When we got to my bed, she sat down, and she pulled my pant loop toward her. She started to unbuckle my belt and tug down the zipper, her impatience matching my own need to shut my mind off. I kicked off my jeans. She slid her hands along my hips, urging me closer, her breath hitching as I settled between her legs. I yanked her dress higher, fingers tracing the curve of her thighs before slipping beneath the fabric to find her already bare. She hadn’t bothered with anything but the tight black dress she’d shown up in.
“Will,” she whispered, her voice a plea. Her nails scraped down my back, leaving faint lines that stung.
I pulled her dress over her head, letting it fall to the floor in a careless heap. Blake’s skin warm, her eyes fixed on mine like she was waiting for me to admit something I wasn’t ready to.
This was just sex. Something to fill the space Natalie had left. Something to make me forget how much I wanted her.
I put on a condom and pressed into Blake, burying the guilt, the frustration, the longing, with each rough, desperate thrust. Blake’s head fell back, her lips parted, eyes glazed with pleasure. She called my name, her voice thick and ragged.
But it wasn’t enough. Not even close.
“Oh, Will,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I love you.”
The words startled me. I wasn’t ready for that. I hesitated for a fraction of a second before continuing, deciding to just finish.
When it was over, she curled up beside me, her hand resting on my chest.
“Will, I’m sorry I said that.” She murmured.
“It’s okay,” I said, keeping my tone light. “You were caught up in the moment.”
She didn’t say anything else and I fell asleep.
I woke up early the next morning in a cold sweat. I’d been dreaming about Natalie, her laugh, the way her eyes fluttered when she was caught off guard. In the dream, she disappeared, and I couldn’t find her no matter how hard I searched.
Blake stirred beside me, rolling over and kissing my shoulder. “Are you okay?” she asked sleepily.
“I’m fine,” I said.
I got up, needing to take a run to and clear my head. “Stay as long as you’d like,” I told her before heading downstairs.
Blake stretched, the sheets falling slightly, exposing her smooth skin. She caught me looking and smiled. “Maybe I’ll stay for a little while longer.”
After my workout, I found Blake in my button down, sipping coffee at the kitchen table.
“So, Mr. Parker,” she said playfully. “No kids this weekend. Would you like to take me on a date?”
I nodded. “I’d love to. How about tomorrow night?”
“That sounds perfect,” she said, her smile lighting up her face. “You know, I could stay the whole weekend.”
Her words felt invasive, even though she meant well. “I’d love that,” I lied, “but I have plans with my best friend, Evan on Saturday.”
As soon as she left, I texted Evan.
Will: Want to grab drinks at Bourbon House on Saturday night?
Evan: Sure, as long as you’re paying.
I shook my head. Typical Evan.
Still, my thoughts drifted back to Natalie. Where was she going tomorrow night? They both had mentioned Laguna, and I had a strong suspicion about which restaurant they’d choose.
Broadway. It had to be.
I called the restaurant, but they were fully booked. “We’ll take the bar,” I told the hostess over the phone.
“Sir, bar seating is first come, first serve,” she replied.
