Page 14 of Totally Blitzed

KEIRON: Be there with bells on.

PRESTON: I’ll make sure he doesn’t actually wear bells. See you Saturday.

I don’t know why I didn’t just tell them the guy I want is my new rookie agent. It’s not like their responses would be any different. If I’m going to set a romantic scene, I’ll need to stop by the store on the way home.

I skip the extra cardio today and hit the steam room instead, trying to sweat out my nerves before heading to the store and home.

I have zero clue what flowers he’d like, so I grab three bunches: yellow daisies, speckled roses, and an orchid. Though now the idea of handing him a potted orchid seems really fucking stupid, so I set it on the coffee table next to a stack of books.

The table is set with two tall candles, and I’ve got them already burning so they don’t look like I just bought them, except I did. The candlesticks, too. I stand back, and I’m sure the table is missing something, so I cut off the bottom of the bunch of daisies, leaving the cute paper around it, and prop it up in a square vase I totally didn’t buy for tonight. It looks great sitting between the two candles and is just tall enough that if I start to fidget, he won’t be able to see my hands duck under the table to wipe them on my thighs.

The oven timer goes off just as the doorbell buzzes.

Fuck. It’s time.

I hit play on the stereo, grab the bunch of speckled yellow and orange roses from the counter, and press the button for the door downstairs.

This is it.

I count to ten after his knock on my door before I even move to open it, and the second I do, my mouth falls open. He’s dressed in tight, blue faded jeans, a gray shirt, and a black sports coat. He’s styled his hair and shaved, and it takes everything in me not to reach out and touch the smooth skin on his slightly tanned cheeks.

“Are they for me?” he asks, and I’m snapped back to the present.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry. Here, these are to say thanks for yesterday. Last night. For the club.”Is my voice really high right now?

He takes them and lifts them to his nose, closing his eyes as he breathes in their scent.

I’m staring. I know I’m staring, but I can’t seem to stop. This rookie has some kind of hold over me no man has had before. I’ve held back from even allowing myself to have anything with any guy to focus on my career, to give my brothers the life they deserve. But they also want me to live my life, and I think Jase has awakened my desire to do just that.

Chapter 7

Jase

“CanIcomein?”I ask as I try to focus on the smell of the flowers in my hand and not Parker’s intoxicating scent.

“Shit, yes, sorry.” He steps to the side, and the second I’m through the door, my mouth waters.

“Are you cooking steak again?”

“Umm, yeah. Is that okay? I can make something different.”

“No, please don’t. That was the best steak I’ve ever eaten.”

“I’ve made it a bit different tonight, but hopefully, you’ll still like it. Your bag’s over there on the floor, but I haven’t put the stuff I borrowed away yet because I didn’t know if there was a certain way to do it.”

“That’s okay. I’ll fix it up after dinner.”

The light in Parker’s apartment is low, orange, and flickering softly. When I reach the end of the hall and see the table set with candles and yellow daisies, I can’t help but smile.Maybe this is a date after all.

I set the flowers down beside one of the plates and head over to where Parker is slicing through a thick cut of beef. His hands move steadily as the blade slices through with ease, revealing the pink perfectly cooked meat inside.

“Wine?” he asks without looking up.

“Sure, I can get it, though. What will go better with the meal?”

“The guy at the place said red goes with steak. There’s a bottle behind me. Glasses are on the table.”

I grab the wine and head to the table. My hands are shaking, so I keep my back to him as I pour us both a glass, then take a quick sip of my own.

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