Page 32 of Seduced By You

I fidgeted in my chair. “Yeah. Her ex is a dick, and I’m more than happy to help Lee stick it to him.”

“I’ll bet you are,” he drawled, one eyebrow perfectly arched.

I widened my eyes and flattened my lips in a simple message of “Shut the fuck up.” I had nothing to worry about. Not really. I was only picking up on Blaize’s hidden meaning because I knew him so well. Leesa appeared oblivious to the secret conversation going on between me and my brother.

Our food arrived, and our conversation turned to our cruise ship business that Blaize headed up. Lee listened with fascination as Blaize told her about his latest venture; in a few months’ time, Kingcaid Cruise Ships would launch a new ship that, as of now, would be the largest vessel in the world. One of our rivals would build a bigger one eventually, but for a while at least, we’d be at the top of the tree. Blaize had been working on this for about five years, and his palpable excitement as the maiden voyage grew closer plastered a grin on his face that wouldn’t quit.

“We’re sailing out of Miami on July 1. You should come. Our brother, Nolen, and his wife, Marlowe, are planning to sail with us for a week for their delayed honeymoon. They have a baby, and they wanted to wait until she’s a little older before they left her for that length of time,” Blaize explained.

“It’s peak season,” I said. “I can’t spare my staff at that time of the year.”

“I might not be working for you by then,” Lee said with an air of casualness that stabbed me right in the gut.

“Oh?” Blaize crossed one leg over the other. “Why’s that?”

“I’m not sure what I want to do with my life, long-term. I love working at the beach club, but it was only ever supposed to be temporary. Right, Kadon?”

“Right,” I rasped, the single word sticking in my throat.

“Yeah, so once I figure out where I’m going and what I want to do, I’ll move on.” She dug me with her elbow. “He’s far too nice to say this, but he’ll be glad to be rid of me. I’m a pain in his butt most of the time.”

“Yeah. Pain in my butt.” I smiled weakly.

“Phew.” Lee wiped her mouth with her napkin and dropped it on top of her plate. “You weren’t kidding about that burger, Blaize.” She rubbed her stomach. “I should have had the salmon. These jeans aren’t made to house bloated bellies.” Getting to her feet, she slipped her purse off the back of her chair. “Won’t be a sec.”

My eyes tracked her to the restrooms. The heat from Blaize’s stare burned into my skin, and when I turned back to face him, he shook his head.

“Bro, she’s beautiful and smart and funny, and perfect for you. But…”

I held up my hand. “I know. She’s oblivious.”

He leaned back in his chair. “You should tell her how you feel.”

“What? No,” I spluttered. “I know where she is, and it isn’t where I am. Have you any idea how painful it is to tell someone you love them and not have them say it back to you?”

“No. Have you?”

“Well, no. But I can freaking imagine it well enough.” I glanced at the closed restroom door. No sign of Lee. “I don’t want to lose her friendship. If being friend-zoned is the only way I can keep her in my life, then so be it.”

His smile was wry. “Can’t be easy.”

“Fucking understatement of the century.”

“I can see why you’re so smitten, though. She’s a stunner, and I’m not just talking about her looks.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

He rested his elbows on the table and propped his chin on his hands. “I don’t want you to get hurt. You deserve more.”

I snorted. “You and I both know that isn’t true.”

He registered my meaning, shaking his head. “No, Kadon.Youthink it isn’t true, but you’re wrong. What happened, happened. None of us can alter the past, although God knows, if it was possible, I’d do whatever it took to make it happen. You’ve gotta let it go, brother. You’ve suffered long enough.”

“Have I? Have I really? Do you think that kid’s parents would agree with you?”

Blaize pursed his lips, breathing out slowly. “It was an accident.”

“That I’m responsible for.”

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