A Life Without Fear (Life #2) (19 page)

“Oh Blake, I’m not going to be able to hold myself up if you keep doing that.”

Breaking away from my clit he responds, “Don’t worry, baby, I won’t let you fall.”

With that, he resumes his position between my legs and goes at it with a vengeance, burying his face into my pussy and licking me senseless. The water is running down my body and landing on his face, but it doesn’t stop him. My moans are loud and demanding, I’m holding onto his shoulders for support. When I think my legs are going to give out and an orgasm is going to overtake me, I push him away. He stands and I wrap my legs around his waist once more and he slams into me as my back hits the wall.

“
Fuck!
Blake, fuck me, faster,” my voice is unrecognizable.

“Whatever you want, baby.” Blake pounds into me harder and harder. The pressure I feel inside of me is at an all-time high, and I feel the explosion coming. “How’s that Angelica? Is that what you want? How about this?”

Without waiting for a response, he pulls out of me and quickly turns me around so my front is now on the shower wall. He slams back into me and relentlessly thrusts from behind, hitting an all new spot and having me seeing stars.

“Christ Almighty Blake, I’m going to come. I’m going to come.” I’m panting the words out. He doesn’t let up in the slightest. He holds my hips tightly, slamming into me harder and I’m lost to the orgasm that hits me. “
Blake!
” I scream as I come, he grunts incoherently and follows my lead and yells my name when he finds his own release. Panting against the wall, I feel him slowly pull out of me. Turning around, I find him standing there just staring at me in awe.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” A blush creeps across my cheeks.

“You’re cute when you blush like that.” He pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my hair.

He walks us under the stream of water and washes my body with his manly smelling body wash. Once I’m rinsed to his liking, he washes himself quickly then we both walk out. He grabs a towel off the warmer and wraps me up in it. We move into his closet and he finds me an oversized shirt to wear. Slipping it on, I then head back into the bathroom to comb my hair.

Walking into the bedroom, I find him pulling back the comforter on his bed. Walking up to him, I kiss his back then slip into bed. He gets in behind me and pulls me to him before covering us both.

“Goodnight Angelica. I love you.”

“Goodnight Blake, I love you too.”

Feeling a great sense of peace overcome my body, I easily fall asleep.

Internally groaning at the sound of my alarm, I reach across Blake’s very nice pectorals and silence my phone.

“Mmm, I like the way you groan,” he says in a deep, gruff morning voice.

“Sorry, it was meant to be an internal groan, I hadn’t realized I did it aloud. Go back to sleep.” I kiss him tenderly before climbing over him.

“Not so fast, why are you up so early?” He pulls me on top of him and nestles into my neck.

“I have a few things that need to be done for dinner right now.”

“Jesus, I had no idea so much work went into Thanksgiving dinner. I’m going to have to call my mom and thank her for all the Thanksgivings she cooked us.”

“Yes, you should,” I say with a giggle.

“I can’t go back to sleep now, so how about I run and get us some coffee and breakfast while you start cooking?”

“Oh, that’s a great plan,” I shriek.

“Man, you really do love your morning coffee don’t you?” He slaps my ass as I stand. “Mmm, nice.”

“Get out of here, caveman. Go get me my coffee.” I grab my overnight bag and head into the bathroom to change into some sweats.

“As you wish, m’lady.” He stands. The man is stark naked, and with a cocky grin he walks into his closet with incredibly hard morning wood.

“Have you no shame?” I ask throwing a sock at him.

“Not where you’re concerned I don’t,” he responds as he disappears into the closet.

An hour later we’re both sitting at his kitchen table drinking our coffee and eating the most delicious donuts. Everything I needed to do this morning has been done. I just now need to prep a few more things, but otherwise the day will be spent just monitoring the stove and oven.

The rest of the morning we spent lounging around before we decide to get ready for the evening at around noon. Blake takes all of ten minutes to get ready, whereas it takes me about an hour to be happy with my hair, makeup, and outfit. Once I’m pleased I join Blake in the kitchen and start chopping some veggies for an appetizer.

At 1:00 p.m. there’s a knock on Blake’s door, knowing it’s not my guests arriving early I let Blake answer the door. He’s smiling as he walks past me to answer it. Curious as to what has him so happy, I follow him to the entry way.

“Good afternoon Mr. Harper. We’re all ready if you are.” I hear a woman’s voice.

“Of course, right this way.” He turns to the side and I see a woman in her late forties walk past him.

