Tempting Tatum (25 page)

Dinner was great and so is the company. It takes no time for me and Blaise to get the kitchen squared away. I like being here with him, doing simple daily things together. This is something Josh and I never did. I still lived at home, so there wasn’t a lot of privacy. When we did get to see each other, Josh always wanted to go out. I’m finding I really enjoy a quiet night in.

“It’s getting late,” I say to Blaise. I watch as his face falls. He doesn’t want me to leave. I want to stay; I really do. The thought of curling up against him with his arms tight around me is so damn tempting, but I can’t. This is too much too fast. I need to reel myself in a little.

Blaise releases a heavy breath. “Let’s get you home.” He grabs his keys and cell from the counter and leads the way to his truck. The drive back to my apartment is fast, faster than I would have liked. Blaise and I passed the time discussing music. Turns out we both enjoy most all genres. We even discussed maybe going to a concert sometime.

We pull into the lot and Blaise turns off the truck. He unbuckles his seat belt and turns to face me. He reaches out and traces his finger down the length of my jaw. “I had a great time tonight. I like spending time with you, having you in my home.”

“Thanks for having me; dinner was great.” And before I can stop myself I blurt out “Maybe we can do it again sometime.”

A smiles lights up his face. He leans over and kisses me. The kiss is soft and sweet and packed full of everything I’m not willing to say and, my guess is, he’s afraid to, afraid to scare me away. Blaise has made no secret of saying he wants us to be together. I just…need more time.

He backs away from the kiss, and even though it was slow and sweet, it was all consuming. My chest is rapidly rising with each breath.

“You take my breath away,” he says against my lips before he dives in for more.

How he reads my mind, I have no idea. It’s weird the way we have this unseen connection. I can’t see it, but I feel it. In every fiber of my being I feel it, and I don’t know how to handle it.

I go to turn in my seat and the next thing I know, Blaise has his hands on my hips and he’s lifting me into his lap. I straddle his hips. My hands find the back of his head and I plant my fingers in his hair. I want him closer. I begin to rock my hips against him. He’s hard as stone, and I’m sure this isn’t helping, but I can’t stop. He places his hands under my shirt and gently strokes my back. His gentle touch makes me want him more.

Lights pulling into the lot blare through the tinted windows of his truck and cause me to break our kiss. It doesn’t, however, stop me. I lean down and begin licking and kissing his neck. Nipping his skin and then soothing it with my tongue. I continue to rock my hips and I can feel the pressure building, the release is close.

Blaise grabs my shoulders and pushes me back. “Not here,” he says, his voice gruff.

I whimper, because that’s not at all what I want to hear. I want him to unzip his pants and fill me. I want this and I want it now.

“Tate, I refuse to take this any further out here in my truck for everyone to see. You have three choices. One, we can turn the truck around and head back to my place; two, we can head up to your room; or three, I can walk you inside and kiss you goodnight. The decision is yours, but I need you to remember something. I won’t take you; I won’t make love to you until I know you’re mine. I couldn’t handle being inside you and then never having that chance again. It would kill me,” he says, his voice gruff with desire.

I nod my head and slowly climb off his lap. I watch as he adjusts himself in his shorts before he climbs out and comes to my door. He helps me out of the truck and leads me to the building entrance. Never letting go of my hand, he hits the button for the elevator and we stand side by side, hand in hand, all the way to my floor. The doors slide open. Blaise tightens his hold on my hand as we reach my door. We stop and I look up at him, his silver eyes storming with desire. He said I have to choose. I want him, but I’m not ready to say I’m his. From the desire in his eyes, if I get him in my room, I bet I can change his mind. Let’s see how easy it is for him to resist temptation.

Decision made. “Tuck me in,” I ask softly.

Blaise swallows hard and nods in agreement. I release his hand to unlock the door. He places his hand on the small of my back and follows me in. The apartment is dark. I flip on the light in the kitchen and there’s a note from Ember saying she’s staying at Jackson’s tonight.

I turn the kitchen light back off and head straight toward my room. Once we reach the door, I don’t bother with the light. Stopping at my dresser, I discard my keys and phone; then I kick off my flip-flops. My room is not as dark as his. There’s a soft glow from the moon shining through the window. The light reflects off his silver eyes, eyes that are drinking me in.

I reach for the hem of my shirt, and suddenly, Blaise is in front of me.

“Let me,” he says, replacing my hands with his. I raise my hands above my head. He lifts my tank and throws it behind us.

He has too many clothes on. I reach for his hands and lift his arms in the air. I trace my hands down his chest, tracing his abs until I reach the hem of his shirt. I make quick work of taking it off of him.

We don’t speak and, really, words aren’t needed. This connection we share takes care of words. Blaise runs his hands up my sides over my ribs. His thumbs gently grazing over my nipple. The sheer bra I’m wearing does nothing to hide his effect on me. His hands make their way to my face and he holds my cheeks so tenderly as his eyes bore into mine.

