He pours the last of his beer into his mouth. “Is there food at yours?”
“Sort of. I’m not a cook.” And why the hell does he want to eat?
“Good job I know my way around a kitchen.”
“Oh. Right. You don’t want more of—” my hand waves my drink around at the obvious pornography that’s currently descending around the room. “This?”
“No. I told you, I came out for you and you alone. Besides, I’d like to see where Ivy Broderick lives.”
“You would?” My eyes widen. How strange. Other men don’t say things like that, definitely not when they’ve got this sort of distraction around them. “All this and London and you’d rather head back to mine?”
“Yes. Do you mind?”
“No. I just … Doesn’t matter.” I down the rest of my Cosmo and try getting off him again, only to find myself still clamped in place.
“Just so you know, I might have lost my appetite for food by the time we’re back at yours. Fair warning. I want my fill of you.”
A grin slides over my features, putting the glass on the bar. “Well, that’s more like it, buddy. What are we waiting for?”
He stands so abruptly I’m almost tipped off his lap but for the strong hand that grabs me. I get yanked back to his chest, enough force in the move that I land on it with a thud. Awheeze puffs out of me, and I look up at him, dazed by the impact.
“I'm not your buddy. And you’re cute as fuck when you’re getting drunk.”
“I’m not drunk.”
He guides us out of the room, back towards the entrance, occasionally holding me up when I trip over something rude enough to be in my way. Maybe I am a bit drunk. Not that it should matter. Why shouldn’t I be? I’m alive. Young - ish, free, single, and, funnily enough, able to make my own choices about anything. I’ll get drunk as much as I like.
“Bringing me here has given me all sorts of ideas. It was probably a dumb move, Ivy.”
I look up at his smirking face as he keeps guiding us through the people, smiling at his commandoness. That’s not a word, but he’s just like that. Everything’s like a mission to him. Quick march. Forward. Keep moving.
I giggle at the thought and keep following his hand as it pulls me along. I almost feel like saluting him, and do actually salute Anton as we get to the main entrance and Blake pulls me through that, too.
He smiles back at me and waves. “Wedding!” he calls.
“Yes, Sir!” I shout back.
The moment we’re outside, Blake stops and looks down at me. “Where to?”
I look down the road and take some deep breaths of late evening air, attempting to gain straight vision. A walk is needed, but walking all the way home is not an option. Not in these heels, anyway. “Taxi rank. Left.”
And he’s off again, at pace, with me giggling behind him.
And then, after he’s decided I’m not walking quick enough for his liking, he’s picking me up and slinging me over his shoulder.
My hand goes over my arse the moment I’ve got some semblance of balance, hopefully covering my assets. I should be furious, and normally would be about being manhandled, but for once, I can’t help but just feel stupidly giddy about the situation for some reason. “Brute,” chuckles out of me.
“You have no idea.”
I grin and look at the floor, patting his backside every now and then. It's really rather nice, and I'd be happy to bite it if I could reach from here. I can't, though. Not from this high up, anyway. Maybe later.
Honestly, this being swept off my feet doesn’t seem so bad at the moment, certainly not when I’m about to get the fucking of my life.
Chapter Nine
BLAKE
Iwake up early, or what feels early, but given how late we finally fell asleep, it’s likely later than it feels. The heat from Ivy’s body draped over me is cooking me, and I try hanging my leg out of the covers to cool off. It doesn’t work, so I peel my arm free from under her and hope she keeps sleeping. We’ll both be suffering today.
