Chapter 37: Chapter 36: Found Your Sensitive Spot

BLAKE

A small smile tugged at my lips as I held the drunken, sleeping Claire in my arms.

Nancy and I had been searching for her for two days. We’d combed through every place she’d ever been, but she was nowhere to be found. Our worry grew with each passing hour.

Just yesterday, Logan had nearly kidnapped Nancy. Today, I’d been scouring every alley, determined to find Claire.

I’d spotted a swaying figure while driving, but I didn’t think much of it. It wasn’t until I caught a glimpse of her hazel eyes that I stopped.

My mind drifted back to the promise I’d made her just moments ago. “Promise you’ll never leave me, like everybody else.”

I found myself questioning whether I could keep that promise. What if something happened to her and I wasn’t there to protect her? What if she attempted suicide again? What if I ended up hurting her, like everyone else in her life?

The answer seemed simple: Fall in love with her. But that wasn’t possible. I liked Claire, but I didn’t love her. She was beautiful, funny, feisty, independent, and strong-willed, but I suspected it was all just lust.

I mentally rolled my eyes at myself. Yeah, lust made you ask her out the first night we kissed! I couldn’t help but grin as I remembered how much I wanted to kiss Claire again.

I meant what I said. Once I had a taste of her, I wouldn’t be able to get enough, and I was dead serious about that. That night, I’d promised myself that it wouldn’t be our only moment and a few kisses.

There would be more, and it took all my willpower not to pull Claire in for a kiss when I first saw her adorable, pouting lips.

Shaking off my thoughts, I tightened my arms around Claire and carried her to my car. I wasn’t planning on taking her to Nancy just yet. Call me selfish, but I didn’t care.

CLAIRE

My head was throbbing! I tried to move, but a painful groan escaped my lips. I didn’t know where I was or what had happened after my crying, but I knew I wasn’t on the roof ledge as I felt the soft cushion beneath me.

With my eyes still closed, I slowly moved my arms, feeling the soft cushion of a couch under me. I felt the fabric of a blanket over me, and I was instantly alert.

My eyes snapped open, and I sat up quickly. I sighed with relief when I recognized the familiar setting of the shed.

Then, confusion washed over me as I saw Blake smirking at me, holding a cup and some pills in his hands.

“Blake…” My voice trailed off as the pounding in my head returned. I groaned aloud, sinking back into the couch cushions.

I heard Blake chuckle before he came closer, helping me sit up. He handed me the pills, which I swallowed, then gave me a glass of water to wash them down.

I gulped down the water, suddenly aware of how thirsty and dry my throat was from all the alcohol I’d consumed over the past few days.

After finishing my glass, I sent a grateful look to Blake and cleared my throat.

“How long have I been out?” I asked, yawning as I stretched my limbs, forgetting about my hangover.

Blake shrugged. “A couple of hours.” He sighed. “You shouldn’t have drunk that much, Claire. You were beyond drunk when I found you,” he said, concern lacing his words.

I looked at him with heavy-lidded eyes. “Well, I wanted to. Nothing was going to stop me either,” I told him, my words ringing with truth.

He sighed sadly, but nodded, knowing that once I made up my mind, no one could change it. “Nancy was worried sick about you,” Blake said after a few minutes of silence.

I shrugged. “I’ll get a scolding when she sees me, but that’s all. Nancy doesn’t hold grudges often.”

I leaned my head back on the couch, as the blanket slipped down my thighs, revealing my alcohol-stained blue skinny jeans. I looked down at myself and grimaced.

My shoes were off, and my stinky socks were still on my feet. I was wearing a blue striped shirt that reeked of beer and salt from all the crying.

My hair must’ve been a mess, and I knew I needed a mint and a shower.

I sighed in irritation, lying back down. “I look like crap,” I mumbled to myself.

I heard Blake chuckle again. “I won’t lie, you look like a zombie. Which is why you need to get up and put your shoes on. And here.” Blake tossed a mint at me, which I caught easily.

