Chapter 92: Sub Rosa

~“My sanctuary is in your embrace. When the world heaps on its burdens, I can bear them a thousandfold. On your shoulder, I can touch an endless sky—it feels like paradise. We could create a universe right here, let the world vanish, and we wouldn’t notice, wouldn’t care. We can create a universe right here, let the world vanish, I just need you close.”—Zara Larsson.~

Chapter Theme Song: “Uncover” by Zara Larsson.

HARMONY

“...and did you know he has this way of smiling with his eyes? And his laugh? Oh, I remember this one night we stayed up talking until 2 a.m. and he said...”

As my mom continues to gush about her favorite things about Mr. Blake, I’m drowning in a sea of guilt.

The way her face lights up when she talks about him makes me feel like I’m stealing her happiness right from her hands.

I wish this car ride to Blaze’s house would end already. But I know that once we get there, it’s going to be even worse.

Blaze and I found each other first, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m taking away her happiness.

“Are you even listening to me, Harmony?”

Her voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I turn to her, forcing a smile. “Uh, yeah. I was just, um…I got lost when you mentioned his laugh.”

She laughs. “Harmony, I mentioned that ages ago. So you didn’t hear about the time we met at the town’s café then?”

They met at a café? Where was I when all this was happening? At school, apparently.

“Well, we met there and had coffee, and he told me about this really embarrassing time when he fell off the slide in preschool, and when he first learned to ride a bike.” She giggles. “He fell off twice.”

I manage a small smile. “You seem to really like him.”

Honestly, I don’t know why I’m doing this to myself. Her answer is only going to make me feel worse.

“Yes...” She grins like a teenager. “I do, honey, is it that obvious?”

~Yes.~ I’ve noticed that ever since she started talking about Mr. Blake, she seems ten years younger. I can tell that he really makes her feel alive.

“Okay, okay, enough about me. Did you send your song choice to that girl at your school?” She reluctantly changes the subject.

“Justine? Yeah, I did. We have rehearsal this Tuesday.”

“That’s great.” She beams. “I love that you’re involved at school and participating in different activities and clubs. It keeps you from messing around with those boys.”

She pulls into Blaze’s driveway, and my heart skips a beat.

“When is this concert again?” she unbuckles her seatbelt.

“Uh, in about three weeks. Justine was thinking of pushing it back since we haven’t practiced much yet.”

“That’s good. I won’t miss it, sweetheart.”

I smile. “Thanks, Mom.”

We get out of the car and walk up to the front door. We ring the doorbell, and after a few seconds, Mr. Blake answers with a big smile.

I can tell he feels a bit awkward when he sees me, though. He must be remembering our little talk.

“Come on in, ladies.” He steps aside to let us in, and I can’t help but notice how my mom is tucking her hair behind her ear and acting extra feminine.

“Dinner’s almost ready. Good timing, huh?” He leads us to his spacious dining room, and we each take a seat.

My mom keeps giggling and smiling for no reason, and it’s a little unsettling.

“Where’s Blaze?” I ask without thinking, then immediately regret it. I hope that didn’t sound too weird, but judging by the strange look on my mom’s face, maybe it did. I sink in my seat.

“He’ll be down soon,” Mr. Blake answers, sounding a bit awkward himself.

And as if I had summoned him, Blaze walks into the dining room.

Our eyes meet, and it feels like we’re the only two people in the world, like everyone and everything else has disappeared.

He’s wearing a white tank top, his arms looking more toned than the last time I saw him, and black shorts.

He looks perfect, and I feel that familiar flutter in my stomach and a warmth spreading between my legs.

~Get a grip, Harmony.~ I squeeze my thighs together. “I was just asking about you.”

“Well, I was just thinking about you.” He smirks, and my mom cocks her head at his response.

~Yeah, that didn’t come out right at all.~

Blaze quickly clarifies. “You both. I meant I was just thinking about both of you and wondering what was taking you so long to get here.”

Mr. Blake looks incredibly awkward as he watches his son, and my mom smiles at Blaze, flipping her black curls over her shoulder.

“Oh, well, there was a bit of traffic at the intersection between Vilston and Juton road, so yeah, that held us up a bit.” And she giggles again—a girly giggle that I would find annoying if she weren’t my mother.

