“No. I’m sorry, Mr. Steele, I’m not trying to be a bitch. It’s just that I don’t really know you.”
“Do you think I would hurt you?”
“Of course not.” Blaise sighed. “I don’t invite people into my home. It’s my sanctuary.” It was the truth, and she hoped he would see that in her eyes. The only people she allowed in her home were Ellie and Jessie.
“Okay. I will respect that.” Greyson took a few steps back, and slid down the wall opposite of Blaise until he was seated. “Got another spoon?” he asked, nodding to the ice cream.
Blaise chuckled. “Hang on.” She went back inside, grabbed another spoon and a napkin. “Would you like coffee?” she called out.
“Coffee with Coffee, Coffee ice cream? Do you ever sleep?” he called back, making Blaise laugh again.
She grabbed a couple of bottles of water, and went back out into the hallway. It may be a very bad idea, sitting next to Greyson, sharing her favorite ice cream with him. But he came here in an effort to explain things to her. She figured it was only right she talk it out.
“Here.” She handed him a spoon and a bottle when she settled in next to him. “So? Steele Industries. Not something you want to do?”
“No. My father has turned the company into something I don’t want to be a part of.”
“Which is?” Blaise asked around a bite of ice cream. “Sorry. I’ve heard of Steele Industries; I just don’t know what you do there. Exactly.”
“Not many people do these days. It was different when my grandfather was head of the company. We had purpose. We helped companies. Now, we just tear them apart. My father sees it as a more lucrative endeavor.”
“You don’t?”
Blaise watched as Greyson took a bite of ice cream, wrinkling his nose a bit.
“Interesting,” he murmured. “It’s not as lucrative as he wants everyone to believe it is. He’s already bankrupt the company once.”
“So, if you’re in charge, couldn’t you change it?”
“I could.” He twisted the cap off his water bottle, taking a long pull.
“But?” Blaise began for him when he said nothing else.
Greyson wiped his mouth, and glanced at Blaise. “But, I don’t want to. Steele Industries is not what I want to do.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I wasn’t expecting this conversation, Blaise.”
Blaise shrugged. “I wasn’t expecting you to show up at my doorstep either.”
“Touché. Cade, my friend you met at the diner?” When Blaise nodded, he continued. “He owns a security company. Wants me to come in and be a part of it. Doing all kinds of jobs from private jobs like the Gallo’s event, to military assignments. They also develop security equipment.”
“For the military?” Blaise was impressed, and perhaps a little intimidated. He had mentioned he was in the Army, but beyond that, Blaise had no idea what he actually did while enlisted. “Or is that classified?”
Greyson chuckled a low and rumbling sound that made Blaise shiver. Of course, she immediately blamed the ice cream, and her lack of… oh shit. She just became hyper aware of what she had on. Or more to the point, what she didn’t have on. Yes, she had shorts on, but the length of the shirt made it seem like she didn’t. Blaise wondered what Greyson had thought about her when she opened the door. And, now she was extremely self-aware of how she was sitting.
“I think Cade is discussing it with the military. But at this point, it’s for civilians or other security personnel.”
“And, this is what you want to do?”
“Yeah. When we were still in, we would talk about what would happen after. This was our plan. Cade did it.” He shrugged, but Blaise could tell it bothered him quite a bit.
“Why did you change your mind?”
Their hands bumped when they both went for another bite of ice cream. Then their eyes locked. Blaise could feel the intense heat coming from them. All her imagination, she thought. Until his eyes slid down to take the rest of her in. Her white button up—which she desperately hoped was buttoned enough not to be showing off everything—bare legs, white fluffy socks. Jesus, could this be any more embarrassing? She cleared her throat, effectively bringing his eyes back to hers, and she lifted a brow in question.
“Right.” He took a swig of water. “I didn’t change my mind. I came home, found that the business was in the red, my mother begging me to step in and be ‘groomed’ to take over, as soon as possible.”
“Couldn’t you have just said no? That you wanted to do something else?”
“It’s not that easy when you come from a family like mine, Blaise. We have an obligation to uphold the Steele name. I’m the eldest son, the only son. That obligation falls to me.”
