by H. Mattern
“Katie, talk to me.” Blake said.
Katie turned to him. “What do you want me to talk about?”
“I don’t know, but if we sit here in silence, I’m going to end up kissing you again. The taste of your lips is all I can seem to think about, and I think we need to be careful since I’m not sure you’re ready. Slow seems good in this situation. But things could move really fast here, and I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I don’t want to scare you. I know it’s a bit forward to be talking about this since you don’t know where you stand with us, but I had to tell you. I want you, Katie. And I want more than just kissing.”
Katie didn’t know what to say. The words kept popping up in her mind. What if. What if. What if. It was crazy.
She had already told him no, she had told him that she didn’t want a relationship. She had told him that she was leaving, but she had just kissed him and enjoyed every second of it. She couldn’t get him out of her mind. This didn’t happen every day. What if her dad was right? What if she did say yes—to stay here and officially moving in with him?
“Katie, where have you gone? Are you OK? It looks like you mind is million miles away, daydreaming somewhere else. I haven’t offended you, have I?” Blake asked.
“Yes.”
“Yes, I’ve offended you?” Blake looked confused and worried.
Katie turned to Blake, she couldn’t believe what she was about to say and do. “No. You haven’t offended me. Yes, I will stay here with you, Blake.”
Blake didn’t move. He sat wide-eyed on the couch in shock. Am I dreaming? Did she just say what I think she just said? Did she just say yes?
“Please tell me that you just agreed to giving me—giving us—a chance. I’m hoping that my mind isn’t playing tricks on me.” He looked into his coffee. “This coffee might be bad.”
Katie laughed. “Your mind is perfectly fine and so is the coffee. I said yes. It’s not going to be easy, though. I still have a lot to deal with. Are you up for taking on my mess?”
Blake grabbed her coffee cup out of her hands and put both mugs on the floor. He cupped Katie’s face between his palms. “I’m in it for the long haul. I want you, Katie Baker. I find your mess quite beautiful.”
He leaned in again and she met him halfway this time. They kissed deeply. Her hand moved to the back of his neck. She didn’t want to stop. She wanted to keep kissing him, she wanted to take his shirt off and feel his skin against hers, but he stopped her. It had been so long since she had been with another man. Two years.
“Not yet. We can’t.” He said as he pulled back. “I want you to be sure.”
Katie was surprised at her intense desire. She had only been with one man and never thought that there would come a time when she would feel another man’s lips on hers, but here she was ready to give everything over to Blake. She thought being intimate would be hard. Even after pondering the “what if’s,” she thought it would take a while for her to desire to share his bed. But now the thought took over her mind. She couldn’t wait.
Just then, Micah came walking into the living room. “Look who’s awake? Perfect timing,” Blake said with a smile.
Micah threw herself onto Blake’s lap, knocking over the cups of coffee that were sitting on the floor. Katie quickly jumped up and ran into the kitchen to grab another towel.
“Sowy, Mommy,” said Micah and tears began to well up in her eyes.
“It’s okay, baby, accidents happen.” Blake said to the little girl.
Katie watched the interchange. He was going to make a wonderful father. Would he end up being Micah’s father? Was this arrangement the first stumble towards forever? Perhaps it was a blessing that she was already calling him daddy. Katie bent down and began cleaning up the mess when she glanced up and caught Blake’s line of vision. He was watching her intently.
Katie attempted to figure out what Blake was so mesmerized by, and realized that her shirt had been gaping while she was cleaning up the mess and Blake could easily see down into it. This waiting was going to be harder for them than they thought.
CHAPTER
22
The kitchen cabinets had grown bare as Katie and Blake continued to deplete them, leaving them to scrounge around for something they could throw together for a meal. Blake walked around with a silly grin on his face, like a schoolboy who had just gotten his first kiss. If Katie would admit it, she was pretty happy herself. Everything seemed to be working out. She didn’t know how, but it just was.
In preparation for dinner, Blake tried to slide past Katie in order to set silverware out for their meal. His body came close behind Katie’s and she could feel his chest press up against her shoulder blades. The buckle from the belt that was holding his shorts up could be made out against her lower back. She immediately became aroused at the thought of his body pressed against her own.
“Sorry,” he said, yet it was obvious he knew exactly what he was doing.
Katie smiled.
“Tomato soup and grilled cheese okay?” Blake asked.
“Sounds perfect,” said Katie before turning to instruct Micah to slow down just as the little girl came running into the kitchen in her game of chase with Montag throughout the house.
“It’s a wonder he doesn’t grow tired of her playful antics. You’d think she was torturing him.” Katie said to Blake.
“Nah, Montag is happy to have her around giving him so much attention. He’s gotten a new playmate. I think he totally digs her.”
Katie laughed, thinking how Micah was probably much like a puppy herself.
