Read Online Blake (Season One: The Ninth Inning #2) by Lindsay Paige, Mary Smith - Free Book Online

shoulder as if I know what he means.
    “I don’t think Hector is good for your health.” I giggle at my lame joke. Every time he talks about Hector, it’s about him riling him up. “You might want to fire him as your friend.”
    “He was fired the moment he nicknamed me Grumpy, but he’s like a bad rash I can’t get rid of.” Blake keeps looking over my head and never into my eyes.
    “I think Grumpy is a perfect name for you. I see you still have that same scowl on your face.” I pause as he flicks his gaze at me for a beat. “Are you doing okay?”
    “Yeah, I’m okay.” He stops and looks very uncomfortable. “I made you cry, huh?”
    I stop rubbing his shoulder, but my hands seem to be glued to his hot skin and tight muscles. “If you must know, I cry easily, but I’m more upset with myself than at you not wanting to be my friend anymore.” I continue my task.
    Blake furrows his brows more and seems to be thinking hard about something. “You’re a good person, Sofia. You don’t need me to be your friend.”
    I’m not going to even dignify that with a comment. I try to focus on his shoulder, but since I have him in a vulnerable position, I ask the one question that has been on my mind for the past three days. “Why did you kiss me? Tell me the truth. Why? Were you just curious or did you think I would be an easy lay?”
    “If I wanted sex, I wouldn’t have walked away. I kissed you because I wanted to, and I actually had fun with you.”
    I step back away from him and drop my hands. He told me the truth. “I had fun too, and I wanted you to kiss me. Well, I didn’t realize it at the moment, but now I do. I’m sorry I ruined our friendship because I do need a friend like you in my life. As much as you need me, too.”
    Blake hops off the table and puts on his shirt. He looks at me skeptically. “You need a friend? Like me ?”
    “Sure, I do.” I try to think of something that will break the steel wall he keeps up. “Even Snow White had a Grumpy in her life. I figure if it’s good enough for Snow White, it’s good enough for me.” I try to hide my smile and keep a serious tone.
    Blake lets the wall down for a brief moment and smiles, shaking his head. “I have no response to that logic.”
    “Who can argue with Disney? I believe there are laws against it.” I grin wider at him. I accomplished my goal. “You’re still cute when you smile, Blakey.”
    “I can’t do it too often because it makes my face feel funny and my cheeks hurt.” He’s joking behind the serious tone he’s putting on.
    “Since I am a professional at muscles, you might need to work them more. It eases the tightness you’re feeling,” I flirt with him.
    “Work them more? What kind of exercises would allow that?” He takes a step closer to me, and I know that lustful look in his eyes.
    “Besides talking, I can think of two other exercises, but I think you need a partner for those.” I give him my best flirtatious smile, thinking about him on my lips and between my legs.
    “Then be my partner and show me.”
    My mouth drops in shock. I can’t be doing this right now. I want to be his friend and help him. “Wait...no...I’m sorry. This is getting a little out of hand. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.” I shake my head as I try to walk away, but Blake blocks my path.
    “You were thinking that you want this as much as I do. But if you’d rather I just be Grumpy to your Snow White, then fine. That works too. Maybe you’re right about me needing you.”
    I look in his hazel eyes. There’s a lot of raw emotions in there. He needs me and for some strange reason, I’m drawn to him, too. I think I might need him just as much as he needs me.
    “I do want this, Blake,” I whisper to him, a sensual tone in my voice; I want him right here and right now. “I just don’t want to rush into anything. I want to be there for you.”
    “I’ll let you as much as I can. One kiss wouldn’t be