When You Blush (The Blackwells of Montana, #4)

by Kristen Proby

His arms wrap around me as he holds me close. I push my nose against his neck and breathe him in, remembering every blissful moment from last night. It was perfect. He made me feel amazing. Like I was the only woman in the world. Like I’m his only focus, and let me just say, having Blake’s undivided attention is the best. I’ve never really been a snuggler until this man. He held me all night as if he was terrified I’d sneak out on him again. His arms were banded around me, holding me against his chest, and I have to admit that it felt amazing. I didn’t feel the need to roll away from him even once.

The door is barely closed behind us when I turn to her, cage her in against the door, and kiss her like I’m starved for her. Because I am. I boost her up, and she wraps her legs around my waist, and we cling to each other as we explore each other’s mouths. She tastes like wine and heaven. She tastes like mine.

I want to ask her to move out of Xander’s house and in with me. Then we might get more stolen moments together between shifts. I’d at least see her every day, even if only for a few minutes. But even I know that it’s too soon for that. I don’t want to scare her away.

“We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing,” I say instead and drag my hands up and down her slim back. “We’re going to talk as much as possible, see each other whenever we can, and take it day by day. We’re going to figure it out, Harper, because being without you isn’t an option for me.” She blinks and bites her bottom lip. “I don’t want to be without you either.” “Good. Then the rest will work itself out.” She leans her forehead against mine. “I hope so.”

Slowly, she blinks them open and smiles up at me. “You’re the best thing I’ve ever woken up to.” And just like that, here at this moment with that sleepy declaration, I’ve slipped right into love with this remarkable woman. There’s no going back for me. She’s everything I never knew I needed in my life.

I don’t like being the center of attention.” “You’re the center of my attention,” I remind her. “For two days.” She nods, but I lean in and press my lips to her ear. “Even if I’m not physically with you, you’re the fucking center of my attention. You’re never far from my mind, sugar.”

“He’s an absolute fucking idiot, Harper. I’m grateful because now you’re mine, and I’ll never make the mistake of fucking it up with you like that, but what a complete moron.” You’re mine. Why does that make me so hot?

“You’re amazing,” he says against my lips. “There is nothing about your past that scares me. You’re so fucking strong, Harper. I’m proud of you. And if you need me to remind you every fucking day that I am your biggest fan, that I want to lose myself inside you and only you every chance I get, and that you’re absolutely beautiful inside and out, I will. I have no problem with that.” I cup his cheek and close my eyes, leaning into him. “Thank you.” “It’s my job to make sure you feel safe.”

We can do takeout from now on if it makes you more comfortable.” “I’ll be just fine, sugar. Don’t worry about me.” She tips her head to the side. “I’ll worry about you because I care about you. But I believe you if you say you’re okay. Because I just fell head over heels for this ravioli.” And I’ve fallen head over heels for you.

“I want you to spend time with the people I love. I don’t know if you’ve figured it out yet, but you’re my girlfriend.” “Wow, we’re labeling this.” “Call it whatever you want.” He pushes in closer to me. “You’re mine, and I’m sure as fuck yours. I want you with me, and that includes when I’m with my family.”

This woman has become the center of my universe. The reason for every breath, the one person who means the most to me in this world. I’m so in love with her that I ache with it.

“Blake.” It’s a whisper, and I pull up to look her in the eyes, but she has hers closed. “Yes, baby.” “Don’t break my heart, okay?” Her eyes open, and she presses her lips together in a line, and I know down to my soul that this is as vulnerable as this woman gets. “I will never intentionally hurt you.”

“I love you so much, Harper.” Her hands still. Her entire body tightens. And I don’t like that at all. “Relax, I’m not proposing,” I tell her, but that doesn’t help her. “Okay, talk to me, sugar.” “I don’t know what to say.” Her voice shakes, and I push up onto my elbows so I can see her. “Because I do care about you more than anyone else in my life.” She swallows hard and looks like she might cry. “Whoa, baby. Take a breath.” I inhale, and she follows suit. “That wasn’t supposed to give you a panic attack.” “I’m not good at words,” she says softly. Her hands start to move against me once more, and I take that as a good sign. “Even when I’m on the same page. Which is so not fair to you.” She’s not running away. “You don’t have to say anything at all.” “I’ve never said those words to anyone in my life, ever.” She blinks as if she’s just realizing that, and I wrap her in my arms and turn us onto our sides so we can talk.

you are so fucking lovable, baby. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You deserve everything good in this world. I’m so damn sorry that your parents were so deep into their addiction that they didn’t see how unbelievable you are.” Her eyes well, and it’s my undoing. I tug her to me and wrap my arms around her, needing to be closer to her. Needing to show her how amazing she is.

