Her One Night Consequence, page 12
Asia nodded because she was trying to calm down her overactive libido. She was the one who had pulled sex off the table, but right now all she wanted was to feel Blake’s mouth on hers once more. To feel his mouth everywhere. She was like an addict, desperate for her next fix.
Once she’d left the building, Asia sat in her car and tried to catch her breath. The engagement, the business, all of it was moving so quickly. She wanted Six Gems to get off the ground, but she hadn’t planned on having a husband and baby to go along with it. Despite it all, Asia already loved this little one. She patted her stomach. She would do whatever was necessary to ensure that they had a good life, even if it meant hitching herself to the man whom she could see herself falling in love with.
* * *
After leaving Blake’s office, Asia deposited the large check into her account and then drove to Yvette’s Jewels to tell her mentor the good news.
“I knew you could do it,” Yvette said.
She couldn’t have without Blake’s assistance, but Asia wasn’t about to tell Yvette that. She was happy they were both getting what they wanted. Yvette would have her happy ending and go off into the retirement sunset with her new beau, and Asia’s dream of owning her own jewelry store would come to pass.
After they discussed the particulars and timeline for the transfer, Yvette stated that she would have her attorney draft the sale documents. She was ready to leave within a couple of weeks, so Asia didn’t have much time to prepare, but that was just fine with her. She’d waited a lifetime for this moment.
Fourteen
The next week went by in a flurry of meetings for Asia. Yvette’s attorney had the sale documents drafted, but Asia didn’t have her own attorney to vet them. One call to Blake later and he’d supplied her with an attorney he recommended, and soon the papers transferring ownership of the store to Asia were signed. A man of his word, Blake was officially a silent partner of Six Gems now and had signed his name beside Asia’s when she had asked him to meet her at her attorney’s office.
Asia was surprised at how easy it was to ask Blake for his advice. He was a successful businessman, after all, and she was just starting her own journey. He was a great help, but more than that, he was being a great friend. After that scorching kiss in his office, Blake had called or texted her several times to see how she was doing. Asia liked having someone around who cared about her and her well-being.
When she wasn’t finalizing the details that came with the sale of the store, Asia was meeting with an interior designer to discuss improvements she wanted to make. At first, Asia had wanted to complete the interior design herself, but during one of his daily phone calls, Blake had quietly suggested that maybe she shouldn’t try to do it all herself. She was in the first trimester of her pregnancy, which was known to be a vulnerable time for miscarriages, and since it was her first baby, she should take it easy. Asia listened. She remembered Shay’s story and how devastated she’d been after losing her baby.
After speaking with the designer, Asia started to see her vision come to life. She was thrilled when the designer promised to have sketches and color swatches for her by next week. Asia was so into her new venture that she hadn’t thought about her mother until Ava walked into the store late on Friday.
As usual, her mother arrived inappropriately dressed, this time in a crop top and leather pants.
“What’s going on?” Ava asked, glancing around the store, which was currently in disarray. They’d boxed up the remaining inventory and had taken down much of the decor that was in Yvette’s taste. Asia intended to sell any remaining stock at the one of the flea market shows she attended. “Is the store closing? Are you losing your job?”
Asia sighed. She’d known she needed to talk to her mama, but she’d hesitated on filling her in on too many of the details, lest she think Asia was an ATM and constantly ask for handouts. However, she did have to tell her she was going to be a grandma.
“I was just about to close up,” Asia said, going to the front door and turning the lock. “Let me grab my purse and we can go out for a drink.” A nonalcoholic one for her.
“If you’re buying, I’m in,” Ava responded. “My money is kind of funny.”
Asia rolled her eyes. Of course it was. Wasn’t it always?
After locking up the store, Asia drove them to one of her favorite places, La Loma. Lately, she’d been craving Mexican food. Asia didn’t bother to ask her mother where her car was. Once they were seated, Ava wasted no time in ordering the Cadillac margarita. When the waiter asked if she wanted a drink, Asia shook her head.
Ava frowned. “You never turn down a drink. Something’s wrong, isn’t there, baby girl? I saw the store. Is it going out of business?”
“No, it isn’t. I’ll just have an iced tea,” she told the waiter, “unsweetened.”
“All right.” Ava’s dark brown eyes searched hers. “Then what is it? Don’t keep me in suspense.”
“Yvette decided to retire so I took the inheritance I received from Wynter’s aunt and bought her out.”
It was a version of the truth, just not the whole story.
Ava’s eyes grew large. “You spent it all?”
Asia nodded. “It was just enough to cover the sale.”
“You didn’t keep any of that money for yourself? For your mama?” Ava inquired, folding her arms across her chest. “Great daughter you are.”
“It isn’t always about you, Mama. You’ve known I always wanted my own jewelry shop. This was my chance, and I took it,” Asia responded. “I’m not going to apologize about wanting to build a future for myself.”
“You don’t know the first thing about running a business.”
“You’re wrong. I’ve been learning from Yvette all these years, and I run a successful online business.”
“You do? I had no idea.”
