"How many rooms?"
"Two suites. I'll stay with Blake. Dresden and Shannon with us. Rhett can go with Carmen and James," I say, sipping my coffee.
"What about the housekeeper?"
"Put Hayato and Sammi with her, they can go with Rhett."
"Yes, ma'am."
Draining my cup, I stand and make my way to Blake's bedroom. It's dark, the curtains drawn. He's sitting in bed, his legs stretched out— reading a book. He doesn't move and I take a moment to gaze at him.
His face is relaxed for the first time since yesterday. I hate that he doesn't smile anymore. I clear my throat. His head snaps up and a small, almost unnoticeable grin flits onto his face and disappears.
"What are you thinking?" I pull my shoulder holsters off and sit them on the nightstand.
"That I'm a lucky man." He shuts his book and lays it next to his legs.
"Oh, yeah? What has this luck got you?"
"You."
I smile sadly. "I wouldn't call that good luck, Blake."
"I would. Come here," he commands softly, opening his arms.
I crawl across the bed and lay my head on his chest. He wraps his arms around me, lightly trailing his fingers up and down my back. My eyes close, enjoying the normalcy of Blake's embrace. I've spent a lifetime alone and angry, but with him . . . it all disappears.
Images of the last few months flash behind my lids. Shannon, Jax, the auction, the beatings . . . for the first time I feel one emotion, filling me, choking me . . . fear. I tighten my arms around him, pressing my face into his chest, tears burning my eyes.
"Hey, what's the matter, baby?" He squeezes me.
I shake my head.
"Lily, talk to me." He puts his hands on my shoulders and pushes me back, gazing into my eyes as the tears spill over, silently taking part of my energy with them.
"I love you."
"I know you do."
"I should tell you more often."
"Lily, I know admitting your feelings for me is one of the hardest things you've ever done."
I climb up, throwing my leg over him, pressing my forehead to his. I run my nose down his, closing my eyes. He wraps his hands around my ass and sighs.
"I don't know if I can protect you like this . . . "
"Oh, hon," he whispers, grabbing my head and locking his lips on mine.
Fire courses through me at the feel of his mouth on mine. I put my hands on either side of his head and deepen the kiss, claiming him as mine. Grinding my pelvis into him, my sex pulses with the need to feel him inside me. He moans, low and guttural.
I break the kiss. Grabbing his shirt, I rip it open, sending buttons in every direction. Leaning down, planting kisses across his chest, the hair tickles my face, making me grin against his tan skin, his hand tightening in my hair. I move to his collarbone, up his neck, back to his mouth.
"I'll die before I let anyone get to you." I pant, kissing him again, gently biting his bottom lip.
"God, I love you," he breathes.
I vault up, standing next to the bed, stripping out of my clothes in record time. Blake wastes no time ridding himself of his as well. Without thinking twice about it, I grab the headboard and lower myself onto his waiting erection, crying out as he fills me.