“Of course not.”
“So? You see? That proves my point. And if it happened to you, I’d still want you. You’d still be the last person I want to look at every night when I fall asleep and the first I want to see when I wake up. When I have good news, you’re the person I want to share it with.”
When Blake remained silent, Jeremy grew nervous he’d said the wrong thing or overshared. “Did I freak you out? I’m sorry if—”
“No, don’t.” Blake huffed out a laugh. “That might be the most beautiful thing anyone ever said to me.”
“Then you haven’t been with the right someone.” He cupped Blake’s jaw. “Until now.”
“I wish—” Blake began.
“Shh.” Jeremy brushed their lips together. “Don’t wish. Feel. Feel me and how much I want you. Only you.” Pouring his heart, his need, his everything into that kiss, Jeremy pushed Blake down on the sofa and took his mouth hard, hoping to convince Blake how much he was wanted.
“Mmm, Jer?”
“What?” He almost whined in frustration.
“I won’t say no this time if you want to take me to the bedroom.”
Gazing down at Blake’s dazed eyes, red mouth swollen from their hungry kisses, a smile curved Jeremy’s lips, and he unbuttoned Blake’s shirt, revealing his hardened nipples practically begging for his lips.
“Uh-uh.” At the flick of his tongue over the first hot tip, Blake hissed and wriggled. “I think I’m gonna take you right here.” Chuckling, he dipped his head and sucked hard, Blake’s groans echoing in his ear. Happy they’d had their talk, Jeremy was now convinced he and Blake were back on the right path. “Right here and right now.”
All he needed for a response was what he got: Blake’s arms sliding around his waist to hold him tight. Everything was going to be fine. Perfect.
Chapter Eighteen
“Next, please.”
It was only noon, and Blake had already seen six customers. It had taken him almost a week before he’d finally become comfortable with calling the people customers and not clients. It hadn’t been so bad with Oscar, who laughed it off with a smile and shake of his head, or George, who told him not to worry. But Lucy’s snide “You aren’t on Madison Avenue anymore, Blake,” coupled with the sneer of disdain from the recent college grad, Eddie, had begun to grate on his nerves. If his former colleagues would see him now, they’d laugh at how far he’d fallen. That only gave him the incentive to do even better for the people he was helping, and he stood up and walked to the front, where surprisingly, only one person waited.
“Hello, I’m Blake. Follow me, please.”
He waited for the young woman with a baby strapped to her chest to pick up her coat and the diaper bag at her feet. She trailed behind him several steps, then sat down in the chair next to his desk. The baby cried a bit, and she gave him an apologetic smile before replacing the pacifier in the baby’s mouth.
“I’m sorry. I have no one to leave him with, and he’s fussy. I think he’s teething and hungry.”
Remembering how stressed his sister had been when Henry was that age, Blake gave her what he hoped was a comforting smile. “It’s okay. My nephew was the same way. You can put ice on his gums to soothe them, or put one of those special toys in the freezer that will help when he chews on it.”
“Thank you.” She cast him a shy smile. “It’s hard when it’s your first. And my husband works nights three days a week in addition to his day job, so I’m alone with him a lot.” Once the baby settled down, the woman handed Blake a sheaf of papers. “I need to get our taxes filed, and I have no idea what to do. My husband said to come here, so…”
“No worries. That’s why I’m here.” He took her receipts and pay stubs and set to work. Within an hour, he’d not only had her taxes filled out, he’d also given her information about child-care credits and deductions she wasn’t aware of, and additional programs offered by the State to help her obtain reduced costs for her heating, electric, cable, and cell phone services. He’d even made a few quick phone calls on her behalf to the various agencies to help set up her appointments. As a recent immigrant, she had no idea she and her husband qualified for these benefits, and Blake couldn’t stand seeing people lose out on what the government offered.
The woman’s wide brown eyes shone. “Thank you, thank you so much. I really appreciate what you did for me. And I’m sorry it took up so much of your time.” The baby let out a cry, and she smoothed back his silky black hair and once again replaced the pacifier in his mouth.
“Don’t worry. I’m glad to help. It didn’t take any time.” He printed her out a receipt. “You can pay and pick up your completed forms at the front desk.”
His stomach rumbled, and grimacing at his watch, Blake noted it was now close to two thirty and he was starving. He’d been late getting up and couldn’t stop for breakfast, so he was running on coffee fumes and half a stale granola bar he’d found at the bottom of his knapsack. After locking down his computer, he stood and pocketed his cell phone and took his wallet from the drawer.
“Where’re you going?”
Surprised Lucy spoke to him, he made sure to place a pleasant smile on his face. “Getting something for lunch. Want me to get you anything?”
Seemingly taken aback, she scowled. “No. Don’t be long. Kyle doesn’t like it when people take off and leave the office during busy times.”
After a glance around the almost empty office, he gave a brief nod and hurried outside. Kyle might not like it, but he’d picked a time when there was a lull.A man’s gotta eat.Was he expected to starve himself? The gym across the street from the train station had a juice bar he’d become a regular at, and he decided on that and a cup of hummus and vegetables. His stomach gave another loud gurgle. Joining the pedestrians stepping off the curb when the light turned green, Blake thought maybe he should start packing a lunch.
Music blared loudly from the speakers when he pushed open the door to the gym named Intensity. He much preferred the way Jeremy ran his gym, without all the hoopla and noise. But then again, he preferred everything about Jeremy when he compared him to anyone else.
