Fear of Falling

dipped, and his lips were at my earlobe.
    “I know you said you don’t feel anything,” he whispered. “But can you honestly say that you don’t feel this ? That this heat, this attraction, is all in my head? Don’t think about it; just answer. Tell me what your heart wants to say and not what your head keeps trying to make you believe.”
    I swallowed down the “no” that was already reflexively building in my throat and let Blaine’s proximity push away the fear. His presence did that for me; it got me out of my own way.
    “Yes, Blaine,” I rasped. “I feel it.” I did. I felt all of it. I felt all of him .
    I dared a glance up at him, and my knees buckled when my eyes met his. Luckily, he reached out to steady me before I could bite it in a big way. As his arm wrapped around my waist, an audible gasp escaped me, and my body nearly went limp.
    “Don’t worry,” he smiled, pulling me into the hard warmth of his chest. “I’ve got you. I’ll always catch you when you fall.”
    And just like that, Blaine had staked his claim on the untouched part of me that no living soul had ever moved. He had captured every fear, every reservation, and crushed them in the palm of his inked hand.
    “Um, can we get some service here?”
    We both spun around, my panting body still wrapped in Blaine’s tight, protective grip. Even with the realization that we were no longer alone, he didn’t loosen his hold on me. If anything, it only made him pull me in closer.
    “Hey guys,” I squeaked nervously, peeling Blaine’s fingers from around my hips. “What are you doing here?” I tried hard not to sound snarky, but I knew trouble was amidst.
    Angel and Dominic wore twin mischievous grins. “I thought I’d treat Dom to lunch,” Angel piped up. “I heard this place has really good food. And I was craving a burger.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Angel, I have never seen you eat a burger, let alone carbs. Seriously?” I knew what they were up to, and I was pissed. Not so much at their presence but at the fact that I was forced from Blaine’s arms. Judging by the slight frown between his brows and the way he worked his studded tongue, he felt the same way.
    “I’m trying something new,” she trilled, grabbing a menu.
    My gaze fell on Dom, who seemed amused by me and Angel’s tiff. “And you? You let her talk you into it?”
    Dom shrugged and smiled into his own menu. “A man’s gotta eat, Kam.”
    I shook my head before stealing a glance at Blaine. He looked down at me and gave me a small smile. I couldn’t help but return the sentiment. It felt like we were sharing a private joke, and that was enough to squelch my bitchiness.
    “Fine,” I sighed. “What can I get you two?”
    My friends ordered, and by the time their food arrived, more lunch-seeking patrons had arrived, though most opted for the tables on the dining floor. Few people ordered more than sodas, making work for Blaine and I pretty lax.
    “So how long have you been working here, Blaine?” Dominic asked, munching on a fry.
    Blaine was leaning against the bar, his arms and legs crossed casually. My eyes zeroed in on the way the movement made his muscles stretch his t-shirt, generating fiery heat in my belly. I couldn’t even hear his answer. I was too mesmerized at the way the fabric pulled and molded every delicious ripple. Though he always dressed simply in t-shirts and worn jeans, the way clothes fell over Blaine’s physique was masterful. His body would be a fashion designer’s dream. But at that very moment, I could care less about his clothes. Unless they were on my bedroom floor.
    “Kam? Hello? Kami, you there?”
    “Huh?” I asked blinking rapidly, my dilated pupils struggling to focus. Angel giggled, and I could have sworn I heard Dom snort. Assholes.
    “I asked if I could get some ketchup,” Angel winked. Part of me wanted to squirt it at her, staining her white, eyelet sundress.
    “So how do you all know each other?” Blaine asked, pulling me from my dress-murdering thoughts. I grabbed the bottle and handed it to her with a tight smile.
    “Kam and I went to college together in Atlanta,” Dom replied. “After I graduated, we came up here. Angel was pathetically single in her big lavish condo and said we could room with her. I know her from high school, since I lived in this area for a few years back in the day.”
    “He’s the guy that turned me gay!” Angel added.
    “Oh, come on! Do you have to tell everyone that