“This is business, Blaise. It’s the one place you should never trust anyone.”
BLAISE BUSIED HERSELF by preparing sandwiches as Greyson ‘made some calls’. She didn’t know who he was talking to, and frankly, she didn’t care. She was hungry, tired and cranky. What was happening with Steele Industries shouldn’t concern her, but her feelings for Greyson wouldn’t allow her to sit back and do nothing.
“Cade is doing some digging.”
Greyson walked into the kitchen as soon as Blaise took a healthy bite full of turkey, lettuce, and tomato on wheat. With a nod, she pushed a plate full of a second sandwich and chips towards him. She caught the flicker of surprise that crossed his features. Yeah, surprised me, too, stud. I should just let you starve.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
There was a moment of almost comfortable silence as they both chewed thoughtfully. Greyson broke it with his next question.
“Why did you lie about who you were?”
Blaise took a swig from her bottle of water, and swallowed. “I didn’t.”
Anger reared its ugly head again. “You’re still going to say that after all of this?”
“Yes. I never lied about who I was. My name is Blaise Knight. I own Knight in Bloom. My best friend is Ellie Montgomery. Jessie Montgomery is my goddaughter. I love red velvet cake, muscle cars, action movies, and I drink beer. I live here in this apartment, and not some god-awful monstrosity that I would need a GPS to navigate me to the fucking toilet. That life, the life being CEO of EK Enterprises would have made me live, that’s not me.”
“You would give up the money and the business, just like that?” he asked skeptically.
Blaise narrowed her eyes. “You were going to do just that. Why is it so hard to believe that I didn’t want that life?” She downed the remainder of her sandwich and drink. “EK was my father’s dream. Not mine.”
Greyson glanced towards her ‘green house’ room. “I’m sure that cost a pretty penny.”
She stared at Greyson, seriously considering slapping him upside the head. “Are you looking for something to condemn me for, Greyson? Will that make it easier for you to step out of my life?”
He flinched a little, but held her gaze. “No. I’m looking for a reason to stay.”
“By accusing me?”
“By getting answers,” he countered.
After a brief scrutiny of the man in front of her, Blaise reluctantly gave in. “Remember the small inheritance I told you about?” She waited for Greyson’s response. Receiving a nod, she continued. “I used some of the money to go to university, buy this apartment, pay for the addition of the green house, buy my shop and Ellie’s diner, and then invested the rest.” She leaned closer, allowing a malicious glare to form. “And, if you ever tell Ellie what I just told you, I will kick your ass.”
Greyson’s eyebrows flew up his forehead dramatically. “She doesn’t know who you are?”
A low growl escaped Blaise from deep down. “She knows exactly who I am. There’s no need for this heiress bullshit to come up. It’s never been a part of either of our lives, and I wish to hell it could have stayed that way. But Ellie doesn’t know I paid for her diner in full. She sends in checks for the lease, but since I’m the owner, the money goes straight into a college fund for Jessie.”
Greyson had the strangest look on his face that she couldn’t decipher. Then he shook his head slightly.
“What happens now?”
Blaise gave him a resigned shrug. “I’ll call Vincent, and see if I can figure out what’s going on,” she slammed her hands down on the counter in frustration. “Goddamn it! I didn’t want this! The reason I wasn’t interested in the corporation was because there was too much drama. I was happy with the way things were. I had my friends, my ‘quaint’ flower shop, and everything was drama free. Now, here I am. In the middle of it all.”
“And, that’s my fault.” It was an admission, not a question. Greyson scrubbed his face roughly. “So, what happens with us?”
Part of Blaise wanted to tell him that everything would be fine. God, she wished that was so. But how could they continue if he didn’t trust her?
Her head began to slowly move side to side. “I think that’s over, Greyson.”
She tried to ignore the crestfallen look he gave her, and stepped back when he stepped closer.
“Don’t say that, doll.”
