Page 9 of Cursed to Love (Cursed to Love #1)

CHAPTER NINE

P aige followed Blake into his house and took a quick glance around. Her first impression of Blake’s house, even in the dark of night, was welcoming. A swing hung from the rafters of a large porch, and she could imagine herself sitting in it one day.

While she admired the house, the two sides of her brain were in the middle of a sparring match. One side believed she’d made the wrong decision in accepting Blake’s offer. It would be too easy to become dependent on Blake. And the other side of her was full of hope for a cozy home and partnership.

Too exhausted to know if she was even thinking clearly, she shoved the thoughts aside. It was late and she needed to get Emmie settled.

Before she had a chance to check out the inside of the house, Blake walked up the stairs and into one of the open doorways.

“There’s a small lamp above the twin bed,” Blake whispered. Paige hurried past him, seeing the bed on one side of the room and a crib on the other. Both had lamps safe distances above them.

She reached up and flicked on one of the lights.

Blake stood beside the bed, rubbing Emmie’s back in slow circles.

Paige pulled back the blankets, and he lowered Emmie gently to the bed. As if they’d done it a hundred times, he removed Emmie’s shoes while Paige got her out of her coat.

He pulled the blankets up to Emmie’s waist as if passing them off to Paige and she tucked them around her daughter’s shoulders before leaning down and giving her a kiss. “Mommy loves you,” she whispered, Emmie already sound asleep.

When she straightened, Blake was shutting a set of closet doors. “I put her coat and shoes in here,” he said quietly.

She nodded and took a moment to look around the room. Random gold stars decorated the wall with the lamps, and Paige’s lips twitched as she remembered how nervous Blake had been when he’d explained that the room was done in neutral colors. He’d been right—everything was neutral, but inviting, from the rocking chair to the mobile above the crib to the rugs covering the wood flooring to the bookshelves and baskets filled with toys.

“I’ll go get your things,” Blake said and left the room.

Paige looked down at Emmie. She’d been through so much during the last year, and each time, she seemed to roll with the punches. But the apartment had been sterile and the strip mall even more so. Blake’s house was a home. When Paige eventually had to rip Emmie away from it, it would hurt her if she’d become attached to it, like when they’d left the only home Emmie had known.

It didn’t matter that she and Craig had to sell the house because of his debts; Paige had been the one to take Emmie away from it. Would her daughter start to resent her for everything she’d done? When Emmie got older, she likely wouldn’t even remember this time in her life, but the effects of what had happened could stay with her. Paige knew this was a crucial time in a child’s development, and she constantly worried that she was ruining her daughter because of her decisions.

A year ago, Paige had been so sure that leaving Craig and standing up for herself would be best for Emmie in the long run. Now she wondered if all the upheaval was selfish on her part.

“Paige?” Startled, she turned at the sound of Blake’s voice. “You okay?”

He stood in the doorway with a box in his hands.

At her nod, he came over to her and placed the box on the floor beside the bed. “Emmie’s toys,” he said.

He looked at her for a moment, as if trying to read her, and then left the room.

Paige opened the flaps of the box, took out Emmie’s favorite doll, and tucked it into bed with her.

She left the light on and the door ajar, in case Emmie woke up, and went downstairs.

“Hey,” Blake said as he walked into the foyer, more boxes in his arms that he put on the floor. “Let me give you a quick tour so you know where things are.”

“Sure.”

“Obviously this is the living and dining room,” he said.

The front door on her left led into a foyer and opened up to the living room in front of her that was home to two large, comfy-looking couches and two armchairs. A massive flat screen TV was above the fireplace and a large, molded archway led to the dining room, making it a semi-open concept. Three lamps, placed in the corners of the living room glowed with soft light and the only overhead fixture was the one above the dining room table.

He led her through the dining room and into the kitchen and smirked as he gestured toward the cabinets. “As you can see, I haven’t gotten around to renovating in here, yet.”

The room took up the entire back of the house, creating a long, but spacious galley kitchen. The appliances were stainless steel and looked new, a big contrast to the cupboards that looked as if they hadn’t been updated since some time in the 1950s, but they gave the whole space a homey, retro feel.

Blake pointed to a door with a large inset window covered by frilly curtains. “That leads to the patio and the backyard. I keep it locked, but just in case Emmie manages to get outside, the yard is fenced and the lock on the gate is up high.”

Paige leaned forward to peer out the curtain, hoping she hid her shock. Blake had known Emmie less than three hours and he’d shown more concern for her well-being than Craig had in the two years he’d lived with her. “Thanks, good to know.”

He pulled open a door. “A bathroom.”

Once Paige poked her head into the two-piece bath and stepped back, Blake opened a final door. “This leads to the basement.” He flicked on the light and Paige followed him down the stairs.

Considering the age of the house, she was surprised when Blake led her into an area that took up almost the same amount of space as the upstairs. The floor was covered with what looked like high-end laminate and the entire space was drywalled and painted in a soft green. Even the ceiling was finished, with pot lights spaced throughout.

