AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Finally, we all gather around the table. As we sit down to eat, a feeling of contentment settles within me. It’s a simple yet profound moment, a reminder of the beauty that can be found in shared experiences. Throughout the meal, I savor each bite, relishing not only the delicious food but also the warmth and love that surround us. The kids giggle. Emma shares the favorite parts of her day while Blake and I listen, our hearts swelling with gratitude for this unexpected evening.
As the night draws to a close, and the kids begin to yawn, their little eyes heavy with sleep, we know it is time to bid farewell. We clean up the table together, first, restoring Olivia’s kitchen to its usual order. By the time we’re done and we walk back into the playroom, the kids aren’t there.
“I wonder if Ethan’s taken himself to bed,” Blake says.
“Can you tell him to teach Emma?” I joke.
We head upstairs to check and to our surprise, both kids are curled up on Ethan’s bed and fast asleep.
“Oh my god,” I gush. The two of them look adorable.
“They’re so sweet,” Blake agrees.
He steps into the bedroom and clicks on the nightlight, bathing the room in blue and red patterns. He pulls the blankets over them.
“It’s a shame to wake them,” I say. “I could stay a bit longer?”
Blake turns to me, taking in my words. He thinks it over for a few moments, his eyes flitting down to my lips.
“I’d really like that,” he says after a moment. “We could have a drink and I could pay for you guys to get a taxi home.”
The implications of us spending some time together while the children are safe, and sleeping is too much to refuse. We head back downstairs and into the kitchen. Blake uncorks a bottle of red and then grabs two glasses. We make our way into the conservatory.
We sit together on the sofa. I could have sat in the chair opposite, but I want to be close to him. I hope I’m not misunderstanding and getting my signals crossed.
“Thank you for everything you’ve been doing for me and Emma. I don’t know what we’d have done if you hadn’t given me that job,” I admit.
“You would have found something,” he replies. “Livy was right, you are a good worker.”
I appreciate the words so much.
“Still,” I say. “I feel like I’m finally getting on my feet now. What about you? How is…everything?”
I think about the load that he’s carrying—house hunting, Ethan’s mental health, the businesses, the grief of losing Sarah—it seems like too much for one person. Life isn’t fair.
Blake smiles softly. “It’s hard,” he replies honestly. “But it feels a little easier with you.”
The words warm my heart.
The distance between us diminishes. I’m not sure who moves first, but, and our bodies lean closer, drawn by an undeniable force. Our lips are just a breath away, and the anticipation swells within me. In this moment of vulnerability and longing, we share a passionate, electric kiss. It’s the culmination of desires long suppressed—a merging of souls that transcends time and space. Or hell, that’s how it feels at least. Our lips move in harmony, each touch igniting a fire deep within me.
As our kiss lingers, the outside world fades away, leaving only the two of us intertwined in this shared solitude. The wine is forgotten on the table. The room pulses with captivating energy, and we’re left breathless and yearning for more. We sit in silence, cherishing the weight of this stolen moment, knowing that our lives are about to change—probably forever.
Blake and I have crossed a threshold. That much is clear. Our destinies link as we embrace the truth that our connection goes beyond what we could have ever imagined.
Basking in the moonlight—looking delicious—Blake breaks the silence with an invitation that I don’t expect. “Hey, Lily…” he says. His voice is soft, a hint of uncertainty lacing his words. “Since the kids are sound asleep…I was wondering if you’d stay the night. You know, for their sake. It would be a shame to wake them up when they’re all settled, you know.”
I turn to look at him. My heart flutters with a mixture of surprise and anticipation. The air crackles between us, and a mischievous smile plays on my lips. The mention of the children feels like a thinly veiled excuse. I know there’s more to it.
“Are yousureit’s just for the kids?” I tease.
The corners of Blake’s lips form a smug grin, and he leans in closer, his warm breath grazing against my ear.
“Maybe it’s because I can’t bear to be away from you,” he whispers, his voice sending delightful shivers down my spine. “But Ethan does love having you around. And I…I want you here with us, Lily. I want you here withme.”
His words wash over me like a tidal wave, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions that I can’t even name. I feel desired. Wanted. Cherished. The spark between us intensifies, and I can no longer resist the magnetic pull drawing me toward him.
“I never forgot that night,” I tell him softly.
