Chapter Eighteen - Been building for a while (Part three)

Chloe

It has been a great morning here at the cabin with Blake. I am glad I didn’t scare him off with my confession. I have wanted to talk to him about my feelings for a few days, but I couldn’t find the courage. I wasn’t sure if he would feel the same. I got my answer.

I’ve known from the first night I met he was something special. I trust him in a way I haven’t ever trusted anyone. Yes, I still worry a little that everything will go to hell. I can’t help that because of past experience. I didn’t expect him to agree to wait for me because he could have any woman he wanted. Why would he want to wait for someone as broken as me? I don’t understand it.

I was showering after being in the lake for a couple of hours while Blake made us lunch. I did offer to help, but he told me he would make it. I didn’t argue. I climb out and stroll to the bedroom to change. We were sharing. Blake offered me one of the spare rooms, but I told him no because I would end up beside him anyway. I always do. I feel safe next to him.

I dry off and change into another some shorts and a tee. I head back through, but Blake is nowhere in sight. Where did he go?

“Blake?” I call out and search for him.

I finally see him out in the backyard of the cabin. He has set a blanket up for us and has lunch laid out. I smile and go to join him.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“I thought we could have lunch out here since it is a nice day.” He smiles.

When I approach the blanket, I see what he has organised for lunch. There were sandwiches, fruit, yoghurt, potato chips, salad, and potato salad.

“I wasn’t in the shower that long, was I?” I laugh.

“No, it didn’t take long to prep.” He chuckles.

Blake motions me to sit down. I do, and he sits down with me.

“Iced tea, lemonade or water?”

I smile, “Hmm, iced tea, please.”

Blake nods and pours us both some before he hands me a plate to help myself. I only take a couple of things to start with. Blake fills his plate, which doesn’t surprise me. He loves his food. I will take more, and we can put away what we don’t eat for later. It won’t go to waste.

“This was very sweet of you, doing this for us. Thank you.” I say between bites.

Blake reaches over and rests his hand on my knee, squeezing it.

“You are welcome, beautiful.”

We eat in comfortable silence. I feel at peace here. Everything about it is stunning. It is like an entirely different world and a good way to forget about everything else.

I turn my attention to Blake, who admires the view as he eats. He is so damn handsome. I smile as I see the little clutch of freckles on his face just above his chin.

I watch as his lips curl into a smirk, and he slowly turns to look at me. I blushed because he caught me and diverted my eyes down to my plate of food. He lets out a small laugh.

“Sorry,” I whisper.

“It is okay. I don’t mind.” He replies.

I often find myself admiring him, but he always seems to catch me. I lift my head to meet his eyes again.

“I can’t help it. You are so damn handsome; it isn’t fair.” I giggle.

Blake kisses my cheek.

“Aww, thanks, sweetness.”

I smile brightly at him before we get back to our food. I wish I could have days like this every day.

***

Blake and I were lying on the blanket, stuffed since we had eaten too much. I have my head on his chest and my hand on his stomach. Blake’s hand wrapped around me.

“Why did you let me eat so much? My tummy hurts.” I laugh.

“It was totally worth it, though.” He chuckles and kisses the top of my head.

“It was,” I agreed with a snicker.

I roll onto my stomach and rest my chin on him. I reach up and stroke his cheek with the pad of my thumb. Blake closes his eyes and moves into my touch. I draw in a breath and press my lips to his while his eyes are closed. I couldn’t help it.

Blake moans and finds his way to my face, resting it on my cheek and kissing me back. I whimper into his lips. They are so soft, and his kiss is so tender, not something I’m used to.

I climb over him, straddling his hips to get better access. He places his hands on my waist and deepens the kiss. I only pull back because I need to catch my breath; the kiss has left me breathless.

I sit up on his stomach, small pants escaping. Blake keeps his eyes closed, runs his thumb along his lips, and smiles. He opens his eyes to look at me.

I bite my lip nervously.

“Um, sorry if you didn’t want me to do that,” I whisper.

“Chloe, I have wanted to kiss you for a while now, but I didn’t want to push, so I don’t mind, not at all,” he replies brightly.

“Good! But nothing more, not right now. I’m not ready to be touched by another man, especially since the ones before you have been cruel to me. I know you would never hurt me, but I’m still nervous about the idea.” I say softly.

Blake reaches up and strokes my face.

“No, I would never hurt you, angel. I understand the fear you have. We take everything at your pace. I would never dream of pushing you.” He replies.

“I know you wouldn’t, Blake. You are too much of a gentle soul to hurt or force me.”

I reattach my lips to his again in another kiss, but only for a moment. I could kiss him for hours, but one step at a time. I climb off him and lay back down next to him, my head on his chest again.

Blake tickles the small of my back, and I snuggle in tighter to him. I feel at ease, as I always do when I am next to him.

“What would you like to do for the rest of the day, beautiful?”

“Hmm, I’m happy being right here for now. Maybe in a little while, we can go explore and maybe for another swim?” I suggest.

“Sure. We can do whatever you want, angel.” He replies and plants a kiss on my forehead.

“Great! I look forward to it.” I gush.

It would be nice to explore a new place.