The area directly in front of them was set up as a bedroom. A king size bed sat against the back wall with a nightstand on either side, and a large armchair and bookshelf sat in the corners at the end of the bed. A dresser and armoire provided a visual separation from the rest of the room.

Paige followed Blake to the other side of the bedroom space to an area with rubber mats covering the floor. A workbench, treadmill, and weights filled the area. “I always keep the door at the top of the basement stairs locked because Malcolm is walking now, so you won’t have to worry about Emmie exploring.

“That door,” Blake said, pointing to the first of two doors on the section of the basement furthest from the bed, “is a bathroom with a shower and the door beside it is the laundry room. Use whatever you need.”

Paige felt like she had to mentally catch up and followed Blake as he opened the doors to each room. Her brain was still coming to terms with Blake taking children’s safety into account like it was no big deal. It was to Paige. A huge deal.

“Come on, let me show you your bedroom. I probably should have saved this tour for tomorrow after you’ve had a chance to sleep.” Blake must have mistaken her shocked look for tiredness because he ushered her up the stairs, locking the door behind them.

Back on the second floor, he pointed to the door beyond the one where Emmie slept. “That’s the bathroom and it’s got a separate shower and a bathtub. I’m guessing Emmie still takes baths.”

Paige felt her face heat with guilt. “The strip mall only had a shower, but yes, Emmie loves baths.”

Blake reached around her and pushed open the remaining door. “This will be your room.”

Paige walked into the bedroom. It smelled just like Blake, fresh with a hint of citrus. Most houses built in the early 1900s had small bedrooms compared to modern times, but this one was spacious and had probably been two at one time.

The bed was a simple design made of high-gloss wood, nightstands holding stylish lamps on either side, and there was a door furthest from the window, most likely to a bathroom. Slowly turning, she gasped when she noticed the entire wall opposite the window had been turned into a doorless closet made of the same dark wood as the bed. Shirts and jackets hung on a rod and shelves filled with baskets lay underneath. Beside that, another rod held longer clothing items. Other shelves held shoes and folded clothing, and much of the unit was filled with drawers.

As realization dawned, she turned to Blake. “This is your bedroom. I can’t sleep here.”

Blake took a step into the room. “Yes, you can. It’s across the hall from Emmie so you’ll be able to hear her.”

Paige glanced back at the bed. Did he expect to sleep with her? Her body tingled at the thought, remembering how easily he used to make her come. Something that hadn’t happened in a long time. And unfortunately, it likely wouldn’t happen for another long while.

“Where will you sleep?” she asked, hoping her question sounded like mild curiosity.

“In the basement. I’ll take just what I need for tonight and I can move more tomorrow. Your things are there,” he said gesturing toward a bench at the end of the bed.

Only moments later, Blake had a toiletry bag and some clothes in his arms. “I’ll leave the door open so Emmie can find you,” he said as he left.

When he disappeared from view, she realized she hadn’t even thanked him. He had moved her and Emmie into his house and given up his bed for her.

It would only be temporary. She and Emmie were there for only as long as it took for her to get her independence back.

Rifling through her things, she found what she needed and headed to the bathroom. For the second time that night, she went through her nighttime routine, just a shorter version this time, and then climbed into bed.

Surrounded by Blake’s scent and enjoying the feel of a bed for the first time in more than a year, she decided to put her worries aside for the night and let sleep take her under.

* * *

Sunday, October 6

Blake leaned against the kitchen counter, while he waited for the coffee maker to finish brewing. It had been after one in the morning by the time he’d crawled into bed.

The night before had not gone the way he’d expected when he’d left for his date, but he didn’t have any regrets.

As the coffee machine sputtered the last drops, he thought about the plan that had begun to form last night. He and Paige had been friends once and hopefully they could be again. Then he’d approach her about staying on indefinitely. As roommates.

Living by himself could get lonely. It would be nice having someone around, especially someone he already knew he liked. How the curse would play into that, if it continued, he didn’t know. All he could do was take things day by day.

Blake didn’t move from his spot against the counter as he enjoyed his coffee. He had just about finished his first cup when he heard Paige and Emmie moving about upstairs. A warm sensation—and not from the coffee—filled him; he’d been right to set his alarm for six o’clock that morning in anticipation of Emmie waking early.

A few minutes later, he heard someone in the front room. He was on his second cup of coffee and had the machine set up for one for Paige. Leaning down, he looked out the passthrough and saw Emmie standing there with a doll clutched in one hand.

“Good morning, Emmie.”

Her eyes went wide. “How did you get in that hole?”

“See the door beside this hole?” He waited until she nodded. “Push on it.”

Emmie came into the kitchen and looked around. “It’s like a secret.”

“The kitchen?”

“I didn’t know where to find it.”

“I normally leave the door open, but it must have fallen closed. I’ll make sure it’s open from now on.”

Blake set his coffee on the counter and crouched in front of the little girl. Her hair was in two ponytails, one on each side of her head and she wore jeans and a sparkly blue shirt with the blond character from the movie Frozen . He wasn’t exactly sure where the expression “cute as a button” came from, but it was the first thing that came to his mind.