Her eyebrow raised. “You accused me, Greyson. You didn’t trust me. Instead, you believed the words of a family that didn’t want you to have anything to do with me in the first place. How do we get past that?”
He tentatively reached out, placing his hands lightly on her hips. She couldn’t say why she let him touch her, she just knew she was powerless to stop it.
“Can you tell me that you would have thought any different if the roles were reversed?”
“I don’t know, Greyson. I’d like to think that I would’ve given you the benefit of the doubt. At the least I would have given you the chance to explain.”
He sighed, tightening his grip on her hips. “All of my life, people have wanted something from me, Blaise. Women wanted the money or prestige. The army wanted my skills. Even my parents wanted to use me as some kind of stud service for ‘heirs’. It’s what I’ve come to expect.”
As though it had a mind of its own, her hand raised to cup his cheek. “All I ever wanted from you, was you. But how are we supposed to have a relationship if you can’t trust me.”
“Blaise, please.” Greyson pulled her closer, and her heartrate tripled. “I’m sorry. I’m asking you for another chance. Begging you.”
“Greyson…”
Before she knew what was happening, Greyson crushed his mouth to hers. The kiss was desperate, and she responded just as fiercely. Hands began frantically pulling at clothes, as though survival depended on feeling skin on skin.
Blaise let out a sharp shriek when her bare ass came into contact with the cold surface of the counter, and she wondered where the hell her sweats went. Then any sensible thoughts or reservations she may have had, vacated her brain as soon as Greyson’s hot mouth latched on to her hardened—extremely sensitive—nipple. Deep down she knew that sex wouldn’t fix their problem. Her problem was that right at this moment, what she needed deep down, was him.
It wasn’t going to be slow and easy. No, this was intended to release the anger, heartache, and fear that was plaguing the both of them. Blaise tore at Greyson’s belt.
“Off! I need you inside now!” She bit down on Greyson’s shoulder as his strong hands abandoned her breasts to help Blaise with her task. He took long enough to push his chinos and boxer briefs past his rock hard cock before pulling Blaise to the edge of the countertop.
“Open up for me, doll.” His warm breath caressed her ear, and her sex began to drip with anticipation. She widened her thighs to accommodate him, moaning when he slipped two fingers between her folds. “So wet.”
Removing his fingers, he brought them up to his lips, licking them clean. Gray eyes met golden brown—both clouded with unbridled passion—as he sank inside her until he was buried to the hilt. Hands tightly gripped Blaise’s hair. Pain and pleasure collided as the onslaught of thrusts became harder, more demanding. No words were exchanged, only grunts and moans of unmitigated pleasure filled the air between the two lovers.
Blaise dug her nails into the flesh of Greyson’s ass, trying to pull him even deeper inside her. She was close. So close, yet she couldn’t get enough. Her fiery need surpassed her logic the moment Greyson kissed her, and only a mind-blowing climax could douse those flames.
“Don’t stop!” The demand left her lips just moments before she felt her inner walls contracting, creating an even greater friction between them. She cried out something resembling Greyson’s name, breath ragged, heart pounding, as she came harder than she ever had before.
Greyson wasn’t far behind. One last grunt, and he was emptying inside her. A warmth filled her, causing trembl
ing aftershocks from an already unparalleled orgasm. Wait. Oh, shit!
“Did you just?”
Greyson drew back, cringing. “Shit. I—I’m sorry, doll! I wasn’t thinking. I…”
“It’s okay.” Right? It has to be. “You’re not the only one at fault.” Concerned eyes watched her wearily. Blaise experienced a moment of panic, trying to remember how diligent she had been recently. Not recalling having missed a day, she silently sighed in relief. “I’m on the pill, so we should be fine. Though I’m going to have to seriously disinfect this counter.” A small smile graced her features when Greyson chuckled softly.