“Okay, you ladies chat. Blaze? Can you help me in the kitchen?” Mr. Blake walks off to the kitchen, and Blaze sighs before following him.

BLAZE

“When are you going to tell her, Blake?” I frown, popping a piece of carrot into my mouth.

He’s putting off the rejection, and it’s really getting on my nerves. Why didn’t he tell her as soon as she got here?

I watch as the old man rolls his eyes, and I have a sudden urge to stab him in one of them.

Why’s he so worked up? Is it really that hard to tell her he’s not interested? The worst she can do is cry a little, then she’ll move on.

“Can you chill out, Blaze? She just got here. Besides, you should be more worried about yourself. If you keep looking at her daughter like that, she’ll figure it out before I even get a chance to say anything.”

I pull a face. “What look?”

“Like a horny teenager who can’t keep his eyes off the poor girl.”

I shrug, reaching for another carrot from the bowl. His gaze follows my hand.

“I ~was~ undressing her, with my eyes. That’s why you need to tell her mom soon. Tell her it’s not going to happen, Blake. I don’t know how much longer I can take this.”

He sighs. “Fine. But they’re right next door, so keep it down.”

I sigh back as he thrusts the juice jug into my hands. “Get some cups, do something useful, and stop eating all the damn carrots.”

I roll my eyes and get to work, albeit reluctantly.

HARMONY

The sound of my mom’s laughter and Mr. Blake’s deep chuckles fill the dining room. I have to admit, they do seem like a good match.

If Mr. Blake and Blaze were two different people, unrelated, then my mom and I could both be happy without one of us having to give up the man we love.

I shouldn’t be doing this to her. She was so down after my dad died and she’s finally starting to be happy again. I’m standing in her way.

Blaze looks up from his plate and shoots me a glare from across the table. Then his foot nudges mine under the table, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“What’s wrong?” he mouths.

I shake my head and look down, going back to my food. But everything tastes bland. Mr. Blake is a great cook, but I can’t eat when my mind is this troubled.

My mom starts laughing so hard she begins to choke on her food.

“Careful there.” Mr. Xander chuckles.

“Sorry.” She thumps her chest and reaches for her glass, only to find it empty.

“I’ll get you some more juice,” I offer, forcing a smile.

“Thank you, Harmony.” She hands me her glass, clearly relieved. She didn’t want to interrupt her conversation to get a drink.

I stand up and head to the kitchen, catching Blaze’s eye as I leave the table.

Honestly, I only offered because I needed a break. My mom looked too happy.

I know I should be happy for her. I’ve been praying for her to find happiness again for years. But instead, it just makes me feel terrible.

I’m pouring orange juice into her glass when suddenly, I feel two strong hands on my waist. I jump, spilling some juice onto the counter and my fingers.

A soft chuckle comes from behind me, followed by Blaze’s quiet voice. “You’re such a klutz...”

The seductive tone of his voice and his closeness send a shiver down my spine.

He takes my hand and brings one of my fingers to his lips, sucking the juice off. I look up, my eyes wide with desire.

Heat rushes to my cheeks and my heart starts to race.

I watch as he slowly removes my finger from his mouth, a half-smirk playing on his lips. “Tastes better than drinking it from a glass.”

He’s still holding my hand, his lust-filled eyes locked on mine. I know what he wants, and if I’m being honest, I want it too.

But we can’t. Not now. The timing is all wrong.

“Blaze...”

“Shh, turn around,” he whispers.

I change my mind. I want this. Now. Probably more than he does.

I turn around, doing as he says even though I know it’s risky. My back is pressed against his chest, and I can feel the bulge in his shorts pressing into my lower back.

My knees go weak with anticipation as his hand leaves mine to slowly trace a path from my arms to my legs.

His lips brush against my earlobe, and I’m breathing so heavily I’m afraid my mom and Mr. Blake will hear.

His hand slips under my summer dress, and I gasp.

“Blaze...I want this too...but what if...what if my mom hears—ah.” A whimper escapes my lips as his finger slips inside me.

“Shh, babe,” he purrs in my ear, sending a thrill down my spine. “Don’t talk...unless you want them to hear us.” He adds another finger, and I gasp.

As he sets a steady, demanding rhythm, sweat starts to bead on my forehead.

