Chapter 19: Chapter 19

ANNABELLE

Blake and Killian were the last people I expected to see standing on the other side of my door. My stomach twisted with a whirlwind of emotions as I looked at Blake.

My lips parted, ready to ask what he was doing here, when he suddenly closed the distance between us. He cradled my face in his hands, pulling me close as his lips met mine in a soft, unexpected kiss.

I froze, but soon found myself melting into him. His lips moved tentatively against mine, as if he was afraid of overwhelming me, but beneath that cautious motion was an underlying intensity that made my toes curl.

“I didn’t need to see this,” Killian grumbled, his footsteps fading as he stepped into my apartment.

“I hope I’m not too late,” Blake murmured, his breath hitching slightly as he pulled away.

He rested his forehead against mine, his thumb gently caressing my cheek.

“Too late for what?” I asked, my heart still racing.

“To lose you to someone better,” Blake confessed.

“Oh, Blake,” I whispered, pulling him into a hug. “There is no one better.”

His head nestled between my shoulder and neck as he held me, a relieved sigh escaping him. I stepped back and took his hand before closing the door, leading him into the kitchen where Killian leaned against the counter.

“Hope you don’t mind us popping in, missy,” Killian replied with a grin. “Lover boy here couldn’t wait to get out of that cabin after I showed him the paper.”

“You saw the news?” I asked, the feeling of delighted surprise still rushing through me.

Blake was here. He was actually here.

He nodded in reply.

“You’re not mad, are you?” I asked.

Blake threw his arms around me, drawing me into another hug. I placed my cheek against his chest and wrapped my arms around him, enjoying the warmth that radiated from his body.

“I should be thanking you,” he said, pulling away but threading his fingers through mine and kissing my hand. “I didn’t want to believe my father was behind it, and then I couldn’t bring myself to expose him. You did me a favor. How did you prove it?”

“Well, I had a bit of help,” I replied with a smile.

“From who?” he asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “I didn’t tell anyone about it.”

“Your sister did her own digging after she heard the news,” I replied, watching his expression as he digested the information.

“Aleah?”

“Yes. She never gave up on you, Blake,” I said, running my thumb over his knuckles. “She cares about you deeply and would love to see you. You should make time to visit her. I know that it would make her very happy to see her baby brother is okay.”

Blake’s face burst into a happy smile. My heart melted at the sight.

“She doesn’t hate me,” Blake said softly. “Will you come with me?”

I nodded as hope bloomed in my chest.

“So, does that mean you’re staying?” I asked, trying not to get too excited. “No more cabin hidden away in the woods?”

Blake pulled me over to one of the chairs in the living room while Killian settled himself onto the couch.

“If you’ll have me,” he replied softly.

A wide grin spread across my face as I threw my arms around his neck, a squeal of delight escaping my lips. Blake’s laughter filled the room as he held me, his face settling on my shoulder as he sat and pulled me onto his lap.

He winced as I landed on his injured leg. I huffed in mock annoyance, making him chuckle as he loosened his hold and shifted me to his other leg.

“I already moved back to my apartment,” he said, earning a snicker from Killian.

“More like his penthouse,” Killian corrected. “And here I was thinking he was this poor homeless man.”

Blake rolled his eyes at him.

“With my name being cleared, my assets have been unfrozen, so I can basically pick up where I left off,” he said with a playful shrug, squeezing my hip. “Well, better than where I left off.”

I giggled.

“So, how much are you worth now?” Killian asked, shaking his head at us.

“A few million give or take,” Blake revealed. “Plus, the penthouse and the house my grandfather left me on the cape.”

Killian whistled in amazement. “Dinner is on you then.”

We laughed.

“So, what’s the plan now? Are you planning a big comeback?” I asked.

Blake sighed, shaking his head.

“I don’t think so. Had enough of corporate investment firms for a while. I just want to rebuild my life for a bit and explore our relationship in peace,” Blake said, his smile radiant.

“Which reminds me,” I said. “You just pounced on me like a cat. I didn’t even know you felt that way about me.”

“I’m sorry for pouncing on you, but not for kissing you. I think I’m in love with you, Annabelle Clark, and I want to explore this further if you’ll let me,” he confessed, his gaze locked onto mine as he played with my fingers.

“I love you too, Blake,” I confessed, a wide smile spreading across my face.

“Are you sure? It’s not just because you felt bad for me?” he asked, his eyebrow arched in skepticism.

Killian smacked the heel of his palm against his forehead with a groan.

“Blakey boy, when are you going to learn? She cares for you. If she didn’t, she’d have kicked you out by now. She should for even suggesting such a thing,” Killian interjected, rising from his seat to wander into the kitchen.

“Did I upset you?” Blake asked me.

He covered my hand with his, pressing a soft kiss to my palm.

“No. I understand why you’re worried,” I reassured him.

I watched as he let out a sigh of relief, his tension easing as I withdrew my hand to run it through his hair.

“Will you stand by me through whatever comes next, Annabelle?” Blake asked quietly.

I nodded. “Through sunshine and stormy weather.”

We stared at each other for a moment before his lips pressed gently against mine.

“Hard to believe all of this was almost ruined,” Killian said, his voice breaking through the silence.

We pulled apart to see him watching us, a smile on his face.

“Thank you, Killian,” Blake said with a playful groan. “If it weren’t for your eight-hour glare, we might not be here today.”

“I couldn’t let something so beautiful go to waste,” Killian replied.

“To Killian, the matchmaker,” Blake cheered, causing me to giggle.

We both clapped as Killian basked in the attention, taking a bow.

“Thank you. Thank you. It’s all true,” Killian said dramatically.

Someone knocked at the door and interrupted his acceptance speech. Killian pouted as Blake turned to me, frowning as I got up.

“And that, folks, is the repairman I’ve been expecting for the past few hours,” I announced, heading for the door.

Blake let out a disappointed whine and I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in days. I answered the door with a broad smile on my face as I thought about our promising future together.