Greyson noted the annoyance in Cade’s voice, and laughed. “Man, you tell women you’re going back to Afghanistan if you find out they have kids.”
“That was the ‘old Cade’, brother. I’m new and improved.”
“Yeah? Since when?”
“Since I saw the ass on Ellie, brother.”
Greyson barked out a laugh. “Oh yeah. New and improved. I’m not going to talk about you on my date with Blaise, man. But I’ll see what I can do. Good enough for you?”
“Just remember you owe me, brother. I got you Blaise’s address. You got a date out of it. Paybacks.”
Greyson shook his head and laughed when Cade cut off the call. Crazy son of a bitch, he thought. But he wouldn’t change him for the world. And, having done a few ‘off the record’ assignments with Cade, Greyson wouldn’t trust his life with anyone else.
His alert went off reminding him of the damned meeting he didn’t want or need to be at. Just get through this, he thought wearily. “Then dinner,” he said into the empty office.
“I AM NOT wearing that, El.”
Ellie laughed at Blaise’s reflection in the bathroom mirror. “Why? It would certainly get Greyson’s attention.” She held up the little black dress that was more appropriate for a night on the corner than in a fancy restaurant.
“Yeah, I don’t think I need any more of that,” Blaise responded as she put a touch of mascara on. She was never one for a lot of make-up, but thought tonight called for at least a bit of effort.
“True. Why in the hell did you buy this?” Ellie hung the dress back up where she found it, and continued looking for an outfit for Blaise.
“I didn’t. It was a gift from someone.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know. I think it was that bodybuilder I was dating that kept telling me I should show off my legs more.”
“Ooo, Biff!”
Blaise laughed at her best friend. “His name was not Biff! It was Glenn. I think.”
“Biff. And, while you do have great legs, this dress would show much more than that! Oh, this one is pretty!” Ellie took down a blush colored, belted, cap sleeve dress.
Blaise looked over her shoulder and nodded. It was casual, yet elegant. And, the Chanel dress fit her like a dream. “I like that one. That’ll work.”
“I’m totally going to borrow this one day.” Ellie hung the dress from the hook on the bathroom door. “And, I would wear your nude Jimmy Choos with it.”
“You can’t fit in my shoes, Sasquatch.”
Ellie laughed. “Shut up! Don’t be a bitch. My feet are not that big. And, I meant that you should wear your Jimmy Choos tonight.”
“Sounds good,” Blaise answered distractedly. The dress was perfect, and of course Ellie was right with the shoes. It was what she would wear under it all that occupied her mind now. He wasn’t going to see them, of course. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t go the sexy route.
“You’re thinking about your underwear, aren’t you?”
Blaise stopped brushing her hair to glare at Ellie. “You don’t know me.”
“Mmhmm. You’re thinking about wearing sexy lingerie, which I totally agree with, by the way. I’m just not sure he won’t be seeing them.”
“What the hell, Ellie? How do you do that?”
“Sweetie, we’ve known each other for fourteen years. Which means I know this routine of yours. I’ve seen it plenty of times.”
“Now who’s being the bitch?” Blaise laughed. She picked out a pair of tear drop diamonds for her ears, with a matching solitaire necklace. Simple, but makes a statement. Exactly how Blaise thought of herself. When she walked into her bedroom, she noticed Ellie had laid everything out for her on the bed. Including a very racy nude thong.
“Do you want stockings or no?” Ellie asked as she rummaged through Blaise’s drawer.
“Yes.” She took off her robe, not minding one bit that Ellie was in the room with her. They had shared an apartment while at University, so modesty wasn’t something they bothered with. She slipped into her thong and matching bra, then took the stockings from Ellie. Once those were in place, she put on the dress and shoes.
“You look great, Blaise.” Ellie turned her to the full length mirror. “You’re certainly going to make him squirm.”
“It’s just dinner, El. I don’t want to make him squirm.” But she had to admit, she looked damn good. And, if she happened to make Greyson take notice, Blaise was good with that.
