Everything That Glitters Ain't Gold, Danielle Martin [best books to read all time .TXT] 📗

“Okay baby watch your step. There are 3 stairs here.” He led her hand leading her the entire way. Blinded by his handmade mask, Ava followed his directions and began to walk up 3 steps. Her knees were shaking in nervousness. She had no idea what was going on.

“Blakeeeee…” she hesitantly called his name, feeling her anxiety about to kick in.

He laughed at her hesitance. “Just keep walking baby. We are almost there. Trust me, you’re going to love it.”

Ava nervously bit her lip, but she continued walking. Although she had no idea what she was about to walk into, she trusted Blake with her safety and knew he would never do anything to put her in harm’s way. He stopped her in place, making her stand still.

“Okay now, wait here and keep your eyes closed…” He spoke anxiously.

Ava broke out into a nervous panic. “Wait here???” she repeated.

“Just give me a second, baby. Please don’t peek!” he begged her to keep her eyes closed once again. Ava sighed and nodded her head. Apart of her wanted to know finally what all the suspense was about. But then again, she loved how adamant he was on surprising her. She could hear shuffling in the background before Blake’s voice resurfaced. “Okay, Ava… Open your eyes…”

She did not open them immediately. She was hesitant. Ava hoped she liked the surprise. Then again, she hoped she had the courage to muster up a fake response in case she did not. She took a deep breath relaxing her racing heart before slowly creeping her eyelids open.

“Oh my God….” Her eyes widened. Her jaw dropped in astonishment. Blake stood before her grinning, watching her expression turn completely appalled.

“Oh my God…” Ava repeated herself again.

“What do you think???” Blake asked, extending his arm towards the surprise.

Ava couldn’t answer him. She continued staring speechlessly with wide eyes and an open jaw.

“What??? Huhhh??? Uhhhhh… Blakeeeee” she stammered over his name. Her eyes scanned the large 2 story house that towered over her. The house was a Victorian, redbrick house topped with copper domes and spires. New. Fairly new. The door was wide as it was tall. The windows took up entire walls on the outside of the house with polished steel beams breaking them into yet more rectangles. Ava was breath taken by the beautiful large, modern home that stood over her. The grass was green. The flowers were vibrant and consisted of multiple bright colors. The garden wrapped around the front yard had been newly inputted. The most noticeable decoration was the large pink and white banner hanging from the door with two balloons tied against a lamp post. The large black words on the banner read “WELCOME HOME AVA.”

Ava stared as if she were seeing a ghost. “Oh my God…” she muttered once again. “What is this??? Blake… I’m confused…” Immediately, she turned lightheaded. Ava swayed, losing her balance and almost losing her consciousness.

“Whoaaaaa…” Blake reached forward and caught her before she could stumble over. “Does that mean you like it???” he asked while chuckling and holding her in his arms.

Ava still could not answer him. She was astounded by this surprise. Using the palm of his hand, Blake straightened her posture helping her back on her feet.

“I know this may seem like a lot...” he held her hand after noticing how shocked she was. “This is all for you babe… For us and the life we are going to build together. You won’t have to worry about a thing as long as you have me. I promise you that…” he stared at her, wanting her to say something. Slowly, she looked back at the house in fear that she was going to wake up at any second and discover this all to be a dream. It wasn’t. This was real.

“Baby…” she finally spoke out, whispering in a shaky voice. “Babe, what is this? What does this mean??? Whose house is this??? Really???” she pointed at the large welcome home banner hanging over her head. Blake smiled even wider. He placed his hand on the side of her cheek and stroked her skin. “Ava, I can show you better than I can tell you… You deserve everything that I have in store for you…’’ He reached down to grab her hand and began to lightly pull her to the door. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

She didn’t budge. Blake looked back, noticing she hadn’t moved. Her feet were still firmly planted on the floor stuck in time. “Baby, please…” Blake begged her with his eyes, pleading for her to follow his lead. “Trust me… You’re not going to regret this…”

Ava grew weak almost immediately. She couldn’t say no to him. She was undeniably indebted to his every want and need. Ava breathed in and out, then stepped forward following his direction. He smiled and lightly pulled her towards the entrance. Ava followed him holding his hand tightly. She watched him approach the front door, dig into his pocket and retrieve a set of house keys. He slipped the key into the lock, pushed open the door then stepped to the side. “Ladies first…” he extended his arm towards the doorway letting her walk in first then smiled that damningly attractive smile. She obeyed his instructions. Ava stepped up, entering the foyer with Blake following closely behind.