“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.” He traces his thumb across my bottom lip, while his other hand finds mine and places it flat against his chest. “My heart feels like it’s going to explode,” he whispers against my lips.

I open for him and he slides his tongue against mine, smooth and sensual. I stand up on my tiptoes to gain better access, my hands fisted in his hair, holding him close. His hands find their way to my hips and he unbuttons my shorts. I wiggle my hips to help him and they slide to the floor. Blaise unbuttons his and kicks them to the side. The next thing I know, I’m cradled in his arms bridal style. He carries me to the side of the bed and places me on the soft sheets. He climbs over and stretches out beside me.

I move my body next to his and our eyes lock. “I need to hear you say it, baby. I need you to tell me you’re mine,” he whispers.

“Blaise.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “I want this; I want to be with you. I just can’t put a label on it. Not yet anyway. My heart can’t take losing someone else,” I tell him. Honestly, that’s what’s holding me back. Blaise says he wants me, but what happens when he changes his mind. That leaves me with a shattered heart. What Josh did hurt me, but I’ve recovered. The loss of my parents devastated me; I’m coping. Having Blaise and then losing him, I wouldn’t survive that.

He leans in and places a soft kiss against my lips. “I’m in this, Tatum. I will wait for you to catch up to what I’m feeling. Nothing is going to change my mind or my heart. The sweaty palms, the giddy excitement, the rapid beat in my chest, all caused by you. You’re it for me.”

He kisses down my cheek and makes his way to my neck. “So sweet,” he says, as he tastes my skin. He reaches behind me and unsnaps my bra. I lift up to help him. He slings it behind him and runs his tongue over my nipples, alternating his attention. His hands are everywhere, and yet, it’s still not enough. I am worked up beyond belief and I need…I just need him!

“Blaise,” I say, breathless. I need more. He said he wouldn’t make love to me, so I’m not sure where this is going, but I’m not going to stop him to ask.

His silver eyes come into view. “Patience, sweetheart. I’m going to make sure you get your release,” he says against my lips. The kiss is brief. I moan in protest and he softly chuckles. His lips find their way back to my breast as his hand slides underneath the sheer material of my thong. As soon as his finger slides through my folds, I’m begging him to take me. Blaise buries his face in my neck, softly kissing every inch. His fingers tease my entrance and I can’t take it anymore. I slide my hand over his and push until his fingers are where I need them to be. I moan his name at the sensation. Blaise growls as he crashes his lips to mine. The kiss is frantic and messy; our tongues seem to keep time with the rhythm of his fingers sliding in and out of me.

I dig my fingers into his shoulders as my release tears through me. Blaise removes his hand and pulls the covers up over me. I immediately miss his body heat. Leaning down, he kisses my forehead. “Sweet dreams,” he says tenderly.

“Wait!” I reach for his arm. “Stay,” I say. I have too many emotions running through me, but I know I want him next to me. “Please, B,” I say, my voice quiet, yet pleading.

Blaise climbs back into bed and lifts the covers. He slides his hard body next to me and wraps me in his arms. I settle back against his chest. This feels right. I hear him sigh as my body relaxes into his. I drift off into a peaceful sleep, wrapped in his arms.

The sound of crying startles me awake. Opening my eyes, I adjust to the scenery. I hear the soft whimper again. That’s when it hits me that I’m at Tatum’s in her bed. At first, I thought it was just a dream; when in reality, it’s a dream come true. I’m not sure how she got all the way on the other side of the bed, but she’s too far away. I scoot in next to her and wrap my arms around her. I bury my face in her neck and breathe her in. She releases another whimper. “Shh, baby, I got you,” I whisper in her ear.

“Blaise,” she says my name and my heart cracks at the pain I hear in her voice.

“I’m right here,” I whisper, trying to soothe her with my words. I know she’s asleep, but the last time this happened, she admitted it felt like I was there. I need her to feel me. I need her to know I’m here for her. The loss of her parents still weighs heavy on her. The hurt Josh caused keeps her from moving on. If I ever come face to face with her ex…let’s just say I hope it never happens. His loss is my gain, and I will fight for her, for us, with everything I am.

I feel her body relax and I know she’s now sleeping peacefully. My mind wonders to the nights I’m not here. The nights she has to work through these dreams on her own. I hate it. I hate she’s so close, yet so far away. I need to step up my game. I need to prove to her she’s what I want. This is my last thought as I drift off to sleep with her tight in my arms.

The morning sun shines through the window as Tatum tries to sneak out of the hold I have on her. “I’m not done holding you,” I mumble against her neck.

Her body jolts slightly at the sound of my voice. She obviously thought I was still sleeping. “I have to pee,” she whines.

I kiss her cheek. “What time is it?” I ask.

“Six,” she whispers.

“Fine, but it’s too early to be awake. I’m taking full advantage of this sleep over; you’ve got three minutes,” I tell her as I release my arms, freeing her. Tatum jumps from the bed, grabs my t-shirt from the floor and rushes to the bathroom.