Live Me

by Celeste Grande

  “Let me relax you then.” Blake crawled up my body, settling over me.

  “No, thank you. I have to get this done. God, you’re the worst.” I turned my head to the side, unable to bear the weight of his heated gaze. Two more seconds and I’d fold.

  “The best. You meant the best,” he corrected, dipping down to lick the soft exposed skin beneath my ear.

  Tingles raged across my skin. “Yes. The best at being the worst.” My head bent toward the warmth spreading on my neck.

  Blake put his lips to my ear, whispering, “I want you.”

  My voice dipped low as I swore, “Fuck me . . .”

  “Yes, please.” He smiled against my neck and nibbled.

  My head relaxed into the pillow and a soft moan escaped my lips, giving away my weakness. “Another hour. Just let me study one more hour.”

  “Okay, Angel. I’ll let you study . . . in one more hour.” Blake kicked the papers out of the way and pushed up on his arms, grinding into my pelvis.

  I gave in.

  Lord, did I give in.

  I spotted Blake across campus. Running full speed, I leaped and wrapped my legs around him. “I got a ninety-seven!”

  Blake twirled me around. “Congrats, babe. I’ll let you thank me later.” His dimple greeted me whole-heartedly.

  “Always taking all the credit,” I scoffed. “It was my brain that took the test, ya know.”

  He gave me a naughty grin. “Yes, but it was my dick that pounded the information into you.”

  My cheeks flushed as memories of Blake’s unorthodox teaching methods flooded my thoughts.

  A hearty, sexy laugh rumbled in Blake’s chest. “I want to take you somewhere to celebrate. You need to unwind.”

  “Where?”

  “Just dress warm. I’ll be by in twenty.” Blake set me on my feet and slapped me on the ass, sending me scooting away, as I rubbed my sore bottom. He and Jace wouldn’t quit with that.

  To keep Bertha from getting lonely, we stopped there first before venturing out on Blake’s little excursion. It’d been pretty cold and she was starting to look depressed, but she seemed happy to see us, so we didn’t rush. By the time we left, her branches were extra perky.

  A short train ride brought us to mid-town. Blake insisted on covering my eyes while we walked. My heel caught on his toe, and I tripped for the umpteenth time.

  “This is awkward. Are we almost there?”

  “Almost. Haven’t you learned you need to have patience with me yet?” Blake stopped walking and turned me to the left. “Now you can look.”

  He dropped his hands, and my head fell back to take in the enormous tree before me.

  Glittering lights lined every inch. It was so tall, it seemed to go up to the clouds. I stared at the golden statue of the Greek God Prometheus, contemplating the irony that I, myself, was standing next to my own God as well. I took in all of the beauty. I’d never come to see the tree at Rockefeller Center before.

  Flash.

  I blinked repeatedly, trying to focus on Blake.

  “Sorry. I gotta take my moments.” He moved his line of sight to the tree and snapped another photo.

  I frowned. “You really do have to start warning me when you do that. You’re going to blind me one of these days. I’m seeing spots now.”

  “Nonsense. Then it wouldn’t be the spontaneous shot that I’m looking for.” Blake laced his fingers with mine and tugged me alongside him. “So can you skate?”

  I shrugged. “Kinda. I can’t do anything fancy, but I liked to skate when I was little.”

  We approached the rental counter, and my mind drifted as Blake ordered our skates.

  Giggles echoed in my ears, children playing, and I felt myself being swept away by a memory.

  “Damon stop!” I laugh, trying to keep my newly developed body balanced on my skates.

  “I am stopping. See?” He races at me full speed again and then twists to the side, sending a blanket of ice my way.

  I cross my arms over my face to block the spray.

  “Control your boyfriend!” I squeal at Abby.

  Abby crosses her arms over her chest. “Leave her alone, Damon. Don’t pick on people smaller than you. It’s not flattering.”

  “Oh stop. She knows I love her. I’m just playing.” He turns toward me. “Sorry, beautiful. You okay?”

  “Now I’m all wet and cold,” I pout.

  “Here. Take my jacket. I’m sorry.” Damon puts his coat over my shoulders and takes my sister’s hand.

