Chapter Twelve

She had spent the night in the carriage house, maybe it was her way of distancing herself; maybe she just liked to spend time in her own space. Either way Evy was up with the sun and taking a run around the grounds. She knew the trails through the woods, and enjoyed the song of birds instead of her music that morning. She had left all ties at the house. How was she to know that Blake had been sending texts since 6:30am? Had been worrying about her as he paced his study? Or had chosen to chase her? She heard his footsteps before she saw him coming from the opposite direction, she scowled. Not exactly the welcome John had been hoping for, but then he wasn't expecting a "hi honey, how you doing?" either.

"You're up early." He commented lightly, changed direction and matched her pace. She puffed out a plum of air, and shot him a look. "Earlier than usual." He amended.

"You know my morning habits?"

"I know a lot more than you think, Evy." Blake replied easily, he slowed with her as they neared the mansion. "Will you talk to me?"

"About?"

"What happened last night?"

"We had sex."

"I know that." Blake took hold of her arm, turned her to him. She gazed at him through fog gray eyes. He brushed sweaty curls of hair off her face. "How are we gonna work as a team if you won't let me in?" He saw hurt flicker just for a moment across her face before she stepped back, out of his hold. "Evelyn."

"We work the way we worked before we went to bed John, the rest will fall in place." She turned on her heel and strode toward the carriage house. John watched her walk away.

Don't let me walk away, I'm scared, don't you let me walk away. Evy's mind and heart beat with the same mantra. As she closed the door to the carriage house she felt her heart sink. He had let her walk away, simple as that. "Isn't that what you wanted?" She asked herself out loud. She had taken only a few steps before the door opened. "John—" Evy began and was pulled into a strong hug, his warm lips sought hers. Blake brought her closer than before, gasped for breath. Her heart raced like wild horses across the plains. He had gone after her. She threaded her fingers behind his head, poured herself into the kiss. John couldn't think hell he couldn't breathe as he lifted her up and blindly stumbled onto the kitchen table.

"Here, now," Evy moaned as his lips, burning hot, ran across her neck, down to the vee of her tank top. Blake peeled away her layers one by one, and took care of his one and only article of clothing. Without a second thought he plunged, and like a drowning man clung to her as they rode to the edge. Later, after a shower, after she had made them breakfast he stood, a mug of coffee in hand, at the bay window, gazing at the woods. He felt her behind him, and shifted. She ducked under his arm and nuzzled into his chest. This was the Evy after sex, good sex, he admitted. This was the one who had fallen in love with. He had also fallen in love with her other side, the side that could kick some serious ass, and who even after falling five times during a round house kick still managed to make a perfect kick on try number six. He pressed his lips to her still damp hair. She gazed up at him, brows furrowed. "What's wrong?"

Blake shook his head, smiled. "Nothing babe," He kissed her softly, lingered there. "I gotta get to work."

"We'll tackle the Penguin later?"

"There's no we Evy." John replied, running his hands down her arms. Her jaw tightened, her eyes narrowed. "It's not for a social worker."

"I have a goddamn PhD in psychology. Are you telling me that man isn't three fries short of a happy meal?"

"Evy…" Blake sighed even as he headed toward the front door. "We'll talk later." He shut the door behind him.

"You bet your sexy ass we will." Evy said into the emptiness.

0-0-0

She figured she would sweeten the pot. She had the beer he favored, a very well executed meal of a manly meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and field green salad. And to top that off, her secret weapon of strawberries and homemade whipped cream. She would convince him in a sexual haze to have her as a partner, as John Blake and as Batman. She sent a quick text when she saw his car. Dinner in ten.

10-4 Was the very quick reply. Only a few minutes later did a very drawn looking Blake enter. Immediately Evy felt a wave of guilt go from her messy bun to her moccasins. "You look tired."

"It's been a rough day." He admitted and took her into his arms, breathed deep as her arms slid around his waist. Just like that, with the scent of her peach and cherry blossom body spray, and the warmth of her body, his troubles melted away. "Something smells good—besides you."