Dinner was nice, simple, and sweet. It felt normal, as if they’d been dining together for as long as Katie could remember. There were a few times that Katie felt Blake’s foot graze against her own under the table, and their bare feet soon became enveloped on top of one another’s. He’d wink at her whenever she would glance up at him. Katie felt excitement at the day coming to an end. Once Micah went to bed for the night, they’d have some alone time to further define their relationship.
The thoughts surprised Katie. It had been the first time she found herself wanting to be alone with Blake, counting down the hours until bedtime. She couldn’t wait.
The evening seemed to move on slowly, just as everything did when you were hyped up with anticipation and excitement. It reminded Katie of childhood summers when she’d wait and wait for the last day of school to finally arrive and bring with it summer vacation. It felt like the moon would never come out, and the songs of night serenade her daughter’s eyes closed.
Katie was sure that her heart was beating like a hammer. It seemed like it had been so long ago. Was this all really happening? Had she finally found joy in being alive?
It was finally bedtime for Micah. Katie walked the little girl to the bed and lay down next to her, continuing their evening tradition of lullabies and nighttime snuggles. Katie debated, for the first time, inviting Blake to help tuck Micah into bed.
That’s crazy, she thought to herself. We’re not there yet. It’s better not to confuse Micah any more than she already is. Once Micah was asleep, Katie kissed her little cheek and slid off the bed to head back to the waiting man.
Katie tiptoed out and carefully closed the master bedroom door behind her. “She’s finally asleep,” she said as she walked over to take a seat next to Blake.
Katie found herself excited and terrified that they were alone again. The moment that she had anticipated all day had finally found her, and she didn’t know how to act or what to do.
“Want a glass of wine?” Blake asked.
“Sure,” Katie replied, thinking that perhaps a little wine would help her nerves calm a bit. Her eyes followed Blake into the kitchen, watching his movements.
Blake brought back two glasses of red wine and handed her one. “Cheers to all thing
s new,” he said.
The two clinked their glasses together and took a sip. Katie wasn’t sure what to do next, so she sat holding her glass waiting for Blake to make the first move.
Blake put his arm around Katie and pulled her closer, “Mind if I kiss you again? I’ve not been able to get your lips out of my mind all day.”
Katie smiled as Blake took her glass from her and set it down on the coffee table. She leaned in to accept his invitation. It all felt so right. Being here with Blake. For once, it felt like the world was offering her a taste of something good, and she was accepting it—embracing it as a sacred gift. Everything was perfect. Her daughter sleeping in the bedroom, the taste of red wine lingering on Blake’s mouth, even the crickets that chirped incessantly outside seemed welcoming.
Like destiny, it now appeared clear to Katie that she was supposed to end up right here—across the street in the arms of the motorcycle man. She wanted him. She wanted everything to work out, for the three of them to become one big happy family. She craved this: Blake to be her happily ever after.
“Katie,” Blake said as he pushed her away.
“I don’t want to rush you; I want you to be sure this is what you want before we go any further. If at any point you aren’t comfortable, then stop me. Can you agree to that?” He asked.
“Okay.” It was brief, but it was all she could mange to say since her breathing had become heavy.
After that, Katie let go of everything that had built up over the last two years. She leaned in and kissed Blake softly and tenderly before pulling off his shirt. The years of bitterness and anger melted away with each grasp of Blake’s fingers through her hair and down around the back of her neck.
Blake kissed her lips, her cheeks, and her neck. Katie embraced the chills that erupted as his lips grazed each place on her skin; she leaned her head back as he lay her down across the couch. Her hands found his bare arms and she caressed upward, toward his chest. He smiled, looking down at her as she explored his exposed chest with her eyes first, and finally, with her hands.
Katie had wanted to touch his chest all day. Her fantasies were being realized as her hands roamed over Blake’s bare skin. The warmth was inviting.
“I’m ready,” she said as she looked up into his eyes.
Blake didn’t wait for another cue; he stood up, lifted Katie into his arms, and carried her into the guest bedroom.
Katie was elated when Blake undressed her. She didn’t worry about what he thought of her body. All her fears had run away as they lay there, beneath flannel sheets, warmed with the heat from their close naked bodies. Katie led Blake’s hand up to her breasts and everything seemed to move in slow motion after that. He was gentle and patient. Katie’s body responded in hopeful anticipation of everything that came next.
Blake tenderly explored her torso, down to Katie’s belly button and back up. “You are stunning, Katie Baker. Perfectly stunning.”
He kissed down her neck and lingered at her collarbone. She simply lay back and enjoyed each place that his lips traveled, moaning as the erotic feelings took over. His lips continued to roam; they moved slowly and sweetly down to her chest.
Katie became a little nervous as Blake paused just beneath her breast, at the birthmark. He looked up at her and smiled that gorgeous smile of his before kissing it and picking up right where he left off.
Katie’s heart leapt, and with even more passion she pulled Blake back up to her face and kissed him more fervently. Their breathing became difficult to control. Her knees were spread alongside Blake’s legs, and when Katie couldn’t take the anticipation anymore, they came together as one. Katie’s breath caught in her throat at the connection.