“I love you, Harper. And I will say those words often until you finally trust them. I’ll say it enough for both of us.”

“Christ, you’re amazing.” I sit up and glide my hands down to her ass, lifting her up and down on my shaft. “You’re mine, Harper. Do you understand?” She bites my lip and then nods. “And you’re mine, Blake.”

He’s so handsome when he smiles at me like this. Like he’s so taken with me, so smitten. He loves me. I about had an aneurysm when those words came out of that talented mouth last night. They were full of passion and truth, and for a heartbeat, I was terrified. And then a warmth I’ve never felt before moved through me. My heart ached but in a delicious way. In a way that told me this was a life-altering moment, and I fucked it up. I wish I’d said it back. I wish it was easy for me to say it back. Because I do love him. I love everything about this man. So why can’t I tell him?

“She’s just different. I took one look at her, and it was like I recognized her on a molecular level. Like something inside me said Oh, there you are. I know that everyone gives me shit because I don’t see a woman more than once, and I never get attached, but I think I was waiting for her all this time, and I didn’t even know it.”

I love you, Blake. I’m glad you found your person.” My person. Yeah, that’s exactly what she is.

She sighs and cups my face in her hands, and I know she wants to tell me she loves me. It’s like when we were on the trail, and I could see it all over her face. “I love you too, baby.” Her eyes fill with tears again, and I brush them away. “I’m fine, my love. I feel it every day. I don’t need the words.

Loving Harper is … all-consuming. She’s become the most important thing in my life, even more than medicine, and that’s something I never expected to find. I didn’t want it. But now that she’s here, I can’t imagine a life without her in it. Yes, priorities are shifting.

“You’re mine, Harper.” My hips move fast, pounding into her tight-as-fuck pussy. “This pussy is mine.” She clings to me, panting, her eyes glassy. “Say it,” I order her. “All of me is yours, Blake.”

“Blake.” “Yes, baby.” She pauses, then says, “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” I grin and kiss her cheek. “Same here, my love. Same here.”

I really like Blake’s house. Our house. But it’s right here, sitting in his strong arms that I truly feel like I’m at home. Because Blake is my home.

I’m the most precious thing in Blake’s world. He will never hurt me like Nathan did. He’ll never neglect and leave me like my parents did. This man loves me. Blake loves me. Bringing my hands to his face again, and with my lips ghosting against his, I whisper, “You’re my home, Blake.”

He is everything I respect, everything I need. “You’re everything.” Tears fill my eyes, but these tears are happy ones. “You’re my home.” He brushes a tear away and rests his forehead against my own. “I can’t ever be without you again, Harper. My life doesn’t work without you in it.” “I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

There are moments when seeing her is a punch in the gut. When all I can do is stare because she’s so fucking incredible, it steals the breath from my body, and I have no words to describe how absolutely phenomenal she is.

“Surprise babies.” I shake my head, but I don’t feel the dread or fear that would have come at the mention of an unplanned pregnancy before I met Harper. In fact, the idea of a home and children with this woman doesn’t frighten me at all. I’m changing all my rules for her.

I start the ultrasound. The heartbeat starts right away, shifting something in my soul, and then it’s on the screen, beating strong. “Is everything okay?” Harper asks. “Tell me it’s okay, Blake.” That’s our baby. I study the screen and take measurements. Nine weeks. This little one has existed for nine weeks, and we didn’t know.

“We’re consenting adults, Harper. I can’t keep my hands off you. You believed that your birth control was working, and if I was worried about that, I could have used condoms. I told you that I love you before we had any inkling that you could be pregnant. You moved in with me. We’re a team, sugar, so no. I don’t feel trapped in any way. I want you. I need you in my life.”

I press my hand to her stomach, and a ghost of a smile spreads over her lips. My clinical brain knows there’s a baby in there. I know all the medical nuances about everything happening in Harper’s body. The how and why and when. But this is my girl, the woman who I’m so in love with, it’s a living, breathing emotion in every cell of my body, carrying my child. And that makes every bit of my medical degree go right out the window.

