“So, why did you change your mind?” I asked, threading my fingers in hers as we walked into the park.
“I decided to stop letting fear take control. There is no reason in avoiding my feelings now when I know I have feelings for you.”
I beamed. “It seems we both have troubled pasts we're hiding from,” I whispered. “I like the idea of dating and learning about each other, and talking about everything when the time is right. I’ll be ready to tell you about mine soon, but I don’t want to put a damper on the night.”
“We can focus on it later.” I knew it was hard for her to agree to that because since I met her, she was obsessed with knowing who I was and where I came from. I would accept this and we could go from there. “How about a nightcap?”
“I’m not sleeping with you, Blaize.”
“Just sleep. Nothing else.”
I cocked my brow. “Okay, but we sleep at Annika’s place.” Blaize agreed.
CHAPTER 67
KADENCE
Ididn’t trust it at first, but Blaize felt lighter. It was like she was a different person than the domineering, cold-hearted boss I saw daily. I liked this version of her. She felt at peace and not tense. She had her hand in mine as we walked down the street.
“So, I don’t want to pry, but what changed your mind?” I was genuinely curious.
“Hunter. Surprisingly. She reminded me of something I told her once upon a time ago, and it seemed I was letting my demons cloud my judgement.”
I shouldn’t dig into her past, especially when I wasn’t telling her about my demons tonight. Maybe we had the same ones, just painting different pictures in our lives. “You know you can tell me. I’m not gonna run for the hills, Blaize.”
She looked at me with a forced smile tugging at her lips. “It’s not something I enjoy talking about. I lost my family, and I have to live with the guilt it brings. One reason I was territorial with you here is that I don’t know you. Strangers in my town never bring good things.”
I frowned. “I’m not a bad guy, Blaize. I promise. I’m just trying to plant roots and survive. I had something bad happen tome in New York, and it’s difficult for me to talk about it. I just want to forget about the pain I endured and move on.”
She squeezed my hand. “Well, how about tonight we don’t talk about our demons. We just enjoy this?”
I smiled. “I’d like that.”
We walked in silence for a moment as Blaize led the way. I was expecting tense silence, but it was comfortable, easy. There was still tension between us, but it wasn’t as palpable now that we had made progress toward the future. She was slowly opening up to me, and soon, we would no longer have anything between us causing a rift.
Blaize grabbed my hand and spun me, which caused me to laugh as she pulled me into her arms. I looked into her eyes before stepping onto my tippy toes and kissing her softly. With the several kisses we’ve shared before, this one felt more intimate, personal. I wanted to lose myself in this woman.
We already skipped all the bases in our relationship, but this version of her and us was my favorite. There wasn’t angry tension or heated glares. It was just the two of us, sharing a kiss to seal the deal of the start of our future, whatever it might be. I knew I would not dive in headfirst, but I was in love with her. She made me feel alive, and I no longer wanted to be afraid of living.
“Thank you for giving me a chance,” I whispered against her lips.
“If anyone is giving out chances, it’s you, princess.” She chuckled. “How many women would give me the time of day after pushing them away?”
“You’re lucky you’re cute.” I laughed.
“I should’ve done it sooner, but I was being an idiot.”
I couldn’t help the laugh which escaped my lips, causing her to glare at me playfully. “You really were.”
“I’m choosing you now, even if I don’t deserve it.”
She didn’t realize how much I loved hearing her say that. For the first time in years, I was being chosen. It took some work, but Blaize finally stopped being frigid and was choosing me.
“So tell me, what is one of your guilty pleasures? Non-sexual.”
She thought about it for a moment. “I don’t know if it counts or not, but hot chocolate. I can make myself sick with how much I can drink.”
“That is surprisingly cute. So if you’re coming with me to Annika’s, why don’t we make hot chocolate before we go to bed?”
