeling the reassuring weight of my handgun inside.
Blake looks up as I’m descending the stairs, and his eyes darken. “You look beautiful,” he says in his warm-honey purr. Something sizzles low in my belly at his tone. Black pants sit low on his hips, and his white dress shirt is open at the throat. His blond hair is artfully messy, and his gray-blue eyes smolder.
“Thank you. You look nice yourself.” I glance over to tell Mark good night, but I’m startled by the tightness of his jaw.
Something happened before I came downstairs.
I stop beside him, laying a hand on his forearm, waiting until his pale blue eyes meet mine. “I’ll see you later.”
He nods his head. “Have a good time,” he replies, then stares meaningfully at Blake.
I wait until we’re in his truck before turning to Blake. “What’s up with you and Mark?”
“What do you mean?”
“I could cut the tension with a knife. What’s going on?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing. You just have some very protective friends.”
