"Go take a bath, and I will order something for us to eat," Blake's voice cut into her reverie as he deposited her in her room. He had to carry her to her room because she was still in shock, and she clutched at his lapels and didn't want to let go.

She knew she looked like a mess, makeup running down her face, the dress she wore earlier now covered in dirt and mud, but she couldn't get over the fact that Joaquin tried to kill her.

​​

He gently pried her hands off his suit and led the way into her bathroom, where he filled the tub, checking the temperature, so she could wash off all that grime from being held by Joaquin.

Holding her face between his palms, "Baby, the bath is ready, I'm going to find your pajamas so you can change.

"Will you still be here when I'm done?" she asked, her eyes hopeful because she was scared that if he left, Joaquin would just reappear.

His blood was boiling just thinking about how close he lost her today, given the chance, he would definitely kill that bastard. "Of course my dear, I'll be waiting outside," he said in a soft tone, as he kissed her forehead before he released her so she could take her bath.

She had left the door half open so she could see Blake from the tub, she did not want to lose sight of him. He had ordered spicy Thai cuisine for room service.

"Your hair is still wet, are you going to dry it?" He asked, but she was so exhausted, which made her sluggish and absent-minded, so she just stared at him and mumbled something incoherent. So he took the towel from her hand, sat her in front of the dressing table, and half-dried her hair.

"Where is your hairdryer?" Blake asked. Sara pointed to the bottom drawer.

Who knew Blake drying her hair would make her feel better and warm her heart.

"You are so good at this, it seems like you've done it before, have you done it for other women," she stared at him pointedly in the mirror. The thought of him touching other women so intimately did not sit well with her.

"What are you talking about? You're the only woman I've bestowed this privilege to," He said defending himself and sending it out there that she was special to him.

"Hmm should I believe you?" she questioned, narrowing her eyes, trying to see if she can weasel the truth out of him.

"Of course, drying one's hair is not a difficult job, anybody can do it," he said thinking about all his other advanced skills that she did not know about, this was a piece of cake.

"Hmm… okay... continue doing this side," she said as she closed her eyes.

"Yes madam!" he chuckled, and so did she.

And just in time, after he dried her hair, the server knocked on the door and wheeled the food in.

"Mmmmm... These look good," The smell of the food teased her as she opened one of the lids, making her tummy rumble. There was papaya salad, steamed ginger fish, crab fried rice, green bean with garlic sauce, and pad see ew.

There was a lot to eat, so she started on the rice and the steamed fish, and one could see on her face that she really liked it. She held out a spoon filled with the steamed fish in front of Blake, encouraging him to take it, "Taste this fish, it's so good, I've never had this before."

He was surprised that she would do such a thing, but he just smiled and opened his mouth. This was a surprising turn of events, and he felt elated.

She took charge and added more food to his plate so he could taste everything she was eating, practically short of feeding him. This went on until they finished most of the food they ordered, it was like they were just a regular couple having a meal together.

They were having a good time together, and parting that night felt like torture, but they didn't want to be the first to ask the other to stay.

Blake wanted to stay, but he was unsure about her feelings and did not want to assume anything. On the other hand, Sara didn't want to ask him to stay because he might think that she was asking too much from him, knowing that they were in a fake relationship.

She was already grateful that he bothered to come and save her. She didn't want to be too greedy, because he might not feel the same.

"Okay, go lock the door and don't open it unless it's me. Call me anytime you need me," he said as they stood from the couch.

"Okay," she said forlornly, "I'll call you if I need you."

Blake plodded away, dragging his heels, waiting for her to stop him.

She stared at his retreating back, and just as he turned the door handle, she whispered, "Stop!" he barely heard it, but it had been so quiet like the world was waiting to see what would happen.

He bit his lip to stop himself from grinning, he turned around, schooling his expression, but deep inside, he wanted to laugh out loud.

"What happened? Is something wrong?" Blake asked innocently.

"Oh... I... uhm ….," Sara stammered, she was chewing on her lower lip, not sure how to tell him the reason because she did not want to look desperate.

