Sensual Confessions - Brenda Jackson [42]
“Is there a reason why you’re giving those computer keys a beat down?”
Sam glanced up and couldn’t help but smile. Peyton stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, staring at her with a frown on her face. Sam knew that standing in front of her was a tough cookie. Peyton had grown up on Chicago’s South Side and had returned there to work as an attorney after law school. Of the three, Peyton was the one they considered the quiet storm, but she would be the first to put up a good argument if one was needed.
Peyton was also someone who would listen, study and weigh every aspect of a case, focusing on the facts, without being emotional. She believed in fighting for the little guy. Sam would be the first to admit that their relationship in law school had gotten off to a rocky start because they had come from such different backgrounds. Peyton had seen her as the spoiled little rich kid, and she had seen Peyton as someone who still had a chip on her shoulder because of what she hadn’t had while growing up, as if it were Sam’s fault. Mac had fit nicely in between, and after getting to really know each other, they had forged a friendship that Sam knew would always be there, no matter what.
“Actually—” Sam leaned back in her chair “—beating on these computer keys is better than finding Blade Madaris and beating up on him.”
Evidently Peyton thought her statement amusing, if the smile that replaced her frown was anything to go by. She walked into the room and dropped into the chair across from Sam’s desk. “Is he causing problems?”
Sam rolled her eyes. “Like the flowers aren’t enough.”
Peyton lifted her eyebrow in surprise. “He’s the one who’s been sending you those flowers?”
Sam nodded. “Yes, although he hasn’t admitted it. I haven’t brought it up and neither has he. But it’s a typical player move to try and break down a woman’s defenses. The flowers started coming not long after Mac’s birthday party, where Blade tried hitting on me several times. And a few nights ago when Mac and I met him and Luke after work at Carlton’s, he conveniently dropped the hint that his aunt had opened a florist shop.”
Peyton grinned. “So, he’s trying to work you, is he?”
“So he thinks,” Sam said, shaking her head.
“I take it that dinner with him last night didn’t go well?” Peyton asked.
Sam wondered if Peyton detected the blush that she was trying to hide. Dinner had been great. It was the dessert after dinner she’d been trying to forget.
“Dinner was fine,” she said truthfully. “It was when I got home that still has me pissed.”
“Pissed about what?”
“He’s leased the vacant town house next door.”
Peyton’s eyes widened as she sat up straight in her chair. “You’re kidding.”
“Wish I was. He even told me the reason when I asked him why he’d done it. He said to keep me within reach.”
Peyton shook her head. “I don’t know whether you should be flattered or scared.”
Sam stared at her. “Scared?”
Her friend nodded. “If it was anyone else, I would say it sounds like he’s stalking you. But I’ve met Luke’s family and they all seem sane.”
Sam laughed. “However, you and I both know that in every family there’s a loony tune. But seriously, I think of Blade’s antics as more of him making a nuisance of himself than a threat.”
“Then maybe you should be flattered. I’ve heard stories about him. I have cousins living in Houston and his reputation there is legendary. Blade Madaris is used to having anything and anyone he wants. The women love him. Good eye candy is hard to find these days and you have to admit he’s rather pleasing to the eyes.”
“Yes, he is pleasing to the eyes,” Sam couldn’t help but admit.
“If he did lease that house just to keep you within reach, it’s probably a first for him to give any woman that much attention. Hmm, makes me wonder.”
“About what?”
“How you’re going to deal with him. Blade appears to be a man pretty sure of himself, and he goes after what he wants. Moving next door proves that he wants you.”
“He won’t have me.” She knew that