The world seemed to spin all around her. “Oh God,” she said as everything finally felt right. Everything finally made sense.
Blake was sensitive and romantic. He continued to kiss Katie’s neck as their bodies moved in sync. “I love you, Katie Baker,” he said while their bodies continued rhythmically with one another.
It was then that she knew. There, in the midst of making love, she was convinced she too felt exactly the same way. Katie tightened her grip around Blake’s shoulders, and in between her moans she said,
“I love you, too, Blake Quinn.”
The moment was beautiful. Afterwards, Katie lay there naked next to this gorgeous man who was now “hers” as she attempted to catch and control her breath. She was surprised that this didn’t frighten her. Blake laid his head just below Katie’s breasts as he traced her stomach with his fingertips before turning and kissing his way back up to her lips.
The rest of the night was spent making love, sweet then passionate—the couple couldn’t get enough of one another.
“You know what?” Blake said as they lay trying to catch their breath.
“What?” asked Katie, adjusting to rest her head on her elbow.
“Saving you, Katie Baker, was the best decision I’ve ever made in my whole life.”
EPILOGUE
Mrs. Blake Quinn woke up, surprised to find that she still preferred to sleep in the guest room. Perhaps it’s because in this room, everything changed for Katie, and there was still something so magical about it. It had been a wonderful night for her. Katie finally felt that she was home. She looked at her new husband, still asleep next to her. How could he be so gorgeous even when asleep? Katie smiled and felt honored to be called Blake’s wife.
It didn’t take long for Micah to realize the couple was in the other room. She came jumping onto the bed, waking Blake up upon impact as she climbed right between the newly married couple and put her hands on their faces. She rested one of her little hands on Blake’s and the other on Katie’s.
“I wonder how much she understands?” Blake asked Katie. “Should we try to explain things to her?”
“You worry too much,” Katie said, giving Blake a mocking smile. She knew that in this moment, she sounded a lot like he often did when he was trying to convince her to “chill” so many times before. It was ironic to Katie that their roles had been reversed, and now here she was attempting to get Blake to relax a little.
“She knows that you are her new daddy, I think she figured that out even before I did, remember? Kids are much smarter than we give them credit for.” Katie smiled. She felt Blake’s hand move under the covers to her belly.
“Do you think that someday you might be open to having another?”
Katie was a bit surprised that he was already talking about children—they’d only been married for one day. In reality though, nothing they had done so far was normal, so why they start now?
“I might be open to it in the future since I’m not totally opposed to the idea. We need to figure out what we want to do with my property first. It’s been cleared for six months. We can’t just leave it there like it is, empty.”
Blake smiled, “I already have a plan, sweetheart. I’ve been waiting to talk to you about it, though. I wanted to make sure you weren’t going anywhere before I shared it with you.”
Katie placed a sweet kiss on Blake’s lips and said, “Well, you’re stuck with me now, like it or not.”
Katie thought about how very close she had come to leaving him; she was so glad she’d changed her mind. She would have missed out on this wonderful adventure of saying yes and learning to love again. She looked at her husband, now blowing raspberries on her daughter’s belly. He really was her happily-ever-after.
“So, my idea,” Blake continued, “what do you think about rebuilding? I spoke to your dad about it, and he said he’d love to come down and spend a few months with us while lending a hand.”
Katie was surprised, “What do you mean? Like build a new house? Why would we do that? Why do we need another house? You’re not thinking of renting it out are you?”
Blake smiled. “I thi
nk it’s about time that you get back into painting. You have such talent, Katie. I don’t want to see you let it go to waste. I was thinking we could build a studio for you, and a place for you to teach watercolor and art to kids who are passionate like you and want to be artists one day.”
Katie was surprised at how much Blake seemed to have this plan thought through. Would he really re-build and make all that for her? She didn’t know what to say.
“Are you sure that’s what you want? There are so many other things that could be done with the place. And besides, who would want to take classes from me? I’m not really that good.”
Blake smiled, “You are very modest, Mrs. Quinn.”
Hearing her new name still gave Katie pause. The butterflies in her stomach felt as if they were flitting their wings uncontrollably. She never tired of it. She looked over at Blake and was sure that her delight was easily detected on her face.
“I guarantee you that you will have students lined up at your door to take classes from you. Now, on the topic of other things I could do with the place . . . I might make a few dirt bike tracks throughout the back of the property if it wouldn’t be too much of a bother with your work. It’s just too great not to take advantage of,” Blake continued.
Katie giggled at the puppy dog eyes her new husband gave her as if he needed to plead so that she would say yes.
“You are a funny man,” Katie said.
Micah touched Blake’s nose and repeated the words that her mother had just said, “funny man.”
Blake turned to his new daughter, “Oh really? You think I’m funny, huh? Well let’s see about that.”