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He chuckles. "I thought I made it clear. I want you, forever, if I can have you. Did you think I was going to just let you leave when this was all over?"
I reach out, gripping the sides of his head and pull him to me, pressing our lips together. My body tingles at the contact, and as the kiss deepens, I pull away. This isn't the place for my hormones to get the better of me. He stares at me, his eyes wild with need. Taking his hand, we join Dresden by the door.
"You know it was foolish running over here without back-up," he says.
"Yeah, I know. Let's get back to the apartment before someone tries to kill us."
†††
We walk into the apartment to find everyone still sitting at the dining room table, laughing and carrying on. My stomach rumbles and as much as I want to contemplate my outrageousness, I'm starving.
Blake and I take our seats, his gaze on me, as I finally fill my plate and begin eating. After a few mouthfuls, I can't take it anymore. I sit back and turn toward him. His gaze never leaves my face.
"What?" I say, huffing.
The edges of his mouth turn upward. "Nothing."
"You've been staring at me since we got home."
"Am I not allowed to stare at my beautiful girlfriend?" He raises his eyebrows in amusement.
I laugh, catching several people's attention. "Maybe your girlfriend would like to finish her food, without a damn audience."
"Okay, I'm sorry." He turns his gaze to Dresden, and they grin like schoolboys.
Their bro-mance is annoying.
"You guys should've come with us. First time Lily hasn't punched someonebeforeasking questions," Dresden quips, taking a bite of his food.
I throw my spoon, hitting him in the chest. "Shut up."
"What? I was shocked. I think Blake was too."
"I said, shut up."
"I think what you're doing is nothing short of amazing, baby," Blake says, trailing his fingers down my cheek.
"What are you doing, Lily?" Doctor Saladinya asks, setting his silverware down.
I sigh and set mine down next to my plate. "It's nothing, really."
"Yes, adopting a kid, that's no big deal," Dresden says sarcastically.
Every eye focuses on me and the blood rises to my face. I run my hands through my hair and stand. "Yes, okay, as stupid an idea as it is, I care for that girl. If she doesn't stay with me, her parents will sell her back to the sex trade," I say, my words jumbled.
"Breathe, Lily. That's such a selfless thing to do. You're an amazing woman," Doctor Saladinya says, smiling.
I stare at him, wide-eyed. "Thanks," I whisper. "Alright, enough of this. I'm exhausted."
"Where are you going?" Blake says.
I glance back at him, a sly grin playing at my lips. "Toourbedroom. See you when you come up."
†††
Making love to Blake is something I'll never get tired of doing. My emotions are all over the place, but in bed with him is the one place where everything makes sense. I close my eyes, the soothing rhythm of Blake's shower pulling me toward sleep. He sings, not overly loud, but enough that I can hear him. He's pretty good.
I smile to myself— half dazed, as he gets out of the shower and moves around the bathroom. He whistles the song I sang to him at the piano a while back. There couldn't be a more perfect song for us. Well, from me to him.