After popping the mint in my mouth, I stood up, steadying my wobbly legs as I put my purple converse back on.

Blake handed me a small comb, and I did my best to tame my hair—not that it did much good.

“So, where are we going now?” I asked Blake once we were in his car, glancing out at the sun that was just starting to rise.

Blake grinned as he looked ahead on the road. “To my house,” he replied casually. My eyes widened. “You’ll take a shower, and then we’re going out,” he finished nonchalantly.

“Excuse me? Blake, I don’t want to go to your house!” I protested.

“And I suppose you’d want to go home?” he asked, mimicking my tone.

That shut me up, and I settled for a huff and a glare. “Be quiet,” I grumbled, turning my head to look out the window.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Blake’s victorious grin, and I had to resist the urge to smack it off his face.

Ten minutes later, we pulled into his driveway, which was across from mine. My eyes drifted to my house, all the lights were off and there were no cars in the driveway. Mom must be at work, I thought, getting out of the car.

“So, who’s home?” I asked, once we were on his front porch and he was taking out his key.

Blake gives a nonchalant shrug. “Dad’s at work. Mom might be sleeping, or she took Anya out for a ‘girl’s day,’” he says, pushing open the front door.

The door creaks in protest as we step inside. The house is dark and silent, a clear sign that we’re alone.

I let out a sigh of relief. The last thing I want is to run into his mom looking like a total mess, especially when the last time she saw me, I was all dolled up.

Once we’re inside, Blake flips on the lights. The living room is suddenly bathed in a warm glow.

“Come with me,” Blake says, taking my hand and leading me up the stairs. At the top, he guides me to a brown door and swings it open. I already know it’s his room, but I’m surprised to find it so tidy.

A queen-sized bed is pushed against the far wall, next to a window. His clothes are neatly folded and tucked away in his dresser. Boxing posters adorn the walls.

A big-screen TV sits on a coffee table next to his nightstand, which is home to a blue lava lamp.

I turn to him, raising an eyebrow. “Since when do you keep your room so clean?” I ask, running my fingers over his desk and finding it dust-free.

He shrugs. “I don’t exactly enjoy living in a pigsty,” he says, moving to open another door. I peek inside and find it’s a bathroom. My eyes widen in envy. Even I don’t have my own bathroom in my room!

He steps inside and I hear the sound of running water. He’s turning on the shower. When he emerges, he points back to the bathroom.

“The shower’s warming up. Towels are on the rack, brush is in the drawer. Nancy was kind enough to lend me some of your clothes in case I found you. And look at that, I found you,” Blake says, grinning.

I shoot him a glare before stepping into the steam-filled room. I lock the door, strip off my clothes, and step into the hot water. The droplets hit my skin, soothing my aching muscles.

After a forty-five-minute shower, scrubbing away all the dirt and grime, I finally step out. I wrap myself in a towel, shivering as the cold air hits my damp skin.

I look down at the clothes Blake brought me: a pair of dark grey skinny jeans and a cute, off-the-shoulder grey top that shows off my belly button.

I blush as I see the black, lacy Victoria's Secret underwear and matching bra.

Once I’m dressed, I brush and dry my hair. I wet my hands and run them through my hair, trying to tame the static. I look at myself in the mirror and nod, satisfied with my outfit.

When I step out of the bathroom, Blake is waiting for me, a plate of pancakes and toast in his hands. His eyes widen as he takes in my outfit.

After a few moments of him staring, he finally snaps out of it with an awkward cough. “Wow. You, uh, look great,” he says, his gaze shifting to the ceiling.

I can’t help but grin at his reaction. ~Score one for me!~ I think. “So, where are we going after this?” I ask, taking a bite of my pancakes.

Blake just smirks. “It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I told you, now would it?” He laughs at the glare I shoot him.

“I don’t like surprises,” I grumble, taking another bite of my food.

Blake just chuckles in response.

Once we finish eating, we head out to his car. It’s noon by the time we leave his house. I’m surprised to see my house still untouched. Usually, my mom is home by now, taking her lunch break.

