“So I’m thinking black wasn’t such a good idea.” He gives me his sexy chuckle and it takes everything in me not to jump on him right now, wrap my legs and arms around him, and kiss him senseless.

I giggle at the thought. “I think you’re right. But don’t worry. You’re on balloon duty so you should be safe.” I move aside allowing him to step in the entry way before closing the door. “Are those for Rylie? You didn’t have to get her anything. I know it was short notice.”

He holds my eyes for a brief second. Then he breaks our gaze to look down at the smaller box on top. “Not both of them. The smaller one is for you.”

“Really?” I giggle like a little girl. I grab the present and skip into the living room, plopping down on the couch. “What is it?” Blake follows me but remains standing. “Open it and see.”

“Okay,” I say, my smile getting larger. I look down at the Disney Princess wrapping paper and smile so wide my face hurts. I glance back up at him. “You sure this is for me?”

Blake grins sexily. My eyes wander all over his body before looking back down at the gift. I rip the paper open to find a black box. Flipping it open, I can’t help but gasp from surprise.

Inside the box is a new charm to add to my collection, but it isn’t just any charm. This one is an exact replica of the butterfly from yesterday. Exact. Same black, yellow, and blue palette. I pick it up and let it dangle between my fingers as I examine it closely.

“Blake. You remembered the bracelet? It’s beautiful.” I haven’t had a chance to tell him I still have it.

“Yes. Of course I remember it. I only looked for a charm every chance I had growing up. I thought this one would go nicely with your collection.” His eyes break from mine and land on the charm.

“I found it yesterday while shopping for Rylie. I had to get it for you. That butterfly seemed to have some kind of connection yesterday with you and the girls. And with it being so unusual, the chance of me finding an exact match…well, I just had to get it. I think it was meant for you, for some reason.” He looks at me shyly. “It seemed like some kind of sign or something. I know…that sounds weird.”

When Derek was alive, he was notorious for making sure I understood what he was telling me, making me repeat what he said to make sure I was listening or quizzing me after a long discussion. I find myself rolling my eyes in my head.

Yes, Derek…I understand. No further pushing required. I get it.

Thank you.

I put the charm back in the box and gently set it on the coffee table. Smiling at Blake, I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his waist. I put my forehead on his chest and smell him yet again. Something about doing that comforts me. Blake puts his hand on the back of my head and runs his hand through my hair. Placing my chin on his chest, I tilt my head back to look him directly in the eyes. “Thank you, Blake. I have a feeling you’re right. This charm was meant for me. It’s absolutely perfect.” He removes his hand from the back of my head and grazes his fingers across my forehead, moving the hair out of my eyes. “I’m glad you like it.”

Giving him another wide smile, I remove my chin from his shirt. And then I see my mistake. In an effort to suppress my laughter, I immediately cover my mouth with my hand. I watch as Blake looks down at his shirt and then back up at me with wide eyes and a half-grin on his lips.

Oh my God.

I completely forgot about the flour all over my face. The flour that is now all over his shirt. “Oh, Blake. I’m so sorry.” Unfortunately, I can’t hold it in any longer. It starts with a giggle that barely escapes, but when I turn him around and see the two handprints on his back, I can’t help but break out into full on laughter. I start hiccupping as he turns back around and I watch his face light up with laughter. He attempts to dust the front of his shirt, but it does absolutely nothing. Taking in a couple of breaths to regain my composure, I wipe my eyes and attempt to straighten myself back into standing position. Once I’m able to function, I grab his hand and lead him into the kitchen. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

I feel a zap all over my body when he intertwines his fingers with mine. I turn back and give him a reassuring smile. I’m completely okay with this.

I grab a towel and turn the faucet on to wet it. I turn around to see Blake leaning back on the kitchen counter, legs crossed in front of him. When I approach him, he uncrosses his legs and stands up straighter allowing me to get close to him. Stepping in between his legs, I take the towel and dab it on his chest, removing the traces of white powder. I can see his muscles tense under his shirt. I let my eyes wander over his chest and slowly look up to meet his beautiful green eyes. I can feel every bit of nervous energy as it courses through my body. He holds my stare.

Keeping my eyes on him, I place the towel down on the counter beside him. I reach my hand up and run it over his chest. The muscles in his jaw tighten.

I slowly bring my other hand up and place both palms on his chest. I can feel his heart racing, encouraging me to keep going. I slowly move my hands down the ripples on his stomach. I break our stare to watch my hands roam over his body. When I reach the bottom of his shirt, I move my hands under it, slowly tracing them up his naked body. Palms still flattened, I turn my hands so that my thumbs fall into the ridge in the center of his stomach. I continue to move them up until I feel the muscles of his chest underneath each of my hands. I move my eyes back to meet his. This time, not breaking his gaze, I let my hands graze downward once again. His muscles quiver slightly as I glide over them. I remove my hands and step closer to him, grabbing fistfuls of his shirt in pure desire.

Blake watches me the entire time. Letting my hands roam where they want. But once I grab his shirt, he moves his hands to my waist and pulls me so that our bodies are now touching. He tightens his hold. I feel his thumbs pressing into my stomach. But I can see in his face that he’s holding back.

“Alex, are you sure?”

I nod my head, eyes still on him. He wraps one arm around under my bottom and places the other on the center of my back. In one quick swoop, he lifts me and I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. He turns and places me on the counter. We’re eye level with each other. Legs pulling him as close as I can, I run my hands through his hair. God, I love his hair.

He places both arms on the sides of where I’m seated, his hands squeezing me from behind, pulling my body into his. He moves to press his face into my neck. I feel his nose as it grazes behind my ear. I can feel each chill bump rise all over my body. Breathing heavily in my ear, Blake whispers, “Once I start Alex, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop. I need to know that you’re sure. There can be no doubts moving forward. This is your decision.”

I place both hands on the side of his face bringing his eyes to meet mine. “I’m tired of fighting it, Blake. I can’t do it anymore.”

My eyes find their way to his mouth and I lick my lips in anticipation. Blake slowly moves forward, giving me every chance to back out. My heart’s drumming uncontrollably in my chest. He lets his face linger in front of mine and I feel his warm rapid breaths on my mouth. Licking my lips for a final time, I move forward and feel his soft lips lightly skim mine, still testing the waters. I wrap my arms tightly around his neck and pull him so there’s no doubt in his mind of what I want. Then, I crush my mouth against his. I kiss him with every bit of emotion that I have been holding in since I first saw him on the side of the road. I completely let go and lose myself in this kiss. And he kisses me back, just as eagerly.