Page 18 of Blackstone's Heart
Ethan sighed and rose to his feet to move to his window. "No."
Grant studied his boss and friend. "You're still hung up on her."
Ethan's head snapped up as he spun around to face his weapons tech. "What?"
"Krista. You're still hung up on her."
"That's bullshit Grant."
"Yeah? Okay then, since you can't decide on New York, I will. Me and Tony will go."
Ethan's fists clenched, he could literally feel his temple throbbing. "No."
Grant smiled knowingly. "Then what about Lance and Gage? Hmm?" When Ethan only growled again, Grant shook his head and chuckled. "Jesus Blackstone, you've got it bad."
Ethan couldn't argue that. He stomped back to his desk and dropped back into his chair, leaning his head back and closing his eyes on a heavy sigh. "I thought she was out of my system. If I hadn't joined the Marines..."
"Ethan, listen to me." Grant said. Ethan opened his eyes and looked at his friend. "Women like Krista, they're a rare breed buddy. They are tough as nails yet soft as a flower once you get past their tough exterior. I can see that she gets to you. If I can, so can the other guys."
"I don't mess with clients Grant. We can't afford to mix our dicks with business." Ethan pointed out.
"In that we agree. Yet this case with Krista Jameson isn't like our usual cases. You two have history that was left unfinished when you shipped out. I may not be an old man like you," that earned Grant the double bird. "Yeah, yeah you love me anyway. You and her aren't kids anymore. You're keeping her at a distance and that may not be wise my friend."
"What are you suggesting?" Ethan glared. “That I just pick back up where she and I left off twelve years ago? I’m not that boy Grant.”
" I get that and I think she does too. As for what I’m suggesting? You and her talk. If you can't think straight on this where she's concerned it could cost you and her. Tell me boss, could you pay that price if it came to that?" Grant delivered.
***
Krista sat across from her best friends since kindergarten at The County Line on the Hill. After returning home she had reconnected with Tiffany Kenerly, Jennifer Hill, Crystal Clawson, Mindy Salter, Connie Keller, Jenna Prescott, Tina Heckt, Jenny Messina and Shauna Tuma. Whenever the ten of them were together it always led to fun, laughter and a whole lot of shenanigans. Hence the reason they were all seated at one of the large rooms in the back and plenty of wine flowing.
“I swear guys, Ethan Blackstone has become even more of a pain in the ass than ever.” Krista grumbled before taking a long swig of her sweet red.
Tiffany snorted. “Honey, that man has always been a pain in the ass.”
“True, but back in the day he was a fine pain in the ass. Hell, he’s still fine. I bumped into him a few months after he came home and I thought, ‘holy hell he’s even hotter than ever.” Jennifer laughed.
The rest of the ladies joined in. “What happened between you two last night that had you calling for this emergency dinner anyway?” Mindy spoke up.
Mindy was a thin brunette with a rack that Krista had always envied in high school. Hell all her friends had been the type of girl she had wished she was. Tiffany had been the cheerleader, Connie, Jennifer, Jenny, and Jenna were the dance team girls. Mindy was the star athlete in volleyball, and track. Crystal had been an athletic manager and volleyball star. Krista had shied away from sports in favor of being the band geek. Her height back then making her feel awkward.
“Well, like the idiot that I am when Blackstone’s concerned, I called him. I still can’t believe I did that. Anyway, he says he wants to see me. We go to Kirby Lane. Everything’s going all kosher and shit then, I don’t know. We’re flirting and god, the looks that man was giving me…” she trailed off.
Jenny cupped her chin and leaned a little closer. “Does he still have those sexy as sin eyes? The kind that promise a good time?”
“Oh yeah.” Krista grinned stupidly. “Then right in the middle of the panty melting flirting things shifted. Suddenly, he’s telling me he’s not the Ethan I remember and that he wasn’t sure he could even be gentle anymore.”
“Oh dear lord! He said that?” Crystal exclaimed.
“Yep.” Krista nodded.
“I’d love to see how NOT gentle that man is.” Connie grinned, her eyebrows wiggling.
“I’m right there with ya sister.” Shauna added. “That man was smokin’ hot back in school and he’s only gotten better over the years.”
“Ain’t that the freaking truth. I was there at Blackout’s ribbon cutting for the newspaper and I think I had a mini orgasm right then and there when I saw him and his four friends. Whoo.” Jenna grinned fanning herself
This started a whole new round of loud laughter from the friends. “Those four Marine friends of his are some fine looking men. Oh if only I wasn’t married.” Jenny sighed.