“There isn’t a table in here, but you can sit on the counter while I make breakfast. Can I pick you up, Emmie?”

“Yes, and my doll too.”

“Of course.” Blake lifted Emmie and placed her on the counter, making sure she wasn’t too close to the edge so she wouldn’t slip off. He knew firsthand that little kids could wiggle a lot. When he’d been seven and Ford and Gage were three, he’d helped them climb onto the dining room table so they could watch him and Jake play a game and Ford had slipped off the edge, landing on his butt on the floor. Luckily, he hadn’t been hurt. Blake had learned a lot of life’s lessons from having four younger brothers.

Emmie sat still as she looked around the kitchen, but she wasn’t wiggling.

“Do you like eggs?” he asked her.

“I like pancakes and waffles.”

Blake suppressed a laugh. “You do, huh… Which do you like more?”

“Pancakes.”

“I think I can do that. Would you like to help me?”

“Yes.” She dropped her doll on the counter and moved forward.

Blake’s heart entered his throat as he lunged for her and lifted her up. “Let’s get you a chair so you can be my helper.” He set her on the floor and grabbed a chair from the dining room.

When Blake had Emmie kneeling on a chair, he pulled out a bowl and the ingredients he needed. During his college years when his mom was struggling, he’d learned to make pancakes because it was a way he could feed all his brothers without a lot of fuss.

He measured all the ingredients and put Emmie in charge of stirring.

“Is this good?” Emmie asked while he was preheating the griddle.

Blake smiled. “You’re a good helper. Do you think you can smash a few more lumps?”

She pushed her rubber spatula into the mix, splashing some onto her shirt. Usually, he wanted to get a job done quickly, but with Emmie, he had a boatload of patience and just enjoyed seeing her be independent.

“Good morning,” Paige greeted them.

“Mommy!” Emmie said at a decibel high enough to make Blake wince as she spun around, the bowl still in her hand. Blake dove for her and the pancake batter, catching them both in time. He set the bowl on the counter and lifted Emmie to her feet.

“Good reflexes,” Paige said as she crouched down, and Emmie launched herself at her.

“Thanks. They’re getting a workout this morning.” He pointed to the coffee machine. “It’s all set up for you. Just lift the handle until the lights flash and select one.”

“Thanks.” She released her daughter and helped her back onto the chair. “What are you making?”

“Pancakes. I’m Blake’s helper.”

“That’s great, sweetie. Anything I can do to help?” she asked, directing her question at Blake.

Blake gave Emmie a mock elbow jab. “No, we’ve got this. Right, kiddo?”

Emmie laughed. “Yep. We’ve got this,” she mimicked.

Paige chatted with them while he cooked the pancakes and Emmie ran back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room, setting the table.

On Emmie’s final trip to the dining room, he and Paige followed with their coffee and a pile of pancakes. “I’m going to need more sleep to keep up with her,” he said, smirking at Paige.

She chuckled. “Don’t I know it.”

Blake enjoyed breakfast more than he could remember enjoying one in a long time. Paige reminded him so much of his mom when they were younger, directing when needed, but not in a bossy way.

During the last year, his mom had been on his ass so much about getting married that he’d buried all the good memories, letting his annoyance take over. If only she’d told him about the curse… Maybe she knew he wouldn’t have believed her until he actually experienced it for himself. He couldn’t change the past, but he would make it a habit to think about the good times.

“Penny for your thoughts? Or is it a dollar now?” Paige asked, her eyebrows raised in question.

“Just thinking about my mom. How you are with Emmie reminds me a lot of her.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Mommy, I’m done,” Emmie said.

Paige pushed her chair back. “Okay, let’s get you washed up.”

Blake followed them into the kitchen. “You can wash up in that bathroom.”

“Thanks. I’ll do the dishes. Since you two were such great cooks, it’s fair I wash up.”

He hesitated, trying to come up with an excuse for why he needed to stay in the kitchen.

She must have sensed something because she asked, “Are we keeping you from something?”

“No. The only thing I had planned was a lazy Saturday.”

She blushed. “Let us know if we get in your way.”

“I will” Blake wondered if she was thinking of all the times he’d woken her up early with his hands and mouth on her body. During college, they’d both still lived at home, but his bedroom had been in the basement. One day when he was creeping into the house at oh-dark-thirty, his mom had been waiting for him in the living room. Since he’d never been one to stay out all hours, she figured he was trying to find time alone with Paige. Then she knocked the socks off his twenty-one-year-old self by telling him Paige could stay over as long as he was discreet around his younger brothers. Discreet became his middle name.

Although he wouldn’t have that with Paige again, he would like having her around.

“Mommy, where are my toys?”

“Your dolls are in your room, but I think the rest are in the garage.”

“They are.” He held his hand out to Emmie. “You want to help me find them?”

“Yes.” She put her hand in his. So trusting. Now he just needed to get her mom to trust him.