The Billionaire’s Girlfriend Bet - Leslie North Page 0,56

appeared at the end of the hallway. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and there was something so vulnerable and raw written across her face that it nearly brought Blake to his knees.

“Hey, Michelle,” he said softly, slowly lowering Mollie to the ground. He shut the door behind him. Michelle didn’t move. “I hope it’s okay that I’m here.”

Michelle sniffed, her gaze fastened to the ground. Finally she said, “Mollie, can you go upstairs to your bedroom for a minute? I want to talk to Mr. Blake alone.”

Mollie sighed, clearly displeased with the suggestion. “But Mommy…”

“He’ll be up soon to see the picture,” Michelle said, which piqued his interest. “Just go up there, and we’ll be up in a few minutes.”

Mollie dutifully went up the staircase, leaving Blake and Michelle alone in the hallway. He waited until he heard her bedroom door close before he took a step forward.

But Michelle was faster. She raced toward him, flinging her arms around him like they’d been apart for years instead of weeks. He squeezed her into a tight embrace, relishing the feel of her soft curves against him, the fruity scent of her shampoo once again infiltrating his senses.

Michelle was crying into his shoulder, and all he could do was sway and hold her.

“Babe, I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered.

“I’ve missed you too,” she whimpered. “I didn’t realize how much until just now.”

“I’ve known it from the second you walked out of the nightclub,” he said, squeezing her sides gently. “Michelle, I love you. I’m so in love with you. And I’m so sorry for hurting you.”

Her body shook with a silent sob and then she composed herself, looking up at him with watery eyes. “I love you too, Blake. I didn’t realize how much I was comparing you with my ex, with someone I had no business comparing you to. But I just want you, now. I want us.”

“That’s all I want too,” he whispered, tears blurring his own vision now. His cheeks hurt from how hard he smiled. “I want Blake and Michelle. Forever.”

She laughed, and he swooped down to snag her lips in a sweet but salty kiss. Her soft lips against his sent his emotions on overdrive, and he squeezed his arms around her a little tighter. He never wanted to give this up. This feeling. This happiness. This sense of being so close to someone.

“So I take it it’s okay I dropped by?” he asked with a laugh.

“You read my mind, honestly. Why are you all dressed up?”

“I got your text on my way to the charity event for the baseball team.”

She gasped. “The one that you had rescheduled DJ Fiesta for?”

“Yeah. How did you know?”

“Mila told me. She and I have been talking a lot more since earlier this week,” Michelle said.

“Yeah. I heard you had some surprise visitors this week.” He grinned, pressing his forehead to hers. “Seems like the three of you are already off to a great start at being friends.”

“Yeah, we might have already made some plans for next week,” Michelle said with a little laugh. “Turns out Mila wants to start running with me. Jackie said she’d give it a shot too.”

“Your own little running club.” Blake’s heart swelled. This was better than he could have ever imagined. “Now that means I’m off the hook when the next 5K rolls around.”

“You’re right—totally off the hook. For running, that is. I think we should make our…post-run activities an ongoing tradition.”

Blake dragged his fingers back and forth over the small of her back under her shirt, desire prickling through him. But they had plenty of time now. They had the rest of their lives to continue exploring each other, growing as a family, becoming even closer.

And Blake couldn’t wait.

“As long as you keep making me pineapple upside down cakes, I’m yours,” Blake teased.

“That’s the only requirement?” Michelle’s eyes were shining again. “I had no idea it was so easy.”

“And you satisfied the requirements immediately,” Blake said. “That’s how I knew you were the one.”

Michelle rolled her lips inward, a tear rolling down her cheek. “Stop. If you’re any more perfect, I’m going to just melt into the floor.”

“Melt away,” Blake said, gently kissing her tears away. “I’ll be here to catch you.”

A tiny throat cleared from the top of the staircase. “Mommy and Mr. Blaaake.”

Michelle gasped, laughing into Blake’s shoulder. “Oh, my God. That’s right. We have something to show you.” In a louder voice, she called up the stairs, “We’re