A Life Without Fear (Life #2) Read online

  “Blake we aren’t paying per glass, fill that fucker up,” Joey tells him. Blake laughs and fills Joey’s up to the rim, careful not to spill it over the edge. “Smart ass.” Joey has to carefully sip it before being able to pick it up.

  The rest of the evening is spent drinking and baking. I made enough cookies so each man could take home a dozen and I still had a dozen for myself. After that I decided to bake a banana cake, my freezer was full of bananas, I was trying to make use of them all. While baking the cake Blake orders us pizza and wings. Joey runs to the closest liquor store to purchase some more wine. The pizza and Joey return at the same time. We eat, drink, and laugh until my stomach hurts. I’m buzzed and love it, they guys keep fucking with each other and their jokes are hilarious. We have resorted to childish jokes because we ran out of adult ones.

  “Hey JoJo, I bet I could get you to say black.”

  “Um, okay try me.”

  “What color is that wine?” I ask.

  “Red,” he responds.

  “What color is my hair?”

  “Brown.”

  “What color is your shirt?”

  “White.” He looks perplexed as to where I’m going with this.

  “What color are my socks?”

  “Purple.”

  “Ha!” I yell. “You said purple!” I point at him.

  “You drunk bitch I thought I was supposed to say black?”

  “Ha!” I fall off the couch in historical laughter. Blake’s now laughing just as hard.

  “God damn it, how in the hell did I fall for that?” Joey’s pissed I got him. “I’ve gotta take a leak.”

  “Ew, thanks for the heads up,” I call after him. Once he leaves the room, I reach across the coffee table and snatch his phone.

  “What are you doing Angelica?” Blake questions.

  “Oh, just helping out a friend,” I answer as I’m sending a text message.

  “Do you think Joey would like that?”

  “I don’t care.” I smile up at him. As I hear the bathroom door open, I hurry and finish typing my message then put the phone back where it was originally. I smile at Joey when he walks back in the room.

  “You’re drunk and way too obvious. What did you do?” He looks between me and Blake. “Did you put something in my wine?”

  “I’d never waste good wine!” I yell at him. His phone dings right as I say it. Shit. I smile wider.

  “God damn it, Angelica, what did you do?” He grabs his phone and reads whatever Liam texted back. He is wearing a lopsided smile, so I know I’m immediately out of trouble.

  “See, I did good,” I say to Blake as I go to sit on his lap. He pulls me against him.

  “Looks like it.”

  “Ugh, I’m out of here before you guys get any more comfortable. We’ll talk about this later, Ang.” He walks into the kitchen to grab his cookies and jacket. “Bye.”

  “Bye,” Blake and I yell in unison.

  “Ugh, God, you two are too much,” Joey says as he walks out of the house.

  As soon as the door shuts Blake’s lips are on mine. The kiss is tender yet passionate, he stands up with me in his arms without hesitation. I pull away from his lips as he walks up the stairs and I lick his ear, he hisses loudly then claims my mouth again. Once we reach my room he carefully places me down on my bed.

  “So, do you think we’ll be able to finish what we started?” I ask him.

  “I believe so. My phone is on silent downstairs so nothing will stop us this time.”

  He takes off his shirt and toes off his shoes, then he unbuttons his jeans and lowers the zipper but doesn’t discard them. The look of him with his pants undone and no shirt is panty melting. His eyes are fierce as he stalks to me. Once he reaches me, he slowly starts to undress me, kissing my skin as it becomes exposed slowly. By the time I’m naked I am panting I’m so worked up. He lays me down on the bed and starts to kiss my body, starting from my collarbone down. His kisses are slow and wet, gentle yet firm. I ache from my core to my toes, so desperate to feel him inside of me. So much so I’m sure I may combust. As soon as his lips connect with my clit, I scream his name. My need making every touch more sensitive, his moaning at my mere taste is hot as hell. As much as I love what he’s doing I can’t stand it for very long, I want him inside of me. I pull him up and he grabs a condom out of his pants then discards them. Once he’s sheathed his massive erection he hovers over me before slowly sliding inside of me.

