by G. Bailey
"Do you want to stay over at my house tonight? Allie said she would cover."
"I would like that," she says, pushing my hair out of my eyes a little.
“I'll make sure you like it.” I grin.
"You need a trim," she laughs, gently playing with my hair.
"You’re right." I smirk at her. Her phone starts ringing, and she quickly turns it off when we both see Seb’s name. I see her looking so sad and worried that I have to ask.
“What’s wrong?”
"Blake, we should stay away from each other. You know that right? My brothers could hurt you when they find out, and I can't–" I stop her by placing my finger on her lips and then sliding my hand to the back of her neck, forcing her to look up at me.
"Izzy. Fuck, I can't. I will do anything you ask of me, but I can't fucking stay away from you," I tell her as I look into her beautiful, green eyes. I think I’ve fallen for this girl. I want to tell her now, but something stops me.
"I don't want to be away from you." She shifts on my lap, making her aware of how damn hard I am in my tight trousers.
"Then don't repeat this conversation, beauty. You’re mine, and I won't let you go because of your brothers," I say gently, but mean every word.
"Okay." She smiles at me, and I weave my hands into her hair as we meet for a mind-blowing kiss. We both stay on the beach as long as we can before I take Izzy home to my house. Hours later, as we lie next to each other in bed, I like to think we both know there isn't any going back for us now. We belong together.
19
Izzy
The rest of weekend goes quickly, as I spend most of my days texting Blake and calling him, when I can sneak away from my overprotective brothers. They made a plan, I know they did. I am hardly left on my own and someone has always been in the house with me after I came back from my date. We became a lot closer, as they now trust me. It means they speak openly about upcoming fights, and there aren’t any hushed conversations. It’s been a long time since I had family I felt I could rely on. It reminds me of my mum, and how I felt around her; I forgot how much I need to feel loved. I guess I must have switched that part of me off after losing her, and now it’s alive.
I groan mentally as I pull into school Monday morning. I hate that I can't just get out of my car and kiss Blake, but I still have to pretend he is just my brothers’ best friend. It’s exhausting, and I know it can’t last much longer.
I am surprised to see him hanging by the door of the school, waiting, when I walk up the stairs. I take a moment to appreciate how striking he looks in his black coat and jeans before he sees me, and he does that breath-taking grin that makes me want to melt right into a puddle.
“Morning, Blake,” I say with a grin when I get near him. I feel so much closer to him now that we have slept together, and thinking of that day makes me blush. I feel my body aching to touch him, and it hurts a little when I tighten my fists into balls to stop them from reaching for him.
“Morning, Izzy, want to walk to class with me?” he asks in a flirty tone that has my cheeks going bright-red.
“Sure,” I say, but I can’t help the big smile that appears on my face when his eyes light up.
We walk near each other to class, occasionally brushing each other’s arms in the corridor, and I feel better for even that little contact with him.
We are walking past people toward the art room when Blake stops and grabs my hand, pulling me into a room. My first thought is that it is dark and smells of bleach, before I hear Blake shutting the door and then he is kissing me.
It’s a hard, demanding kiss, and I weave my hands into his hair as I open my mouth to allow him more access. He pushes me gently into the door as I wrap my legs around his waist, and he grinds into me while devouring my mouth and making me moan. He pulls back eventually, leaving me gasping for every breath.
“I couldn't go another second without doing that. I missed you,” he says, pushing his forehead against mine and breathing as heavily as I am.
“I missed you, too.” I sigh, and I did. It wasn't enough just talking to him. I needed him, and that scares me a bit, but it excites me more.
“We’ve got to go to class before Seb gets there,” he groans, before adding with a sexy sigh, “Walking in late together won't work.”
“I know,” I say as I unwrap myself from him and straighten my hair with my fingers.
“You go first. I need to calm down.” He gestures at the impressive outline of his erection in his jeans.
I giggle, nodding my head before turning to open the door and slipping out to head to class.
