I want to let out a sigh of relief, but I don’t want her to win the upper hand. I have to work even harder to not let her see how pleased I am, either. Although, I am most certainly that. Most of all, I have to work to make it appear that it is all part of my plan and that I didn’t expect any answer but the one that she gave.
“Good,” I say with a nod and a wink. “Shall we?”
I stand and hold my hand out for her to take. She takes it, gently placing her fingers in my grip. As she does, I lead her around the table and through the restaurant. A moment later, I walk her to the elevator, and a moment after that, we are on it. As it takes us up to the room, we both watch the doors in silence, and as the doors open, we both step out.
I take her hand again, directing her down the hallway to the room. As we walk, my heart beats against my chest, and I have to work to contain myself. I want to throw her up against the wall and have my way with her right now. But I don’t. Instead, I open the door to the room and direct her inside.
“Nice, you weren’t lying,” she says as she enters, looking around the room with awe.
“Have I ever?” I respond.
I want to use the moment to bring up my proposal from earlier but decide against it. There is no need to push. If anything, my actions now will speak louder than my words ever can.
The moment I close the door behind myself, I walk up behind Carrie. It is just like I imagined two nights ago. I stand behind her and kiss her on the neck. She tilts her head, letting out a soft moan of pleasure as she allows me to continue.
As I do, my hands find her waist, wrapping themselves around her and pulling her in closer. My cock is rock hard, and I wedge it against her ass, letting her feel it. She pushes herself up against it, and I can sense that she likes what I have to offer.
Without further hesitation, I spin her around so she is facing me. I lean in and kiss her, and she returns it. It’s even more passionate than the one from a few nights ago, and I swear that our lips are going to catch on fire. She uses the perfect amount of tongue.
My hands are still on her waist, and I begin to move them up. I want to cup her breasts. I want to feel them.
A vibration in my pocket stops what I am doing. Fuck. I grimace as Carrie pulls away.
“You can answer it,” she says with a smile. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’ll be right back,” I say, reaching into my pocket and pulling it out. I sigh when I see who is calling me. Ben. Arguably, my only real friend. If it were anyone else, I would let it ring. But it’s not, and so I answer it.
“What?” I ask, a little too short.
“Blake, thank God,” he says. He’s out of breath. It sounds like he’s just run a marathon. “Are you free?”
I look back to Carrie before answering. “Yes,” I say. He sounds worried. I’ve never heard his voice like this, and it actually has me worried now too. “Are you okay? Is everything all right?”
“It’s Simon. He had a fall.”
“Is he okay?” I ask instantly.
“He is. Well, he should be, but I need get him to a hospital. Janet is working remotely tonight and I can’t reach her.”
Simon is Ben’s youngest son, and someone I care for deeply. Simon even calls me Uncle Blake, and the moment that Ben says that he needs to get to the hospital, I feel my stomach drop.
“Can you come over and stay with Tommy? He’s sleeping and getting over one of those bad childhood colds. I can’t take him with us, nor can I have him wake up and find us gone. Can you please come to the house and watch over Tommy for me? Please. I wouldn’t usually ask, but it’s an emergency.”
“No, of course, I will. I’m glad you called. I’ll be there as quick as I can.”
I hang up the phone. Carrie is standing right behind me, watching me. She looks concerned rather than angry, and I am grateful for that.
“Is everything okay?” She asks, worry etched in her voice.
“It’s my friend. I have to go to his place and look after his son while he takes his other son to the hospital. He needs me there.”
I want to explain more, but I can’t, not right now.
“Of course,” she says sympathetically. “Do you want me to come?”
“No, it’s fine. And Carrie. I’m sorry.”
And I am, too. Not just for having to leave her high and dry, but for me. I wish that this didn’t happen, not now. But it had happened, and all I can do is hope that she forgives me.
Chapter 12
CARRIE
As I drive home, I can’t stop thinking about what just happened. Really, I should be upset by the whole thing. Blake invited me out to dinner, asked me to come upstairs and then ditched me the moment that we were up there. And not even. He ditched me the moment things began to heat up. And yet, I can’t be mad at him. No way.
In fact, I am impressed. The fact that Blake is willing to leave me for the son of his friend. The fact that he is willing to anger me, after asking such a big favor of me and wanting to stay on my good side. It’s so amazing. It’s so selfless.
He told me what was going on as he walked me to my car, and now, as I slowly steer my car