  “Ahhh,” I moan into his ear.

  “Did I hurt you?” he asks.

  “No, no, please don’t stop.”

  And stop he doesn’t. Blake’s relentless, he never tires it seems. He works his hips into the perfect motion pounding into me incessantly causing the buildup I felt before to be almost painful. I’m so close to coming, I tighten my insides and he hisses in pleasure. He stops only momentarily to turn me onto my stomach then ram back into me from behind, rocking his hips harder this time. Our bodies are slapping together, our pants are in sync, this new position has hit all new spots and I can’t contain my release any longer.

  “I’m going to come, Blake. I can’t hold it much longer.”

  “Don’t hold it, Angelica. Never hold it.” He puts his lips right under my ear lobe and licks my neck.

  That’s all it takes, I scream his name loudly as he keeps up his relentless rhythm. My knees give out, but he holds me by the hips keeping me in position. He stops momentarily again and lays down on the bed and has me straddle me.

  “I can’t go on Blake, I’m limbless,” I tell him.

  “You can come again, Angelica. I know you can.”

  He grabs my hips and starts to grind himself to me. This position has him deliberately rubbing my clit to his pelvis and the buildup is back. The pleasure is reaching my toes and they start to curl. I put my hands on his chest and start to rock on my own, rocking as hard as I can, quickening my pace as I feel the release so close.

  “That’s it, Angelica. You're right there. Let’s come together.”

  Rocking harder and faster, I feel my body giving out and the exhaustion setting in. He notices it happening so he grabs my hips and takes over. As soon as he does we’re both gone, panting and screaming as our release takes us both hard and fast. I lay on his chest as he slows his rhythm. We both lay there motionless breathing hard.

  “Sweet Jesus Blake, you’re going to break me.”

  “I’d never break you, Angelica. Never.”

  Such sweet words, I don’t know what happens next as exhaustion and alcohol take me under into a deep night’s sleep.

  Waking up on Sunday morning, a light flurry of snow is outside my bedroom window. Slowly rolling over I find that the bed is empty but it’s still warm, so I know he’s left recently. After relieving myself and brushing my teeth, I grab my robe and head downstairs in search of Blake. Stopping on the second floor I hear faint music coming from the library, so I follow my ears and soon my nose. Walking into the library I find Blake starting a fire, next to him on the small coffee table is Starbucks and an assortment of pastries.

  “Good morning,” I call from the doorway.

  “Good morning, honey,” he replies with a smile on his lips.

  “Honey?”

  “Yes, honey. Is that not okay?”

  “I suppose it is, babe.”

  “Yeah, I like that, a lot.” He walks over to me and kisses me tenderly. I don’t hesitate in returning his passion.

  “So, what’s all this?” I point to all the delicious looking treats lining the coffee table.

  “Well, I thought we could have some of my favorite pastries this morning. Have you ever been to Silver Moon Bakery on Broadway?” he asks.

  “Sounds familiar but I can’t say I have.”

  “Oh man, you don’t know what you are missing out on. They have the best almond croissants I’ve ever tasted, not to mention everything else they make is out of this world.”

  “Now I’m starving, I can’t wait to dig
in.”

  He catches my hand and pulls me down on the couch with him. He places one of his hands on each side of my face and gently pulls my face to his. We kiss just once before he pulls away and gives me my coffee. He’s brought up small plates along with forks, knives, and napkins. He cuts a croissant in half and serves one on a plate for me and one for him. I don’t hesitate and dig right in. Oh lordy, that’s amazing.

  “Good God you weren’t kidding! These are amazing!” I repeat aloud this time.

  “I told you,” he says as he pops a piece in his mouth.

