Sparks fly when Blaise and Greyson meet. Can he convince her to take a chance on him? Or will Blaise’s past ruin their chances for a future? Their romance forces Greyson on a chase halfway around the world to solve a mystery, and find his love.
Published: March 1st, 2016
Blaise Knight is content. She owns a trendy, in-demand flower boutique, has great friends, and an obsession with red velvet cake. After a string of disappointing dates, Blaise decides to give up dating, and focus on the things that are most important to her.
Greyson Steele is the “family stud”. After his stint in the Delta Force, he is coerced into the family business. And, his manipulative mother is planning a wedding for him to a woman he can’t stand. But Greyson has other plans. At thirty-nine, Greyson is ready to settle down, but only with a woman he chooses. After meeting the fiery owner of Knight in Bloom, Greyson finds his match.
Sparks fly when Blaise and Greyson meet. Can he convince her to take a chance on him? Or will Blaise’s past ruin their chances for a future? Their romance forces Greyson on a chase halfway around the world to solve a mystery, and find his love.
EXCERPT
If Greyson had ever been nervous standing in front of a woman’s door before, he didn’t remember. But here and now, in front of Blaise’s, he could swear his palms were sweaty. I should have brought flowers, he thought. Then immediately rejected the idea. Flowers for the flower shop owner. Stupid idea. Besides, he has seen Blaise’s talent. Flowers from anywhere else would just be inferior. And, it was probably in bad taste to buy from a competitor. Greyson certainly didn’t need more reasons for Blaise to reject him.
Grateful that he had taken the time to change into well-worn jeans and a black t-shirt—may as well be comfortable while begging—he knocked on the door.
The door slid open. “Honey, I told you I was fine and you didn’t have to…”
Greyson was struck dumb by the sight before him. Mere hours before, Blaise was the epitome of grace and class. The gown she wore accentuated everything about Blaise that Greyson found sexy. But now. Damn. Her hair was piled on the top of her head in a messy bun, her face was clean of any cosmetics and she wore a men’s white button up shirt and white fluffy socks. Whether she had on anything under that shirt, Greyson didn’t know, but he ached to find out. To him, Blaise was sexier right at this moment than he had ever seen her.
“Hi.”
“What?” She frowned, and waved a spoon in his direction. He hadn’t noticed the carton of ice cream until then. “What are you doing here? How did you know where I live?”
“I’m here because you wouldn’t listen to me before. I need to explain.”
“You need to go home to your fiancée, Mr. Steele.”
“Goddamn it, Blaise. She’s not my fucking fiancée. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”
Blaise raised an eyebrow, and Greyson wondered if she was aware of just how beautiful she looked right now.
“The ring and the woman say something different,” she shot back. “And, you certainly didn’t deny it at that moment. If you just broke up with her and came here, that’s even lower, Mr. Steele.”
Greyson let out a frustrated growl, and scrubbed his hands over his face. “May I come in?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“No.”
“Blaise.” The tone of his voice was one he used when he wanted to intimidate those around him to do as he demanded. He shouldn’t have been surprised when it didn’t even faze her.
“Do not ‘Blaise’ me. And, don’t you dare use that tone with me. I am not one of your employees, or lackeys or whatever. You have something to say, say it right here.” She leaned against the door jamb, crossing her ankles, and waited. Digging the spoon into the carton, Blaise looked up at him. “And, don’t think I don’t realize you totally skipped over my question of how you found out where I live.”
He watched her wrap her lips around the spoon. Just as he had when he sat at dinner with her a few nights ago, he found watching her eat completely erotic. And, as much as her stubbornness irked him, he couldn’t help but feel an equal—or more—amount of respect for her.
“Fine,” he sighed. If he had to do this out in the hallway, so be it. “I am not engaged. That’s the most important thing I need you to know.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth. “If you’re going to make me talk out here, the least you can do is hear me out.”
Her jaw tightened with annoyance, but she nodded before taking another bite of what he could now see was Ben & Jerry’s Coffee, Coffee flavor.
“I’m not engaged,” he repeated. “I’ve never been engaged, and I certainly would never even contemplate marrying Pricilla. She surprised the shit out of me with the ring, as well, which is why I didn’t say anything. It’s my mother’s ring, but I didn’t give it to her. Fuck, I wouldn’t give that hideous thing to anyone.” He took a deep breath. “I was there with Pricilla because my mother asked me to escort her. ‘Keeping up appearances’, she calls it. Padding her fucking portfolio by trying to merge the families is what it really is. I’ve already resigned myself to taking over the family business. I refuse to give her this. Tonight was a mistake. I should never have agreed to it.” He braved a step closer to her. “I never wanted to hurt you, or make you think I’m that kind of bastard.”
Blaise wrapped her arms around Greyson’s neck, burying her hands in his hair. She tilted her head, and Greyson responded by deepening the kiss. His arms came around her waist, and he pulled her closer. Feeling his solid body against hers made her heart begin to pound almost painfully in her chest. The urge to climb up this man’s body, and allow him to do anything he pleased right then and there, was strong.
