Page 72 of Seduced By You

Blaize had booked a table at a seafood restaurant right on the beach. It might be December, but this was Florida, and eating outdoors was a year-round activity. Blaize was sitting on the patio. With a woman. One I didn’t recognize. No surprise to me. Blaize changed his girlfriends so often that I’d given up trying to remember their names a long time ago.

“There’s my baby brother.” He drew me into a hug, clapping me on the back. “Leesa. How lovely to see you again.” He hugged Lee, too. “This is Penelope.”

We shook hands with a woman I’d never see again after tonight. I held out Lee’s seat for her. Blaize caught my attention and gave me an exaggerated wink. I rolled my eyes. It was going to be one ofthosenights.

“So, lovebirds, how was the wedding?”

“Oh,” Penelope interjected. “You got married?”

“Not us,” Lee explained. “My ex-fiancé.”

Penelope wrinkled her nose. “Your ex-fiancé invited you to his wedding?”

“Yeah. It’s a long story.” Lee gestured dismissively. “And a boring one, too. How about some wine?” She picked up the bottle of red already on the table and topped off Penelope’s glass, then poured one for me and herself.

Lee had this ability to change the subject from one she wasn’t interested in pursuing without hurting the other person’s feelings. It was a skill I envied.

She engaged Penelope in conversation, allowing me to edge closer to Blaize. “Have you talked to Dad?”

He shook his head. “Why?”

“I think Lee’s ex knows about Switzerland. Dad’s looking into it.”

Blaize’s eyebrows shot up his forehead. “Fuck. Are you sure?”

“Not a hundred percent, no. That’s why Dad’s on the case.”

“You okay, man?” Blaize touched my arm.

“Yeah.” I glanced over at Lee. “I am now.”

“Does she know?”

“Yep. I told her everything.”

“And she’s cool.”

“Better than cool. She’s amazing.”

“What are you two boys in cahoots about?” Penelope nudged Blaize with her elbow.

“Nothing to concern you, lovely.” Blaize tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and Penelope almost swooned.

Make the most of it.If he weren’t my brother, I’d have Lee warn her not to fall too deeply. But he was, and I’d never betray him like that. Bro code trumped everything else. Always had, always would.

We ordered lobster and crab and chatted about the business until both women emitted loud groans and begged us to stop. I liked Penelope. She’d be good for Blaize, but he wouldn’t see it like that. He’d always been the same, scanning the horizon for the next obsession, which never lasted. I’d had my fair share of girlfriends before Lee had come along, but Blaize’s dates were so short-lived that to call them girlfriends was one hell of a stretch.

Lee excused herself to visit the restroom, and Penelope tagged along. Lee’s hips swayed with every step she took, her pert ass filling the cream dress to perfection.

“Stop eye-fucking her and tell me about Switzerland. Leesa won’t say anything, right?”

The two women disappeared into the ladies’ room. I turned my attention to my brother. “No. I trust her with my life. She’s been amazing. So supportive. Telling her was hell, but afterward…”

“Your eyes have misted over.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “Aww, look at my baby brother, madly in love. So, afterward…?”

“Mind your business. How long is this one going to stick around?” I motioned to Penelope’s vacated chair.

“Stop changing the subject.”

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