He set the table up by the side of the bed where I was lying and put the platter on it. I started to sit up, but he shook his head. “Just lie on your side. Sitting won’t be comfortable for you right now.”
I did as he asked, and he sat on the edge of the mattress. “Ham and cheese or chicken salad?”
“Ham and cheese.”
Blake lifted a half sandwich and held it up to my mouth.
I stared at him. “Are you going to feed me?”
“Yes.” He gave no further explanation. It felt a little strange, but I decided to go with it.
He fed me bites of sandwich, apple slices, and grapes. He’d also brought me a glass of orange juice with a bendy straw, and he offered me periodic sips.
By the time I’d finished the sandwich, I realized I absolutely loved being taken care of like this. “Wow. That was really nice.”
Blake smiled. “I thought it might relax you.”
“The killer orgasm you gave me was pretty relaxing too.”
“I know, but I wanted to give you something more gentle.”
“What can I do for you? What do you find relaxing?”
He frowned. “You don’t have to—”
“You know how I have a hard time believing I’m capable of things?”
He gave me a skeptical look. “Yes.”
“You have a hard time thinking about yourself.”
“The whole reason I’m still here is because I’m working toward having a ranch of my own.”
“And that’s a good thing. A very good thing, but it’s okay to want something for yourself right now, not just in the future. It’s okay to occasionally let someone else take care of you.”
He frowned. “You really are getting wiser.”
“Not about everything, but maybe I understand you like you understand me.”
“I know it’s good for me to get away from the ranch occasionally. As much as I’m happy with the crew here, I always enjoy the place more when I’ve been away for a few days.”
“How long has it been since you’ve taken a vacation?”
He laughed. “I didn’t say I got away on vacation. I go to cattle markets or into Houston to meet with the attorney that does work for the ranch or to take care of other business. I occasionally visit some of our suppliers. I went to a trade show… hmm. When was that? Probably about six months ago. And I visited my mother at Christmas.”
“Blake, I know I’ve never been accused of having an excellent work ethic, but I really do think you need to learn how to relax a little more.”
He grinned as he took another bite of his sandwich.
“You might be right. I’m sure you could also stand to have a little bit of time away from your father.”
I sure as hell could. “Do you have a plan?”
“I’ve been needing to get to Houston to see your dad’s lawyer, Mr. Grayland, so we can take care of some paperwork for the ranch.”
“I thought my father dealt with all that.”
“He used too, but when I negotiated a raise for myself, I agreed to take on more of the business aspects.”
I didn’t know what my father paid Blake, but I was sure it wasn’t enough, especially with Blake doing all the work. “What exactly does my father do for the ranch?”
Blake snorted. “He tells me—and sometimes the rest of the crew—what we’re doing wrong.”
“He should be thankful he has you.”
He seemed to consider that. “There are some days when I think he might be. At least he gives me more freedom than other bosses I’ve had.”
“He damn well should. You’re doing all the work.”
“Technically, he’s still supervising my work. Some of the time he pays close attention, but other times he doesn’t. It really just depends on what else he’s got going on.”
“You mean how many women he has to keep his lies straight with or how many society parties he needs to attend.”
Blake shrugged. “Something like that.”
“So, a trip to Houston?”
“I was thinking, since you need to learn everything about running the ranch, you should learn about this side of it too. Would you like to accompany me to Houston?”
I looked at him from under my lashes and used my most seductive voice. “What exactly would such a trip entail, sir?”
“I’m afraid we’d have to share a hotel room, maybe one with only one bed.”
I grinned. “Good thing I’m not worried about my virtue.”
He laughed and reached out to run his hand down my still-naked body. “That is a very good thing.”
“I like this idea. It will be good for us.” I realized how that sounded and backtracked. “I mean good for you.”
“It would be good for you too and for… us.”
My heart hammered wildly. He wanted this time away. He cared about what was good for us as a couple. Why the hell did he have to work in the one place I couldn’t stay long term?