Page 61 of When You Blush

“So you’re a doctor. Does that mean you have a healthy 401k? A nice house? Do you have a shit ton of student loans to pay off? What are you doing to secure your future?”

“Oh. My. God. Ava Marie, shut your mouth!”

Everyone around us is laughing, including Blake, who looks as relaxed as can be.

“Yes, yes, no, and I could tell you, but that’s a long, boring conversation.” His grin turns to me. “Wanna get out of here, sugar?”

“He calls you sugar,” Ava whisper-yells, and this time, I cover her mouth with my hand.

“You havegotto shut it, or I will sew your lips closed.”

“Ah, sisterly love,” Dani says, winking at her own sisters. “It’s so fun.”

“Mmp mnnph mmb,” Ava says against my hand.

“What?” I take it away, and she smiles sweetly.

“You’re keeping him.”

“I swear to Jesus and every single one of the disciples?—”

“You’re not particularly religious.” Ava interrupts.

“I will smother you in your sleep.”

“Before I have to bail you out of jail for homicide, let’s go.” Blake stands, takes my hand, and pulls me to my feet. And then, to my utter shock, he frames my face and lowers his mouth to mine, kissing me fiercely. This isnota safe-for-work kiss. This is the kind of kiss reserved for sexy nights at home.

“Atta girl,” Ava says, and Blake smiles against my lips.

“I fucking missed you, sugar.”

“Go get a room.” I think that was Bridger, but I can’t be sure.

“On it,” Blake agrees and threads his fingers with mine. “Bye, everyone.”

I wave as I grab my handbag, and I’m being led out of the bookstore, everyone laughing and smiling at us as we go.

“Did you drive?” he asks.

“No, I?—”

“Excellent.” He leads me to his Mercedes and pins me against the side, kissing me again. This time, his hand fists in the back of my hair, keeping my face just where he wants it as he continues to plunder my mouth. “Come home with me.”

“I can do that.”

“And this time, stay for fucking breakfast.”

I bring my hands up to his face and soak him in. “I can do that, too. Can we swing by my place so I can grab some stuff?”

“How many days off do you have?”

“Two.”

“Grab enough for two days, then. Because I’m not letting you out of my sight for the next forty-eight hours.”

I blink up at him in surprise. “You don’t have to work?”

“It seems I’ve found a reason to use my vacation days. I haven’t had you in a week. That’s unacceptable.”