Page 58 of Blake

After scoping out the local restaurants Blake had decided on a bar and grill with live music. It was somewhat dressy but casual enough that they could kick back and relax for a few hours.

When he had walked into the bedroom and seen Grace dressed in that sexy as fuck jumpsuit with all that hair around her shoulders, and the fuck-me-heels she wore everywhere, it had taken every ounce of self-control not to strip her naked and drag her back to bed. The excitement on her face as she’d asked where they were going had convinced him she needed this, and he always wanted to give her what she needed.

He stepped out of Reid’s truck which he had loaned him, saying it was safer than his mom’s Prius before shaking his head and walking away. The fact that Reid had forgiven so easily, and accepted things was a testament to the man he was.

Crossing to the front, he scanned the parking lot of Bert’s Bar and Grill and noted the cars and motorcycles parked near the door. He wasn’t overly concerned, just mildly interested as he made sure there were no immediate threats to Grace. The fire exit was at the side of the building beside the dumpsters, with a door onto a street behind.

He had done a quick check of the map to familiarise himself with all the available escape routes. Reid had confirmed the bar was a favourite hangout with an excellent reputation for food and music but warned him that the beer was not like he was used to back home. The warning had made him smile. With nothing to suggest trouble he had been happy it was a good place to go for a meal. He for one could murder a big, fat juicy burger with fries and onion rings.

His belly rumbled reminding him he hadn’t eaten since lunch. Grace smiled as she stepped from the car, her hand in his and he walked with her to the door. He kept his body covering hers as he held tight to her. In part because it was his nature and was ingrained in him and partly because who wouldn’t want to hold the hand of this woman and stake a claim on her for all the men in the room to see? She was his and off limits. The knowledge made him grin.

The interior of the place was as he’d expected. A long, dark wood bar ran along the side with stools in front filled with customers. Tables and booths littered the sides with a large stage and dance floor in the middle. A piano was in the left corner of the stage by a pretty woman in full cowgirl outfit including denim skirt, boots, check shirt, and cowboy hat while a man with a full grey beard played the guitar. A couple that made the chemistry between Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper look tepid, sang ‘Shallow’ at the mic.

They followed the hostess as she led them to a corner booth against the wall and nearest to the fire exit at his request. From here they could get out either side and had visual on the entire area. Blake took a seat next to Pax, not wanting to be out of touching distance. The waitress handed them both menus and took their drinks order. He ordered a beer and Pax decided on a gin and tonic. He looked up and caught the secret smile on her face that he loved so much. It was probably the first thing he’d fallen in love with and would always be his favourite look on her.

“What’s the smile for?”

She looked up and angled her head the thick hair falling over her shoulder as she regarded him. “Just feeling happy, I guess. Despite the drama going on around us, I feel content and free.” She reached over and grabbed his hand in hers. “That’s your doing. You make me feel safer and happier than I can remember. I haven’t thanked you for that.”

“Baby,” he said her words hitting him right in the heart.

“It’s true. You barged into my life and made me see the mistakes I was making and how I allowed the fear of failing to rule me. You made me brave.”

He swallowed past the lump of emotion in his throat at her heartfelt words. Grace had the power to wash away everything he had ever believed he’d felt for a spoiled princess. He had thought he knew pain and love but losing Grace would not just wound him, it would kill him. His love for her was nothing he had ever felt, and Blake realised it was exactly what his parents had. He had found the other half of his soul but knew it wasn’t the time to share that with her.

“I think technically you barged into my life,” he said trying to relieve their emotions and lighten things up again.

Pax scowled at him and then pinched his thigh. “That was rude,” she said with a flip of her hair.

He grabbed the hand she was using to torture him with a chuckle and brought it to his lips kissing it. “Babe, you gave me no choice. Any more from you and I’ll drag you to the ladies’ room and show you exactly what you mean to me, and I know you’re excited about this meal so cut me some slack.”

Her smile was back in place as her eyes softened. “Well, when you put it like that.”

Blake chuckled again, giving her hand one last squeeze before letting go.

They both ordered burgers. His had extra bacon, onion rings, and fries and Pax decided to add grilled halloumi and avocado to hers. He loved that she dove in, getting her hands around the burger. His eyes caught on a group of eight men who walked in probably on a stag do if their drunken state were anything to go by. They took a booth just behind them and were loud and obnoxious enough to irritate the shit out of him.

He was going to say something when Pax put a hand on his arm. “Leave it, Cal. They’re just drunk.”

He sat down with a growl of frustration and he and Pax chatted for a bit longer about her childhood and he told her more about his sisters and his adorable niece, who his sister was positive was going to be a hellion when she was a teen. He couldn’t disagree with that, the kid had sass already and she was barely out of nappies. For some reason the thought of her raising hell made him smile and then his thoughts turned to him and Grace.

“You want kids, Gracie?”

She nodded, sucking on her bottom lip as if not wanting to admit it. “Yes, always have. I would love to have a couple of kids.”

Blake sipped his beer and silently agreed; it wasn’t what he was used to as he watched Pax. “I want four. Three boys and a girl.”

Pax laughed. “Not sure I can manage four, Cal.”

He leaned in closer his mouth almost touching hers. “Three?”

“Why don’t we wait and see but three sounds acceptable.” The words were cut short as a burly man from the table beside them fell into Pax as he walked past, his hand going to her breast as he tried to stand.

Blake saw red and immediately pushed the man off as he stood and moved between her and the table of drunks.

“Watch what the fuck you’re doing,” he snarled.

The man weaved on his feet for a minute before glaring at him. “You can go fuck yourself,” he said as his friends joined in, crowding them.