“Blaise.” Ellie looked into Blaise’s eyes through the reflection in the mirror. “You’re both adults, so don’t stress over this. Just go and have fun.”
Blaise smiled at her. “Thank you for being here for me. And, for bringing me cake.”
“You’re welcome,” Ellie laughed. “Now I should get out of here before Greyson gets here. It’s a rare night off, so I thought I’d take Jessie to the movies.”
“She’s not mad at you anymore?”
“Oh, she is. The trip was this weekend. I’m hoping that filling her with a bucket of popcorn, a gallon of soda, and a ton of chocolate will get her in a better mood.”
“That or put her in a food coma. Either way, she’ll be putty in your hands.”
“Well, one can hope.” Ellie glanced at her watch when the doorbell sounded. “Someone is eager for the night to begin.”
Blaise laughed and pushed Ellie out of the room. “I’m ready for the night to begin if it means riding in that car again.”
“Again?” Ellie stopped walking, only to be pushed forward by Blaise. “What do you mean again? When was the first time?”
“Really? You want to have this discussion now?”
“Fine. But you’re giving me full details after your date.” She opened the door to a very dashing Greyson Steele dressed in all black. “Looking good, Mr. Steele.”
“Thank you.”
Blaise had to smile at the confused look on Greyson’s face. “Ellie was just leaving.” She gave Ellie one last shove out of the apartment. “Let me just get my purse, and I’ll be ready.” She seized the opportunity to get one more look at Greyson, taking in the black slacks, black V-neck shirt and black blazer. Normally she would prefer a little color somewhere in there, but one thing she had to give Greyson, he sure did pull off the look. Extremely well.
HE COULDN’T KEEP his eyes off of her legs. Blaise looked absolutely incredible. In fact, no matter what Blaise was wearing—or not wearing if he thought about the night he showed up unannounced at her apartment—she looked incredible. But goddamn, her legs. When she gracefully got in his car, and the hem of her dress shifted up her thigh, it took all of his strength not to reach out and touch her.
“You’re quiet tonight,” she said softly.
“I’m sorry. I’m just trying not to do anything that annoys you right off the bat,” he teased.
“Aww, you were doing so well up until then.” Blaise glanced over at him and gave him a cute wink.
“Actually, I’ve been trying to talk myself out of touching you this whole time. I think I’ve been doing pretty well with that.”
She laughed and his chest tightened. Her laugh was a thing of beauty. Husky and low. Genuine. Not the high pitched, fake laughs he was used to from women like Pricilla.
“Well, then. I commend you on a fine job, Mr. Steele.”
He slanted her a look. “Are you ever going to call me Greyson?”
He couldn’t say which he loved more. Her husky laugh, or the mischievous smile she gave him just then.
“Maybe. If you earn it.”
He chuckled. No one had ever challenged him like Blaise did. Even with something as simple as saying his name. He couldn’t wait to find out what she was like in all other aspects of their relationship. Relationship? Greyson shook his head. Since when did he think in terms of relationships? Since Blaise, he mused. He hadn’t been able to take his mind off of her since the moment he saw her, and he was damned determined to see where he could take this.
&nbs
p; “Does dinner at Mancha get me any points?” he asked casually.
Blaise’s eyebrows lifted. “Mancha? The place with the artistic ink blots in the lobby?” Greyson nodded. “That place is nearly impossible to get into.”
“Nearly,” he said cockily. He liked that Blaise was impressed. Hell, at least all of the money and prestige his family held was good for something.
“There’s the Mr. Steele I know,” Blaise laughed.
She was clearly teasing him, and he had to admit that it relieved some of the previous tension between them. He was nervous, which had surprised him. Nerves were not something that Greyson was accustomed to when taking a woman out. Then again, he wasn’t accustomed to a woman like Blaise.
“GOOD EVENING, MR. Steele.” The maître d’ greeted them in over-the-top excitement. Greyson knew that it was his last name that granted the fabricated respect, but he would use it to his advantage. “Your table is ready, if you would just follow me.”