I dig my nails into the countertop, trying to keep my breathing quiet and biting my lip to stifle the sounds he’s coaxing from me.

“I missed you so much this morning, Harmony... I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” His pace quickens. “About us...and how crazy you make me...”

“Mmm.” A low moan escapes my lips, and I drop my head. “Oh God...”

“Shh.”

“I can’t...I can’t—” I can feel my climax building, and I’m panting for breath as his strokes become more forceful.

I almost collapse onto the counter, but manage to stay upright to avoid making a mess and drawing attention to us.

“Cum for me, babe. Can you do that for me?”

I nod frantically, feeling my muscles start to tighten.

I’m so close, so close to the edge.

“Harmony?”

I jerk away from Blaze at the sound of my mom’s voice from the dining room. Oh God. I quickly pull my dress down and turn around to see the desire in Blaze’s eyes. He doesn’t seem bothered at all.

“Harmony, why are you taking so long?” My mom’s voice echoes from the doorway, and Blaze quickly turns his back to her, pretending to be engrossed in something. In reality, he’s just trying to hide the noticeable bulge in his shorts.

“I was...uh.” I point to the fridge, my voice shaky. “Looking for the orange juice. Blaze was helping me. I found it, it was right at the...uh, bottom...”

She squints her eyes, her gaze bouncing between me and Blaze, then back to me. “Oh. I was wondering what was holding you up.”

“Oh. Sorry, Mom.” I quickly snatch her glass from the counter and trail behind her back to the dining room.

I slide back into my seat at the table, and Mr. Blake glances up at me from his plate.

His expression tells me he knows something went down in the kitchen. I’m not sure if it was my flushed face or my ragged breathing that tipped him off. But something did.

I’m sexually frustrated because I didn’t get to finish, but I shake my legs under the table, trying to dispel the lingering sensations as I eat.

The adults continue their conversation, and Blaze rejoins the table after a bit.

Seeing the boy who almost brought me to climax while our parents were in the next room makes my cheeks burn again. I keep my eyes glued to my plate, trying not to draw attention.

I notice Mr. Xander shooting his son a look during his conversation with my mom, but Blaze, as usual, ignores him.

“So, Harmony, your mom mentioned you’re in a concert?” Mr. Blake suddenly asks, shifting his attention to me.

I look up at him and offer a shy smile. “Yeah, I am.”

“That’s great. I should come and support you.”

“Yes, you should,” my mom quickly adds. “I’d love for you to be there, Blake.”

I let out a quiet sigh.

“Okay.” Mr. Blake grins at her. “I’ll be there, Haylee.”

She beams. “Okay.”

They’re looking at each other with such admiration, it’s almost like the intense eye contact Blaze and I shared earlier when he walked into the dining room.

It makes me uncomfortable, and I can tell Blaze feels the same because he rolls his eyes before pulling out his phone.

Soon after, my phone buzzes on the table. Blaze stands up from his chair. “I’m tired. Going to get some rest.”

He turns to leave, and I frown. Where is he going? It’s going to be even worse without him here, and I really wanted to spend more time with him before I leave.

Mr. Xander starts to say something about Blaze’s abrupt departure, but he just closes his mouth and flashes a smile at my mom instead.

I remember the notification on my phone, so I pick it up with a sigh. I unlock it and see a text from Blaze. I glance up at my mom, who’s engrossed in her dinner, before reading his message.

Blaze❤

I want you. Meet me in my room.

My cheeks flush, and a lump forms in my throat at the simple but erotic sentences on the screen.

“Harmony?”

I jump a little, clutching my phone like a guilty child. “Yes...Mom?”

“Um, could you give Mr. Blake and I some time?” Her eyes hint that she’s ready to talk to him about her feelings.

Mr. Xander catches on too, and I see his gaze turn worried.

I nod. “Oh…okay. Well, I’m going to watch a movie with Blaze until you’re ready,” I say, and she smiles.

“Thank you, Harmony.”

I give a small smile as I stand up from the table. My eyes drift to Mr. Blake, who just nods as if to reassure me.

How can I not worry? My life is complicated; all of this is dangerously chaotic and confusing.

I head up to Blaze’s room and knock on his door.

“Come in,” he calls, and I take a deep breath before turning the knob and pushing the door open.