Blaise stared at him for a moment, not understanding why he would put aside his own dreams to do something he hated. Of course, she had no family to speak of, so she supposed that was one reason she couldn’t fathom this obligation Greyson felt.
“And, this ‘obligation’ is why you agreed to escort that woman?” Blaise knew that she sounded like a jealous girlfriend, but that woman had bombarded her in the bathroom. She didn’t deserve Blaise’s respect.
“Yeah.” He took the almost empty ice cream carton from her, throwing both of their napkins in it and setting it to the side. “I met Pricilla at one of the many family functions my mother has. Nora, my mother, set us up.”
“So you’ve dated?”
“I wouldn’t call it dating.”
Well. That was something Blaise certainly didn’t want to know about. “I see.”
“That’s not how I meant that,” Greyson said, bending his knee and turning his body towards her. “We went out a few times, but she’s just… not my type.”
“Tall, skinny, blonde and beautiful is not your type?”
“You can always find a beautiful shell, Blaise. But what is it worth if there’s nothing inside?”
Gorgeous and profound, Blaise thought. Crap.
“Some people don’t care about what’s on the inside,” she countered.
“I’m not some people. Look, I’m not going to lie and say that it didn’t get physical with her. But even that was…”
“Not your type?” Blaise offered acerbically.
He laughed. “I suppose you could say that.” Then he paused, becoming serious again. “Why don’t you invite anyone in, Blaise?”
Blaise got up abruptly, discreetly smoothing down her shirt to make sure everything was still covered. “Have you said everything you came here to say, Mr. Steele?”
“Damn it, Blaise.” Greyson rose as well. “Stop running away from me.”
“How did you… Cade. Cade looked up my address for you didn’t he?” She raised her hands, not giving him a chance to answer. “Did you have him do a complete background check on me?” God, she hoped he didn’t. Blaise’s privacy meant everything to her. Thinking someone could find things out about her without her permission scared her.
“Of course not. I just needed to explain this to you. I needed you to hear me out. Now. Not Monday at your shop when you could use customers as excuses to send me away.”
“I don’t need excuses, Mr. Steele. And, I’m not running.”
“You are,” he retorted.
“I’m not.” God, what is going on here? Blaise felt like she was back in elementary school, fighting with a boy who pulls her hair because he ‘likes’ her.
“Prove it.”
Yep. Elementary school. “Did you really just tell me to prove it?”
“Yes.”
“And, how exactly would you like me to ‘prove’ it to you?” She knew. He didn’t have to say it, but she would make him anyway. She just didn’t know what her answer would be.
“Have dinner with me. No, wait.” Greyson cleared his throat. “Blaise Knight, I would be honored if you would have dinner with me.”
Well, shit. Blaise sighed inwardly. “Fine.” When Greyson lifted a brow, that inwa
rd sigh came out. “I would love to, Mr. Steele.” She managed to hold back most of the sarcasm.
Greyson growled, again. “While we’re on our date, do you think you could try to call me Greyson?”
Blaise shrugged with indifference because she knew it would aggravate him. “Maybe.”
Greyson shook his head, and scratched his whiskered cheek. “You are a stubborn woman.”
“Still want that date?”
“Oh yeah. I’m not letting you run away anymore.” As he tended to do, much to Blaise’s consternation, he stepped closer. “You feel this, Blaise. I know you do. You just need to stop fighting it. It’s going to happen.”
Blaise ran her hand up his t-shirt, and into the hair at the nape of his neck. She felt a surge of satisfaction when she felt him shiver ever so slightly at her touch. “There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence, Mr. Steele. I abhor arrogance. Be careful how close to the line you get.”
It took a lot of effort not to flinch, or stiffen when Greyson brought his hand up to rest on her hips.
“It’s not arrogance, Blaise. It’s hope and positive thinking. A man has nothing if he doesn’t have hope.”
When he bent his head, Blaise pushed away. If he kissed her now, they’d be doing a lot more than just eating ice cream out here in the hallway. “Friday night. Seven o’clock.”
