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Blake stands on the other side of the threshold. His hair is wet and sticking to his forehead. His chest is bare, showing off massive amounts of glowing skin. He’s wearing only a pair of sweatpants, hanging just below his hip.

All thoughts of Ethan and revenge evaporate. This close to Blake, I can’t think. I can barely breathe. Despite obviously being freshly showered, he still managed to apply a generous amount of what is slowly becoming my favorite cologne, the smell awaking hidden places all over my body.

“I have to pick up Chase at six-thirty,” I say, numbly.

“Come in.” He only partly steps away, forcing my shoulder to brush against his warm chest as I pass by. The small touch is enough to heighten my awareness of him, making my nipples pebble and my arms break out in goosebumps.

He closes the door behind me. His apartment is as small as mine, with a large bed taking up a large portion of the room. It’s unmade. The sheets are bunched up at the foot of the bed and the pillows are stacked on top of each other against the headboard.

My belly flutters at the sight of that bed.

“Do you want something to drink?” Blake asks.

“No. I’m too nervous.”

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to—”

“No! That’s not why I’m nervous…”

His eyebrows go up as he waits for me to finish a sentence that I don’t know the end of.

If I want this, why am I so scared? Because I haven’t had sex with anyone but Ethan in twenty years. Because I’m scared that I suck at it and that’s why he left me. After all, he seemed to enjoy making out with Charlotte in public, something that he never did with me.

“I’m sorry…” I shake my head.

Blake grabs my hands, his are strong and steady and warm. And I like when he stands close to me.

“Tell me what you want, Amelia.”

“I don’t know what I’m doing… Maybe you could take charge. Just give me the Blake experience.”

His mouth lifts in a half smile. “The Blake experience?”

“Yeah, you know…”

I look down at my feet in embarrassment. Surely, he must know.

“No. What’s the Blake experience?”

“Remember that blond girl you dated, what, two summers ago? That’s what she called it.”

“It?”

“Sex. With you. And Jane said one time that you’re a beast in bed.”

My face burns.

His tone goes flat. “I had no idea they were so chatty.”

“Oh yes! And what was that redhead’s name? She kept saying how she likes it rough and you knew just how to give it to her.”

He humphs and I can’t help but laugh a little.

“You’re teasing me.”

“A little. But it’s all true! And Kayla—”

“I’ve never slept with Kayla!”