Luckily, Sebastian and the teacher aren’t in class when I arrive. So, I sit down and start working. Sebastian comes in a little later, as do Blake and the teacher.
The teacher just tells us to continue our work, so I do another picture of two blue eyes–perfect eyes. I know who I’m drawing, but I can't help myself. They are the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen, and I know they belong on my painting, belong to me. By the time I finish and start the next piece–one of the beaches we went to the other day with the outlines of Sebastian and Blake in the water–it’s the end of class.
I’m tapped on the shoulder and turn to see Tris standing behind me.
My gaze drifts to the nasty-looking black eye that’s going green around the edges; it looks bad.
Before I think, I ask, “Who did you piss off?” But, I suspect I know the answer.
Tris ignores the question and passes me a note while no one is looking, saying quietly, “Tell Seb no problem. I enjoyed helping you out.” He grins cheekily at me and walks away. I guess Sebastian must have said thanks for helping me that night at The Cage. I’m glad Blake didn’t overhear that because I reckon there would be another black eye around the corner.
I can’t open the note here, so I push it into my bag and see Sebastian waiting by the door as I grab my bag.
“Hey, sis,” he says, putting his arm around my shoulders after messing my hair up a little, in a way he knows pisses me off.
“Hey, bro,” I say, laughing as I look for Blake, who is still in the classroom packing his bag.
“I have no date today. I know, shocking, so I'm having lunch with you,” he says and pulls me toward the door as we walk to lunch.
Sebastian chats away about something that happened at a party last night, and I listen slightly as I pick out my lunch, with Sebastian getting nearly three times the amount I get.
We sit down at an empty table, and I start eating while Sebastian texts quickly on his phone. The sound of a chair scraping across the floor makes me lift my gaze from the sandwich I’m eating. I frown as Elena, the annoying blonde, sits next to Sebastian and rubs herself up against his side as a hello.
I don’t see Blake until then, as I look away from Sebastian, and he is looking at me as I lock my gaze onto his. I’m a little annoyed that he is sitting at another table, but I know why he didn’t sit with us. I smile at the boy with bright-red hair, who I met briefly a few weeks ago, as he waves at me from where he is sitting and chatting with Blake.
“Hey, do you want to come to my place tonight, baby?” The annoying purring voice of Elena makes me look back at my food.
Sebastian says, “Sure, why not?” but I notice he looks bored, as he ignores her to eat his food. I finish mine quickly and tell Sebastian I’ll see him soon. He nods at me as Elena glares at me, as usual.
I make my way to history class. I know I'm early as the room is empty, but I want time to read that note. I walk into the empty classroom and sit down before opening the note.
It says,
'Tell your boyfriend to back off. I get that he was annoyed, but unless you want everyone knowing about you two, he needs to. Tris.’
I push the note back into my bag, grabbing my phone and quickly messaging Blake.
Me: Tris told me you punched him, don't do anything else please as someone will guess. My brothers know Tris helped me at The Cage. They will guess who I'm dating
x
Blake texts back a few minutes later, as I’m getting my history books out onto my table.
Sexiest man alive: sorry, I didn't think, I just reacted. You make me crazy, beauty x
Me: I know, I wanted to punch Aimee when I saw you and her on that sofa, you make me crazy too, but Tris was helping, so no more. x
Him: I think you’re even sexier being jealous, but you don't have to be, you have me completely. I know it doesn’t make it easier, but you’re mine. Are you still coming after school to my mum’s dinner? x
Me: I am yours, way too much and yes, I’ll meet you there x
Him: see you later x
I put my phone away as everyone walks into class, including Allie, who gives me a side hug before sitting. She looks amazing, as usual, wearing a pink, flowered sundress and nude sandals.
“Hey, you; wow, you’re glowing. You slept with him!” She practically shouts the end part, and a few heads turn to look at me.
“Shush, Allie, Jesus,” I whisper.