“I’ll be here.” He eyed her, again, and she could only hope she wasn’t blushing. “As much as I love what you’re wearing, we’ll be going somewhere with a bit more of a dress code.”
“Dress code? That fancy, huh? Trying to impress me, Mr. Steele?” Blaise opened her door, and stepped past the threshold. To her, it was like a barrier between them. Safe. And, she needed safe as she watched him bend down to pick up their trash. God, that ass. Blaise brought her eyes up as he straightened, but the knowing look in his eyes told her she’d been caught.
“Yes. I’m trying to impress you, Blaise.” He handed her the ice cream carton and spoons. “And, I’m trying to make up for all the times I’ve screwed up so far. I’m sure there will be more.”
Blaise laughed softly. “And, I’m sure I’ll keep being stubborn. It’s in my nature.”
“Then I doubt we’ll ever have a dull moment between us. Good night, Blaise.”
“Good night, Mr. Steele.”
“RED VELVET?” ELLIE asked Blaise as she stepped through the kitchen door. She had flour streaked across her face, and she was busy rolling out pastry for the day.
Blaise placed a slightly unsteady hand on her stomach. “No.” She had had an extremely restless night after Greyson left. She spent hours in her ‘greenhouse’ working on the Blood Orchlip for Ana, but her mind never left Greyson. How had he managed to get her to go against her self-imposed ‘no dating’ rule? She knew it was a mistake. Blaise had never been afraid of going out and playing the game. She knew she would never let her heart get involved until she was absolutely ready. And, she wasn’t ready now. But she wasn’t sure she had the defenses to keep her heart out of whatever was going on with Greyson.
“I’m sorry. Did you just say no to red velvet cake?” Ellie immediately walked to Blaise, laying a flour-covered hand on Blaise’s forehead. “Are you sick?”
Blaise swatted Ellie away. “No, I’m not sick. Did you just get flour all over me?”
“Oh quit fussing, and tell me what’s wrong.” Ellie washed her hands, then walked back around the enormous butcher block island in the middle of the kitchen. It was early enough that the employees hadn’t made it in yet, and Blaise was thankful for the privacy.
“Nothing is wrong.”
“Bullshit. You’re here at,” Ellie looked at the clock on the wall. “Quarter to six in the morning, and you’re refusing red velvet which you will eat no matter what time of the day it is. So spill it. Does this have to do with Greyson being engaged?”
“He’s not.” Blaise picked up a piece of discarded dough and began rolling it into a tiny dough ball.
“What do you mean he’s not?”
“He had his friend Cade look up my address, and showed up at my apartment. Of course I was not expecting company, especially from him, so I wasn’t dressed appropriately. And, I was eating ice cream of all things…”
“Blaise!” Ellie laughed, and threw a handful of flour at her. “Focus!”
The flour ‘snowed’ down on Blaise’s hair, and she glared at Ellie. She shook out her bangs, thankful that she had pulled the rest back in a ponytail. “You got flour on my yoga pants.”
“Doesn’t get you out of doing yoga. Now continue.” Ellie continued rolling out her dough for whatever pie she was about to amaze the world with.
“Well, you interrupted me!” Blaise dusted off her pants, and continued to tell Ellie about her night with Greyson. Since it was Ellie, Blaise didn’t leave out any details.
“Wow.” Ellie had stopped what she was doing to listen intently to Blaise’s story. “He really wanted to go out with you.”
“I guess so.” Blaise threw her little dough ball onto the counter, watching it ‘splat’ with a small smile. She picked it up again just to have something to occupy her hands. Nervous energy, she thought. “I’m scared, El.”
“Why? Sweetie, what is it about love that scares you?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“Blaise. We’re talking about you.”
“Because you never talk about you!” She didn’t know why she did it. Hell, she didn’t even know she had thrown her dough ball at Ellie until a large, flat ‘disc’ came sailing through the air straight at her. Unfortunately, Blaise wasn’t fast enough to get fully out of the way, and ended up with dough on her shoulder.
“Don’t turn this around on me, please.”