Blaise lowered her hands to Greyson’s chest, and pushed gently until their lips parted. “Wow.”
“Wow is right.” Greyson bent his head to kiss her again, but Blaise turned and walked a couple of steps away. “Why are you always running away from me, Blaise?”
“I’m not running, Greyson.” She took a deep, cleansing breath. “You… this…” Blaise sighed, and sat back down on the bench before her weak knees failed her. “You scare me.”
Greyson sat next to her, and she noted that he left a space between them. “Why do I scare you?”
She hesitated. “I never wanted a relationship, Greyson. It’s just not something I thought about.”
“Why?”
Blaise shrugged. “Relationships are messy. Turn ugly. I’m happy the way I am. Why would I change that by getting into a relationship?”
“I suppose you’re right,” Greyson nodded speculatively. “Relationships can get messy. Of course, I’ve never been in a real relationship, so I’m no expert.” He turned until his knee touched hers. “Blaise? Do we ignore how we feel, the chemistry, the attraction, because we’re afraid it might get messy? What if it turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to both of us?”
Blaise smiled a little. “What if that scares me almost as much?”
“It scares me, too, doll.” He placed his hand over hers, stopping the restless picking at her jeans. “Nevertheless, I’m willing to risk it to see where this goes.”
“I’m sure your mother is going to love that.”
“She doesn’t know you, Blaise.”
“She doesn’t want to know me, Greyson,” she countered. Greyson took a deep breath, and rubbed his chin. Fantastic. That gesture meant Greyson had something to say that he was uncomfortable with. Or something she was going to be uncomfortable with. “What?”
“Nora has invited you to Sunday lunch with the family,” he answered cautiously.
Her laugh was sharp and sarcastic. Until she noticed he didn’t laugh with her. “You’re serious?”
“Yes. I know this is all happening pretty fast…”
“Really, really fast.”
“It’s just lunch, doll. A way for Nora to get to know you. Perhaps she’ll see what I see.”
“Hmm. Should I open with being friends with the Gallos and being invited to the Sumptor Gallery opening by Eve Sumptor-Riley, herself?”
He rumbled with laughter. “Tell you what. Take the week to think about it. If you still feel uncomfortable, we’ll forgo Sunday lunch and do something else. Deal?”
The alarm on Blaise’s phone sounded, startling her. “Crap! I have to go.”
“What?” Greyson frowned, and stood with her.
“I’m sorry. I’m working on this important request for a client, and it’s at a critical stage.”
“You’re leaving me for flowers?”
She glared at him. “You know, if you want a relationship with me to work, you’re going to have to at least pretend that what I do is important.”
He raised his hands. “You’re right, I’m sorry. That was completely rude, and I didn’t mean to criticize your work.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I just thought we could talk a bit more about us.”
“Talk, huh?” She rose on her tip-toes and kissed him quickly on the lips. “I would love to talk, but I really do have to get home.”
Greyson growled, making Blaise chuckle. “All right. May I at least call you?”
“It would be kind of hard to have a ‘relationship’ if we didn’t communicate,” she grinned.
“Cute.” He dipped his head to kiss her.
Blaise put her fingertips to his lips. “Mm-mmm. If you kiss me again, I won’t be able to leave.”
“I don’t see the problem with that.”
The alarm on Blaise’s phone sounded again, reminding them both of her prior commitments.
“I really have to go. Thank you for today.”
“It was my pleasure, doll.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “About this relationship, stuff. We’ll figure it out. Together.”
I've been in Houston, Texas, writing novels and designing websites since 2009. Moving here was one of the best decisions I've ever made, because I've been able to live wonderfully, and write my heart out. I've always enjoyed the arts in one form or another. Music sets the mood, reading stimulates my brain, and writing allows me to utilize my imagination in any way I want. I've been writing stories since I was a teen, and figured out writing was my passion when I finished my first novel, Something About Eve.
I love being captivated by books that lead me into different, exotic places, and through impossible scenarios. I love being able to become someone else for a time. Reading has always inspired me to bring my own characters out to play. My hope is that my writing will inspire others, or at the least, give them a way to escape from everyday life for a little while.
As web designer, etc. for singer/actress Deborah Gibson, I've had the opportunity to be involved in wonderful experiences, travel around the country and meet exciting people. Just recently, I was able to travel to Berlin, and meet some fantastic people. It's experiences like this, I believe, that help me create unique, and (hopefully) lovable characters.
I will be continuing the LA Lovers series with Ellie's book next. Each book will be a stand-alone, but look for Eve, Lainey, and Adam to show up here and there. I truly hope you enjoyed Blaise and Greyson. You'll be able to see more of them in the next book!
I spend my time writing, designing websites and caring for what is really a zoo with 3 dogs, 2 cats, a bearded dragon, 2 frogs and 2 turtles. In the recent years, I've changed my lifestyle to include working out and eating right. I now compete in triathlons, have run two half-marathons, and love yoga.
I love bringing my characters out for everyone to meet. My goal is to keep writing in many different genres, as I feel there shouldn't be anything limiting writers.
Author's Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment