Free Devoted by Kira Johns Page A

are you going?” he asks, his voice getting closer.
     
    I want to run and hide but know that’s not an option, at least not here. Turning around abruptly, I crash into Blake’s chest.
     
    “Hey,” he murmurs, his hands gently steadying me. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
     
    “You didn’t,” I lie, stepping back from his hold.
     
    “So why are you leaving?”
     
    “I’m not.” Another lie. I seem to be on a roll. “I just forgot something in my room,” I add, turning towards the steps.
     
    As I scramble up the staircase, I can hear him following behind me, making me feel even more uneasy. When I reach the closed door to my room, I turn to face him. “Why are you following me?”
     
    “Because…” his voice trails off. “I don’t know why,” Blake smiles and in that instant everything changes. All fear is suddenly whisked away as I stare up into his steely gray eyes, replaced by a calm I haven’t felt in many years. “Are you smiling?” he asks, happiness flaring in his eyes.
     
    For the first time in forever, I feel my lips stretch into a full-fledged grin. It’s almost a foreign feeling, something I didn’t know I was capable of anymore, yet the soreness in my cheeks is proof that this is real. It is in this moment that I realize part of me did survive, despite everything I went through.
     
    “I guess I am,” I shrug, feeling more relaxed than I have been in a very long time. I stand there motionless, incapable of speech or thought as I stare into eyes as gray as the ash from a dying fire.
     
    Blake is the complete opposite of the friends I once had. Instinct has been telling me to steer clear of him, yet the more I am around him, the more I am drawn in. There’s something hidden within his eyes that I can’t help but trust.
     
    “You know, I’m getting kinda hungry,” Blake says, bringing me back to reality.
     
    “Guess we better head down then.” All trepidation I felt only moments before completely dissipates as we make our way downstairs, the smile that is adhered to my face proof that my past will someday become a distant memory.
     
    *****
     
     
    “Mom must really like you,” Blake says, eying the large piece of cake piled on my plate before turning his attention back to the small piece Jade handed him. “Wanna trade?”
     
    “Nope,” I giggle, shoving my mouthful of the dessert. It’s been a long time since I’ve had cake. “But I’ll share,” I add, passing my plate over to him.
     
    “Ah… you do have a heart,” he grins, digging in. “So since it’s just you and me, why don’t we get to know each other a little better,” he says around a mouthful of cake.
     
    I instantly freeze, unable to hide the distressed look on my face. I knew this was too good to be true. He wants to know about my past and I’m not ready for that. I probably never will be.
     
    “Chocolate or vanilla?”
     
    “What?” I breathe, his question catching me off guard.
     
    “Ice cream. Personally, I’ve always liked strawberry. Not that crappy pink colored stuff that supposedly tastes like strawberry. I’m talking about the good stuff – vanilla ice cream with swirls of real strawberry in it.”
     
    “Um… I guess chocolate,” I mumble, giving him a strange look.
     
    “How about cake?”
     
    “Yellow,” I smile. “With chocolate frosting.”
     
    “Ah… a woman after my own heart.  Chicken or steak?”
     
    “Steak. Why are we talking about food?”
     
    “Because,” he begins, his eyes softening. “It’s harmless.”
     
    Returning his smile, I lean back in the chair and relax. I had Blake Andrews pegged all wrong. “Cookies? Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter?”
     
    “Now you’re talking,” he grins. “I’ll take both.”
     
    The next two hours are spent discussing some of our favorite things. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt more at ease. There’s more to Blake Andrews than meets the eye and I suddenly can’t wait to get to