My heart stopped beating
Six weeks later…
“Are you quite ready to leave, love?” Lucy peaked through the small crack on the door.
“Yes, give me a minute, and then I’ll be right out!” I shot back.
I had barely just moved in a few days ago when I met her through a party and we’d hit it off almost immediately, so, when she mentioned she needed a roommate, I jumped on the chance.
Student housing was great, but I needed more space and privacy. This apartment was utterly perfect!
We were about to head out to Toby’s (who I met once)—party in Knightsbridge. Toby and Lucy were dating and madly in love at that!
The winter in London was brutal—compared to LA, of course—so I opted to wear black. I wore black jeans, boots, and cashmere sweater and did my make-up in the same shade.
When we finally managed to get out of our apartment building in Covent Garden, Luce instantly hailed a cab. I decided to text Kyle during the ride.
Me: Baby, how’s your day going? Your dad’s not giving you a tough time, I hope? Can’t stop thinking about you :) Miss your kisses!
When my phone beeped almost immediately, I rushed to open it. I have missed Kyle. I even cried once because I missed him like crazy, but I was determined to stay here. I needed to stay here and be on my own.
Kyle: I can’t stop thinking about you either, Si. Trust me when I tell you that you’re the first thing that enters my head when I wake up in the morning (you and your irresistible body). I feel so lost without you with me. I love you. What have you been up to?
His message made me smile like an idiot. I better be the first thing he thinks about in the morning! If he jacks off thinking about another woman, I will kick his balls!
Me: On my way to Toby’s house party (Lucy’s Man). I love you, Kyle Matthews!
Kyle: If any man approaches you, tell him that you’re taken, ‘kay? The thought of you talking to other guys and flirting makes me ill. F*ck! I hate this! Come back to me.
Now, he’s just overreacting. Me? Flirt? Right, so not funny.
Me: I am yours… now, I have to go. We’re here. Tell your parents that I said hi!
When we got to Toby’s apartment, he was all smiles. I supposed he was drunk already because his cheeks were flushed and his blue eyes were all on Lucy. He’s so in love with her! I grinned when I looked at them. They honestly reminded me of Kyle and me.
Lucy introduced me to a lot of people that they went to school with and they were all nice, welcoming me to London. A few men even offered to take me around and show me the real city, but I graciously declined. When they asked if I was in a relationship, I didn’t even hesitate to tell them that yes, I am and quite happy too.
Lucy and I were getting more wine when I first noticed a man watching me with such scary intensity. When our gazes clashed across the room, I kid you not, I felt the whole apartment shrink and it was only him I saw. Those eyes held me in such a trance I felt dizzy. My body became alert like it had been called by its owner. My senses were heightened and my entire body prickled. Even from a distance, I knew his eyes were unique. He was tall, broad, but even with his gray cashmere sweater, his muscles were evident.
Good God! I had never seen such male perfection. He simply took my breath away… in a heartbeat… merely with a searing, burning look.
I heard Lucy clear her throat beside me. “That’s Blake Knightly, Toby’s best friend. Fascinating specimen, is he not? Women chase him for his looks alone. Sprinkle in a dash of the multi-billion dollar empire of his grandfather’s that he will soon inherit and women flock, dying to get his attention.”
So, this Blake Knightly, who was still staring at me unnervingly, was the epitome of perfection with a blockade of women about. Got it.
“And he can’t seem to stop staring at you, love. He must want you! Good luck saying no to that man.” Lucy throatily laughed while her words sunk in.
“I’m with Kyle. Hot, rich men will not change my mind.” Lucy beamed at me.
Even if the temptation looked like a f*cking force to be reckoned with. Even if one searing look alone was enough to make me incoherent. Even if he was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life.
“Let’s hope so because I have known these guys for a while. I’ve known them before I even started dating Toby and, let me tell you, that if Blake wants something, he will never stop until he gets it.” I just nodded before I took a long sip of my wine.