"Meatloaf and mashed potatoes," Evy leaned back with a smile. "And salad. Don't make an icky face over it either." She pecked him on the cheek and went to fix plates. She missed his icky face. They ate in companionable silence broken on occasion with a short story about their day or in Evy's case how her recent hockey practice had gone. "Are you sure you're okay with me playing?" She asked, as she pushed meatloaf around her plate. Blake glanced up surprised. "No one else…y'know." She shrugged sheepishly.

"Does it make you happy?" Blake asked after taking a swig from his beer.

Her lips curved. "Yeah."

"Then play."

Evy cocked her head, set her fork down. "That simple?"

"Yup," Blake smiled at her. "That simple. Now get me my dessert woman."

"Who said there was any?" the woman arched a brow, a bemused smile on her lips.

Blake grinned cockily. "I know you and the way you cook."

"What's my payment?" She asked as she rose and pulled out the berries and whipped cream.

After surveying what she had to offer he smiled. "I'll teach you to throw a right hook left jab combo."

Evy pursed her lips. "So that I can fight crime right beside you?" She swirled the tip of a berry in the cream.

"Evelyn." Blake sighed as he pushed his chair back. She looked at him innocently even as she licked the cream of the tip. His gaze immediately went to her lips where she nibbled gently on the berry. "No…" He said after a long moment.

She swirled the berry again, sucked the whipped topping from it with low strokes of her tongue. "No what?" She finished the berry. Dipped another.

"Gonna share that?" Blake cocked a hip as he leaned on the counter. She smiled slowly, held it to his lips. He nipped it from her hands, kissed her, tasted the sweet cream and tart berry. "No you're not going on the streets with me." He said once the kiss broke. "Nice try." He kissed her again, snagged a berry and headed for the bedroom. Evy stood for a moment, replayed the conversation and marched after him. "Jonathan Blake!" She shouted, backpedaled to grab her dessert bowls, and continued on the way. "Dammit, what's your middle name?"

"My middle name is Jonathan." Blake replied from her bathroom where he had begun to run the Jacuzzi tub. He sniffed at her bubbles, debated then dumped the minty soap in. He glanced back at her surprised expression. "My real name is Robin Jonathan Blake."

"Really?"

"Mhmm," Blake tugged the hair band from her bun and let the wave of curls fall into his hands. "It's a girly name."

"I like it." Evy admitted setting her bowls on the counter as Blake tugged at her oversized hoodie. He lifted it away and grinned at her nakedness. "I'm freeballing it."

"How much are you freeballing?" He asked with a wicked grin. Evy dropped her head back, gray eyes wonderfully playful. "God Evy." Blake breathed out. "You're so fucking hot." Her eyes widened in surprise, and then a giggle escaped. "Has no one said that?" He tugged her leggings down, ran his rough hands slowly up her smooth, toned legs.

"Nope."

"Their loss." Blake decided as he kissed her full lips. He switched the water off, and watched her step into the frothy bubble bath. She sank to her nose and grinned beneath the water as he laughed, the lines that had been firmly in place when he arrived gone finally. "You're adorable."

"I know." She shifted so that he could enter the tub. They sat in silence, Blake snickering as the rubber duck floated by him. "So, I was thinking," Evy slid her legs over his lap, he pulled her onto him. "Maybe I could go with you on just one night?"

"Evy…"

"Just one quick little jaunt."

"No."

"Why not?" She whined like a petulant toddler.

"Because I want you safe."

She shifted to stare at him, her mouth set in a tight line of insult. "Worse comes to worse you'll be there."

"That does not guarantee your safety Evy, I can't lose you." Blake shook his head even as she turned on her pleading eyes. "No means no."

"I'll go it alone."

"You won't."

"Challenge accepted." She shot back and rose from the water, dripping bubbles.

"Evy, just stop." Blake tugged her back down to his lap and warm water. The woman had the tenacity of a bull dog. "One night, that's it."

"And if I do a good job?"

"We'll talk after." Blake said softly, kissing her shoulders.

"After—oh," She grinned wickedly as his hard on pressed against her thigh. "After." And his mouth closed over hers.