“Oh my goodness, baby!” Ava shrieked out in shock. The smell of fresh paint floated through her nostrils as she entered the doorway. To the least of her expectations, the house was fully furnished. The walls were painted a fashionable shade of white and amber colors. The main stairway led down into a tall galleried living room with a red velvet rug spread out over the floor and a fireplace big enough to park a car in. The kitchen was open and spacious with glossy white surfaces, stainless steel appliances and granite enforced walls. The house was breath taking. Practically a mini mansion. Ava looked around in awe, guessing the house couldn’t be any less than 5000 square feet. She turned to Blake, who stood by watching her admire the house.

Ava walked towards him in a quick pace. Indeed, the inside and out of this place was absolutely stunning. Breathtaking. But this was all too much. She approached him with a bothered look on her face. “Blake, the house is beautiful. It really is. But what’s going on??? What am I going to do with a house this big???” she asked him while pointing around the large living room. The large area was extremely spacious. The ceilings were too high to reach. He smiled at her before responding. “You’re going to live in it…” he answered simply.

Ava took a step back and stared at him with wide eyes. Blake was so calm. Ava ran her fingers through her hair overwhelmingly. “I don’t have a job!” she shouted. “How am I going to afford to live in a place like this??? How am I going to pay the rent???” she looked at him crazily while hoping he had a good answer for all of this. Blake’s expression did not change. He had already figured everything out. “You’re not paying the rent, Ava…” he spoke firmly while giving her a serious look. “I am….”

Once again, her body froze. “Wha- Whaaat???” she stammered confusingly.

Blake walked towards where she was standing and slipped his arms around her waist. He pulled her into his chest before speaking. “I will still have my condo. Don’t worry about that.” He cradled her body close. His smell was manly but so sweet. Blake knew exactly what he was doing to her each and every time he touched her.

“I figured since you’re going to be around for a long time, the condo would not be enough space for us…” he continued, finally explaining why he was doing this. She stared longingly into his eyes, soaking up every word.

“I know you just got out of a live in relationship and I don’t want to force that on you so soon… That’s the reason why I am keeping my condo… I want to give you all the space you need, Ava. But whenever you are ready to have me here fulltime, just let me know… I’m here…” 
She fell silent, staring deep into his beautiful hazel brown eyes. A sudden warm familiar feeling spread over her heart. He held her tightly staring back at her. At this very moment, Ava was feeling something she had never felt before with any man… Not even with Desean. Suddenly she was coming to the realization what caring about someone was really about. The man of her dreams had been staring her right in the face for so many years. She had been foolish for so long ignoring all the signs. But not anymore. Ava couldn’t give up on this. She never had someone in her life that cared about her so genuinely the way Blake did. He went out of his way to please her. To make sure she was okay. That was something she never had with any man. Not with her father. Not with Desean. Not with anyone. Ava looked down to the floor, feeling a tear escape her eye. She tried to wipe it away but he noticed instantly.

“What’s wrong, Ava???” he asked in a seductive tone making her want to cry out and also turning her on at the same time. Another tear fell out of her other eye, but she did not wipe it away this time. Instead, she smiled through her tears. “Nothing… It’s just that… I think…. I think…" she reached up and grabbed his cheek, stroking his smooth skin. She took a deep breath before continuing then smiled from ear to ear. "I think I’m falling in love with you Blake….” 
Silence.
The words had finally escaped her lips. The truth had been let out and she could not take them back. Surprisingly, she did not want to.

Blake was shocked by what he just heard. He backed away, her smile fading as she watched him step back. The distance instantly made her nervous. “Ava… I… I…” he stuttered. Secretly, she was turned on even more by how uneasy he had become. He seemed so taken aback by what she just told him. It wasn't the reaction she expected. Ava stepped forward, refusing to back down. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him back in. “I don't mean to scare you baby but this has been heavy on my mind. Everything feels so right…" Ava spoke confidently.  She smiled. "I’ve never had a man that treats me the way you do, Blake. I’m in love with you and I know for sure…. I want this forever….” She bit her lip and stopped talking after feeling like she had given him a mouth full. As nervous as Ava was about starting over, she was couldn’t have imagined starting a new life with anyone else other than Blake Weiss.

Finally, after being quiet he spoke…” Ava…” Blake called out to her. Again, she loved the way he said her name. For some many years, she shielded her true identity from him in fears of opening up to the wrong person. But not anymore. Now she was 100% sure.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly, instantly boosting her confidence. “Ava, you have no idea how many years I have waited for you to say that…”

She smiled, his response giving her so much relief. "Do you love me, Blake???” she couldn’t help but ask.

Immediately his jaw clenched, his mind pondering upon the answer. His hesitance to respond instantly made Ava regret asking. After a few seconds went by, he sighed. “I can’t believe you’re asking me that…” Blake shook his head frustratedly which took her by surprise. Before she could explain her reasons for asking, he continued. “Of course I love you, Ava… I loved you since the day