Greyson turned in time to see Blaise tilt her head, studying one of the blots that reminded him of a Rorschach ink blot. She was examining it so intently that she flinched when he touched her shoulder.
“Sorry.” He raised his chin at the blotch. “What do you see?”
“A pig riding a horse in the meadow.”
Greyson’s eyebrows shot to his hairline, and he looked at the photo tipping his head one way and the other. No matter how he looked at it, he did not see a pig, a horse or even a meadow. He knew he was being mocked once again when she started laughing. “Cute.” He glanced down with a half-smile. “Can I expect this type of entertainment for the entire date?” Blaise grinned mischievously, causing Greyson to shake his head. He held his arm out, feeling a sudden punch of pleasure when she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. He walked proud with Blaise on his arm, noticing the glances in their direction. There was no doubt they made a great-looking couple. Now if he could just convince Blaise of that fact.
He pulled Blaise’s chair out for her, receiving a smile and a soft ‘thank you’ for his effort. The maître d’ handed him a wine menu, then offered Blaise a dinner menu.
“Your waiter will be right with you. Would you like to hear the specials for tonight?”
“No. Thank you,” Greyson answered succinctly when he noticed the man’s gaze lingering on Blaise for too long. When they were alone, he turned his focus back on Blaise who was looking at him with amused eyes. “What?”
“Nothing.” She opened her menu, suddenly finding it extremely interesting.
Greyson grinned. Obviously she had caught his little bout of jealousy. Good. Perhaps she would see how serious he was about this. “Would you like some wine?”
“Sounds good.”
“Do you have a preference?”
“Whatever you choose will be fine.”
“All right. They serve some of the best tapas here. Stuffed mushrooms, Pissaladiere, Camembert, figs and ham tapas. Would you like to get a sampling of each?”
“Get two of everything and include fried asparagus, ham and cheese bundles, and you’re on.”
Greyson chuckled. God, what a woman, he thought. No pretenses, no silly salads. This was a woman who knew what she wanted and had no problems telling you what it was.
Blaise took a sip from her water glass, peering at Greyson over the rim. “What are you expecting, Mr. Steele?”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ve brought me to a beautifully lavish and trendy restaurant,” she explained. “One that is difficult to get a reservation to for mere mortals. What do you expect from your dates in return?”
Greyson frowned. “I never expect anything in return, Blaise.”
She lifted a brow. “Really?”
“You are categorizing me.”
“Good evening.” A waiter dressed in black and white interrupted anything Blaise was about to say. “My name is Mateo. I’ll be at your service tonight. May I start you out with a bottle of wine, sir?”
“Yes, perhaps a bottle of Gramona?” Greyson glanced at Blaise. “Is that okay?”
“For tapas, I’d prefer a Rosado if you have it. Perhaps Gran Fuedo?”
The waiter looked to Greyson, and when he received a nod, he smiled at Blaise. “Yes, ma’am.”
The remainder of their order was taken, and the waiter hurried away. Once they were alone again, Greyson raised his eyebrows in question.
“I HATE IT when they do that,” she muttered, then noticed Greyson’s look. He’s probably surprised I know good wine. Blaise tilted her head. “I think you’re categorizing me, Mr. Steele.”
“How?”
“You look at me and see just a flower shop owner who wouldn’t know good wine at a fancy place like this. Yet, you don’t really know anything about me.” She sat back in her chair. “What did you do in the Army?”
The change in subject clearly caught him off guard. “What?”
“I assume you asked me out so we could get to know each other, and not just so you could flirt with me. You can do that anywhere. You have done that anywhere. You were,” she paused to think, “a Lieutenant Colonel, right? What did you do exactly?”
Greyson sat back as well, mirroring her. “I was Delta Force.”
Blaise’s eyes widened. “As in dangerous missions, Delta Force?”
“Some of them were, yes.” He grinned. “You thought I had some cushy desk job, didn’t you?”
Blaise shrugged sheepishly. “Maybe. And, maybe we’re both guilty of stereotyping each other. So, how about we start over.”
