chapter ten

I got home and pulled up on the drive. I noticed straight away that Blake's black Range Rover was there so I knew he was at home. He never went anywhere without his wheels. He worked two jobs, one as head of Security and the other as a Bouncer.

We met actually, when he refused to let me enter a club for been too drunk. I liked the look of him so I did what every girl did, I gave him my number. Truthfully, when I had sobered up in the morning; I didn't think he'd call me.

But he did and we arranged to meet up. When we did, I found out he was thirty-two with a eight year old daughter. His wife had died from cancer three years before and I told him about the recent death of my mother.

To me, the fourteen year age gap didn't matter. It didn't bother me either that he had a daughter, if I was going to take my friendship with Blake any further, I knew I had to accept Jasmine first. And that's what I did.

First we started dating and then we had a proper relationship and two years ago, we got married. To me, age is and always will be a number.

I parked my silver Mercedes Audi and turned off the engine. I stepped out the car, took my belongings with me and closed the drivers side door. Looking up at the house, I sighed softly and made my way towards it.

Blake and I didn't live in a big house but it was big enough for the three of us. It had five bedrooms, three of which had their own en-suites, two bathrooms, a study, a living room, a dining room, a kitchen and a massive garden. I guess you could say this was our dream house when raising children, if you get what I'm saying.

Unlocking the front door, I opened the door and stepped into the house.

"Blake?" I called before I saw him stood at the top of the stairs with a pair of grey tracksuit bottoms and no tee-shirt on. I smiled at him and put my handbag down on the bottom stairs.

"I thought you were working today?" He asked as he walked down the stairs. I nodded my head as I took off my coat and held up my banaged hand.

"I'm not much help with this am I?"

He took my hand in his and shook his head, "I always told you, you were a clutz."

"I'm not a clutz." I added with a smile. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek. As he did, I took a deep breath. Although I knew he'd never hurt me in a million years, the thought of any man touching me made me physically sick.

When he broke the hug, I smiled gently and walked into the kitchen. He followed me and asked if I wanted a cup of tea. I told him I'd love one as long as I didn't have to make it. I sat down at the breakfast bar and crossed one leg over the other.

"Are you working tonight?" I asked as I bit my lower lip.

He turned on the kettle and turned to look at me, "Sadly. Seven till two, why?"

"I just wondered, I can never remember when you're working and when you're not."

He just laughed and took two mugs out of the cupboard. As he did, we both heard the front door open and close. Jasmine, Blake's daughter and my step-daughter walked into the kitchen and threw her bag onto the table. As she walked towards the fridge, I found myself looking at the clock.

"Aren't you supposed to be at school?" I asked.

Jasmine opened the fridge and took out a carton of orange, "Double free." She said as she unscrewed the lid, "I was thinking about going out into town with a few mates. I'll be home for ten and yes, I'll text you."

She took a swig out of the bottle and Blake replied; "What about your coursework?"

"Chill out dad, I'll do it when I get back." She took another swig of orange juice.

"Fine and Jas, do you realise how disgusting I find that?"

"Yeah, that's why I did it." She smirked, screwed the lid back on the carton and put it back in the fridge. As she walked past, she picked up her bag and left the kitchen.

When she had gone, I sighed deeply. Blake, truth be told was a major push over. He hardly told Jasmine off for anything even if she was cheeky or broke the rules we both set. I just hoped that by the time Blake and I had children, he'd have toughened up a little.

I looked at him and I knew what we were both thinking. Was she skiving school? It wasn't the first time she had come home and claimed she had a double free period but neither of us wanted to believe she was lying to us.

However, before we had chance to say anything, a blood curdling scream filled the house.

a/n: oh eek, i'm back with the cliffhangers. (:
if you like it enough to favourite/alert, please leave a review.