  She offers a soft smile, forgiving him quickly, and they skate off together at a much slower pace.

  Jace skates to my side. “For a cute boy, he can be a real jerk sometimes.”

  It’s taken some getting used to, hearing him talk like that. I’m the only one he’s been comfortable enough to ‘come out’ to. It’s our little secret.

  “I know, but he was just kidding around. He wouldn’t actually hurt me. It’s just annoying.”

  “Very. Come on. Pretend to be my date.”

  I nudge his shoulder. “I am your date.”

  Blake snapped his fingers in front of my face. “You left me again.”

  “Sorry.” I shook my head, pulling myself back to the present.

  There was a teasing glint in his eyes. “What did I say about that word? Now you owe me a kiss.”

  “That’s my punishment? Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.” I laughed as Blake leaned in, peppering me with short, sharp kisses.

  “Sorry,” I added for good measure, and he smiled against my lips.

  “Keep it up and you will be.”

  “Uh-oh. Sounds serious. I better—sorry—watch what I say—sorry.”

  I bent to unzip my boot when a sharp pain stung my backside. I jolted upright, grabbing my rear and turned to see Blake rubbing his palm with his thumb and smiling wickedly.

  “You fight dirty.”

  “I warned you. Do it again and later you get it without the clothes to protect you.”

  I swallowed hard. Was it weird that this turned me on? Every word this guy said seemed to shoot straight to my vagina.

  Flash.

  Mother—“I give up.” I slapped my hands against my thighs and dropped myself onto the bench.

  Blake inspected his latest picture. “Cute.”

  After lacing our skates, he came up behind me, placing his hands on my hips and steering me toward the ice at the foot of the tree.

  I walked with my nose in the air, inspecting it while my head rested back on Blake’s chest and I let out a soft, contented sigh. I couldn’t remember a time when I’d felt so relaxed and free.

  We stood face to face, holding hands. Blake swiveled his hips left to right in a backward motion as he pulled me straight legged. It’d been so long since I’d been on the ice; I hoped I didn’t wind up like Bambi. But Blake was a pro. The fluid movements of his hips made the muscles in my belly dance, and my eyes couldn’t help but follow the smooth figure eight they created.

  “You’re gonna fall if you don’t pay attention,” Blake warned with a playfully boyish face that told me he really didn’t mind the attention at all.

  “I can’t help it. You’re just so good at that.” I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his nether region.

  “You like that, huh?”

  He exaggerated his motions even more, incorporating little circles, and my nipples beaded against my bra. He pulled me to him and I almost fell, but he held on tight. Holding his pelvis flush against mine, he moved me along with him. It felt like a sexual dance. I wasn’t quite sure how he was pulling it off, but somehow he kept us in motion and connected.

  My chest expanded, my breathing quickening, and I moaned. I could feel our connection had the same effect on him, and I became conscious everyone else would see it as well. “We’re going to cause a scene,” I whispered in his ear, breathless.

  “That’s okay. I’m not shy. Let ’em stare.” He ground into me.

  “Women and children,
Blake.”

  “Ugh, fine.” He dropped his forehead to mine and let out a breath of air, moving to my side to take my hand. “But your ass is mine later.”

  “It better fucking be,” I said under my breath, still looking straight ahead.

  Blake cocked an eyebrow. “You’re getting brazen lately. I like it.”

  I smiled. “For you. Only for you.”

  It was my night to work again. I loved the bar, but lately I was enjoying just being alone with Blake. Finals were over and it was almost time to go home for Christmas. I didn’t want to think about what that meant. I just wanted to stay in our own little world we’d created for ourselves where pasts and families didn’t exist.

  I’d called my mom earlier to let her know Blake would be accompanying me home but that I wasn’t staying the week because I had to work. She missed me and wasn’t happy about it, but the fact I was bringing a guy home made her ecstatic.

  Blake took his regular seat at the bar. I pushed up onto my palms and leaned over to give him a kiss. “You’re early.”

  “Couldn’t stay away.” His dimple dimpled.

  Eric slid in the seat beside him. I placed a bar napkin in front him. “What’s up? It’s been a while.”

