Elayna blinked, temporarily blinded, and the dogs both jumped up together, fighting for the attention of who she presumed was their master.
“Hey boys,” a deep voice said. “Thought I’d come see—what the—you!”
Elayna jumped up, sure she was about to have a heart attack. Her chest ached, and she fought the urge to race out the front door instead of attempting to explain herself to Kayson Blake. She’d been determined never to see him again.
But instead, she stood her ground and offered a sheepish wave. “Hello,”
“Uh…”
Kayson glanced around the house, and his eyes lingered on the crushed box on the counter. Elayna glanced over to see it had leaked melted popsicle on the gleaming surface.
“Hey,” he finally finished, looking one hundred percent transformed from the man who’d rudely pulled her into his virtual meeting. His tie had been loosened around his neck, and the first few buttons of his dress shirt hung open, revealing a small portion of an irritatingly toned chest. Half the shirt hung untucked around his waist, and the sleeves had been pulled up at the wrists.
Indeed, he looked different.
Still, Elayna stared intently back at him, wondering if he was going to apologize for ambushing her earlier. But whatever he was planning to do, she warmed up her no, ready to use it and leave as soon as possible.
“You came to my house?” he asked, running a hand through his sandy hair that had been freed of any conformity.
“I think there’s been some mistake,” Elayna answered, hoping to find a solution and leave as soon as possible.
Kayson nodded, walking slowly to the kitchen and glancing back at her to show he was still listening.
“Kyle, my boss, asked me to watch some kids for a few days while these conferences are finished up. I assumed it was actual children?” She left the question in the air, waiting for him to answer, but instead, he just nodded. “Uh…but now I see it was your dogs that needed the attention, and it looks like you’re here and perfectly able to give them that, so I’ll just be on my way.”
He lifted the box, allowing a stream of juice to leak out the bottom. “You brought popsicles?” A grin stretched across his face, and Elayna caught her breath.
She’d never seen him smile before, and it was a wonder he didn’t use it more often. Like a secret weapon, it disarmed her completely, from the dimpled creases in his cheeks to the pleasant curve of his lips around a perfect set of teeth.
“Yeah,” she answered in a shaky breath. She swallowed and shook off the dreamy state she’d fallen into. “For the kids, not the dogs.”
“Ah.” He dropped the box into the sink and turned back to her with a bit of the dangerous grin still showing. “Well, I’m sorry for the confusion, but it’s just the dogs that I needed help with. I don’t have any children. Although, the dogs are just as important to me.” He glanced back at her with one eyebrow lifted mischievously. “I’m not married…are you?”
“Me?” Elayna took a step toward the door. “Uh, no. I’m not. Well, goodnight.”
“Wait.” In a few strides, he caught up to her. “I wanted to say, you did great at the meeting tonight.” His eyes searched her face, and she felt her cheeks warm. “Do you think you could help me introduce the product at our next meeting? It won’t be a video chat, so you don’t have to worry about that. Just something in person with a group of management.” He finished with a shrug. “I’d appreciate the help.”
Elayna fought to hold on to her no, telling herself that he was likely just using her to further his own career. Just because it was her design, it didn’t make her a slave to whatever he wanted to do with it. And even though he was simmering back at her, throwing signals her way like candy… He didn’t know anything about her and probably had a hundred supermodels following him around like kittens.
With a breath, she steadied her gaze. “I’m sorry, no. I can’t help you with that.” She took a step back. “I wish I could, but… You’ll do amazing, I’m sure.” She rushed out the door without waiting for an answer.
He didn’t respond, and it wasn’t until she’d started the car and put it into drive that she looked up. He stood in the doorway with his arms crossed in front of him and his white shirt glowing in the darkness. His expression was only shadows, but she thought she could see a hint of anger there… A powerful man who wasn’t used to being refused.
She pulled out of the courtyard, feeling stronger and more capable than ever. If she could say no to Kayson Blake, she could say no to anyone.
Chapter 5
Kayson watched her car pull out of the courtyard, feeling irritated, to say the least. He absolutely refused to beg or to go through the humiliation of explaining all the messy details. Why couldn’t she have just said yes? Was she so selfish that she refused to do anything more than what was written on her job description? She seemed very professional, based on her mannerisms and the way she’d handled the video call with no preparation whatsoever… She outranked her position in the company, that was clear enough.
He shook his head, closing the door. He had to give her a little credit with the way she’d come to take care of his babies, so she couldn’t be completely self-serving. But then, why had she answered him like she was fighting a battle? Throwing out the word no like a javelin and retreating at Godspeed?
He slumped into the couch cushions and allowed his dogs to climb up next to him, although they had the habit of hanging their long legs across his lap and nearly smothering him.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have tried flirting with her. It was a dirty move, and he knew it. Her reaction was instant, leaving him wondering if she wasn’t just completely repulsed by him. And possibly she already had a strong opinion of who Kayson Blake really was… Why hadn’t he thought of that before? Instead of trying to form her opinions for her, he might be fighting a stigma that already existed.
He grumbled and pulled out his phone, thinking back to her presentation. A small security app with a miniature camera was lit up, showing a new video available. It was connected to his office, and with his curiosity steadily growing, he pressed it.
The video was motion-activated and followed Ms. Elayna Vega up the elevator. He smiled at the way she smoothed out her hair and couldn’t help but notice how she’d perfected the art of walking in heels. Even after countless black tie parties, he’d never seen a woman move with the natural grace and athleticism that she did.
Her presentation was just as he remembered. She’d shot him a panicked look and then suddenly rattled off the numbers and answered questions like a pro, breezing through the pressure and leaving the room the moment she was finished. And he admired her for it.
He patted Titan and Shade, both of them still lounging on top of him sleepily. The dog's tails began whipping the couch in turn.
When he glanced back at his phone, he sat up rigidly. The gray colored Titan lifted his head, and Shade’s eyes tilted upward, studying him. But he was absorbed in the video of Elayna in the elevator. The moment the doors had closed, she’d lost her composure completely. He could see her hands shaking as she wrapped them around herself, almost crumpling to the floor. She looked so fragile, it stung at his chest.