I shake my head, trying to push the thought from my mind. She’s the one who lied to me. She’s the one who defended the man who cheated on her.

~Yeah, what a love story,~ I think sarcastically.

As we pull out of his driveway, I decide to just look out the window. I know he won’t tell me where we’re going, no matter how much I pester him.

So, for now, I just sit back and listen to the radio as we drive to who-knows-where.

After what feels like hours, we finally pull into a parking lot. I look up at the sound of a car door opening and see Blake getting out. Before I can even reach for my door handle, he’s opening it for me, a grin on his face.

I look past him and can’t help but chuckle when I see the giant Ferris wheel and rides. We’re at an amusement park, or maybe a fair.

I take Blake’s hand as he helps me out of the car. “Where are we?” I ask as we start walking.

His smirk widens as he sees my amazed expression. I’ve only ever been to a place like this once, when I was really young.

“It’s a small amusement park. Not too crowded, but still pretty decent-sized,” he says, handing the clerk money for tickets.

I frown at the money he hands over. “If you’d told me where we were going, I could’ve paid for myself,” I grumble as the clerk hands us each a bracelet for the rides.

Once we’re inside, Blake takes my hand, intertwining our fingers. A warm, tingling sensation spreads through me as he tightens his grip, leading me through the crowd.

“Why do you think I didn’t tell you? I know how independent you are,” he says, smiling as we get in line for a roller coaster.

I roll my eyes. “Of course, you’d be so generous to pay for me, when I can clearly pay for myself. If you didn’t already know that,” I say, referring to my status as the White Wolf.

He nods. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I let the lady pay on the first date?” Blake says, grinning at my surprised expression. As I think about it, I mentally kick myself. Of course, this is a date! What else would it be?!

Before I can respond, the line moves forward. Blake takes my hand again, giving it a reassuring squeeze as we show our wristbands and climb into the roller coaster cart.

“Claire, just enjoy yourself for now. Have fun,” Blake says. And for once, I decide to listen to him.

I lean back, letting the ride take over. It’s a sweet escape, a chance to forget my worries and just be a regular teenager for a while.

Blake and I are heading back to his car around five o’clock, and I’m laughing so hard I can barely breathe.

“Your… face…” I manage to get out between fits of laughter.

Blake just shoots me a glare, shaking his head. “It’s not funny,” he grumbles.

But that only makes me laugh harder. “Oh, God,” I gasp. “You look so…” I can’t finish the sentence, I’m laughing too hard.

Blake finally manages to wipe the last of the chocolate ice cream from his face, and he fixes me with a stern look.

“Claire,” he warns, but I can’t stop laughing.

We’d stopped for ice cream on our way back to the car. I’d chosen vanilla, he’d gone for chocolate. And then he’d tripped over a stick and face-planted right into his cone. I haven’t stopped laughing since.

“Claire, if you don’t stop laughing, I can’t be held responsible for what happens next,” Blake whispers in my ear. I jump, surprised by how close he’s gotten.

Suddenly, I feel a surge of boldness. I cock an eyebrow at him, shift my weight onto one hip, and lean in close. Our lips are almost touching.

“And what are you going to do about it, Mr. Johnson?” His last name rolls off my tongue so naturally—it feels right.

Blake’s eyes flicker from my lips to my eyes and back again. A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. And then, without warning, he’s kissing me.

His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me against him and the car.

His lips move against mine, deepening the kiss with a slight tilt of his head. His arms tighten around me as his tongue brushes against my lips.

I part my lips, surprising both of us. But he doesn’t hesitate. His tongue explores my mouth, and I’m pressed against the car and his body. And I love it.

Eventually, we have to come up for air. But he doesn’t waste any time—he starts kissing my neck, sucking and biting. I know I’ll have a hickey later.

“B-Blake, we have to stop,” I manage to say, biting my lip to hold back a moan when he finds a sensitive spot below my ear.

I can feel his grin against my skin. “Found your sensitive spot,” he mumbles. He gives me one last kiss, then pulls back, a huge grin on his face.