“My sister isn’t the only one over the moon.” Her eyes fill with so much hope as she stares at me. “Really?” “Absolutely. You’re what I want. I have no doubts about that. You moving in here was just the beginning, and when you’re ready, we’ll talk about more.” “I mean, I’m pregnant, Blake. Wow, that’s still weird to say. I don’t know how much more there can be?” I lift a brow and tap her ring finger. “I don’t want you to propose just because⁠—” “Don’t even finish that sentence.” I press my finger to her mouth and frown down at her. “In case you missed it, I love you. That’s why I’ll propose one day, sugar.” But first, I need you to tell me you love me, too.

Resting my cheek against his back, I lean on him, soaking in his warmth. “I love you so much, it scares the shit out of me.” He starts to move, but I hold him tight. “Let me say this part.” Bringing my hand up to his lips, he whispers, “Okay.” “Being in love with you is so easy, Blake. You’re incredible. I couldn’t respect you any more than I do. You’re everything I’ve ever needed and wanted in my life, and now that I have you, I’m terrified that I’ll lose you.”

“I can’t stand the thought of you thinking that just because the words are hard for me, that I don’t love you so much,” I whisper against his lips. “I’ve never said them before to anyone. But Blake, you’re the beginning and end for me. When I need to talk, you’re who I want.

I just need you to know that you’re my person. You’re everything. I’m going to work on saying the words more because you deserve to hear that I love you every fucking day. You’re so damn good to me.”

“I love you.” He kisses my head, and I smile, feeling braver. Saying the words isn’t hard when the love is spilling out of every fucking pore of my body. “I love you, too.” Seeing him in that room, in the dark, planning our baby’s safe place just kicked my heart over the edge. How can I not tell him how I feel? After an exhale, he tips my chin up and smiles softly. “Please say it again.” “I’m so crazy in love with you, Blake Blackwell.”

“This is what I want, baby.” He tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “I need to cut back on my hours so I have more time with you and the bean. Yes, my job is important, but it’ll never be more important than my family.” His hand covers my baby bump, and he smiles softly.

“We’re having a girl.” The giddiness bubbles up within me, and I bounce on the balls of my feet. “A little baby girl. And I think she’s going to be spicy.” “Of course, she is.” He kisses me so softly, so gently, that it makes my knees weak. “Let’s take a selfie.” Just like the first time. I smile and open my phone. Blake shifts us so the mountains and lake are in the background, and we smile at the lens. He takes a few, then kisses my temple and takes another. “One more,” he says. I look up at him, and he kisses my lips, snapping that moment as well. And then, when I shove my phone back in my pocket, I turn to find my sexy man down on one knee, with a gorgeous ring clutched in his fingers.

“I love you so much, Harper. I can’t believe I endured the bare minimum for so long when you existed the entire time. You’ve shown me what it means to truly be in love, be best friends with the one person you can’t wait to see at the end of the day, and be with the one you trust above all else.” Tears flow freely down my cheeks as I listen to every single beautiful word flowing out of his lips. I don’t want to forget anything. “I love the life we’re building together. No one gets me like you do. You set me on fire, and you soothe me all at the same time.” God, at this rate, I’ll never stop crying. “You’re everything good in this life, and I’d love nothing more than for you to be my wife. The mother of my children. I will do everything in my power, every single day, to make sure you never forget how much I fucking worship you.” I squat in front of him, and my hands cover his. “I love you, and I feel so lucky that I found you. Of course, I’ll marry you.” He wraps his arms around me, and we rise to our feet as his lips cover mine, kissing me almost desperately. And then, he slips the ring on my finger, and more tears come.

“I think her name is Isabelle. We’ll call her Belle, keeping with the B tradition. Is that okay with you?” His smile could light up the night sky. “Yeah, baby. Yeah, that’s more than okay with me. Now, what kind of wedding do you want?” “Small. Just our families and closest friends.” “Shit, that’s not small, sugar.” I chuckle with him as he rests his forehead against mine. “I guess it’s not. Can we wait to do it until after the baby comes, so I can wear a pretty dress that isn’t a tent, and Belle can be there, too?” “Baby, you can have whatever you want. Always. But maybe we take care of the legalities before she’s born.” I cup his cheek, loving him so much. “Justice of the peace, you and me, before she’s born, and a celebration after.” “It’s going to be a great life, Harper.” “It already is.”