Having showered quickly I tied my wet hair into a top knot and quickly put back on my dress. Bracing my hands on the sink I studied my reflection seriously.
It was the family dinner tonight, if Jasper grew suspicious of us not only could it hinder us from finding the required evidence but it could also be dangerous, surely someone willing to kill his lover and unborn child wouldn't hesitate to take out those trying to prove it.
I needed to speak to Blade and stop all the sexcapades because the more this continues the more likely I will be hurt once all this fakeancé business is over. I doubt a worldly man like Blade Night is in danger of catching feelings but I was worried I already had!
Resolved to stay strong and discuss this without stuttering and blushing like an inexperienced school girl I took a deep breath and marched out of the bathroom - a woman on a mission.
Night, who had dressed as well whilst I was in the bathroom, looked up as the door opened, smirking, and my resolve almost crashed and burned in one of his dimples..
"Listen up Blade, you have to promise not to kiss me or touch me again, because I clearly can't control myself around you but.. wait no.. I can control myself.. I meant you need to control yourself! So no kissy no touchy or I'm done with this whole situation!"
During my little tirade Blade had risen from the couch and come to stand in front of me and I realised quickly that he found me entertaining not someone to be respected and I felt myself deflate. Weak and hating it I cut him off as he went to respond.
"Blade please"
my voice broke so I cleared my throat and tried again, mortified that I had given myself away but slightly gratified to see that he was now frowning.
"Blade please promise me we'll keep it professional from now. I don't want this."
Blade smiled a hard, cold smile. Grabbing my arm he started guiding me from the room.
"Ok princess I won't touch you sexually again, I think I've proved enough that you do want me. Next time you'll have to initiate it but know once that happens I won't stop again."
Standing in the lift going down to the car I felt awkward and wanted to clear the air before getting to my family's house for dinner. I racked my brain to try and think of a topic that would be neutral and then it hit me.. Lane and Nate!
"When did you last speak to Nate?"
I peered up at Blade with a cheeky smile on my face and he tilted his head to the side slightly which was so adorable I almost threw myself into his arms and he gave me that knowing smile again like he could read my every thought about him!
"While you were getting dressed actually. Why?"
" Did he talk about Lane? You know that they've only spent a couple of nights apart since they met?"
Blade rolled his eyes and I stuck my tongue out at him.
"They're coming for dinner with us tomorrow night, Nate was already coming but he asked if he could bring his girl. I'm guessing that's Lane?"
Blade cleared his throat and I realised I had gotten so excited for Lane that I had launched myself at him! Pushing away abruptly I assured him that did not count as me initiating anything and was all about Lanes happiness. He ignored me instead steering me towards where Briggs waited with the car.
* * *
After a quick stop off at home to get dressed we were now outside my mums front door. Blade had showered and changed into a navy blue suit, white shirt and no tie. I wanted to lick him but didn't share that little tidbit with him! My hair had dried into natural waves from the top knot earlier so I had left it loose with one side clipped back along with a cream sweater dress and heeled black ankle boots.
I looked at Blade anxiously while waiting for the housekeeper to answer the door and he ran a soothing hand down my back then slipped his fingers between my own and squeezed.
"We're a team wildcat", he said out of the side of his mouth, not looking at me in case we were being watched, " everything's gonna be ok".
The door swung open and together we stepped into the house. My mum ran forward cooing and simpering and seeing Missy behind her I remembered that incident 3 weeks ago. I had been so mad but the following day when I was sleep deprived and walking around like a zombie I had received a heartfelt letter from Missy explaining her actions and the fact Blade had been asleep and how sorry she was and that she wanted a relationship with me! I had been so happy reading that letter that for once I was actually looking forward to seeing her!
In the 0.5 seconds it took for all that to run through my mind I realised that Missy was keeping a respectful distance back from Blade and was making no efforts to try and seduce him this time and when making darting glances at him looked almost afraid.
Hmm looking at the terror on her face I guessed Blade was responsible for her writing that letter and her change of heart towards me - it looked like he'd scared her to death! I smiled up at him warmly and, having followed my eyeline and as usual following my thought process he rolled his eyes affectionately at me so I pressed a quick kiss to his cheek then turned to greet my family.
* * *
I pushed my empty dessert plate away from me, rubbing my rounded belly in satisfaction. Blade snorted quietly next to me leaning down to whisper in my ear
"If I hadn't seen it I never would have believed you could eat that much"
I shoved him playfully and reached for the last strawberry on his plate.
"You shamed my food-baby-belly so this is mine now"
but before I could get it in my mouth Blade was there his lips kissing my fingers as he ate the strawberry out of my hand.
I knew my eyes had darkened and I swayed towards him helplessly as I saw the answering need on his face only to be stopped in my tracks by my mother clearing her throat.
I looked around the table, knowing my face was as red as the strawberry the delinquent president had just eaten out of my hand, and took solace in the fact no one could possibly be thinking we were faking the engagement!
"Erm I think I'll take Blade for a tour to walk off some of this delicious food, I'll bring him back for coffee in about half an hour is that okay?"
As I was addressing this to my mother Blade and I were already standing and walking towards the dining room door so to deny us would seem silly.
"Alright dear we will have the drinks ready in the lounge room"
Dragging Blade behind me I breathed a sigh of relief once we were out of that oppressive atmosphere. Jasper was keeping a watchful silence, he had maybe said two words throughout dinner and likewise Missy had stayed quiet so my mother, Blade and I had chattered away to fill the awkward silences. Missy I could understand but Jasper seemed to suspect something!
Looking around quickly and seeing no one was within sight I quietly pulled Blade into Jaspers home office. Putting only the desk lamp on so no bright light could be seen outside I gestured around to Blade to start searching for evidence.
We had been rifling through drawers and cabinets when Blade made a muffled yelp holding a blank envelope in the air and a letter in the other he mouthed that the letter was written by Flora. He pressed record on his phone and took a video of the letter and envelope then sent a copy to Nate before putting the letter back where he found it.
A noise at the door startled me and I threw myself into Blades arms kissing him desperately hoping he would play along so whoever was entering the office would think we had just stepped in for some privacy not to nose around.
"What are you doing in here? Get up now"
Jasper's furious voice broke through our kiss, at some point in the few seconds between my launching myself at him and Jasper speaking Blade had spread me out over the desk and was nestled between my legs, the fact I didn't even notice speaking volumes on his finesse.
"Jasper, I'm so sorry I was taking Blade on a tour and I dragged him in here for a quick kiss please don't blame him"
I quickly jumped in before Jasper could say anything else and Blade gently squeezed my shoulders from behind.
"Sir I apologise you had to walk in and see that but I'm responsible we are getting married after all. Now is it time for coffee?"
He spoke amiably like he hadn't a care in the world and I found myself once again in awe of his capabilities. As we passed Jasper, heading for the office door, he put an arm in front of us, halting us.
"Don't come in here again without my permission"
then he swivelled on his heel and held the door open for us and locked it once we had exited. I could feel how much Blade wanted to fire something at him about trustworthiness or some such but he held it back and again I was so impressed.
The three of us headed towards the lounge room, Jasper leading the way, when Blade the scoundrel lent forward and whispered in my ear
"You didn't even last 2 hours before you took the initiative, I'm looking forward to getting home."