Page 94 of The Roommate Subtext

Blake caught her chin and brushed his thumb across her lower lip. “Do you have our room key?”

Maggie nodded.

His eyes flashed with something dark and wicked, the look she now knew and loved. It had taken months for her to get used to the dichotomy between the two versions of this man she’d thought she knew, and now, she understood the delicate overlap between his generous, compassionate spirit and his mischievous, sadistic inclinations. She understood the difference between being kind and being nice, and oh, she loved it very much when he wasn’t nice.

“I packed a few things.” He brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “There’s a black zip-up bag inside my suitcase.”

“Oh, is there?” Her heart was still racing. “Do I get to know what’s in there?”

“You certainly do.” He turned her hands palm side up and kissed the inside of her wrists. “Because I’m going to go to the bar for a nightcap, and you’re going to prepare yourself for me. I expect you to use everything in the bag.”

Maggie’s knees went weak, her mouth making an oh shape where no sound came out.

Blake checked his watch. “I think twenty minutes should be long enough.”

“Twenty minutes.” She looked at the time on his watch.

He held out his arm to her, leading her out of the shadows and around to the front of the hotel. “I’ll walk you inside.”

Later that night, relaxing with Maggie in the oversized bath, Blake felt completely at ease. He would never get enough of his woman. A year ago, he would never have dreamed he could have all this: the beautiful simplicity of their day-to-day life and the erotic gift of her submission. He’d never have known what a great team they’d make, and he was grateful to have found out.

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” Maggie asked after a long stretch of comfortable silence.

“When I told you I didn’t care whether or not you come?” He kissed the top of her head. “I have a slight preference toward you coming, but I do also enjoy torturing you for days on end sometimes.”

“Yes, I remember.” Maggie turned in the water to look him in the eyes. “No, earlier than that. I meant the part about you wanting to marry me.”

Blake had been thinking about marrying her from their first months together, back when everything was new and they were still finding their way. He had known back then. He still knew now. At some point in the near future, she would come home and find a ring waiting for her on a miniature rose plant. After all, houseplants were a gift that showed you trusted someone to take care of something.

Like his heart. Like their future.

He brushed a lock of her hair back behind her ear. “I never say anything I don’t mean.”

She nodded. “Good. Because I’ll probably say yes.”

“Probably?” He drew back with mock affront.

Maggie shrugged and gave him a grin. “I can’t take away all the uncertainty, can I? Where’s the fun in that?”

Blake laughed. He loved this woman with all his heart. “I hope you always keep me guessing.”