She looks guilty for a second, pushing her long hair behind her ear before whispering, “How good was he? I want all the details later. I need this, due to not having a current sex life.” She pouts, making me smile.
“I’ll tell you later.” I laugh and turn my attention to the teacher as she starts the class.
The lesson goes by quicker than I thought it would, and I wave goodbye to Allie as I leave, promising to chat later. I message Sebastian quickly to say I'm going to a friend’s house for the night and will be back in the morning.
He doesn't reply, which I take as a good thing and drive off to Blake’s using the sat nav on my phone to find the way. Knowing me, I would get lost without my phone. I pull up to Blake’s giant house, looking in wonder at how lovely it is. I leave my bag in the car as I get out, just taking my keys and phone to the door before ringing the doorbell.
It’s not long before the door opens to a smiling Summer. She looks cute wearing blue jeans and a white blouse.
“Please come in. Blake’s in the shower, but he told me you should be here soon,” she says, grabbing my arm gently and looping it with hers. Summer then walks me through the house to a beautiful lounge. It has a massive, marble fireplace that demands attention when you walk in. It looks very old and has angels carved into the pillars. There’s one darker-brown wall then light-brown ones to match the light-wooden bookcases on one side of the room. There are two cream sofas with a soft-brown rug in the middle and a piano in the corner. I'm suddenly very nervous as I rub my hands together, and I’m wishing Blake would get his cute ass down here.
I sit on the sofa and cross my legs as she sits next to me, a little too close, but I guess she is friendlier than I am.
“Don't look so nervous, I'm not that bad.” She smiles widely. It reminds me of Blake and I smile a little, enjoying how she can make me relax, just like Blake can.
“Sorry, I’ve just never met a boyfriend’s mum before so I have no idea what to say,” I say, stuttering over my words. Way to make an impression, Izzy.
“I was the same when I met my husband’s parents. I sat there the entire time biting my nails and begging to go home in my head.” She laughs, and I do too, relieved that she understands.
“They turned out to be really great people, and we soon became friends. I would like that with us. I can see my son is completely in love with you and is happier than I have seen him in a long time,” she finishes her sentence, while my jaw drops.
I sit back, a little shocked. “I don't think he is in love with me yet, but I'm glad he is as happy as I am,” I say honestly, as I know I love him. I’ve never been in love before. But with Blake, I can't stop thinking about him. He makes me laugh and my heart beats faster every time he even looks at me. He makes me feel alive and, yet, lost in him completely at the same time. I’ve never been so scared and excited at the same time as I am when I’m around Blake.
“Oh, he is, honey; you will see. Do you want a drink?” she asks, clearly changing the subject.
“Yes, please,” I reply, looking over at a picture on her fireplace of Summer holding a little blond boy as he sucks his thumb. Blake is even cuter as a kid.
“It’s roast chicken for dinner, I hope you like that,” she says, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I look away from the picture back to Summer.
“Sounds lovely, thank you for inviting me.”
"Such good manners, is a juice okay?" she asks with a smile.
“Yes, please, Summer,” I say, and she walks back out the door we came in.
It’s not long after Summer leaves that Blake walks in holding a drink of juice, and he looks great as usual. His hair is still a little wet, making me want to run my fingers through it. I lower my gaze to see he is wearing loose, black shorts and a blue vest that fits him tightly, showing off his shoulder muscles and making me want to drool.
Blake places the drink on the coffee table near my feet before leaning into me and kissing me deeply, like he hasn’t seen me in a long time. He carefully pushes me back into the sofa and pulls his body over mine. He holds his weight on his elbows as he pushes his tongue into my mouth and deepens the kiss more.
He eventually pulls away, much to my annoyance, and looks down at me. “Hi,” he says with a grin.
“Hi, too,” I say, mirroring his cocky grin.
Blake pulls me up with him and lifts me onto his lap in one move. Then he sits back, quietly looking me over as his hands run down my back, making me shiver.
