Chapter Three
I wentto the restroom to freshen up while Blake paid the tab. As I washed my hands, I met my own eyes in the bathroom mirror. I almost didn't recognize myself.
My red hair was in its usual tangled disarray, but my pale skin was flushed and my blue eyes sparkled with vitality and excitement. I looked eager and...lustful.
I'd found a man who wasn't boring or straight laced and, tonight, I was going to dance on the razor's edge. Maybe in the process, I could help him forget his pain and loneliness for a little while.
Once my hands were clean, I tossed a breath mint into my mouth and hurried out of the bathroom. I was going to do something completely out of character and I didn't want to give myself time to change my mind.
As soon as I exited the ladies' room, Blake's hand shot out and found mine. He was waiting by the door for me. He tugged me closer, his eyes searching my face.
"Any second thoughts?" he asked.
I looked up at him, realizing for the first time how much larger he was than me. When we were sitting, I hadn't understood how tall he truly was. Standing, I had to tilt my face back because he towered over me.
"No," I whispered.
His fingers tightened around mine briefly. "Good. Let's go."
He pulled me down the hall, away from the bar area.
"Wait, where are we going?"
"My house. I live a block away."
I had to move quickly in order to keep up with his long strides as he rushed down the hall to the door at the rear. An exit sign glowed above it.
Then we were out the door and into the cold December night. I could see the vapor from my panting breaths as I practically jogged alongside Blake as we crossed the rear parking lot.
"Could we slow down?" I gasped.
He glanced down at me, his brows furrowed, and then he smiled slightly. "You're a lot shorter than I thought."
"Oh, gee, thanks. That's so romantic," I snapped, shoving my hair out of my face as the wind blew around us.
Suddenly, I was cradled in his arms and he was walking again, his long strides eating up the distance as we hit the sidewalk.
"Hey, put me down," I demanded, wiggling in his grasp. "I can walk, just not as fast as you."
"I know you can, but I'm in a hurry and I don't want you too tired for what I have planned."
My body shook at his words. I knew Blake felt it because his arms tightened around me. Instead of arguing, I tucked my face against his neck, letting my lips rest against his pulse.
He smelled delicious, like heat and wood smoke. My tongue darted out to taste his skin.
Blake growled low in his chest, the sound more wolf than human. "If you keep doing that, we won't make it back to my house."
I let my hands dive into his hair, my nails scraping his scalp. "Then you should hurry, because I don't think I can stop," I whispered, my mouth sliding up his neck to his ear.
As I nibbled at the lobe, he groaned and broke into a jog, pulling his head away from my mouth.
"Just a little farther," he insisted.
My right hand slid down his neck and beneath the collar of his flannel shirt, then under his t-shirt. The skin of his shoulders was smooth and hot beneath my palm.
"Jesus Christ, Candy, if you don't stop, I'm going to find the nearest tree and fuck you against it."
I ignored his warning and leaned forward to sink my teeth into his throat. I didn't bite him hard, but it was enough to have him swearing.
