"Tash you've got to toughen up, if you go running scared every time he pulls that shit he'll know he gets to you and carry on!"
I was luxuriating in a bubble bath talking to Lane on speaker. She'd called to find out why I'd disappeared from the dinner without a word and I had sheepishly told her the whole story.
"Lane I agree with you and logically I know I don't want him but you don't understand when he touches me or talks or looks at me in a certain way my world shrinks until he's all I see."
I cringed at my words as they sounded so embarrassing and dramatic but it was the truth. I had been through a lot in my short time on this planet and I knew how to handle myself. I didn't take shit from anyone but for some reason I was weak around Blade and I was infuriated with myself.
"Honey I get that, believe me, it's the same with Nate. Tough love though.. Nate wants me back. I do think Blade wants you but you're not the only one and if you're not his only then you need to get gone."
She was right and I knew it but that didn't mean I knew how to do that.
"Laney you make it sound easy but if I could do that then I wouldn't be in this situation!"
"Just remember seeing Katrina on his lap, just play that image any time he tries to flirt."
Just thinking about that made me sick to my stomach so that could actually work! Thanking Lane and promising I'd try harder to ignore him we moved to a nicer topic.. her and Nate!
"So when are you and Daddy giving me babies?!"
"Ha, it's been a few weeks freak!"
"Oh please, I guarantee you guys'll be engaged before the end of the year!"
"Tash, even a month ago, the idea of being engaged or marriage would have sent me running but it's like since the moment I met him I feel so calm about everything because we love each other and there's no need to rush because it'll happen you know?"
"I'm not crying, there's something in my eye!"
My heart just about melted and I was tearing up which tended to happen a lot around those two! They were so attuned to each other and so happy and though they had been together for such a short time it was plain for anyone to see they were made for each other!
"Shut up you'll set me off! My Aunts due in a couple days and you know how teary I get bitch!"
"Mines coming too.. if we start on the same day let's have another duvet day together?"
"Sounds perfect.. oh I completely forgot! How was it with the phone, did he notice it had gone?"
I smiled remembering the day Lane was brought into our little detective club and the leads she had given us.
"He still wasn't home when I got back so I just put it in the kitchen and seems like he doesn't have a clue I ever had it."
"Lucky girl! Ah Nate's outside I gotta go. Love you doll face!"
I settled back into my bath, so so happy for Lane and so grateful to have such an amazing friend. That is all Blade could be to me now. My besties boyfriend's cousin.
* * *
Walking into work the following day, I decided to bypass my floor and go directly to Blades office hoping he would be in. The nonsense flirting had grown old and it needed to stop. We weren't in -and had never had - a relationship so the whole situation was entirely ridiculous!
When the lift doors opened on his floor I was surprised to find the same Executive Assistant as each time previously they had been different! Smiling at her she motioned me to go straight through so with a nod of gratitude I entered the Lion's den.
Blade was standing by his floor to ceiling windows, staring pensively at the streets far, far below him. I couldn't see his gorgeous, golden eyes but I had the strangest feeling if I did, they would look dull and lifeless.
As if sensing my presence, he turned to me, and those leonine eyes were sparkling away as usual and I clearly needed to seek help for my fanciful delusions!
"Tasha, what can I do for you?"
As he spoke he moved to take a seat behind his desk and following suit I took a seat on the other side, his desk a barrier between us.
"Blade what happened yesterday was completely inappropriate and cannot happen again. If being around you means being subject to your gropes and sexy language then I won't be able to help anymore."
I maintained eye contact throughout to let him see I was serious so I saw his eyes darken in anger and the way his jawline clenched.
"Tell me you don't want me and I'll stop."
I laughed icily, my eyes cold. He didn't have a clue did he..
"Are you serious? You have a girlfriend Blade! I did things with you and 30 minutes after we were kissing you had her grinding in your lap so please don't be deluded enough to think I want you. Sloppy seconds aren't my thing."
Blade was furious, his eyes spitting fire at me. I didn't understand how he could think it would be acceptable to have a girlfriend he loves but still crack on to me. Was it the fact he never got to have sex with me? I didn't know but all I did know was I had to prove Jasper was guilty to protect my mum and for Flora to have justice but I didn't have to take Blade Night's shit!
"Ok Tasha we can play it your way.. for now."
"Blade, we are not friends, we are not in a relationship, we have never been in a relationship, you are Lane's boyfriend's cousin. That is it. I'll see you later for recon."
Blade didn't deign to reply and I didn't look back to see his expression. Let him see me walk away without looking back. No regrets.