He hums, low in his throat and a giggle escapes my lips.
“I’ve missed hearing you laugh, baby.”
“I’ve missed you.” I nuzzle his chest as he kisses my hair.
“Go to sleep. I’ve got a surprise for you tomorrow.”
“I still don’t like surprises, Blake.”
His laugh rumbles in my ear. “I know. That’s why I plan them.”
Closing my eyes, exhaustion takes over and I drift off to the sound of his heartbeat.
14
~Lily~
Two hours in the bathroom and it’s like I’m a new person. Shaved, nails clipped, and my hair brushed and in a braid. The next time someone tries to put me to sleep for three weeks, I’m stabbing them in the throat. I may not be girly, but fuck, looking like a homeless person isn’t my thing.
The house is quiet . . . too quiet as I make my way to the kitchen. Blake sits at the island toying with some kind of silk scarf.
“Afternoon, baby,” he purrs, rising and moving toward me.
“Hi,” I say hesitantly.
“Ready for your surprise?”
My eyebrows shoot up as I glance at the scarf in his hands. “What’s that for?”
A slow, cat-ate-the-canary smile creeps onto his lips. “Why, to blindfold you, my dear. It’s called a surprise for a reason.”
My stomach heaves. I’ve made great strides to get over my past, but things like this still send off terrible warning bells in my head. Blake would never physically hurt me, not on purpose anyway, but still.
“Blake, I . . .”
“Lily, I’m walking you out back. Please humor me this once.”
My shoulders slump, my lip pushing out into a pout as I turn my back to him. He chuckles, securing the silk wrap over my eyes.
“Don’t pout. We don’t have time to make love right now, and you doing that turns me on,” he whispers, his lips brushing my ear.
Shivers run down my spine at the sensuality in his tone. He takes my hands and leads me through the room. A light breeze caresses my face as he guides me down the porch steps. The earth is cool and crisp beneath my bare feet.
We walk for a few minutes before stopping. Blake moves behind me and kisses my shoulder, untying the wrap and letting it fall from my eyes. Sorina and Samuel sit on a large blanket right on the edge of the pond with several picnic baskets in the center.
“Hi, Mom,” she says, jumping up to hug me.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
She takes my hand and pulls me down on the blanket. Blake sits behind me, his legs on either side of mine. I lean against
him and tilt my head back, the warmth of the sun penetrating to my bones.
“Good surprise?”
“Wonderful surprise, Blake.”
He kisses my cheek and wraps his arms around my chest. Sorina and Samuel chat quietly while Blake and I sit content with each other, the serenity of the light trickling off the pond. Crickets chirp in the distance, mixing with the echoing bird whistles. This might be the most peaceful moment I’ve ever had . . . ever.