"What is it, baby? Tell me," Blake drawled as he walked toward her, staring into her eyes, patiently waiting to get the words out of her mouth.

"I forgot…," Sara was lost in his eyes and could not complete her sentence.

"Yes?" Blake had a teasing look on his face.

"Nothing, I forgot to say goodnight," Sara fibbed, she did not like that he was teasing her when she was having a hard time mustering her courage to ask him to stay.

Blake knew Sara was stubborn so he cupped her face with his hand and brought his face closer, "Tell me, baby, what do you want me to do, I'll do anything you ask without consequences," Blake asked softly.

The close proximity made it hard for her to breathe, he was so close, her resolve to keep her ground was fading.

"Stay with me," she said breathlessly.

He grinned, "I will since my baby asked." He got his wish, and he was excited. He was also worried about her, and he wouldn't have been able to sleep if she did not ask him to stay.

"Let me take a shower and change. I will be back," he said as he kissed her on the forehead. He went back to his room with a spring in his step.

She thought it was sweet of Blake to agree to her request, not knowing that he was more desperate to stay and if she had not asked, he would have,

By the time he came back, she was already tucked in bed, but she was still checking her phone.

"Put away your phone, I'm turning off the lights," He instructed her.

He got under the covers with her and stayed on his side of the bed, he was itching to touch her, wanting to run his hands all over her body, or he would even take anything just to hold her in his arms.

Sara couldn't believe she had asked him to stay the night, but now that he was here, she did not know what to do with herself, does she hug him, does she hold his hand, does she kiss him goodnight. Naughty thoughts were running through her head.

The desire was so palpable you can feel the electricity in the air. It was the first time they slept beside a member of the opposite sex and they were both getting tenser by the minute.

"Are you asleep?" Blake asked, cutting into the silence.

"No, I'm finding it hard to sleep," she says.

He moved a little closer propping himself on his elbow so he could take a look at her. She felt him move, and she tensed up, her throat was dry. Does she tell him to leave, or does she just let him do what he wants to do? She didn't want to freak out, so she just stayed still.

The drapes were left open, so the moonlight was shining down on them, and he could see her beautiful silky hair spread on her pillow. He was trying to memorize her features, staring at each and every part of her face, when his gaze landed on her top, the top 2 buttons became undone, showing a little of the top of her breasts.

Sara looked over and noticed where his concentration had strayed, so she pulled her top closer together.

She turned her body towards him when he slowly started tracing her face with his fingers, from her forehead to her nose, and as he reached her lips, Sara bit his finger.

"Ouch! Such a wild cat," he said nursing his finger.

She smiled mischievously, "I'm gonna get you for that," he said as he cupped her face and kissed her. She kissed him shyly at first, but when he deepened the kiss, nipping on her lips and sliding his tongue, parting her lips, she met his kisses with the same intensity.

"Mmm mmm…," she moaned as she felt his hand travel down to her neck, her shoulders, and down to the top of her pajamas.

Sara held his hand to stop him, and as he looked at her questioningly, she shook her head no. He knew that he was not in a position to rush this, if he does she might kick him out. So he kisses her head and just wraps his arms around her, placing her head on his shoulder.

He could feel her breast touching his body but decided not to think about it. He was getting easily aroused just being with her, so he tightened his arms around her waist and ran his hands through her hair.

"Blake, can I ask you something?" Sara asked, slightly hesitating.

"Yes, of course, feel free to ask me anything, what do you want to know?" Blake encouraged her to speak her mind.

"Are you not curious about Joaquin?" she said, looking at him.

His body stiffened at the mention of Joaquin, and Sara berated herself for opening her mouth. Maybe she should have asked it later, thinking that she just ruined the mood.

He released a huge sigh and told himself to relax, this was a pivotal moment in their relationship, and she was opening herself up to him. If he shuts her out now, then she might not open up again in the future.

He wanted to be that person Sara confides in whenever she encountered any problems. "I am, but I didn't want to ask until you were ready. I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable," Blake said, looking into her eyes.

Sara felt relieved and decided to come clean with Blake.