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Well, shit!That hits me like a sledgehammer as she stands and starts walking for the hall.
Storming behind her, I grab her wrist and spin her back to face me. And that’s when I see it—the second her breath catches in her throat. My eyes meet hers as she backs up against the wall. I encase her in, my hands on either side of her shoulders.
Her breaths are hard and fast.
“I told you to call me Blake because every time you call me Mr. Branson—” I stop talking because I don’t want to tell her that the thought of it makes me so damn hard, I can barely fucking concentrate. Instead, my nostrils flare, my eyes boring into her, fueled by lust. “You might be angry with me now, I get that, but we’re doing this, Zoey. We’re going to that wedding, and we’re going to give thebest… damn… performanceyou haveeverseen to Kyle and his child bride. Because I willnotsit idly by and let thatassholethink he has any power over you and that little girl upstairs.No. Fucking. Way.”
Her tense muscles begin to relax as her shoulders slump, her creased brows relax, and she lets out the breath she was holding. “Did you say… child bride?”
A slow smirk crosses my lips, and the tension between us ebbs. “Yeah, I did.”
Zoey bursts out laughing, the sound like music to my ears as I lower my hands, and I can’t help but chuckle along with her, the heightened energy of the moment now softer. Calmer. “Oh my God, I needed that. Who knew you were funny?” Zoey quips, making me gasp.
“The fuck? I can be funny,” I snap.
Zoey snorts, pushing past me to head for the front door. “I haveneverheard you crack a joke. You’re always so serious at work. I believe the cleaning lady calls youThe Punisher.”
I jerk my head back. “Marie? Really? I thought she liked me.”
Zoey grins. “Everyone is nice to your face, Blake, because they’re scared you’ll blast them into the middle of next week if they do something wrong.”
I huff. “Hmm… when I get into full work mode, Icanget a little grumpy.”
Zoey waggles her brows. “I dunno… I kinda think the grumpy vibe suits you. Though seeing you here tonight with Hailee all relaxed and happy, I likethisside of you too. You’re always calmer around me for some reason.”
Shrugging, I genuinely smile. “You make me calm.”
She bites down on her bottom lip. It’s so fucking sexy I want to push her back against the wall and kiss her until I am biting that damn lip.
But I can’t.
So I inhale and look away. “I better get going. Thanks for a great night. I’ll see you at work tomorrow. We can figure out when you’re going to come over for dinner at my place and that ridiculously priced bottle of good wine.”
She rolls her eyes. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow. Drive safe.”
Chuckling, I open her front door and go to walk out, but I turn back and look at her. “Just so you know, you’re doing a good job with Hailee. She’s one of the best kids I have ever met. Don’t let Kyle make you think any different.”
She slumps her shoulders, her eyes drooping as she steps forward. “I’m going to hug you now,” she tells me. So I step forward, sliding my arms around her while her hands ease in behind my suit jacket. I close my eyes as I slowly inhale the second my nose hits her silky hair. She smells like sweet strawberries, and it’s mouthwatering as her body presses tight against mine. I hold her close, feeling all the curves of her delectable body, wishing I could run my hands over her, but I keep them firmly on her back as we stand while holding each other.
Probably longer than necessary.
Definitely longer than necessary.
I don’t know what it is about hugging Zoey, but this feels safe and warm, just like coming home.
She fits perfectly to the shape of my body, and I swear if I could at this moment, I would never let her go. There’s real sexual tension between us as her cheek rests against my chest, my nose still in her hair.
God, she smellsso good. It’s making my cock react behind my zipper.
I have to try to keep him under control because she’s so firmly pressed against me that she will feel if he gets too happy. Swallowing hard, I hesitantly shift to pull away, but movement at the top of the stairs gains our attention.
“Mommy, I need some water,” Hailee calls out, making us both jerk apart like we were doing something illegal.
Zoey smirks, then glances up to the top of the stairs. “I’ll grab some for you in a second, Starshine.”
I gesture for the door and tilt my head. “I better…”
“Yeah. Thanks for dinner.”