“You say ‘please’ like you’re so innocent,” Blaise muttered. “And, yet here I am blanketed with dough.”
“That was your own fault.”
“I threw a tiny ball at you! Not an afghan of pie crust!”
When Ellie started laughing, Blaise couldn’t help but join in. They were both holding their sides, and wiping tears from their eyes by the time the laughter subsided.
“God, I needed that,” Blaise wheezed, then sobered a bit. “I just don’t know if I’m ready for someone like Greyson Steele.”
“Because he has the potential to break down your barriers?” Ellie asked, starting on a new crust.
“Yes. There’s so much tension between us.”
“Sexual tension?” Ellie smirked.
Blaise snorted. “Of course. But it’s more than that. Being with him is going to be intense. What if I’m not ready for that kind of relationship in my life? Everything is simple and calm now.”
“Well, sweetie, you could just go out with him and see how it goes. He didn’t propose marriage. Try not to get ahead of yourself.”
“My head knows you’re right. My body, however, may have other plans.”
“Stop thinking with your vagina!” Ellie laughed.
“Have you seen Greyson? I think that’s exactly where my brain goes when I see him.” Blaise got up to pour herself a cup of coffee, gesturing with her cup to see if Ellie wanted any. When she shook her head, Blaise took her cup and sat back down. “It’s just dinner,” she sighed.
Ellie glanced up at her, and smiled. “Just dinner.”
“ADRIENNE, PLEASE CONFIRM my reservations for two at Mancha.” Greyson sat at his massive cherry wood desk, in his plush ergonomic chair, in the expansive office, and was bored out of his fucking mind. The only thing keeping him sane today was knowing that he would be seeing Blaise soon.
“Yes, sir. For you and Ms. Chapman?” His assistant answered through the intercom.
“No. There is no me and Ms. Chapman.” Fuck. It pissed him off that Pricilla had tried to force herself into all aspects of his life. Showing up here at Steele Industries whenever she damn well pleased, acting like she owned the place. Hell, she’s welcome to it if it meant he didn’t have to be here anymore. “
As a matter of fact, if Ms. Chapman ever shows up here, I’m always busy.”
“Y-yes, sir.” His assistant answered.
He knew Pricilla’s presence here wasn’t a welcome one by the staff. She was a bitch. That certainly wasn’t a secret. If she gave Adrienne any trouble for keeping her away from him, he’d handle it. Perhaps a raise, he thought. Greyson pulled out his cell when it began to ring.
“Cade. What’s up?”
“Group of us are getting together for poker tonight, brother. You in?”
“Can’t tonight, man.” Greyson sat back, swiveling his chair so he could look out the floor to ceiling window.
“Come on, brother! We never get all the guys together. We finally got ‘em. Bring some beer.”
“Damn. Sorry, man. I just can’t.” Greyson felt a moment of regret not being able to hang out with his military buddies. But it faded just as quickly when he thought about spending time with Blaise.
“You better be getting some good pussy to miss this, brother.”
“Cade.” Greyson allowed the disapproval, and borderline anger, seep through his tone. “Blaise agreed to go out on a date with me.”
“No shit? Well, fuck, man. I’d miss this game for that!” Cade ‘whooped’ on the other end, and Greyson heard him telling the guys that he ‘got the girl’.
“Already starting the party, man?” Greyson glanced at his watch, grimacing when he saw the time. “It’s only three o’clock.”
“Brother, it is always time to party over here. You’d know that if you worked with me.”
Greyson knew Cade was joking, and that he took his company very seriously. But he also knew he could party hard when the occasion called for it. Having their military brothers there? Definitely the right situation.
“Yeah, don’t remind me. Look, tell the others I’m sorry I’ll miss the game tonight. I have a meeting to get to, then I’m out of here.”
“Will do. Hey, since you’re in with Blaise now, how about talking me up with Ellie?”
Greyson’s brows rose in surprise. “You heard me when I said she has a kid, right?”
“Yeah? Is that supposed to be a problem?”
Coming Home: An LA Lovers Book Page 10