Page 18

JENNA

I didn’t see Blaise most of the day, except for a short moment when he told me to dress up because we were going to dinner.

Now, standing in front of the mirror, I can't stop smiling as I smooth down my dress, the nicest one I own. My reflection in the mirror shows a girl I barely recognize. These past weeks with Blaise have been like living in a dream.

The knock at my door makes my heart skip. I open it to find Blaise looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored suit, his green eyes sparkling as they take me in.

"You look beautiful," he says, drawing me close for a kiss. Yes, I’m living a fairy tale.

“You look handsome.” More like a million bucks. If I didn’t know better, I might think he came from money. The suit fits him like a glove.

I look over my shoulder. “You’ll be okay, Mom?”

“You two have fun. Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be just fine.”

The restaurant he takes me to is the fanciest place I've ever been. It’s the sort of place the Keans might go to, or movie stars.

I feel out of place. "I've never been anywhere this nice.”

Blaise's hand finds mine across the table. "You deserve nice things. I want to give them to you."

I’m confused. Not that I thought he was poor, but I never thought he was the type to afford places like this. If he’s rich, why is he working for the Keans as a guard?

“I hope you’re not wasting all your money on me.”

“I don’t have much opportunity to spend money. I might as well spend it when I can on you.”

After years of caring for Mom and pining after someone who never saw me, having someone want to spoil me feels surreal.

"Thank you," I say softly. "For everything. These past weeks have been amazing."

His smile falters for just a moment before returning brighter than before. He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles that sends shivers down my spine.

Blaise orders a bottle of wine I can't pronounce. Everything gleams, from the polished silverware to the gold-rimmed plates.

"Have you been here before?" I fidget with my napkin, hyper-aware of how out of place I must look.

“No. But I’ve heard the duck here is excellent. Would you like me to order for both of us?"

I nod, grateful. The menu prices make my head spin, and half the dishes are in French.

The sommelier appears with our wine, presenting the bottle to Blaise who swirls, sniffs, and tastes it with practiced ease. My brow furrows. For someone who told me he grew up ordinary, he moves through this world of luxury like he was born to it.

"How do you know so much about wine?" I ask.

"Picked it up here and there." He redirects smoothly, reaching across to take my hand. "You look stunning tonight. That green brings out your eyes."

The compliment makes me blush, momentarily forgetting my curiosity. When the waiter returns, Blaise orders in French.

He catches my surprised look and winks. "High school French class really paid off."

I laugh, but something niggles at the back of my mind.

Everything about him tonight feels… different.

More polished. Like he's revealing glimpses of someone else entirely. It’s unsettling until he smiles, and I’m dazzled by it.

I push the confusing thoughts away. He's just trying to give me a special evening.

And boy, is he succeeding. I need to appreciate it.

After dinner, Blaise leads me to a small dance floor tucked into the corner of the restaurant where other couples sway to the live jazz band.

I've never really danced before, not like this. "I don't know how.”

Blaise pulls me close, one hand settling on my waist. "Just follow my lead."

His chest is solid against mine as we start to move. The music wraps around us, and somehow, my feet know exactly where to go. Blaise guides me with subtle pressure, making me feel graceful instead of clumsy.

"See? Natural talent." His breath tickles my ear.

I laugh softly, relaxing into his embrace. "More like excellent teaching."

We turn slowly, and I catch our reflection in one of the mirrors lining the walls.

We fit together perfectly—his height, my curves, the way my head tucks just under his chin.

The sight fills my heart. This feels right.

Everything with Blaise feels natural, like we were meant to find each other. I close my eyes and breathe him in.

After dancing, he escorts me to the entrance of a posh, expensive hotel. “If you want to go home, I’ll take you, but I thought it might be nice to be together with some champagne and a very large bed.”

My girlie parts sing. “I’d like that.”

He gives me a cocky, knowing smile. “I thought you might.”

Up in the room, he takes the already waiting bucket with the bottle of champagne and brings it into a bathroom that is nearly the size of my cottage.

“How about a bath and champagne?”

I didn’t think I could ever feel more like I was living a romance than I do at this moment. “Sounds wonderful.”

Steam curls around us as Blaise fills the massive marble tub. He undresses, and for a moment all I can do is look at his perfect form. He’s tall and strong, sculpted. His tattoos are like art on his chest. He could stand like this in a museum and people would admire his beauty.

“You need to strip too.”

I quickly undress.

Blaise holds out his hand. "Come here.” He helps me into the tub, his gaze intense. The way he looks at me with hunger makes body come alive. No one's ever looked at me like that before.

The water is perfectly hot as I sink in, my back against his chest. He hands me a glass of champagne and I sip the cool bubbly. I want to pinch myself because this moment with this man feels so surreal, like a fantasy come true.

Blaise sets his glass aside and slides his hands over my shoulders. I melt into his touch.

“I like touching you,” he murmurs, pressing kisses down my neck. "So responsive."

His fingers trail lower, skimming my sides, and I gasp. Every touch feels electric, like he's lighting me up from the inside out. I set my glass aside, and water sloshes as I turn to face him, straddling his lap.

“Do you like it?”

He laughs. “Have I given any indication that I don’t?”

I duck my head, feeling a little embarrassed at needing his reassurance.