“Good afternoon, I’m Rebecca and this is Sarah. We won’t take up much of your time.” She smiles kindly then walks past me to the dining room.

She’s carrying three large bags and Sarah is walking in with a rolling suitcase. Blake closes the door behind them then walks up to me.

“You told me to cover the decorating. So I hired Rebecca. She’s the best of the best, or at least that’s what my mother told me.” He kisses my forehead then heads into the dining room after her.

Oh Blake, only that man would hire someone to decorate for dinner. When I told him to decorate I thought he might buy a turkey themed tablecloth, I should’ve known better. I hear their murmurs of conversation in the next room as I continue on with my appetizers.

About an hour later Blake escorts Rebecca and Sarah out. Curious to see what they’ve done, I grab my glass of wine and head into the dining room. I’m stunned. She’s completely changed the appearance of the room with slight accents everywhere. Strong arms wrap around my waist from behind.

“Your mom was right. The woman is a miracle worker.”

Breaking away from him I take in the room. The table cloth is a rich gold color, the cloth napkins are dark red. Various sized candles in different shades of white are in the middle of the table along with real pumpkins and various other harvest vegetables. Each spot has a name tag written in intricate calligraphy leaning against a small pumpkin. I pick up Joey’s and can feel the richness of the paper used and the thick ink on the pen. Three plates are set on each setting, all rimmed in the same gold as the table cloth and with delicate scrolls all around. Two glasses accompany the plates. I lift them to feel their weight and they’re heavy, beautiful pieces. Putting it down I walk into the living room which I hadn’t even noticed she decorated as well. The fireplace is lit and around the mantle there are autumn leaves and tall pillared candles. There are decorative pillows on the couch to match the table.

“She had all these in her bags? What is she…
Mary Poppins
? Jesus, I need her in my life. If she did this in an hour, imagine what she could do to my house in a few days!” My voice mirrors the amazement I feel.

“Your place is beautiful as it is, you don’t need her. Although she did an excellent job decorating didn’t she?”

“Oh Blake, it’s amazing.”

Together we head back into the kitchen and start bringing the appetizers to the coffee table in the living room. When I return with the last tray filled with stuffed mushrooms, we hear banging on the door.

Now that will be my guests.

“I’m
coming,
” I scream.

“Quit fucking and let us in already!”
Joey yells from the other side of the door.
“I’m starving.”

“Such a gentleman that one,” Blake says jokingly as he opens the front door. “Hello, Joey.”

“My, my, my, don’t you clean up well.” Joey walks in while patting Blake on the back. “Blake meet Liam and Sammy.”

“Nice to meet you.” Blake shakes both of their hands.

“Lordy, look at your place it’s gorg!” Sammy’s flamboyant voice rings out. “Don’t mind me I’ll just be looking around. I need to find me a man in this building. Know any gay men in here Blakey?”

“Haha, I’m afraid not.”

“So you think, you’d be surprised how many straight men love them some Sammy.” With a sashay of his hips, Sammy walks past Blake and heads straight for me. “Oh my bella Angie girl, look at how perfect you look in this setting doll.”

“Oh my, Sammy dear, what setting would that be?” I ask quizzically.

“You know the whole housewife thing you have going for yourself. I like it, it suits you well. Now don’t you mind me, I’m just going to give myself a tour of the place.”

“Okay, don’t get lost,” I say with a wink as Sammy disappears down the hall.

“Oh Sammy, what would we do without him?” Joey asks no one in particular.

“We would live a very dull life, that’s what we would do,” I respond.

“Good point.”

Walking up to Liam, I hug him gently and show him and Joey into the living room.

“Holy shit, this is slightly different than the scene last night.” Joey walks around and takes in all the decorations.

“Blake hired a decorator to set the ambiance for the evening.”

“Damn! Well, whoever it was does a damn good job.”

“Yes, she did.” Admiring it all again with him.

“May I get you all some wine?” Blake asks the room.

“Yes, you may, doll. Something warm and red please,” Sammy says as he walks past us into the kitchen.

“As you wish, sir,” Blake responds while bowing.

“God Blake don’t spoil him with attention like that, then he’ll expect us all to cater to him,” Joey says with faked annoyance.

“Don’t you listen to him. He just doesn’t know how a real man is supposed to treat his guests,” Sammy snorts.

“You haven’t been a guest in over a decade…you’re family. Like an annoying little brother that I can’t shake away.”

“Pft, hush, you love me and wish I was around more.”