  “I stayed away so you didn’t realize you made a huge mistake and chose the wrong boyfriend.” He smiled briefly before wincing from the jab of Blake’s elbow to his ribs.

  “Watch it, buddy,” I warned. “My boyfriend doesn’t like to share.”

  “I see that.” Eric rubbed his tender side. “Congrats, Blake. Seems you have it all, I guess.” He played it off like he was joking, but I noticed a hint of jealousy laced behind his forlorn expression. It wasn’t something I was used to seeing from the cocky womanizer, and I wondered if there was more to Eric than he let on.

  “So what’re you guys drinking?”

  Blake’s expression turned menacing, his mouth opening to answer with another dirty drink no doubt, so I placed my hand over his. “No, no. Don’t tell me. Let me.”

  Blake cocked his eyebrow and I winked, my ponytail whipping over my shoulder as I spun on my heel to create my masterpieces.

  I returned a moment later, balancing a blue drink in one hand and a white one in the other. Eric lifted a questioning brow to me at the blue glass I’d placed in front of him.

  “Blue balls.” I grinned.

  Blake grabbed his stomach, falling back with a loud laugh. “Oh, that’s priceless. Please tell me what mine is.”

  “Yours is . . .” I curled one finger at him, and he inched forward. I leaned over the bar. “Angel’s tit.” I breathed into his ear and then licked his lobe.

  Blake froze, his head still turned to the side as he processed. He grabbed the glass zealously and downed its contents in one shot before licking the brim. “I’ll take a pair of those, please.” He slammed the empty glass in front of me.

  “The pleasure would be mine.”

  He winked. “Count on it.”

  “Oh, I will.” I turned, purposefully swaying my hips as I went to make him a second drink.

  I smiled, adding a cherry to Blake’s glass when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I extracted it and saw an incoming text with my sister’s name displayed across the screen.

  Abby: Look up.

  My face screwed in confusion. I lifted my line of sight to the other side of the bar, directly in front of me.

  “Surprise!”

  My mouth fell open as I looked into eyes the same shade of green as mine. “Holy shit, Abs. What’re you doing here?” My heart bounced all over my chest, and my belly freefell to my knees. My eyes darted around, taking inventory of who she was with.

  “I got tired of waiting for you to come visit me, and I wanted to check up on you. Plus, these guys wanted a girls’ night.” She thumbed toward a group of friends.

  A girls’ night. I scanned their familiar faces, my pulse slowing.

  “Rick, cover for me a minute,” I shouted as I ran out from behind the bar. I wrapped my arms around Abby’s neck, then turned to her friends with a huge smile on my face. “Hi, guys! I haven’t seen you in so long.” I kissed each of them, and then laced my fingers with my sister’s. “Come on. There’s someone I want you to meet.” I wanted to take full advantage of finally having Abby to myself without Damon. I missed her something fierce.

  Blake’s gaze followed me around to his side of the bar. Recognition showed on his face. He must have put the resemblance together.

  “Abs, this is Blake. My boyfriend. Blake, this is my sister, Abby.”

  “Hot damn, girl. You can pick ’em.” Abby offered Blake a toothy smile and stuck out her hand.

  “What’s with the hand? Give me a hug. We’re practically family.” Blake pulled her in for a tight squeeze.

  “And this gentleman here is Eric. But don’t get too close. He bites.” I nudged his shoulder.

  “Very funny.” Eric stood to his full six-foot height and took my sister’s hand, staring into her eyes. “Nice to meet you, Abby.”

  Her eyelashes fluttered as she looked away, her cheeks growing flush.

  “Told you.” I smirked.

  Abby withdrew her hand and fiddled with the buttons on her chest. “Nice to meet you, too.” Then she remembered her friends. “Um, this is Barbie, Jena, and Kelly. Ladies, meet Blake and Eric.”

  She looked down to the floor as they shook hands. I’d never seen Abby so flustered. She was always so controlled and put together. And she’d never once had eyes for anyone but Damon. Maybe there was trouble in paradise?

  One could only hope.

  “I have to get back to work. What’re you girls drinking?”

  “Long Island Iced Teas.”

  “Oh, that sounds delish. I’ll take one, too. Gimme some sugar.” Jace came up and wrapped his arm around Abby’s neck.

