Page 37 of This: Blake & Emon

“You really pulled all this off,” he said, his hand finding the small of her back as they were led to their private booth.

“You act surprised.” She looked up at him with that smile that still made his heart skip. “I told you I pay attention. Plus,”she gestured to the intimate setting, “you always making sure I’m treated like a queen. Let me treat you for once.”

The booth was decked out with bottles chilling in ice, plush seating that felt like a luxury, and just enough distance from the crowd to feel exclusive but still soak in the energy of the night.

Emon poured them both a drink, the amber liquid catching the light as he handed her a glass. “To you, for making this night un-fucking-forgettable.”

The beat dropped again, and the crowd erupted, but for Emon and Blake, the rest of the club faded away. It was just them, their shared glances, the brush of their fingers, the silent conversations spoken through smiles and smirks.

As Payroll launched into “Started Small Time,” the lyrics echoed in Emon’s head, a reminder of just how far he’d come. From hustling in the trenches to making moves that had them living on their own terms.

Blake leaned into him, her body warm and soft against his, the smell of her perfume cutting through the haze of smoke and alcohol.

“You good?” she asked, her voice low, meant only for him.

Emon wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. “Better than good. Perfect.”

Her eyes softened, a rare vulnerability slipping through her confident exterior. “Good. I want you to know I got you...always.”

“And I got you,” he promised, sealing it with a slow, deliberate kiss that made the room blur around them.

The night was just getting started, but at that moment, it felt like they’d already found what they were looking for. Connection. Celebration. A reminder that through it all, they had each other, and that was worth more than all the riches in the room.

The way Blake moved against him had him thinking about that suite waiting upstairs. For now, he was content just watching her enjoy herself, knowing she’d done all this just for him.

“Thank you,” he said softly in her ear. He was overcome with gratitude and wanted to tell her every time it crossed his mind. He knew he was probably getting on her nerves, but this was new for him.

“For what?”

“For making me celebrate. For being you. For everything.”

Blake smiled, proud of herself. They continued to vibe and indulge. The day had been perfect so far, and she hoped it would continue.

The bass thumped through the venue as Payroll performed “Stack Season,” Emon rapping every word behind Versace shades while Blake watched him, loving how relaxed and happy he looked.

Between songs, Emon pulled her closer. “You know what?”

“What?”

“I ain’t never had nobody do nothing like this for me before.”

Blake turned in his arms, wrapping hers around his neck. “You ain’t never had a me either. So get used to it. This is how we doing it from now on. Big for the biggest!”

His hands found her waist as they swayed together, the music and the crowd fading into background noise. “I love you,” he said, not for the first time, but something about tonight made the words feel different.

“I love you more.”

“Not possible.” His lips found that spot on her neck that always made her shiver. “But you can try to prove it when this shit is over and we get back to the suite.”

“Who says we gotta wait that long?”

Emon looked at her, eyes dark with something deeper than just desire, and Blake grabbed his hand, leading the way.

The elevator ride to their suite felt like a scene straight out of a movie. A different kind, though. The kind that had a few X’s after it. The moment the doors slid shut behind them, Emon had her pressed against the wall, hands sliding up her thighs, lips trailing over her jawline, her neck, and collarbone.

“You been teasing me all night,” he murmured against her skin, his breath warm, his grip firm.

Blake smirked, her fingers slipping beneath his shirt, nails dragging just enough to make him shiver. “Had to make sure you were enjoying your birthday.” She bit her lip, letting her hands roam. “Was it worth the wait?”

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