That cold edge to him makes my chest tighten. I feel as if I've done something wrong without knowing what it is. The warmth and closeness of our garden episode feels like it is miles away now, replaced by this wall he's put up. It leaves me picking at my salad while laughter flows around me.
Dessert arrives, and it istarte tatin, the caramelized apples warm and sticky under a dollop of crème fraîche. Blake's silence starts to weigh more heavily. My fork clinks against the plate without much enthusiasm, and I can't shake off the unease. My fingers twist the napkin in my lap. Sarah is telling a story about their vacation in Provence, her voice animated, and I catch Blake's glance flicking to me, finally. It's unreadable, and that stings. He always looks at me with desire in his eyes. Why invite me if he's going to freeze me out like this?
Dinner wraps up with coffee—espresso for him, strong and black, nothing for me. I’m done pretending to eat and drink.
I excuse myself and walk towards the restrooms. Standing for a moment in the corridor where it is much quieter, and lined with framed black-and-white photos of old Paris, I try to calm my temper.
After I’m done with the bathroom, I feel a great reluctance to go back to the table. In fact, I’m tempted to just walk out right now and leave him here with his friends to get on with it. The undeniable fact is, he ignored me all evening. What an asshole. I look at myself in the mirror and suddenly feel foolish. Maybe he’s embarrassed by me. Maybe I shouldn’t have dressed up.Fine. I decide to leave and send him a text from the car that I’ve gone home with a headache. He can make my excuses to his friends.
But as I exit the Ladies, to my surprise, I see Blake approaching, his presence filling the space before he speaks. I would have ignored him and walked on, but his hand catches my elbow gently but firmly, and turns me to face him.
"Where are you going?" he asks, his voice low and edged with something that looks incomprehensibly like anger. What has he got to be angry about? His gray eyes darken as he steps closer. The hallway narrows around us, the faint music from the dining room muffled.
I pull back, my own anger flaring hot in my chest, my skin tingling where he touched. “Back home,” I snarl harshly.
“What’s wrong?” he asks with a frown.
I don’t hold back. “I’m bored. You've barely spoken to me all evening, haven't even looked at me. I really don't know what I'm even supposed to be doing here. At least Jason looks at his wife now and again. I suppose if I want attention, I should look elsewhere."
His jaw tightens, that anger sharpening, his hand not letting go as he leans in. His breath is warm against my cheek. "Bored? Spending time with me isn't interesting enough for you? Maybe you’d prefer to be with that gardener boyfriend of yours? That's where you'd really prefer to be?"
The words hit like a slap, jealousy raw in his tone, and I stare at him, hurt twisting deeper. My pulse races as I try to pull away again. "What? You—that’s not— oh my God. Just… just leave me the hell alone.”
I fight him, but he catches me fully then, his body pressing close, one hand on my waist as he plasters me against him, the solid wall of his chest crushing into mine. The heat of him seeps through our clothes, igniting every nerve, and I gasp just beforehis mouth crashes down on mine. It's hard, urgent, his lips claiming me with a raw hunger that steals my breath, bruising in the best way.
His tongue thrusts in, possessive and deep, and tangles with mine in a fierce dance. I taste his espresso—bitter, warm, addictive—as he devours me like he's been starved for years. I feel his cock against me, rock hard through his slacks, the thick length grinding insistently into my hip, pulsing with a need that sends a flood of heat rushing to my sex.
My knees buckle, weakening under the onslaught, and I clutch at his shirt, fists twisting in the fabric as a desperate moan vibrates from my throat into his mouth. His free hand slides up my back, fingers digging into my skin through the silk dress, pulling me impossibly closer. Until there's no space left, just the frantic rhythm of our breaths mingling, hearts pounding in sync.
He doesn't let up, his kiss turning wilder, teeth nipping at my lower lip before soothing it with a suck that draws out another whimper from me. My body arches into him instinctively, hips rolling against that hardness, seeking friction that makes him growl low in his chest, the sound vibrating through me like thunder. His scent—clean cologne mixed with the faint musk of arousal—envelops me. It’s dizzying, and I lose myself in it. My nails scrape down his back as the world narrows to this hallway, this moment, this fire he's unleashed inside me.
A long time later, he pulls back slightly. His forehead rests against mine, and our breaths are ragged and hot between us. His eyes are dark storms, locked on mine with an intensity that pins me in place.
"Is this enough interest for you?" he mutters, voice rough and gravelly, laced with that edge of desperation, his hand sliding down from my waist to grip my hip tighter, fingers bruising in their hold as if afraid I'll slip away.
I nod wordlessly.
"I asked you to join us so we... we could spend time together, not for you to blow my mind like this. How are you this mind-blowingly hot, and I've never noticed? I've been married to you for four fucking years."
The words sink in slowly, his vulnerability cracking through his anger, and I understand then. The quiet and the cold was just him holding back so he didn’t look like a fool in front of his colleagues. He didn’t look like he wanted this too much. My heart swells, aching and soft, and I kiss him back, my lips gentle at first, then deeper.
Just then, someone clears their throat behind us, and we break apart. My cheeks flush hot as I find that it is Sarah, heading to the bathroom. I instantly flush with shame, especially at the sheepish smile on her face.
"Don't let me stop you," she jokes lightly, waving a hand as she passes on her way to the Ladies.
Chapter Forty-Seven
BLAKE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRzGzRqNj58
-jealous guy-
Sarah's laugh trails off as she heads into the bathroom, the door clicking shut with a snap. We are frozen in the hallway for a beat. The air still hums between us. Her body is pressed so close I can feel her heartbeat on my chest. My pants stretch tight from how much harder she has made me.
I pull back just enough to look down at her. Her lipstick is smudged, her cheeks are flushed, and her lovely eyes are wide and dark with desire.
And I think…