A myriad of emotions flickered across his features as he feathered a fingertip down her cheek. “Blaise, I lo…”
Hastily, she placed a finger over his lips. “No, don’t. Please?” He was still buried inside her, feelings were still raw. “Not like this. Not today,” she pleaded. There was an instant when she thought he wouldn’t agree, until he grasped her wrist, giving the exposed palm a sweet kiss, and a nod. No declarations would be made at a time when doubts still hung in the air.
HOURS—NOT TO mention multiple orgasms—later, Greyson stood at the front door, urging Blaise to say yes.
“Please, doll. Let me stay the night?”
“I have to work in the morning.” Yes, he had stayed over on a ‘school night’ before, which he readily pointed out to her. “I need time, Greyson. We both do.”
It was fleeting, but she clearly caught the fear in Greyson’s expression. Hoping to quell his anxiety, she kissed Greyson deeply.
“I’ll call Vincent in the morning, and get some answers. Then I will call you.”
“Why does this feel like it’s the last time I’m going to see you?” he asked quietly. “Will you have dinner with me tomorrow?”
“Of course I will.” She didn’t think he needed to know that she had the same irrational fears. She wanted to see Greyson again. Needed it enough to quash her ego. “I’ll meet you at the diner at six.”
“Six,” Greyson confirmed as though he was reminding her. “I’ll be there.” His arms brought her close, pressing their bodies together, and she almost lost her resolve.
“As will I.” Reaching up, she kissed Greyson, keeping it light and abbreviated. “Goodnight, Greyson.”
BLAISE SAT AT her desk, sipping her third cup of coffee. The night had been restless. Despite not having completely forgiven Greyson, she found herself wishing she had let him stay. Her ego had been bruised by the accusations from Greyson’s family. Her trust had been shaken by Pricilla’s revelation. But her heart? Her heart had been broken when Greyson turned his back on her. Blaise tried to reason with herself, reminding herself that Greyson had shown up at her doorstep ready to listen. She gave him the benefit of the doubt, knowing how others had treated him. But that wasn’t quite cutting it in relieving her own heartache.
Juggling her phone in her hand, she knew she was procrastinating. This wasn’t a phone call Blaise wanted to make. As soon as she hit that “Send” button, she would be back in that world. It irked her. For her father’s sake, she had tried. Those two years Blaise went back to New Zealand, she tried immersing herself into the business, hoping it would make her feel closer to her parents. They obviously loved the company, the employees, surely she could, too. But it was pure hell for Blaise. Richard would hound her day after day to give him more responsibility. Vincent would creep her out by being too involved and attentive whenever Blaise was concerned. And, the business itself? It wasn’t for her. She loved plants and flowers, and being away from that had depressed her.
“Damn it. Get it over with.” Scrolling to Vincent’s name, she hit send before she could talk herself out of it. Blaise released a slow, calming breath as she waited for the other party to answer.
“Vincent Scott.”
“Vincent? It’s Blaise.”
“Well. What a wonderful surprise,” he answered, though to Blaise he sounded anything but surprised. “How may I help you?”
“You can tell me why Richard is acting as CFO for the company,” Blaise answered without preamble.
“Richard and I have come to an understanding.” Vincent’s response was so nonchalant that Blaise wasn’t sure how to react at first.
“An understanding,” she repeated slowly. “Vincent, I left you in charge with the understanding that Richard was not to be put in any position of authority.”
“I found it in the best interest of the company to have Richard use his expertise…”
“The best interest of the company,” Blaise interrupted sharply. Vincent’s arrogance was grating on her already frayed nerves. “Is for you to heed my directions.”
“With all due respect, Ms. Knight, you’re not here to make these decisions.”
Respect, she thought with disgust. Blaise certainly didn’t feel any of that coming from Vincent. She wondered what had changed since she left. “The plan was to keep Richard where he was, in an inconsequential role, until I was able to divide my shares. Once I do that, Richard’s fate is up to the employees.”
“I appreciate your loyalty to your father, Ms. Knight, however, Richard and I…”
“Stop right there. You work for me, Vincent, not Richard. What he’s doing to Steele Industries, that is beyond unethical. I want it stopped. Now.”
