Page 18 of Where We Bloom (The Blackwells of Montana #3)

“We’re all friends, the three of us. And I trust them. But as a whole, I learned young that when someone figured out my name, and if they connected the dots to my father, they wanted something from me.”

Billie pushes her hand through my arm and laces her fingers with mine, leaning her head on my shoulder, and it’s the connection to her that I need to keep talking.

“I don’t open up to people easily. I’m not good at talking about my feelings, or asking for help, or conversation at all, really, unless it has to do with work.

I can talk to a room of investors all day long.

That’s only one of the reasons that my marriage to Fiona didn’t work.

She wanted more, and I wouldn’t give it to her. ”

I lean over and kiss my angel’s hair, breathing her in, enjoying the way her soft hair feels against my lips.

“Notice I said wouldn’t. Not couldn’t .”

“I heard you,” she murmurs before kissing my bicep and then turning her gaze out once more.

“When I do find someone to trust, it’s forever, and I’m fucking loyal, Billie.”

She nods. “We have that in common. So is that why no names that first night?”

“Aye. It made things less complicated, and I was so bloody attracted to you, I had to have you. I didn’t know?—”

“I know.” She doesn’t let go of my hand, but she sits up and turns on the log so she’s facing me now rather than the lake. I turn to look her in the eyes. “Why are you telling me all of this now?”

“Because I still want you,” I reply instantly, not even having to think about it. “And I was fucking that up without realizing it. Falling into old habits. It’s not simply about sex with you, although, I can’t lie to you, angel. I want you more than I want my next breath.”

Especially when you give me that stunning smile like you are right now.

“But you need more from me, and it surprised me to realize that I want to give you more. I simply don’t know how to go about it.”

“Sure you do.” She tips her head to the side. “You’re doing it right now. You’ve been doing it all week.”

When I frown, she continues.

“Spoiler alert, Connor, but we’re having a conversation right now, and I’m learning more about you.

You texted me every day this week. You’ve been flirty and funny.

You stocked my fridge, which I admit threw me for a loop, but in a fun way.

And I love this necklace.” She rubs her fingers over the malachite.

“I love that you thought of me while you were traveling, but I don’t need expensive gifts. ”

“It wasn’t expensive.”

“Yes, to normal people, it was expensive. I love it, but I don’t need it. Honestly, this is what I like the best.”

“What’s that?”

“This date. A simple drive, a nice conversation, flirty touches. You’re dressed all sexy, and I can’t wait to get you naked again.”

And just like that, my dick is engaged, and I pull her onto my lap, making her chuckle as she presses her hands to my chest.

“That can be arranged at literally any given moment, bumble.”

She laughs and kisses my cheek, then she gets serious again as she cups my face in her sweet hands.

“Thank you for telling me this. I want to know so much more, but it’s a good start.”

“I have to be honest with you because this isn’t a game for me.

I’m not now, nor was I ever trying to use you.

Never, angel. I simply can’t stay away from you and want to touch you all the time.

I’m not good at the rest of it, but I’m willing to try.

If it means I get you in my life, I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you,” she whispers and tips her forehead against my own.

“There is one more elephant in the room to discuss.”

“The fact that I don’t want other women to see your arms?” she asks, making me smile.

Fuck me, I smile so easily when I’m with her.

“No, my age.”

She frowns at me. “Why?”

“You’re twenty-seven.”

“Almost twenty-eight. A few weeks away from that, actually.”

“I’m nearly forty, Billie.”

She nods, watching me as if she’s waiting for me to spell it out for her. Finally, she rolls her pretty eyes at me, and I narrow mine .

“Roll your eyes at me again, and I’ll take you over my knee.”

“You’re not old enough to be my father, although you sound like one right now.”

“Technically—”

She frames my face in her hands. “I don’t care, Connor.”

“Others might care.”

“Do I look like a woman who gives two fucks about what others think? Look at me. I’m plus-sized, and I eat whatever I want, wherever I want.”

My hand grips her arse, and I scowl at her. “Your body is fucking perfect, angel, and I don’t ever want to hear you say otherwise.”

“I know. But other people don’t think so, and I don’t care. I live my life on my terms, and as long as I’m not hurting anyone else, it’s my own business. No one else’s.”

“I’m not trying to talk you out of seeing more of me,” I remind us both. “I’m simply making sure you’re okay.”

“I’m way better than I was,” she admits.

I grip her chin in my fingers. “If that ever changes, you tell me.”

“You’ll be the first to know.”

Unable to hold back any longer, I cover her lips with mine, and she opens up to me so sweetly, wraps those arms around my neck, and holds on as I devour her.

God, I’ve missed her. Her pillowy lips on mine, the way her voice rasps when she moans, and the way her body lights up under my touch .

I’ve missed everything.

“Why did we have to drive so far away to have this conversation?” she asks against my lips. “We need a bed, Connor.”

I chuckle and tighten my hold on her, bury my hand in the back of her hair and keep her mouth on mine, still not getting enough of her.

And when we finally pull apart to catch our breath, I drag my thumb over that bottom lip, still wet from my kiss.

“We’re not having sex today,” I inform her. Her gasp, followed by the narrowing of her eyes, makes me chuckle. I’ve received thousands of accolades in just as many boardrooms, and yet, her two responses do something for my soul that nothing else has ever done.

She gives me hope that I might be able to do this. Try for more.

Billie wiggles her arse over my hard cock, making me swallow and curse under my breath.

“I beg to differ,” she whispers.

“I drove this far on purpose. We’re doing all the things you said you love. Talk, flirt, touch. I brought lunch for us to share. And then I’m taking you home.”

“And no sex,” she repeats, her lips pouty.

So I bite them because I can’t fucking resist her.

“No sex,” I confirm. “Come on, let’s have lunch.”

I guide her to her feet and lead her to the Jeep, where I pull out the folding chairs I brought along, and unfold them, gesturing for her to sit.

“Is this the cheapest date you’ve ever been on?” she asks as she leans back in the chair, stretching her legs out before her.

“I don’t think so.” I pull out the sandwiches from the cooler and unwrap them, set them on a tray, then open the charcuterie my cook made for us, setting it out as well.

Billie hums in approval, and I feel it in my cock. Christ, I’d love for her to make that sound while she’s choking on my dick.

“Really?” She frowns and snags a square of cheese. “You’ve been on cheaper dates than this one?”

“I mean, I bought the Jeep.”

She holds up a hand, choking on the cheese. “Wait. You bought the Jeep for this date ?”

“Of course.”

She’s shaking her head, looking at me like I just grew a watermelon out of my chest.

“What? It seemed appropriate for today.”

“You bought a whole car for one date. ”

“We’ll use it again.” I unwrap my sandwich and take a bite. “Eat your lunch, bumble.”