Entering the bungalow after a long day at work, all the lights are off. I frown and reach to switch the light on when Blake says, “Leave them off.” I then see a flicker as a match is lit and then he’s lighting the candles on the small round dining table.
I catch my breath when I notice the table is set for two, and moving closer, I laugh when out of the corner of my eye, I catch the Chinese takeout cartons in the kitchen. “I don’t know what to say.” I gush.
“Say nothing and come and sit down.” Blake moves into the kitchen in his chair, grabs the takeout and serves us both.
All the while my eyes stay focused on Blake and his sexiness. He’s freshly showered and is wearing dark slacks and a pale blue button down. I’m underdressed compared to him.
He smiles. “You’re perfect, Violet. For once, I wanted you to see me in something other than shorts,” he finishes with a chuckle.
“I love seeing you in shorts.” I grin. “But, there is something about seeing you in those,” I point at his groin, “that makes it difficult for me to focus.”
Blake grins so wide that the whiteness of his teeth is bright in the room. “You make it difficult for me to concentrate all the time babe, so this makes us even.”
Laughing, I select a spring roll and munch away while I keep my gaze on Blake. He’s up to something and I can’t work out what. He’s also nervous and it certainly isn’t because my eyes are on him.
We eat in silence and when I can’t eat another mouthful, I ask, “What are you trying to tell me?” I’m guessing, but I don’t understand why he’s so nervous, unless he has something to tell me. Possibly something he doesn’t want to voice.
He twitches and slowly meets my gaze. He swallows hard, and admits, “I’ve gotten more feeling back in my legs.”
My eyes widen and then my vision is blurred with tears. “Oh Blake.” I rush around to his side and kneel between his legs. “That’s wonderful. How do you feel?” I take his hands knowing that this must be difficult for him. I know every slight change gives him more and more hope. I don’t think my heart could take him being set back in his recovery.
“I’m scared, Vi,” he whispers. “I’m scared to hope for more.”
Nodding, I move his arms around my body as I crawl onto his lap. I cup his cheek with one hand and softly kiss him. “I’m scared too.” I kiss him again. “I desperately want you to walk again, for you … but I’m going to remind you that I love you, and that I’ll love you whether or not you get back onto your feet. I love you, Blake.”
I curl tightly against him. “I’m not going anywhere, and we’ll face whatever comes at us, together.” I nuzzle into his neck. “You’re not in this alone.”
“Don’t be mad at me.” He holds my face against his neck. “I wasn’t going to tell you.”
I smile softly. “I know.”
“You do?” he says surprised.
“You’re afraid of getting my hopes up along with your own, so you have this habit of keeping everything to yourself.” I kiss his neck and whisper, “You don’t need to hide anything from me.” I nibble on his lobe before moving from his lap.
I lean in and give him a grin while narrowing my eyes, going off a hunch. “So, what exactly did Zack say to convince you to tell me?”
He makes a startled sound at the back of his throat.
“You are so predictable,” I comment, feeling a little sad. “He convinced you, huh?”
Backing away, I sit on the couch and stare at Blake, hurt that he only told me because someone else had convinced him to. “You promised you wouldn’t keep your progress from me,” I say softly.
Blake sighs and runs a hand through his hair annoyed.
“You’re not my physical therapist anymore,” he snaps.
“I guess I’m not, but I’m supposed to be more.” His words bring tears to my eyes, so I turn away before he sees them, and whisper quietly, “I thought I was more.” I turn back and meet his gaze. “I guess I was wrong.”
Quickly moving away, I lock myself inside the bathroom, and turn the shower on. I do need one, after the long day of work, except right now I don’t know what I’m doing. The words I’ve spoken to Blake were the truth, and I thought perhaps his were to me. He had no reason to say them otherwise.
I’m not sure how long I’ve spent hiding in the bathroom, but when I move into the bedroom Blake is already sitting up in bed. He has the reading light on and a frown creases his brow. My eyes wander to his chest and stomach, that always does things to me. He’s a gorgeous man and I can’t stop staring at him or craving him. His arms make me feel cherished when he holds me close. I wish he could trust me enough to share in his recovery though. I do understand him not wanting to disappoint me, but I want to be there for him if he’s disappointed, and I wish he would understand that.
“I’m sorry,” he says, patting the bed beside him. “Please Violet. I didn’t mean to snap. I guess I’m on edge and I took it out on you, which is wrong. The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
“I get that.” I climb under the covers with him. “It does hurt though.”
He pulls me into his arms and I lay my head against his warm chest while I wrap myself around him. He doesn’t say anything more, but I have a feeling that he is still going