Page 35 of Blake

"You're the one who took my breath away," he whispered, his voice tinged with wonder. "And I'll make sure you never feel alone again."

Savannah nodded, her eyes moist.

Blake reached between her thighs, feeling the slick cum he’d just marked her with, and he smeared some of it over her clit, rubbing her quick and fast to elicit one more shuddering orgasm from her before she collapsed over him.

“God,” she panted. “You’re going to destroy me, Daddy.”

“Quite the opposite, sweet girl,” he said into her ear. “I’m gonna put you back together again.”

Blake's fingertips traced Savannah's spine, lingering on each vertebra as he gently massaged her back. Their heavy breaths filled the room, mingling with the lingering scent of their passion.

"Thank you for trusting me, Savannah," Blake murmured, his voice low and sincere.

She sighed contentedly, her body relaxed beneath his touch. "You're welcome, Daddy. But . . . can I ask you something?”

Blake nodded. “Anything, little one.”

“I liked closing my eyes then, but I also wondered . . . don’t you want me to look at you when we . . . you know?"

Blake froze. "What makes you say that?" His voice was soft, guarded.

"First, you made me keep my eyes closed while you kissed me down below. Then you made me keep my eyes shut while I, uh, blew you, then you had me lie on my belly so I was face down while we . . . fornicated." Savannah hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's like you're afraid of making eye contact, in case . . . I don't know. You don’t think I’m ugly, do you?"

Blake tensed, jaw clenched. “Darling,” he said, “why would you say that? I think you’re a goddess.”

Savannah’s eyes widened. “Oh. Right. It’s just . . . I guess men haven’t exactly been complimentary about me before. My red hair. My freckles.”

Blake looked at her sternly. “Savannah Sweet,” he said, “believe me, you are a goddess. Notin spiteof your red hair and freckles, butbecauseof them. You possess a rare beauty that only the luckiest men ever get to possess. Those other guys, the ones who teased you, they’re fucking idiots.”

He wondered whether this was the time to tell her about the time he’d seen her getting bullied as a teenager. He wanted to. He really wanted to. But he was trying to show her how beautiful she was right now, not remind her of the idiots that made her feel worthless.

So instead, he traced hearts over her skin. “I asked you to close your eyes because I genuinely wanted to build your trust in me. But also . . . I guess maybe, subconsciously, there was a part of me that was afraid that if we made eye contact . . .”

“What?” Savannah asked, frowning.

“If we made eye contact, I’d fall for you—way too hard and way too fucking fast.”

Savannah’s breath caught. “I see,” she said quietly. Then she lay against his chest.

It was obvious from how hard his heart was thumping that it was too late.

"Anyway,” he said, “sorry to get all . . . deep. I want to take care of you properly now. Unfortunately, we don't have a bath here, but I'll wash you from head to toe with warm soapy water. Then, I'll get you into some cozy pajamas and give you warm milk in a sippy cup. How does that sound?"

Savannah felt a warmth spread through her chest at the thought of being cared for by him. "That sounds perfect, Daddy."

Just as Blake was about to continue listing the tender acts he had planned, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. The name "Nash" flashed on the screen, and the urgency in his brother's tone was unmistakable.

"Blake, we need you at The Haven ASAP. Got to run over the plan for tomorrow. You didn’t forget, did you?"

"Damn," Blake muttered under his breath, torn between his duty to Savannah and his responsibility to his brothers.

“Blake? Do I need to remind you of the shit this alderman’s pulling? The young girls. The im—”

“No,” said Blake decisively. “I’ll be there.” He hung up, then looked at Savannah, regret clouding his features. "I have to go. I’m sorry. But I promise I'll be back as soon as I can."

Savannah nodded, disappointment flickering across her face before she masked it with understanding.

Blake's heart clenched as he rummaged through the closet, finding a soft towel for Savannah. He knew he couldn't stay, but leaving her like this felt wrong. "I want you to wash yourself thoroughly and then dry yourself with this," he instructed, handing her the towel. "And here's an outfit for you to wear." He handed her a cute froggy onesie, one that he knew would feel cuddly and safe to wear. His fingers lingered on hers for a moment.

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