Page 81 of Betrayed

“The Sheppards are my family. Though I’ve neglected the relationship.”

We talked for over an hour before I could no longer ignore Blake’s exhaustion.

“Let’s get some sleep.”

As Blake nodded, with the most adorable yawn, I slipped my feet under the blankets, slid to my back, and held my arm open. I felt lighter than I had in years. Decades, even.

Blake didn’t need a verbal invitation to shimmy onto her side and curl up against me. Her head on my chest, her hand over my heart. Holding Blake felt right; it settled something inside me. Made the world feel right, even though I knew I could never have her.

Home.

I wrapped my arms around her, creating a cocoon of safety for both of us. A physical one for her. An emotional one for me.

I felt her head lift a second before I felt her lips on my chest. “You’re a good man, Andrew Janerek.” Her warm breath tickled my skin as her words warmed my heart.

Resisting the temptation to kiss her lips, to claim her, I settled for kissing the top of her head.

My need for Blake Edith Davenport was so much more than physical desire.

And there was nothing I wanted more in the world than to be the man she believed I was.

Chapter 40

Blake

Ifelt his absence before opening my eyes and seeing the empty space beside me. Not bothering to cover my mouth, I stretched like a cat and released a very unladylike yawn.Take that Cilla. Remembering AJ comparing her to a wicked step-mother brought a smile to my lips.

I regretted waiting so long to get to know him. But I was too caught up in my fear and anger to try.

My bladder complained, so I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed instead of reliving the night before. After my brief visit tothe bathroom, I padded into the hallway. When I heard grunts coming from AJ’s room, I stopped.

It’d be rude tospy on him. I turned away, but my curiosity won. I peeked around the doorframe.

My brain shut down the instant it registered the image my eyes sent.

AJ, in nothing but boxer briefs, doing pushups. The grunts were his count coming out in huffs each time his thick, corded, sweaty arms lifted him off the floor.

He was focused on the floor in front of him, so I allowed myself to gawk like a wanton woman. The light reflected off his glistening back, highlighting his dragon tattoo, as he lifted himself up and lowered himself back down.

I let my eyes drift down his back, to his ass. His snug black boxers outlined every muscle leading down to his thick thighs, covered in dark hair. A scar on the side of his left thigh, just above the knee, stopped my appraisal.

“Is that a bullet hole?”Shit.My hand shot to my mouth.

AJ turned his head, his dimple deepening as he grinned.

“Morning. Like what you see?” he asked, his voice raspy as he stood and faced me.

He knew I was watching.

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I forgot to breathe. But I didn’t look away. I couldn’t. He was magnificent. I didn’t even bother telling myself I wasn’t attracted to his giant muscles or gorgeous looks.

“Yeah, I, um,” was just drooling over your hot body,“I just noticed the scar on your leg.” I pointed, like maybe he didn’t remember where it was.

My brain no longer functioned.

He glanced down. “Yes, it’s from a bullet.” He turned his leg so I could see it better, flexing his thigh as he did. I think he did it just to see how deep my blush could get.

The answer was very deep. Embarrassingly deep. “Did it hurt?”

---