Page 3 of Beauty Becomes You (Beauty 4)
“My one and only.” He kissed the top of her head and let his lips linger there, reveling in the silky strands of her hair. His one, his only. His everything. In a matter of days, it would be permanent. Safe. In a matter of weeks, it would be real.
* * *
She went to the bar and took a swig of Blake’s drink, wishing for a moment that the amber liquid were indeed alcohol instead of juice. She turned and froze at the sight. He had sat down in the chair where she’d just been. He was naked, one ankle slung over the other. Strong hands that could be impossibly gentle hung loosely on either side of the chair. He leaned his head back against the chair, eyes closed. His expression was so peaceful, she couldn’t help but stare. Her face flushed when she realized he must feel proof of her excitement beneath him. She might have been more embarrassed except she was distracted by his next words.
“I think we should stop seeing each other until the end of the semester.”
She almost fell off the stool she’d sat on. “What?”
He leaned forward, looking solemn—and frustrated. “Look, I did handle Melinda. That’s done. But talking to her made me feel…well, guilty. Like I might be taking advantage of you, even if I didn’t mean it. I should know that intentions aren’t the important factor. It’s my actions.”
“You’re not taking advantage of me.” She felt shocked, hollowed out. And somewhat offended. As if she were a child incapable of making her own choices.
He grimaced, seeming to read her thoughts. “I don’t mean it like that either…but intentions don’t really matter. You have every right to be mad, but I hope you’ll understand.”
She was silent, hating that she did understand. She loved his integrity, and that’s what she was seeing now.
“I hated facing this decision,” he said. “Either way, I would lose you. I had to choose the one that would only last for a little while. Let’s do this for a few weeks. Until the day of the Faculty Ball. By then class will be over, grades will be in, and your thesis will be finished. And we’ll have forever after that. Trust me, Erin?”
Her heart swelled. Of course she trusted him. And forever… well, she would do just about anything for forever with him. Even give him up for a few long weeks.
“I do,” she said, then cleared her throat, embarrassed by the matrimonial sound to her words. “I do trust you. We can handle this.”
His smile was pure relief.
“Do you want to come home with me?” she blurted out.
One eyebrow raised. “Now?”
“I meant my hometown. Come home and meet my mother. It will be better than having her meet you here, where she’ll…” Swallowing, she looked around his kitchen. The thick crown molding and stainless steel appliances. “Well, she might judge you based on your house.”
Standing, he stalked toward her. God, completely naked. Why couldn’t she stop staring?
Reaching behind her neck, he pulled her in and kissed her flush on the nose. “Did you just invite me to meet the parents?” he teased. “This must be serious.”
She nodded, grinning. “Well, there’s only one parent. But yes, I’d say it’s serious.”
“Glad to hear it, because I’m serious too. And I want you to move in with me.”
Her breath hitched. She glanced around the stately home. “Here?”
“That was the idea. Unless you don’t like it. Then we could look for someplace else together.”
“No, it’s not that. I love your house.” Something held her back from saying yes. Being under his control, financially, physically. She’d struggled and studied and worked her whole life so she’d never have to answer to a man. Even though she knew he’d never hurt her, it was hard to give up that dream. “I just meant…I spend all my time here anyway.”
His expression was soft and painfully understanding. “It would be different if you were with me, every day. Every night. But it’s okay. You don’t have to answer now. After the semester. It can wait.”
Her sigh held relief and gratitude. “Thank you.”
“I won’t rush you, because I need you to be sure. Once you’re with me, I’m not going to be able to let you go.”
She shivered at the dark note of possession in his voice. After her exams, she’d be able to think straight. Then she’d tell him yes, wouldn’t she? She
couldn’t imagine telling him no. Her love for him posed a greater threat than a domineering man ever could. Blake had gotten under her skin and buried deep in her soul. There would be no going back from this. She was looking over a ledge she knew she would jump over, gauging the distance. If she were honest, she was already on her way down.
“Just promise me something,” he said. “I may not always be near you, but I will never be far away. If you’re ever in trouble or need something, you let me know. Promise me.”
She melted, her heart a puddle. “Oh, Blake.”
