his father.
Once the red haze dissipated from his vision, Blake texted Farrah. She was the only person who could make him feel better.
Are you busy? I miss you.
She responded not a minute later. Be right there.
Blake’s heart rate slowed. He took a deep breath and tried to clear his mind. He had a lot of shit to do if he wanted his business venture to be a success.
First on the list: figure out where he wanted to open the bar.
He heard a knock.
“I come bearing gifts,” Farrah said when Blake opened the door. She unwrapped a paper towel to reveal a pile of Sammy’s legendary chocolate chip cookies. “I passed by the kitchen and nabbed a few before Luke got to them. I swear he’s here more since he moved into his homestay.” She shook her head. “How was your call with your mom?”
Blake popped a cookie in his mouth. “Fine. Until it turned into a call with my dad.”
Farrah winced. “Not good?”
“That’s one way to put it. I told him about the sports bar idea. He thinks it’s dumb.”
She walked to his desk and set the cookies down. She turned and said, in the calmest voice possible, “Fuck what he thinks.”
Blake had to pick his jaw up from the floor. He’d never heard Farrah be so blunt.
“If he can’t see your potential, that’s his problem. Don’t let his limitations run your life. You can do this.” Farrah cupped his face in her hands. “I know you can.”
His heart ached. The person he saw reflected in her eyes was the person he always wanted to be: brave, smart, passionate. Someone who chased his dreams and believed in himself. Someone worthy of love and respect.
“What would I do without you?”
“Oh, you’d probably be checking yourself out in the mirror and calculating how many pushups you need to maintain your physique.”
Farrah squealed as Blake lifted her up and tossed her on the bed with a playful growl. “Who says I don’t do that anyway?”
Her eyes shone with laughter. “I admire your self-awareness.”
“Admire, huh? Keep going.” Blake nipped her bottom lip, enjoying her sharp inhale.
Yeah, he had a lot of shit to figure out, but he’d do that later. Right now, there were more enjoyable things on the agenda.
“You wish. I’m not here to—” Her breath turned shallow as he trailed kisses down her neck, licking and sucking until he reached the pulse fluttering wildly at her throat. “—boost your ego.”
“What are you here for?” Blake brushed his lips over her collarbone. Her orange blossom-and-vanilla scent caused his blood to rush south.
“For this.” Farrah brought his head up to hers and captured his mouth in a searing kiss.
Coherent thought slipped away. Their tongues tangled in a sultry duel that left Blake breathless. He lost himself in the taste of her, the heat of their embrace, the heady sensation of being in the arms of the girl he loved.
Farrah tugged on the hem of his shirt. He took her cue and pulled the pesky piece of fabric over his head, eager to be rid of one less barrier between them. She tracked every movement, her eyes molten with desire.
“Blake.” Her breathy whisper almost did him in.
“Yes, baby?” Blake lifted her shirt and pressed a hot kiss to her stomach. He inched his way up until he reached the lacy edge of her bra.
“I’m ready.”
Chapter Nineteen
“I’m ready.”
Blake froze.
Farrah’s heart slammed against her ribcage. This was it.
Bye-bye, nineteen years of virginity.
“Are you sure?” Blake’s brow crinkled with…concern? Not the reaction she’d expected or been hoping for.
“Yes.” Farrah maneuvered them so Blake lay on his back and she hovered over him. She trailed kisses over his neck, shoulders, chest, and stomach until the agonizingly slow journey brought her to the top of his jeans. She stroked him through the denim. He was so huge and hard it sent spikes of fear and anticipation through her.
Blake’s stomach muscles contracted; a low growl ripped from his throat. He gripped her arms and yanked her up. “Don’t.”
“Why not?” She shrugged free and started unbuckling his belt.
He covered her hand with his, forcing her to still. “I don’t know if I’ll—we don’t have to do this now. We can wait.” She noticed beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
“I don’t want to wait. I’m ready.” Farrah had waited nineteen years. She was tired of waiting.
The clock ticked in the corner, reminding her that every second brought them closer to the end. She’d waited her entire life to find someone who made