Page 49 of Blood Ties
“Ms. Giles, forward my calls and take your lunch,” Grayson hissed.
“Yes, sir.” She seemed startled by his demeanor. Poor woman didn’t know that she had just let the cat out of the bag. She made quick with her task all the while Grayson and I stood staring each other down; me with my heated glare and Grayson with his apologetic eyes. Ms. Giles grabbed her purse and left as quickly as possible. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Grayson began apologizing.
“Gaby, I’m so sorry.” He took a step towards me and I responded by stepping away. I couldn’t let him get closer to me. I was liable to punch him in the face with full vampiric force.
“You seem to be using that phrase a lot, Grayson.”
“I asked you here to tell you.”
“To tell me? No. You want me to meet her. Your ex. The woman you’ve been seeing without me knowing for God knows how long now,” I shouted.
He had the audacity to roll his eyes. “I haven’t been seeing her. You’re being ridiculous.” The moment the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake.
“Ridiculous?” I spat.
“Gaby, I didn’t mean…”
“No. I’m being ridiculous. Me? The person who didn’t know her boyfriend was spending so much time with his ex.”
“I’m your fiancé.” His tone became sharp. “And I asked you here to tell you now.”
“Really, Grayson? Why didn’t you tell me last night or the night you were late to my father’s? You knew you were going to be spending time with her.”
“Because, I knew how hard it was for you just being around your father. I didn’t want to make it worse by telling you about Chloe.”
“Chloe? Really?” I fought the urge to laugh. The fight in me began to fade as I chuckled over the fact that Grayson dated a woman named Chloe. Chloe sounded like the name of the little girl you babysat for, who only ever wanted to play with her Barbies, not the name of a business woman who had dated one of New York’s most eligible bachelors.
“Well, I’m glad you find it amusing.” He took a step towards me and this time I didn’t back away. Instead, I walked into his embrace. He held me tight, cradling my head to his chest until my mirth left me. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I really was trying to make it easier on you. I didn’t want you worried about her.”
I tilted my chin up to look into his smoky gray eyes. “And I have no reason to be worried?”
“None.”
“You’re not concerned that working this close together will stir up any old feelings?”
He smirked then cupped my face between his hands. “See this is the reason why I didn’t want to tell you.” He kissed me lightly on the forehead. “There is absolutely no chance of that happening. Not just because Chloe and I never really had a connection, but because no one compares to you. You, Gaby, are my future wife, my mate, my love,” his eyes dropped to the diamond necklace draped around my neck. “Only you will have my heart.”
“Forever?” I whispered.
“Forever,” he grinned.
I was quiet as we rode down the elevator. I really didn’t want to do this. Meeting his ex would make it real for me. I wasn’t ignorant. I knew that unlike myself, Grayson had been with other women before he met me. I had no illusions of his chastity, but being face to face with someone who he had kissed, touched, seen naked, was a little more than I could stomach. Now I would have a face to put with the disturbing images whenever they’d creep into my thoughts.
When the elevator came to a halt and the doors slid open, Grayson studied me for a moment before leading me from the small chamber.
This floor was different from the one that housed Grayson’s office. Scattered throughout were cubicles cramped collectively. Along the walls were doors that led to conference rooms or small offices.
Grayson led me through the clusters of preassembled walls, to a desk resting just outside a door.
“Susie, tell her we’re ready for lunch,” he stated before walking away, not waiting for a response. Grayson then walked to a neighboring door. He held it open for me as I walked over the threshold. There had been no seats out there to wait in, so waiting in a conference room made sense. I stood looking out the large glass window, seeing downtown functioning like a well oiled machine, when I heard the blinds close creating a veil between us and the rest of the office.
“What are you doing?” I wondered. Before he replied, Grayson used his vampire speed and was instantly behind me. He pulled my hair back, giving him access to my neck.
“Do you really think that I’m going to let you remain in this foul mood?” He whispered his breath warm against my ear. I looked at him over my shoulder realizing I hadn’t fooled him. “Now lean back against the table, before I bend you over on it.”
I bit my lip, trying to prevent the smile that was aching to show and did as I was told. I rested my palms on the table and leaned my weight against it. Grayson’s eyes locked with mine as he dropped to his knees and slid his hand up my dress. With a cocky half grin, he pulled my panties down to my ankles, before tucking them into his pocket.
“What if someone walks in?”