He’s shirtless now, wearing only his boxers as he lounges on his bed, his head resting against the headboard.

He grins. “That was quick. Close the door and come here.”

I swallow and do as he says. I climb onto his bed and he guides me by the waist until I’m straddling his lap.

His eyes look a unique shade of blue in the dim light of his room, and his hair is tousled, falling over his eyes in the most attractive way.

“You feel good,” he murmurs. “I love when you’re on top of me.”

I blush and smile. “You’re brave. Our parents are right downstairs...”

He half-shrugs. “So what? I don’t care, and you shouldn’t either.”

He sits up, his face now close to mine, and he smirks. “Do you know what would have happened if your mom hadn’t interrupted us earlier?”

I gulp, shaking my head and pretending not to know. “No...I have no idea...”

He chuckles, cupping my jaw in his hand and bringing his lips close to mine. But he doesn’t kiss me. He just smiles against my lips before whispering, his voice low and husky.

“I would have taken you on that kitchen counter and given you the craziest orgasm ever, with your back against me and your chest pressed up against the tiles of my table. I would have made love to you until your legs gave out.”

Heat floods my cheeks. His words are naughty and should make me cringe, but they turn me on, and I can’t help it.

“Is it too late to give you that?” he asks against my lips.

I shake my head. “No...it’s never too late. I always want you.”

He smiles, and his dimples make the sensation between my legs even more intense.

He leans in, and our lips meet as if they were made for each other. I kiss him back with everything I have. Passion. Lust. Both are flowing between us.

He trails kisses down to my chest while his hand slips under my dress to cup one of my breasts.

His lips trace the valley between my breasts, and I can’t help but arch against him. He responds instantly, his grip on my waist tightening as he lavishes attention on my chest.

My head falls back as his lips journey back up to mine. He’s taking his time, and the anticipation of what’s to come only heightens the thrill.

One hand teases my nipple while the other cradles my cheek. His tongue slips between my lips, stealing my breath away.

I moan into his mouth, and he answers with a low groan.

It feels incredible. Thoughts of my mother start to fade from my mind.

Until...

“Harmony, we’re ready to—” The door swings open, and I whip my head around. ~Didn’t I lock that?~

My breath catches when I see my mother standing there, her eyes wide as she takes in the scene before her.

“Oh...shit,” Blaze mutters, but he doesn’t seem too bothered. I scramble off him, yanking my dress down.

“Mom...”

Her shocked gaze flicks between Blaze and me. When she finally processes what she’s seeing, her eyes rake over me, her glare harsher than any I’ve ever received at school. My heart shatters.

Her mouth opens, and when she speaks, her voice is eerily calm. It terrifies me.

“Harmony... What—what is this?”

“Mom...” I can feel tears welling up. “I-I can explain.”

“Harmony, what is this?!” Her voice rises, her face flushed with anger. “Explain to me. Explain to me why you’re here acting like a slut on top of Mr. Blake’s son! WHAT IS THIS, HARMONY SKYE?!”

Tears spill down my cheeks, and I shake my head. I try to speak, but no words come out.

Blaze rises and stands beside me. His bare chest and boxers only make the situation worse.

He sighs. “It’s exactly what you see, Mrs. Skye. With all due respect. Your daughter and I were about to have sex and you walked in. It is what it is.”

“Blaze.” I glance at him, begging him with my eyes to stop talking. He’s only adding fuel to the fire.

I turn back to my mom. “Mom, I’m sorry. I really am. Let me explain.”

Her eyes darken, and I watch her face harden as she glares at me. She storms towards me, anger in every step, and I instinctively step back. “Mom, please listen, I can—”

~SLAP!~

Her hand connects with my cheek, the force of it turning my head, a hot sting spreading across my skin.

Blaze’s eyes widen, and Mr. Blake appears in the doorway, his mouth agape. “Haylee? Why did you slap her? Jesus.”

“She deserves it!” my mother shouts, and I clutch my cheek, a fresh tear sliding down my bruised skin. I stare at her in shock.

“I didn’t raise her like this! I didn’t raise this type of daughter! I didn’t raise a slut!”

“Haylee!” Mr. Blake interjects, but my mother doesn’t stop.

“She deserves more than a slap! She deserves more for acting like a desperate, thirsty slut!”