“I missed you,” he says as he pushes his face into my neck and places a gentle kiss behind my ear.
I sigh and lean my body into him more. “I missed you, too.”
Blake pulls back and smiles at me with those damn, sparkling, blue eyes, clearly liking my answer.
“How long have you known about my brothers and the fighting?” I ask randomly. It’s been on my mind to find out Blake’s side, but I couldn't do it in texts or phone calls. Blake tenses under me but finally answers me, as he plays with a lock of my hair.
“Okay, well, pretty much since we started high school. Seb told me about your dad and that he was being trained when I started asking about his bruises.”
I cringe when he says that, not liking the idea of him being in any pain. “I didn't know he trained them,” I say, thinking how cruel my dad must have been. I had guessed he must have had them fighting, but I’m a little shocked that he actually trained them.
“Yeah, it was bad. They always had bruises at the start, and they were only eleven. Luke was only ten and really didn’t cope with it well. Eventually, it got better as they learnt how to avoid the bruises.” He stops and runs a finger down my cheek.
“To be honest with you, I feel guilty not telling them about me and you. They have told me everything growing up, and I feel like an ass,” he says with a sad face.
“Don't, please don’t; it’s complicated. I feel bad a bit, too, but they won’t understand. Not yet.” I lean back into his chest, wanting to comfort him. Blake lazily runs his hands up and down my back as he places a kiss on the top of my head.
“I know, beauty,” he says in sadness, and I kiss his chest.
“Anyway, when they started going to The Cage at thirteen, I went with them. Harley had just started fighting, and I went to support them, I guess. Harley was mad I was there to start with, but he knew I wouldn’t leave.”
I didn’t know that Harley did fights before our father passed away. I think of the age gap, and I realise he must have only been sixteen at the time. It hurts my heart to think how horrible that must have been for him.
“You’re a good friend, Blake. I think when we tell them, they will be okay with it.” I think anyway, it's hard to tell when it comes to my protective brothers. They would at least know that I would be safe with Blake, and they know where he is. But his history with other girls will be held against him.
Blake goes to say something when his mum calls us for dinner. I follow Blake back into the kitchen, where Summ
er has the table set up and bowls of food for us to choose from. I smile at Summer as I sit down next to Blake.
“This looks amazing, thank you.”
“Shush, you’re always welcome here for dinner, Izzy,” Summer tells me.
We all start eating, but halfway through dinner, Summer says she will be right back.
“Mum, please don’t do what I think you’re going to,” Blake groans, and I hear Summer laugh as she walks out. I glance at Blake, who seems very interested in his food suddenly.
She appears with a big, blue book and hands it to me. I move my plate and open it, wondering what the hell she is showing me. My jaw drops as I see little, baby Blake being held by a young man. This must be Blake’s dad, he looks a lot like Blake, but he has brown hair. Blake has his bright-blue eyes by the look of the photo. I glance up and Blake’s cheeks are very red, making me chuckle as he shakes his head at me.
I go through the baby pictures of Blake and can’t help but smile at how cute they are. I flip through the rest of the book as Summer and I laugh at the stories behind the pictures. I find one with a maybe six-year-old Blake, naked and covered in mud, making me snort with laughter.
“I think this one is my favourite; can I get a copy to tease him with?” I joke as I wipe my tears of laughter away.
“God, kill me now,” Blake drones, blushing far more than before, and puts his head on the table.
I laugh with Summer as she tells me his favourite thing to do at that age was to roll around in mud and get naked any chance he could get.
I try to offer to help wash up as we finish dinner, but Summer has none of it.
Blake grabs us some Coke cans, saying, “Mum won’t let a guest wash up, Izzy. She won’t let me because you will be alone then.”
“My boy knows the rules.” Summer laughs as she starts running water over the sink.
Blake takes my hand, leading me back to his bedroom. Blake locks the door as I jump on his bed to watch a movie. Blake takes the remote from me, and we agree on watching a romantic comedy.