  Together we sample every pastry on the table. He’s bought at least a dozen different pastries to try while we sip on our coffee. We last about an hour in the library eating our breakfast and talking. It’s perfect, something I could very well get used to. After I help him clean up the mess we’ve made, he tells me he’s going to head home to shower and change and will be back in about an hour. While he’s gone, I do the same taking my time in the shower, washing my hair thoroughly and shaving. After blow-drying my hair, I simply put it in a side braid and apply very minimal makeup. Blake arrives back right on an hour like he said, always true to his word. We’re both dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt.

  “Want to go shopping?”

  “Shopping for what?”

  “For anything, I want to take you shopping,” he states.

  “Hmm, sure.”

  “What’s with the hmm?” he asks.

  “I’ve never been taken shopping before.”

  “Never?” he asks, dumbfounded. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “Does Joey count?” I ask.

  “No, he doesn’t.” He places my hand in his and starts walking toward the front door.

  “Wait, I don’t have my purse!”

  “You don’t need it, just your keys and your beautiful self.” He stops only briefly enough for me to grab my keys and to lock the house. “Now come on, let me spoil you.”

  “Okay.”

  We walk hand-in-hand to his car. He opens the door for me before walking around to his side. We drive through the city catching every red light it seems, but I don’t mind, spending time with Blake is something I’ve come to love. I know where he’s heading before he tells me—Madison Ave. It’s the best shopping in NYC—stores from Jimmy Choo to Alexander McQueen and everything in between. I’m curious as to where we’ll be stopping first. I don’t want to make any comments; I want to see where he decides to take me all on his own. He pulls his car right in front of Tiffany’s. Well, that’s not where I was thinking at all.

  “Tiffany’s?” Apparently, I can’t keep my comments to myself.

  “Yes, come on. Let me spoil you, please?” He smiles brightly and I can’t seem to say no.

  “Okay.”

  He walks around to open my door before the valet has the chance to. He takes my hand and kisses the top of it. Smiling at him, we then walk together into the store. He bypasses the women who work there that clearly want his attention, he’s on a mission and it shows. He walks straight to the back left of the store and stops in front of a glass case full of diamond earrings.

  “Come here often?” I nudge him.

  “As a matter of fact I was here last month buying my mother earrings.”

  “Likely story,” I tease.

  “Oh Angelica, I will break you of that habit sooner or later.”

  “Sorry, it’s subconscious,” I state.

  It’s true, I know I’m joking with him and he does too, but it does come from a place that isn’t a joke. I always suspect he’s done something before with another woman. I never knew I was this insecure, maybe I’m not, but I’m annoying with the way I think. He’s an incredibly handsome man, a very eligible bachelor, I’m sure he’s taken many women shopping and I can’t fault him for that. I’m assuming that’s what men do when they’re in a relationship. Shit, I don’t know.

  “Stop over thinking and ruining this day for us, please.” He runs a hand up and down my cheek. “I’ve never bought a woman jewelry that wasn’t my family.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. What reason would I have to lie to you?” he asks.

  “To make me feel better?” I reply.

  “I don’t lie, Angelica. Believe me. Please?”

  “I do Blake.” I kiss him then turn my head to the jewelry before me so I stop dwelling on what never was.

  “What do you like?” he questions.

  “Geez, I don’t know it’s all so beautiful,” I say while admiring the fine jewelry in front of me.

  “Good afternoon, my name is Melissa. Can I help you find anything?” I look up and see she’s smiling kindly at me. At me, not Blake, I like her already.

  “Hi Melissa, my boyfriend here just asked me what I like and I can’t decide,” I respond.

  “I can’t blame you, there’s a lot to choose from. Do you have any preferences that perhaps I can help narrow the selection with?”

  “I like simple jewelry. Nothing with too much bling or crazy, I love simple solitaire diamonds.”

  “As do I.” She pulls her hair back and shows me her earrings.

  “Oh my God, that’s it! I want those.”

  “Follow me,” she says.

  We both follow Melissa to the glass case on the opposite side of where we were standing. Once there, she pulls out a soft cloth and lays it on the glass top. Then she removes the most gorgeous earrings, a simple pair of solitaire diamond earrings in platinum. I have so much jewelry but nothing plain and simple like this and knowing that Blake bought them for me will always make it that much more special. She cleans them thoroughly then hands them to me to try on. With the help of a mirror, I put them on and model them for Blake.

