Page 37 of Then Came You

"I'll pay you entertainer rates for your time. I looked it up, it's about $1200 for four hours, or $300 an hour, plus I'd pay for any supplies you need to buy," he adds. I almost choke on my own spit at the eye-watering number he mentioned.

I grimace at the thought of what his friends and family are going to think of me, but I desperately need the money.

Tori's recent results showed some abnormalities in her liver, so they need to do a Liver Function Test, and then she's been having chest pains, so a coronary catheterization has been ordered.

"We should talk more about… everything." I can't coherently explain the thoughts swirling around my head right now, but I desperately need to talk to Blade. Alone.

Chapter 15

Blade

I messed up. I don't know how or where I messed up, but if Row's standoffishness is anything to go by, I did something wrong.

Asking Row to do this is a huge deal to me. I'm letting her into my life. I'm trusting her with my daughter. Quite frankly, I'm scratching my head at why she seems anxious, so I follow her into the back, leaving Haven with Trish.

Sliding the door closed a little more forcefully, she goes toward the dryer to collect a load of warm hair towels.

"Row... Talk to me... What's wrong?"

I see the indecision on her face when she turns to me, as if she doesn't know if she wants to verbalise the swirling thoughts in her head.

"Tink, come on..." I plead again. I've been in one serious relationship throughout my life, and I wouldn't say Avalon and I were the poster couple for talking things through.

She slumps dejectedly, averting her gaze away from my face. Whatever it is, she's clearly bothered enough to let it affect her demeanour toward me.

"I don't know what you want from me... or what we're doing. Meeting the rest of your family. Your son... it's a huge step, even if it is as your hairdresser."

I shuffle toward her in the tiny space so I can at least reach for her waist. One of my hands finds naked skin, and I thumb over her hip bone. She sways back and forth at my touch.

I'm trying so hard to think before I speak because my words need to be precise. I buy us some time by lifting her up on the bench and standing in between her legs.

"I don't know what we're doing, but I really like you, Row. Haven seems to like you too, and she wants you at her party. I'd like you to meet my son and test the waters. I hope you can appreciate how delicate this situation is for me, but I understand if it's too much too soon. I didn't mean to push you into anything."

Her mouth gapes open, but no sound comes out. I'm antsy and impatient waiting for her response. I'm praying with all my might that she takes this next step with me. Blowing out her face like a pufferfish, she releases the air she's been holding in a loud exhale.

"Ok," she relents.

"Yeah?" I question.

"Yeah." She leans back, so her head bangs on the cupboards, like she's still uncertain.

One thing I need to know is if she really wants to try this.

"Say you want more?" I ask.

I can't let anyone else have a slice of this piece of heaven. Cupping her jaw so I can stare into her eyes, I lay it all out on the line. "I want more with you."

Saying those words seem to ameliorate her fears over everything else for the time being.

A small but divine smile slowly curves at her mouth. Gulping back any anxiousness or doubts, she takes the leap of faith with me. "I want more with you too. I want so much more."

Relief floods my body as I kiss her like our lives depend on it.

Our heated kiss turns volcanic, and I'm physically incapable of just stopping at tasting her lips.

"It's not fair," I groan, licking a stripe from her neck to her mouth before connecting mine to hers again. I'm physically incapable of staying away from her. I know we don't make sense, but we make sense at this moment.

"What's not?" she pants, her legs fastened around me, while her hands clutch the back of my neck.

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