“Yes, I like it. I like it a lot.” Blaise captures my mouth in a searing kiss that steals my breath. His hands tangle in my hair, angling my head to deepen the kiss. My body, already humming, begins to sizzle with need. I rock against him, desperate for more contact.

“Tell me what you want," he growls against my lips.

"You. Just you."

“Who?”

“You.”

He stops, holding my head with his hands. “Say my name, Jenna. I need to know that you’re not thinking of Ronan Kean when I fuck you.”

His words shock me. Does he think that? A part of me feels like it’s a step too far. But another part knows that my history of pining for Ronan is long. Perhaps like me, Blaise just needs reassurance.

“Blaise. I want Blaise Tine.”

“What would you do for me?” His hands cup my breasts, kneading and sucking until I can hardly think.

I grip his head to me, wanting to make sure he doesn’t stop. “Anything.”

“Anything? Would you suck my dick for me?” His fingers slide between my legs, and I gasp, partly at his words and partly from the shock of pleasure that rockets through me.

“Yes. I’ve never…” The words are lost as his fingers thrust inside me. My hips rock, riding his fingers as pressure builds in my core.

“Would you tell me secrets?”

His words are filtering in by snippets. Sort of like when the reception on a radio goes in and out. “Secrets?”

“Would you betray others for me?”

“I, ah…” My orgasm slams into me so hard that for a moment, I can’t breathe. I’m barely done when Blaise gets out of the tub and has me join him.

He makes me face the mirror, and I’m a little afraid only because this is so different. At the same time, I know I love him and I want to make him happy.

He stands behind me, his eyes watching me through the reflection in the mirror. “Look at me, Jenna.”

I do as he says, my hands resting on the sink counter as I prepare for whatever he’s going to do.

“Look at the man you say you love.”

“I do love you.” I want to turn and face him, but his hands are on my hips.

He presses his dick between my thighs, and arousal blooms in me again. “Would you do anything for me?”

“Yes. Anything.”

“Just like you did for Ronan?”

What? I don’t know what he’s saying. But I don’t have time to ask as he thrusts inside me, filling me.

He shocks me by lightly biting my shoulder as he finds a steady rhythm driving in and out of me. “Who’s fucking you, Jenna?”

“You—ah—Blaise.”

“And you like it.”

“Yes. I love it. I love you.” I give in to the sensations overwhelming me. I don’t understand what’s going on with him, but I trust him. Maybe something happened at work and he needs this to let off steam.

“Fuck… I’m close. Touch yourself. Touch your clit and make yourself come.”

I do as he asks and immediately, pleasure blasts through me.

His fingers grip my hips and he throws his head back as he lets out a feral growl. He bucks into me, again and again. Each time, warmth fills my womb.

He drops his head to my shoulder, and I wait, unsure of his mood. He steps back abruptly and shakes his head. “Fuck.”

He grabs a robe and wraps it around my shoulders. Then he yanks a towel from the rack, wrapping it around his hips and leaving the bathroom.

I’m stunned as I look at myself in the mirror. What just happened? I slip my hand through the sleeves of the robe.

I leave the bathroom to find Blaise standing at the window with what looks like a double pour of something potent.

I stand watching him, not sure what to do.

He doesn’t look at me when he speaks. “I was rough. Did I hurt you?”

“No.” I wait a beat. This moment makes me realize there is still a lot I don’t know about him. It doesn’t change how I feel, though. It only reminds me that I need to take things slow. “I… ah… Ronan isn’t?—”

“Don’t.”

“I just… if you’re worried?—”

“Don’t.”

My mouth snaps shut. What’s going on with him?

For a moment, I wait, but all he does is look out the window and down his drink. Should I leave? Should I just keep waiting?

Finally, I move closer to him, but I don’t touch him. I look at him through the reflection in the window instead of directly.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ve waited for a man like you, Blaise. You’re all I’ve dreamed about but never thought was real.”

His eyes close, and I hold my breath, wondering if he’s upset at my words or if they’re reaching him. He turns to me, and I shift to look at him.

“Who are you?” he asks.

I don’t know what he’s asking from me, so I simply say, “I’m just me. Jenna.”

His eyes are piercing and intense as he stares at me. It’s like he’s looking for something. I hope he finds it.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

He gives a small laugh. “I don’t know.” He seems to be coming back.

“I liked the way you touched me before. You didn’t hurt me.”

He nods and turns his attention back out the window. Am I losing him again?

“You asked if I’d suck your dick. Can I do that now?”

His head whips to look at me.

I bite my lower lip and take a chance by tugging his towel until it drops. “I might not be good at it, but I want to learn.” I slowly lower down until I’m on my knees. His dick is slowly thickening, hardening. It’s amazing to watch. “Your dick seems to like the idea.”

“Fucking hell, Jenna…” His voice is strained, almost like he’s conflicted. But then he says, “Treat it like a lollipop.”

I smile up at him. “I like lollipops.” I take a breath and then snake my tongue out to lick him. The skin is soft and warm, while underneath is hard. He lets out a harsh grunt.

Feeling empowered, I suck the tip of him into my mouth.

He groans again, his fingers lacing through my hair as he holds me to him.

I’m still unsettled by the change in him, but relationships can’t always be rainbows, right? I need to be here for him, to support him in whatever challenges he’s facing. And if right now, all I do is make him feel good, then that’s what I’ll do.