“That’s because you never ask,” Asia replied tightly. Her mother never seemed interested in what was going on in her life. It was all about what Ava needed or wanted.
The waiter returned with Ava’s margarita and Asia’s iced tea. “But I have bigger news than the store.”
“Bigger than you owning a store?” Ava chuckled, putting the margarita to her lips and taking a long sip. “Do tell.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Ava spit out the margarita and Asia had to wipe the spray from her face with a napkin. “What did you just say?”
“You’re going to be a grandma.”
Ava’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about? Are you seeing someone? How did this happen? Didn’t I always tell you to practice safe sex?”
Ava sipped on her tea and counted to ten before answering. “Yes, it’s true. I thought I was being safe, but as you know nothing is foolproof. Anyway, you don’t have to worry, because Blake has asked me to marry him.”
“What? Oh my God, this has gone from bad to worse,” Ava said, leaning back in the booth. “First you get yourself knocked up and now you’re going to make the situation worse by getting hitched?”
“It’s the right thing to do, Mama. I want my baby to have a mother and father—something I never had.”
That shut Ava up. She sat back in her seat and glared at Asia. “I’m sorry,” she said bitterly. “I did the best I could with you, seeing as how my own mother threw me out when I had you.”
“I know this story, Mama,” Asia replied. “I’m just telling you that I want more for my baby.” She placed her hand over stomach. “And so does Blake. We want this child to have a two-parent home.”
“With parents who only married for convenience? What kind of life is that? I think you’re making a mistake, Asia.”
“Well, I didn’t ask you,” Asia responded tightly. “I was informing you that you’re going to be a grandmother.”
“Fine, do what you want.” Ava shrugged. “You always do, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. Now, are you still paying for drinks, or what?”
Asia gritted her teeth. Why did she think it would be any different with Ava? That she would behave like a normal parent and wish her the best? Or say that she would be there for Asia like the Gems? Apparently, she was asking for too much. Asia had to stop hoping, because Ava would never change.
* * *
Blake glanced across at Asia in the passenger seat of his Benz. It was Saturday, and they were on their way to his aunt Sadie’s for dinner to tell her the news of their impending marriage and baby on the way, but Asia was unusually somber. Over the past week, he’d made it a habit of checking in with her. It was something he’d never done before in any of his previous relationships. She’d seemed fine on those texts and calls, but now he wasn’t so sure.
“Is everything all right?” Blake inquired. “You’re rather pensive today.”
She glanced in his direction, but he wasn’t sure she saw him. “Am I?”
“You are. Is something on your mind?” He didn’t know why, but suddenly, Asia’s happiness was important to him.
She released a long sigh. “It’s just my mother. I told her about the baby and the marriage and she was less than enthused.”
“What did she say?”
“That I was making a mistake and I’ll regret it.”
Blake frowned. He didn’t like hearing that. Getting married and becoming a family were the absolute right things to do. “Are you having second thoughts?”
Asia shook her head. “Mama is used to being the center of attention and this time she can’t be, so no, I haven’t changed my mind.”
Blake was glad to hear that. In order for this to work, they had to be on the same page. He gave Asia’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Minutes later, they reached the gates to his aunt’s estate. He pressed the security code and then pulled into the driveway. Switching off the ignition, he turned to Asia. “You ready for this?”
Asia nodded and Blake exited the driver’s side and then came around to the passenger side to help her out of the vehicle. He tucked her arm in the crook of his and led her to the front door. He had a key and didn’t bother ringing the doorbell.
“Aunt Sadie,” Blake called out when they walked inside the foyer.
“Blake!” his aunt cried from the top of the winding staircase. Of course, the lady of the manor had to make an entrance. She was in a beautiful, ankle-length black sunset tapestry caftan dress with long sleeves.
“My darling, it’s so good to see you,” Aunt Sadie said when she made it to the ground floor. She kissed both of his cheeks. Then she turned to Asia. “And you, my dear, it’s so good to see my nephew knows a good thing when he sees it.” She gave him a conspiratorial wink. “Come, I’ve had canapés set up in the drawing room.”
Blake placed his hand on the small of Asia’s back as he walked beside her. He couldn’t not touch her. She was in a snug-fitting sweaterdress with leopard and cheetah prints across the front and stripes along the side. Blake thought about the last time they’d been here and it made him want to roll that dress up to her waist and...
“Do be a dear and pour us a drink, Blake,” his aunt said, interrupting his lust-filled thoughts. “I had some of my famous sangrias made,” she said, pulling Asia out of his grasp and toward her on the sofa. “I’m so excited to have you here again. Blake never brings anyone home to meet me. I’m so glad he’s considering a relationship.”
Blake poured two glasses of sangria and handed his aunt one of them. She froze when she noticed he didn’t give Asia one.
“Blake, didn’t I teach you better manners?” his aunt asked.
“You did, Aunt Sadie,” Blake said, and came to sit beside Asia on the couch. He noticed she was fidgeting and pulling her dress over her knees. He took one of her trembling hands in his and looked directly into his aunt’s eyes. “We have some news to share. You see, Asia and I are having a baby, and we’re getting married.”
