Page 30 of Seduced By You

Lee mouthed, “I like him.”

I mouthed back, “I do, too.”

“Sorry, bro. What did you want?”

“I wondered if you had time for a coffee before you head off, or lunch maybe?”

My mouth fell open. “Wait. You’re in London, too?”

“Yes. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, but honestly, it’s kinda challenging to get a word in. I’m over here for a couple of days on a business trip.”

“I’d love to meet up!” I didn’t see nearly as much of my brothers as I’d like, what with Nolen in Las Vegas, Blaize based out of Miami, and me an ocean away in France. “So long as it’s okay with Lee.” I side-eyed her.

“All good here, provided I’m invited. I’m not sitting on a wall in the freezing cold eating a soggy sandwich while you two dine on lobster.”

“Ah. I’d hoped it’d be just me and Kadon, Leesa. I’m sure you understand. We don’t see all that much of each other.”

I immediately grasped the situation. Blaize was having a little fun of his own. Lee, though, didn’t know him, so she didn’t pick up on the nuance in his voice. She deflated, her shoulders drooping like lilies starved of water. Her smile fell.

“Oh. I see. Well then, I guess I could—”

“Kidding.” Blaize laughed. “Well, would you look at that? I can hold my own.”

Lee’s jaw dropped. “You… you…”

“Assholeis the word you’re searching for,” I said. “Don’t worry. I’ll hold him so you can punch him.”

“I probably deserve it.”

“No ‘probably’ about it. Where shall we meet you? We’re about a mile west of St. Pancras, on Euston Road by Madame Tussauds, but the traffic is horrendous. It’s taken us forever to get this far. There must be a crash or something, because we’re hardly moving.”

“Hang on a second. I’ll find somewhere close by.” He went quiet for about thirty seconds. “Okay, got it. There’s a great little bistro called Crumb on George Street. I took a supplier there last time I visited London. I’m not that far away. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“I hope I get more than a crumb,” Lee said. “I’m starved.”

Blaize chuckled. “Definitely more than a crumb. I’ll see you there.” He cut the call.

“He sounds nice.”

“He’s great.” I opened the navigation pane on the in-car system and tapped inCrumb, George Street.“Both my brothers are. In fact, my entire family is pretty darn special.”

“You’re lucky.”

Her voice was wistful. I squeezed her hand. “It’s none of my business, but perhaps you should call your parents.”

“You’re right. It is none of your business.” She snatched her hand from beneath mine, then sighed. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I… I’m angry at them. And disappointed. I gave twenty years of my life to modeling, yet Maman thinks I should have given more. I probably would have if Benedict hadn’t dumped me, but now that I’m out of that world, I know I made the right decision, even if it was ‘in haste,’ as Maman bluntly pointed out.”

“They want what’s best for you. That’s all.”

“Aren’t I in the prime position to decide what’s best for me?” She wriggled in her seat, growing agitated with the direction of the conversation.

“Yes. Of course you are. That’s not what I’m saying.” I scrubbed a hand over my stubble. “You’ve every right to be angry. I just don’t want you to have regrets. Someone has to make the first move.”

“Yes, and it should be them.” She crossed her arms over her chest.Defensive mode activated.

I let her stew. Lee’s temper lasted about as long as an ice cream in ninety-degree heat. Sure enough, thirty seconds later, she unfolded her arms and rested them in her lap.

“I’ll think about it. Okay?”

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