Bluff

Chapter 5

When I made it home today, I had another package at my door. I knelt to lift the box into my arms, before pushing my keys into the lock. I was almost inside when something caught me by the arm...

''Hi!" Blake whispered, pulling me to him.

''HI!" I half whisper, half yell. Aware of my snudy, nosey neighbors. ''What're you doing here?" Looking so damn gorgeous, I thought. He stands before me in a black arab, with grey and black joggers, sporting Sperry's.

"I thought I should deliver this myself."Blake bit his lower lip, while tapping the box in my arms. "Surprised to see me?"

"Very." I breathed, motioning Blake into the house. "From you?" I asked, placing the box on my counter.

''Why don't you find out for yourself?" Blake stated. He looked around my place as if it were a museum. His eyes flickered to every detail of decoration. ''It's really nice in here, your taste is exactly mine." He stopped in front of the large photograph of the beautiful lit city of L.A. I sure thought so, when I first seen his Range Rover.

Lightly tilting the box, it sounded as if it were little packages on the inside. After I sliced my key through the tape, I opened the box and was completely stunned... completely shocked... totally struck still... totally taken aback.

I didn't look at him, but I could feel Blake's intense eyes waiting for a living reaction. He slowly maneuvered to me, and it seemed as if he was trying to prepare himself for an outburst. Instead, tears rolled down the sides of my cheeks. I'm not sure how I feel in this moment. I feel overwhelmed, yet pittied. By the time Blake realized I was crying, he was so alarmed and ready to comfort me. He gathered my hands into his.

''Woah woah woah! What's wrong?" He asked. He slowly tilted my chin to look into his eyes.

''You think I'm some charity case." I said, meeting his eyes. I wasn't asking him, It was something I was sure of. He frowned, as if I had hurt his feelings. Those green eyes melted the inside of me, and chilled the outside. They bore something into me.

''How could you say that? I thought...'' He trailed off, looking at the box filled to the brim with stacks of money. ''I thought I made it clear to you, that I only want to take you away from that life.''

''I can't accept this." I whispered, pulling away from him. Two seconds hadn't passed, before he closed the gap between us and pulled my face into his hands... just like at Starbucks.

''Please! Shiloh my intentions are good. I want you to stop exotic dancing.''

''Why? Why are your intentions so good? What is it about me? I promise you, if it's a valid reason I'll surrender to you completely.'' I said, swiping my cheeks with the palms of my hands.

''I've never been a victim of being cheesy or corny, but... I've never questioned love at first sight more than I have now.'' As his jaw muscles clenched, he ran his fingers through his hair aggresively. ''I don't know how to... nevermind I'll leave." He said, turning towards the door, but it was my turn to stop him. As I caught his soft masculine hand, it dampened in mine. He doesn't mean that does he, although a box filled with stacks of money does reel me. Love at first sight? How cliche, but he did warn me. The bundle of feelings he gives me, is unexplainable. Although, I can't vouch for him when he mentions Love At First Sight, I'm not a believer. It all sounds good on paper, and looks even better on movies, But I call bullshit.

''Don't leave...without your money." I called. "It takes more than money, and suave lines to get me to fall head over heels into your arms.'' He frowned, and was about to speak before I interrupted. ''I mean how do I know that you aren't just in love with the stripper in me? Afterall, Mistletoe is who you saw at first sight, and her impression seemed to be quite enough for you.'' I stated, raising my eyebrows.