“Oh my Lord.” His aunt clutched her chest and put down the sangria she’d been about to drink. “This is a shock.”
“To us as well, but we are determined to do right by our child. Isn’t that right, Asia?” Blake didn’t want to do all the speaking.
“Ms. Coleman, Blake and I made this decision together. We want to give our child a family, a two-parent household. It’s something I never had and he had for a short time. I hope you’ll support us in our journey.”
“Oh, absolutely, my darlings,” Aunt Sadie responded. “Although I’m taken aback. I am happy for you. I’ve always wanted my Blakey to settle down with a wife and have some children, so I couldn’t be happier for you both. I’m finally going to get that grandniece or grandnephew I wanted.” She winked at Blake. “Are you sure this is what you both want?”
“Absolutely,” Blake and Asia said in unison.
“Very well, then. Blake, there’s some sparkling cider in the bar. Pour your fiancée a glass so we can have a toast.”
His aunt was the consummate hostess and they spent the evening enjoying a delicious dinner of rack of lamb with twice-baked potatoes and grilled asparagus while talking about the wedding. Asia wanted something small and intimate since she was expecting, while Blake wanted the entire world to know he was marrying one helluva woman.
They were still talking about the wedding on the drive home.
“I don’t want to make a fuss,” Asia said. “It’s not like we’re marrying for love.”
“No one else knows that,” Blake replied. “And I want you to have the wedding of your dreams, because I don’t intend on getting a divorce.” He’d seen what divorce had done to several of his high school friends. They’d hated being shuttled back and forth from one parent to the other. “I want to get married once.”
“You sound so final about it all,” Asia said. “We’re just getting to know each other, and we haven’t even lived together yet. What if you decide you can’t live with me because I’m a slob?”
Blake frowned. He had a little bit of OCD and liked everything in its proper place. They might have a hurdle to overcome if she was untidy. “Are you?”
She pointed at him and laughed hysterically. “You should see the look of absolute horror on your face.” When she finally stopped chuckling, she said, “No, I’m not a slob—that would be my mother, Ava—but I wouldn’t say I’m a neat freak, either. I’m somewhere in between.”
“I can live with that.”
They chatted the rest of the way, until they pulled into the parking lot of Asia’s apartment building. “Tonight was great,” Asia said, turning to him. “Your aunt’s reaction is how I wished Ava would have reacted, but...” She shrugged.
Blake leaned across the console and caressed her cheek with his palm. “It bothers you, doesn’t it, that she doesn’t approve?”
“It shouldn’t. I’ve always done what I wanted when I wanted because she was never around.”
“But she’s still your mother.”
“There’s the rub,” Asia responded. She unbuckled herself and opened the passenger-side door. Blake came around to help her, but she was already out of the vehicle.
“I appreciated getting to know Sadie. I suppose you’ll be wanting to meet Ava next?”
Blake shrugged. “Whenever you’re ready.”
She smiled. “Thank you.” She leaned toward him as if she were going to kiss his cheek, but Blake turned his head so that her kiss landed on his mouth instead. He’d been dying to put his mouth on hers all night, and when the opportunity presented itself, he’d taken it. Heat slammed through him at the touch of her lips on his.
The kiss was like flicking on a light switch because the next thing Blake knew, she was kissing him back and he was pushing her backward, against the car. Her body was cleaved to his, and he reached behind her and clasped her butt, allowing him to wedge her legs apart so he could push his length against her. She gasped when she came in contact with his erection, but instead of asking him to stop, she ground her hips against him seductively. Their tongues tangled, eliciting a growl from Blake.
He lifted his head and leaned in. “I want you, Asia.”
She planted both hands on his chest and, to his surprise, pushed him away. “I know you do, and although my body wants you, we agreed to wait. I need to know you want me for me, not just because I’m carrying your baby.”
“Asia, where is this coming from? I’ve wanted you from the first moment I saw you in the store, and it’s why we ended up creating a baby together.”
“Maybe, but I think we should still stick to the agreement,” Asia responded.
“If that’s what you want,” Blake replied, stepping backward.
“It is.”
“I’ll walk you to your door.”
“I think it’s best if I go there alone,” Asia said. She gave him a small smile and then walked into her building.
Blake understood her reticence. She was looking at the long game and not immediate gratification. He vowed right then that he would temper the attraction he felt toward Asia even though she was the most exciting lover he’d ever had—and he’d had a fair number since his teen years.
He was still coming on too strong. He needed to assure her that a marriage between them would work even though they were relative strangers. He had to show her he could be the man she needed, a man she could rely on and count on, because Asia had had so very little of that growing up. Only then would she be willing to bring their passion back to the forefront.
Fifteen
Asia was impressed. Ever since the night they’d told Blake’s aunt Sadie of their marriage and she requested they stick to the no-sex agreement a couple of weeks ago, he’d been nothing but the most charming fiancé. When she’d finished designing the ring, he’d sent it off to a jeweler, who had had it ready within days. Then he had surprised her one night with the ring box and slid the ring on her finger. Asia was officially an engaged woman.