  “What do you think?” I ask him.

  “I think you’re the most beautiful woman in the world,” he replies causing both me and Melissa to blush.

  “Stop it! You know what I meant Blake.”

  “I know what you meant. I was merely voicing an observation. The earrings are stunning and they’re yours,” he states point blank. Melissa starts to box them. “She’ll be wearing them out if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not, sir.”

  “What else do you want Angelica?”

  “Nothing.” He tilts his head and shakes his head.

  “Melissa could you show us the necklaces?” he kindly asks.

  “Of course, right this way please.” We follow closely behind her.

  “I said I wanted nothing else, Blake. These are more than enough.”

  “Humor me and just look,” he challenges.

  “Fine.”

  As we continue to follow her to the case, I stop dead in my tracks and stare at a gorgeous necklace. I don’t even notice that Blake’s slowly following behind me and Melissa behind him.

  “That would be our Elsa Peretti ‘Diamonds by the Yard’ necklace. It’s beautiful at four point three carats.” She walks behind the glass and pulls it out for me to view.

  “Oh my gosh, this is lovely. Four point three carats? My God I don’t even want to know the price for this.” I turn and look Blake right in the eye. “No don’t get any ideas, I was just looking at it. You can’t buy everything I see. Thank you for the earrings they’re more than enough.” I kiss him on the lips and grab his hand. “Let’s go.”

  “Stubborn woman, let’s go pay then.” I smile and we follow Melissa to the registers.

  Blake doesn’t bother with prices as he merely hands over his black American Express. I shake my head, thinking it must be nice. Even with a nice size bank account, I still like to know the cost of everything. Once he signs the receipt she hands me my bag and we head out of the store. He drags me right across the street to the Louis Vuitton store. This is a store I know very well—those red soles being my soft spot.

  “I need a new pair of dress shoes while we’re here. Pick whatever you want.”

  “Is this going to be a reoccurring thing, you telling me to pick whatever I want? Don�
��t start something you won’t be able to follow through with forever.” I wink at him and he grabs me by the waist.

  “Get used to it Angelica, I will always spoil you.”

  “Mr. Harper it’s a pleasure to see you. How can we help you today?” A man in a deep navy blue suit asks Blake. I stare at him with a smile.

  “What? Guys can’t like nice shoes?” Blake asks, his cheeks flushed.

  “Of course, they can.”

  “Ms. Cane, so nice to see you.” Lizzy, one of my favorite employees calls from behind me. Both Blake and I laugh at each other.

  “What can I say, I love my Louie’s too. Hey Lizzy, show me what’s new.” I turn and follow her to the women’s section.

  “Well, I don’t know about new but you need to see the Eyeline Ankle Boot, I don’t think you have them yet.”

  “Then obviously I need them.”

  Thirty minutes later we walk out of the store with three bags, two for me and one for him. We go to three more stores where I’m continuously told to buy whatever I want, Blake always stays with me occasionally buying something for himself but mainly helping me decide what looks best.

  We end our shopping day with dinner at an Italian restaurant on 57th Street. It’s very homey and a perfect way to end our night. We’re seated without incident and order some wine while we read over the menu.

  “Thank you for today, Blake, I had a great time.”

  “You’re very welcome. I can’t wait to do it again,” he remarks.

  The waiter comes and takes our orders then returns shortly after with our wine and some bread and olive oil.

  “Is it lame that I’ll miss you tonight? I’ve always thought that my house was way too much for just me and Rodger, but now that he’s gone it seems even larger.” I take a small sip of my wine. Why I’m getting so deep is beyond me. “I’m sorry. I don’t even know where that came from.”

  “Don’t be sorry, Angelica, I like to hear everything you have to say. And no I don’t blame you. I like my penthouse immensely and I love the space that I have. I did at least until I met you, now it seems empty, like something’s missing when I’m there alone.”