We all laugh at their exchange and follow Blake and Sammy into the kitchen to make our selections of wines to start the evening off with. Then we head back into the living room to snack on some appetizers while dinner continues to cook. As we’re gathered around on the sectional, I notice the way Joey and Liam sit, close enough together that their thighs touch yet they keep their hands in their own laps. Joey complements Liam perfectly. Where Joey is vocal, Liam is closed off, taking a while to come out of his shell. Blake places his arm around my shoulders and draws me closer to him.

“Praise Madonna, what’s in this spread Angie? It is simply fabulous!” Sammy says with a mouth full of food.

“Mainly cream cheese but the secret ingredient is salmon,” I say with a wink.

“Blake you’re lucky I’m not straight or I would’ve snatched up that woman so fast!”

“I know how lucky I am.” His voice has a subtle undertone that makes me squirm in my seat a little.

The rest of the afternoon is spent drinking and snacking. At around five I have everyone help me bring all the food to the table. It takes a few trips—I may have over done it, but eventually we get it all positioned. Once everyone finds their designated seats, I fetch my cell phone and call Granddad and Betty on speakerphone. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always called them before meals on major holidays so that they can lead me in grace. Regardless of where I’ve been or who I have been with, I’ve always done it. Today, being no exception from the rest, I call them to have them both lead our pre-meal prayer.

“Hey there, baby doll,” my granddad’s rich deep voice answers on the other end of the line.

“Hey Granddad, I’ve got you on speaker. We’re about to dig into our Thanksgiving feast and I wanted to call you and Betty first to lead us in grace.”

“Oh Angelica, it means the world to us that you still call us for this.”

“I know Granddad and I always will.”

“Quit hoggin’ the phone and let me talk to her,” Betty calls from somewhere behind my granddad.

“I’ll let Betty do the honors this time, I’ll get the next one.”

“Sounds good, Granddad. I love you.”

“I love you too, and I hope you all have a great meal. Angelica cooked so I have no doubt ya’ll will be enjoying yourselves.”

A chorus of thank you’s is yelled from around the table. I look up and see a soft smile on everyone’s lips, it brings so much happiness that they all wait so patiently for this.

“Hey there sweet girl, you got all that delicious food set and ready?” Betty asks.

“Yes she does and it smells divine. My stomach is growling to the heavens,” Joey calls back.

“I bet it does. Well, let’s not waste any time let’s bow our heads for grace.”

We all silently obey her orders. I sneak a peek to see if everyone is participating and to my joy they all are.

“Dear Father, we thank you for the food on the table before us, the friends at the table around us, and the family we hold near even when we are far. We ask that you bless this meal that our friends and family are about to enjoy and we ask that you make sure you give Rodger a few treats from the big table in heaven. We thank you for this day that’s being spent with those we love the most, and we pray that we’re able to continue this tradition for many years to come. In heaven’s name, Amen.”

“Amen,” we all say at the same time.

I feel the tear falling down my cheek, God bless that woman for mentioning Rodger in such a wonderfully light way. She knows how much that would mean to me.

“I love you, Betty.”

“I love you too child. Now go on and enjoy the fruits of your labor and we’ll see you real soon.”

After a chorus of goodbyes, I end the call and we dig into everything on the table before us. Looking around while everyone fills their plates brings so much joy to my heart. Joey is so blissfully happy with Liam you can practically see it radiating off of him. Liam has relaxed a bit and is opening up. His smile is from ear to ear. Sammy—my ever flamboyant friend—is just a bundle of joy wherever he is. Currently, he has a mouth full of turkey and is raising his wine glass to cheers.

“I’d like to make a toast. To Angelica for working her sexy little ass off to feed all us manly men and to Blake for opening his God damn gorgeous home to us. Thank you both.”

“You’re all very welcome. It was a pleasure to make all this food for you all, thank you for coming.”

Two hours later after dinner’s been eaten and dessert is long gone, Sammy bids his farewells. Joey and Liam stay a little longer with us and we enjoy each other’s company in front of the fireplace. At around nine they make their way out, thanking us yet again. When it’s just Blake and myself we lay on the couch together. He’s behind me holding me around the chest. I’m lying on his arm enjoying the silence and the feel of the warmth radiating from the fireplace. This moment right here, this moment of completeness, is one that I’ll try to always strive for. A day spent with most of the best people in my life and ending just like this, in the arms of the man I love. A life without fear, what a wonderful life this will be…