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Reaching up to tangle my fingers in her long, dark thick strands. Blake’s hair is the softest I’ve ever felt, and I know for a fact, she doesn’t put shit in her hair other than shampoo and conditioner. She doesn’t even use hair spray or any of that other shit women use. Her beautiful locks are natural, and my woman doesn’t need anything to make them look any better. “Are you having a good day?”
When we finally left our room earlier, Christian immediately took his sister to give her one of the gifts from all of us. None of us missed the fact my woman has been on eggshells. I knew this because I’d spoken to her about it several times over the past year. She just didn’t want to intrude on anyone. That’s just the way Blake is.
Today, Leo, Christian, and I gave her, her own space. An office filled with shelves already holding her favorite books. A desk holding a computer and notebooks sits in front of a double window door leading to the back of the house. Along the wall that doesn’t have shelves is a chaise lounge for her to sit if she just wants to read. There’s an ottoman that sits directly in front of it. We’d done this because Blake’s always wanted to write, and this gives her that opportunity. Or she can do anything she wants.
Smiling, Blake detaches herself from around my waist and slides her hands up my chest and around my neck. “I am,” she whispers and lifts on her tiptoes. “It’s the best birthday I’ve ever had.”
I tilt down slightly to brush my lips against hers. “Good.”
Holding her to me with one hand, I reach into my pocket with the other and wrap my fingers around the little black square box. I start to pull the box out when I hear the one voice I wish I never heard again.
“Theodore,” Gillian, my ex, says, almost too thrilled to see me.
I stiffen, and I don’t miss the way Blake furrows her brow as she twists in my hold to look in Gillian’s direction.
Gillian’s my ex for many reasons, all of them having to do with the fact I didn’t want her ass anymore. She’s a vindictive bitch and attempted to trap me into marrying her when she knew I didn’t want to be with her. Her being here is definitely something I don’t want or need. Nor did I like the idea. However, it’s something my uncle suggested because of her skills. Leo decided it would be good, and she’d be able to help us in finding what we needed. This means she’ll be working with me—something I’m not looking forward to.
Releasing my hand around the small box in my pocket, I maneuver Blake to my side and hold her tight.
“Gillian,” I greet the woman as she steps closer, and I’m more than ready to walk away, only I can’t. Staring at the dark-haired woman, I take note she’d had some work done. Where she used to have smaller breasts, they’re now bigger—way bigger—you can tell that they’re fake. Her lips are poutier, and she’s got her makeup caked to her face as always.
I haven’t seen her in nearly three years and seeing her now makes my damn skin crawl.
“It’s so good to see you again,” she says, completely ignoring the fact I’ve got Blake at my side as she comes up to wrap her arms around my neck.
Reluctantly, I withdraw from my woman, but I do so in order to grip Gillian and push her away from me and snap, “What the hell?”
“I’ve missed you. When Leo called me, I just knew it was the chance for us to be together again,” she says, smiling and stepping toward me again.
“Um. . . excuse me,” Blake murmurs and goes to step away.
Fuck.
No, this shit isn’t about to happen.
Reaching out, I halt my woman’s steps and glare at Gillian while the next words I say leave my lips. “Just because Leo asked you to come here does not mean in any way that we’ll be together. Now or ever again. Stay the fuck away from me unless it’s to do with work.”
With my parting words, I jerk Blake back into my side and guide her away from my ex, knowing I’ve got to explain shit to her before she starts getting crazy ideas in that beautiful head of hers.
ChapterThree
BLAKE
“When Leo called me, I just knew it was the chance for us to be together again.”Gillian’s words from the other night continue to ring in my ears.
It’s been a week since my birthday, and Theo’s ex, whatever you want to call her, showed up. Theo explained to me why she’s here, and I understand, but what I don’t get is her having to work closely with my man.
Guess you can say I’m jealous, and I shouldn’t be. Theo’s made his opinion of the woman clear. I simply need to stop being self-conscious. But no one can blame me. I mean, Gillian is beautiful. Her hair is always styled to perfection, makeup looking magnificent, and she’s got a body to die for.
Thinking back to the night of my birthday and Theo’s reaction to her, I wish I didn’t feel so insecure. This isn’t me. I’m not one for being insecure like this. Then again, I’ve never had a woman so beautiful want something that’s mine. Well, someone.
Theo, though, has stated the two of them were over well before the two of us started us. If this is true, then why’s he been avoiding me. Every morning he’s out of bed before me—not unusual, but what is, is him not being anywhere for me to find him. He’s out working. Or at least that’s what my brother and Leo say.
I’ve spent my time in my new office, all but lost in my own thoughts. I can’t seem to get the idea of Theo with Gillian out of my head.
Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night to find Theo was in bed with me, but I didn’t miss the hint of perfume lingering. Scooting out of bed, I carefully extract myself from his grasp. I put on a pair of leggings and one of my tank tops with a built-in bra.
I go into my office and lie down on my chaise lounge. I do everything I can to stop the thought of how the perfume belonged to her. It wasn’t mine. I don’t wear anything strong.
