Page 24 of Marriage (Red, White &) Blues

I could do this.

Chapter Six

Things took a decidedly awkward turn on the way “home.” The dead silence saw to that. From our very first meeting, the conversation had always flowed unless our lips were locked. I didn’t want this and since me being here was his idea—time to pull on the big girl panties.

“Blake, did you tell Michael that we didn’t consummate the marriage? That might void the tribal marriage contract and let you off the hook.”

“I don’t want to be let off any hooks. I’ve missed you, Glory. So much it hurt being away from you.”

“There’s a reason you needed perspective.” Yes, that was what I went with at three o’clock in the morning after a red-eye flight.

“Perspective foryou. My grandfather died unexpectedly and there’s been family drama concerning the will. You were on the trip of a lifetime.Wewere on the trip of a lifetime, but onlyIhad to deal with my family.”

My heart hurt, but best to get this out of the way. “You had doubts about us or my joining you wouldn’t have been a question. It’s what partners are for. I wanted to be there to help you and instead you pushed me away.”

He sighed. “You don’t get it. That call was like a jolt of reality pulling me from a dream. You’re so kind and beautiful and have this zest for life. If the Parkers get you in their sights, they’ll crush everything I love about you, everything that makes you,you. It’s what they live for.”

Pen’s family hated me. Sierra’s family tolerated me. God help me with the Parkers, but he sounded sincere. Like he’d really been trying to protect me.

“My friend Pen, she’s a Von Dutton.”

“What?”

“Technically, she’s a Von Dutton and a McCain, seeing as her husband, Ant, is Stanton McCain.”

“You know the Von Duttons and the McCains?” he asked, highly surprised.

“I do. And except for Pen and Ant, who are some of the very best people, neither family likes me. I’m poor. I mean, there are families much worse off than mine, but to them, I’m poor. I was a scholarship kid at school. Mr. and Mrs. Von Dutton hated that Pen hung out with the scholarship kid. I wasn’t allowed at their house. I know what it means to be an old-money family. But I also know how wonderful black sheep can be. Pen and Ant both are.”

“I made a huge mistake leaving you,” he mumbled as he reached over to take my hand.

“Just don’t do it again. Okay?”

“Never again. You are so important to me… God, I still love you.”

“Okay, Blake, you can’t say that to me while we’re in a moving car.”

He pressed down on the accelerator to get us going faster. I laughed as we jutted forward. He sped through the streets. Blake lived in a beautiful home. We pulled up to a brick-paved circle drive and he stopped the car in front of a large, white-painted,stucco home with fluted Greek columns and molded cornices. A balcony of fine ironwork with delicate curves completed the look to the front of the house on the second floor, above the door. He helped me out of the car, grabbing my bag from the trunk.

“Regency,” I said of the style of architecture. “It’s gorgeous.”

“I like it. Especially now with you here.” He tugged my arm, basically swinging me into the house, and slammed the door, simultaneously dropping my bag while backing me up against the wall, tossing my purse and backpack from my shoulder to the floor before attacking my lips. He tugged up on my knee fitting himself even closer to my body, pressing his thick arousal against my center.Oh, wow.

Like the ‘holy shit-balls on a stick’ kind of wow. Insecurities? What insecurities? I needed this man now and intended to have him, kissing him back with all the fervor the moment deserved. I yanked up his shirt to touch his heated skin. He groaned into my mouth, while my heart pounded to the beat of “Stars and Stripes Forever” in my head. Blake slid his hands under my T-shirt, dragging his thumb up over the nipple area of my bra, driving me completely insane when the doorbell rang. At three in the morning? Even worse, the door opened and someone flicked on the light. Atthreein themorning.

“Son, good god. Show some decorum.” Apparently, Blake’s father made us a middle-of-the-night visit.

Blake sighed, pressing his forehead to mine. Sadly, I set my foot to the floor while he pulled his hands from under my shirt. “I’m in my own home. Why should I show decorum in my own home?”

“Because you may have visitors.”

“No one should be visiting me at this time of night, Father.”

“Is this your wife?” the unwanted man asked, grimacing. I especially loved the eye roll. Nice touch. Very welcoming.

“Yes.” Blake smoothed out my shirt while moving us both away from the wall. Then he spun me, still holding me in his arms protectively. “This is my wife. Gloria Kowalski.”

“Kowalski? Son, are you serious right now?”

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