Kathryn opensthe door for me when I get back to her place. I take her into my arms and shake, covering her with snow.
“Hey!” she protests. “That’s not nice!”
We both laugh, and I lift her into my arms and carry her over to the couch. She looks up at me with hopeful eyes as I take off my jacket and toss it aside.
“Well?” she asks. “Did she go for it?”
I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone. The recording app is all queued up. Smiling, I press play.
“Wait, so you…you had the same plan as me? To get incriminating photos and blackmail her?”
Kathryn’s eyes go wide, then fill with relief.
“We’ll take this to the cops, and she’ll be out of your hair for good.”
She’s tearing up now, her arms out for me. I shut the recording off and lie down on top of her, pressing my hard body against her softness.
I could get used to this—lying here with her, feeling like we’re both ready to take over the world.
Nothing can stop us. Not now, not ever.
“Thank you, Blake,” she whimpers. “But…why?”
Her question startles me, and I give her a funny look. “Why? Why what?”
“I just…why would you do something like this for me?”
I can’t help but smile. Her eyes are so submissive—so sensitive. If there was ever a time to tell her what I’ve been wanting to say, it’s now.
“Isn’t it obvious, Kathryn? I love you.”
Her mouth falls open, and the softest gasp falls from her lips. I lean in and kiss them gently, a new type of kiss I’ve never given her before. This one’s filled with promises. A promise of forever.
“I love you too, Blake. I love you.”
10
KATHRYN
CHRISTMAS DAY…
Snow is falling outside,the tree is glowing, and presents lie wrapped beneath. Kathryn and I are snuggled up on the couch, listening to Christmas music. Things couldn’t be more perfect.
Which is good, considering how early I got up this morning to get things started.
My job doesn’t give me much time to cook—or bake like I used to love doing with Mom before she passed—so I took an hour to make Blake and me some Christmas cookies. We decorated them with homemade frosting.
We made the decision to celebrate at my house, rather than Blake’s “dingy apartment,” as he put it.
He helped me string up more lights and hung the last of the decorations on the top of the tree that’s beyond my reach.
As he leans in and kisses me on the cheek, I realize just how much my life has changed since he walked in.
I’m a different woman.
No, that’s not true. I’m the same woman as I was before, only with my secret side unlocked—a side I didn’t even know was there before Blake.
He looks down at me, and my heart gets all fuzzy and warm, like the fire crackling in the fireplace.