  “Jace!” she squealed.

  “So he is alive.” I scowled at him.

  “Hush it. I’ve been getting my freak on.” He looked at Blake and waggled his finger in a zig-zag motion. “And so have you, I might add.”

  “Touché. Gimme a kiss. Some of us have to work.”

  Jace leaned forward, dangling one calf behind him as he planted one on my lips. He turned to Blake. “Not a word. I’m allowed to do that.”

  Blake put his hands up defensively. “I wasn’t going to say anything. Don’t get catty now.”

  Jace smiled. “Good boy.” He turned his sights on Eric. “And you. You ready to play with the big boys yet? I won’t wait around forever, ya know.”

  Eric scoffed. “Psshh . . . I know I couldn’t handle you. You’re too much man for me.”

  So his flirting really did know no boundaries.

  “Honey, you have no idea what you’re missing. You’d love a ride on this disco stick.” Jace pulsed his hips and turned dramatically, throwing a hand in the air. He palmed a stool and wrapped his legs around it, staring at Eric with his eyebrow raised and his tongue propped on the side of his mouth.

  I nearly spit out my drink. “Okay, calm down, killer. There are no poles in this bar.”

  “Too bad.” Jace fingered the straw in the glass I’d set in front of him, took a long hard pull, and then let out a shiver. “Whew. God, I love your heavy hand.” We blew air kisses at each other.

  Jace patted the stool next to him. “Abby, get your ass over here. We need to catch up. You bitches, too. It’s been too long.” He waved her friends over.

  Abby, it seemed, still hadn’t recovered from her encounter with Mr. Smooth. She nearly tripped, pulling her gaze from the side of Eric’s head as she took the seat beside Jace.

  “Pretty, isn’t he?” Jace winked at Eric, who was caught staring at Abby.

  “Are the girls coming?” I asked Jace.

  “Yep. They’ll be here in three . . . two . . . one . . .” He flicked his wrist toward the door and snapped. Sure enough, Sandra and Jessie came floating through its frame.

  Thankfully, the break in Sandra’s leg wasn’t that
severe and she didn’t need the cast for too long. She still harbored a slight limp and a small scar beside her eye, but other than that, you’d never know anything had happened to her. Physical therapy three times a week had done wonders. Jeremy hardly ever let her out of his sight, which made me smile when he filed in behind her.

  Jace did the honors of introducing everyone, and instantly my old crew was socializing with my new one. I took a moment, looking at my sister, boyfriend, and all of my friends lining the bar. My vision blurred, and I turned so no one would notice the mist covering my eyes. For someone who had spent so much time trying to push people away and remain alone, I sure was surrounded by a lot of love.

  I busied myself for the next few hours as everyone took a turn at the mic for karaoke night.

  Everyone but Blake.

  And his fine ass was walking in that direction.

  This should be entertaining. I propped my chin in my hand and leaned on the bar.

  A quick, fun drumbeat started, and Blake threw his rocker fingers in the air, air banging his head to a cute little bop as the intro to Cheap Trick’s, I Want You To Want Me played.

  Blake circled his hands around the silver stand like a rock star and looked right at me, seductively purring the opening line into the mic.

  I threw my head back and laughed, coming up to yell in Rick’s ear, “Be right back.”

  Pouring a bottle from each hand, he shouted back, “Sure thing.”

  I scooted out from behind the bar, through the throngs of women who looked like they wanted to throw their bras at my boyfriend, and headed toward the awful voice crackling from the speakers.

  But it was Blake’s voice, and that made it beautiful.

  Blake squinted his eyes, accentuating the infliction in his words with feeling and emotion. And then . . . he scrunched up his nose and wiggled his ass, telling me he’d come home early from work if I told him I loved him.

  My eyes never wavered as I howled in encouragement and mouthed, ‘I love you’.

  He let out a rocker’s yell, lost in the role. Wincing, I laughed, as I continued to stare in awe at the man of my dreams as he played the air guitar. Blake slammed to his knees as the tempo slowed again. He crawled toward me, finishing off the lyrics. When he reached my feet, he slithered up the length of my body, flushed and huffing, and then he claimed my lips.