“I’d like that.”
“The security company Cade owns? Would you be doing dangerous missions if you were there?”
“Worried about me?” he winked, then shrugged. “They do some missions for the military, but their primary assignments are for private citizens.”
“And, you’re not doing this solely because of family obligations?”
She watched as Greyson’s eyes dimmed. Obviously this was not a good subject, but if they wanted to know each other, every subject should be discussed. Right? Of course, she knew that thought was hypocritical. There are parts of her life she would not discuss, not even with Ellie.
“If you came from a family like mine, perhaps you’d understand. I can’t just open a flower shop, Blaise. My family, and family name, is important.” He stopped and took deep drink of his water. “I apologize for that. I shouldn’t have reacted that way,” he said as he set the glass down.
“Perhaps we should avoid the subject of family,” Blaise suggested, feeling the sting of his words.
He shook his head. “I don’t want to avoid any subjects with you, Blaise. Even when it comes to my family.” He paused, giving her an intense look. “I want to know everything about you.”
“You’re asking for a lot, Mr. Steele.” His look, as well as his words, made her jittery.
“I’ll settle with you calling me Greyson. For now.”
Blaise leaned forward. “Earn it.”
THE REST OF the meal was filled with pleasant conversation and laughter. Blaise found Greyson Steele to be a very interesting and intelligent man. Crap. It was going to be extremely hard to resist him. She had spent most of the night watching his mouth as he ate, and the images that put into her head were…
“Blaise?”
Blaise was snapped out of her thoughts when Greyson touched her hand.
“I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
“Where did you go?”
To bed with you. “I’m here.”
He gave her a skeptical look. “Okay. Well, I asked if you would like dessert.”
“If you would like a second date, you’re going to have to learn that ‘would you like dessert’ is really not the question. The question is ‘what would you like for dessert’,” she deadpanned.
Greyson laughed loudly. It was a sound Blaise could listen to forever. A deep, rich and joyful sound that she felt deep in her soul.
“I do hope you’re giving me a
learning curve,” he joked. “They have a very good strawberry empanada. Or, if you’d rather a Tres Leches cake? Of course, they’re nowhere near as amazing as Ellie’s desserts.”
Blaise snickered. “Is that a suck-up?”
“Of course not,” Greyson chuckled. “It’s true. However, if it helps soften her up enough to agree to a date with Cade, it wouldn’t hurt.”
“Is that the payment?” Blaise asked seriously.
“Payment?”
“For looking up my information for you.”
Greyson grunted. “It may have been a bad decision on my part to invade your privacy,” Greyson granted. “However, you’re here with me now, so I can’t regret the decision, Blaise.”
“Both,” Blaise said instead of responding to that. “The empanada and the cake. Maybe I’ll share with you.”
AFTER BLAISE SCARFED down the empanada—and half of the tres leches cake—they decided to go for a walk on the beach. It may have seemed a bit cliché, but Blaise enjoyed the peacefulness of the sound of the waves kissing the shore, and the reflection of the moon rippling in the water. They walked close together, Blaise’s hand hooked into Greyson’s elbow. And, again, they talked about everything, and nothing. Even though Greyson said he didn’t want any subject to be off limits, to his credit, he steered clear of asking about Blaise’s family. He also refrained from talking about his. Since it was a subject that seemed to stress him out, she avoided it as well.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, placing his hand over Blaise’s.
“For?”
“Agreeing to dinner with me. And, making it just as pleasurable as I imagined it would be.” He squeezed her hand, and she shivered. Not from the cold, but from the overwhelming feelings she got just from being this close to Greyson.
Blaise stopped, tugging his arm until he turned to her. “I should be thanking you.” She almost moaned when he removed his blazer and wrapped it around her shoulders. “If I had known how charming you could be, I would have said yes sooner,” she grinned.
“And, if I had known you were behind the doors of that flower shop, I would have parked in your spot a long time ago.”
Coming Home: An LA Lovers Book Page 11