“It’s too late for that, Blaise.”
She bristled at his use of her name. Normally, Blaise was not the kind of person that was big on hierarchy. However, with Vincent, she found herself wanting him to remember she was his boss.
“It is my name on that company, Vincent.” Controlled fury colored her voice. This was not going how she expected at all. “Not yours, not Richard’s. I am telling you to stop this hostile takeover of Steele Industries.”
“You’re letting your emotions overrule your logic, Blaise.”
“Ms. Knight,” Blaise corrected him. “And, what do you know about my emotions?”
The chuckle he released made her shiver in the complete opposite way Greyson’s did.
“I warned you to stay away from him, Blaise.”
Her grip tightened on the phone. “That was you?!”
“Of course it was,” he scoffed as if she were daft for not knowing it sooner. Her ire raised exponentially. “You were getting too close to Greyson Steele. Do you think I’ve worked this hard just to have you hand over the business to the competition?”
“What the hell are you talking about, Vincent?” she asked through clenched teeth. Greyson was right. You couldn’t trust anyone in business. Exactly why I wanted nothing to do with this, she thought vehemently.
“I worked for years under that old coot Oliver’s wing. He had your father’s trust, but I had his ear. He was greedier than he was loyal, that old Oliver. He insisted I take his place, so that I could carry out our plan. Easy money. I thought it would be smooth sailing from there, but you were… unresponsive to my advances. And, Ollie grew a conscience on his deathbed.”
His voice trailed off as though he had said more than he intended, and Blaise couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She had thought Vincent was just some big, old flirt. There was no way she would have ever taken him seriously. Besides, she certainly wasn’t interested in him like that. She could barely tolerate the man personally, but he was good at what he did.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, but I am. And, I was willing to wait for you, Blaise. Three more years, and I could have talked you into handing your shares over to me. But you had to get involved with the competition. Why couldn’t you just stick with the losers you had the knack of dating?”
Flabbergasted. It wasn’t a word that Blaise would ever use, but it seemed to be the only thing that fit when it came to how she was feeling. How could she have been so blind as to not see what was going on? Because you didn’t want to, Blaise. All you wanted to do was get out of there.
“What made you think you could get away with this, Vincent? Especially now that I know what you�
�re up to?”
Vincent laughed again, and Blaise had the thought that he and Pricilla would get along very well. Match made in hell.
“You don’t give me enough credit, Blaise. I have the proverbial ace up my sleeve.”
A weary sigh left Blaise, and suddenly she wanted to crawl back into bed until everything resolved itself on its own. And, that, pissed her off. Blaise Knight was not one to back down from a threat.
“Whatever it is you think you have, it’s not going to work, Vincent. I have nothing to hide. I don’t care what, if anything, you have on Greyson.” She tapped her fist lightly on the desk, trying to keep herself in check. “This ends now. Your employment with EK Enterprises is over, as is Richard’s. I will be calling security to make sure you are escorted off the premises.”
“You might want to hold off on that call, doll.”
Blaise flinched at the use of Greyson’s nickname for her. If he knew that, he was watching much more closely than she imagined. Seeing that she was involved with someone was easy. Knowing the intimate details like a pet name? That was something else completely.
“Don’t you dare call me that. And, why would I postpone getting your ass out of my business, and my life?” Her phone beeped with an incoming message, but she ignored it.
“You might want to check that.”
Blaise frowned, pulling the phone away to see the text. What she saw had the blood draining from her head. Nauseous and faint, she shakily brought the phone back to her ear.
“That’s not possible,” she whispered.
“That is what I call my ace. I bet Greyson doesn’t know, does he?”
“There’s nothing to know,” she said more forcibly. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull here, but you’re a sick man. If you think I’m going to just let this go because of a lie…”
“I assure you, it’s no lie, Blaise. I have proof.”
Coming Home: An LA Lovers Book Page 29