When I glanced back at him, I saw Toby talking to him in a hushed manner. His beautiful face frowned while Toby held his attention. I watched as his frown turned into a scowl before he lifted his eyes and they clashed with mine again. My heart pounded and galloped like no other.
God, why did he affect me so much? I’d never even met him.
When I saw Toby and Blake Knightly crossing the room, heading towards us, my heart literally stopped beating. I had to put my glass down on the counter because I didn’t trust myself holding on to the thin stem without my hand shaking or having it spill on the floor.
“Sienna Richards, meet Blake Knightly, a dear friend of mine,” Toby said before he went over to Lucy and pulled her aside, making out like crazy. I watched as he dragged her into another room.
I was left to my own devices, alone with this man who was staring at me, confused and at the same time awed. To say that I was disconcerted was an understatement.
I was mystified.
I couldn’t even look at him directly, so it was almost a surprise when he spoke, “Enjoying your time in London so far, Sienna?”
F*ck. What the hell? That voice. I think I just creamed in my underwear.
“London’s great. I really like it here.” And I did. It was the total opposite of LA. I loved the arts and the chaotic craziness of the city itself.
Still his eyes penetrated, I was hesitant to gaze back at him… especially this close to him. His next question took me aback.
“How come your boyfriend let you study in a different country? I found that a tad baffling.” That question did it. Why would Toby tell him that I was with someone? Why would they even talk about me to begin with? That’s just weird.
I was about to answer him when our eyes clashed again for the third time.
Wrong move.
I sucked in my breath as we stared at each other. Waves of electricity ran through my body. Midnight blue, rimmed with silver with gold bursts met me.
F*ck.
Holy, shitcakes.
Those eyes… I was captivated and I simply lost any thoughts as I swam in those mesmerizing pools of beauty.
“Sienna?” Blake asked with a breathtaking smile, clearly amused at my speechless state.
I blinked back a few times. “Sorry?”
“I was asking you a question, but it seems that you clearly did not hear me. I do wonder what was occupying your thoughts. Mind sharing it?”
Not really. Surely, I’m not the only woman who acts like a complete ninny around this man? He was just too much for any woman senses.
I blushed, beet red from head-to-foot. Seriously, why did I have to embarrass myself the first time I met him? Ugh!
“I, uh, well you’re, uh… I didn’t expect to find your eyes to be so, um…” I trailed off when he arched his brow. Hell, just f*cking hell. “They’re very unique.”
That stupid answer made him smile at me like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world. “You can stare at them for as long as you want. I don’t mind the attention.”
WTF! “No thanks, I’m not hitting on you. I’m with someone.”
“I really do not understand the bloody term ‘hitting on you’, but yes, I do know that you’re with someone. Does he make you happy?” Odd question to ask someone you just met.
Kyle. I totally forgot about him for the first time in a few hours. Surely, that’s a bad sign?
“Yes, Kyle’s amazing! He’s my childhood best friend, but we started dating only a couple of years back, and it’s been marvelous. He’s a great man.”
Blake nodded and murmured, “Quite the lucky man this Kyle.”
Since I had no response to that, I just resorted back to finishing my entire glass of wine. I was more than relieved when Lucy and Toby came out of the other room that appears to have been a bedroom by the flushed looks and all the smiles.
Ha. Those two… all they did was make goo-goo eyes at each other all night.
After an hour of chitchat, I became comfortable in Blake’s presence. When he started to crack jokes, I warmed to him even more.
That was the beginning of our friendship.
We actually had a lot in common and he was quite happy about that. Seeing the comfortable side of him was much better than the smoldering side, for sure. I was less intimidated.
When he offered to take me around sightseeing, I didn’t even hesitate to say ‘yes’. We agreed to do it in two weeks time since he’s busy with his grandfather’s company.
When I mentioned it to Kyle, he seemed pissed off that I was friends with a guy, but he somewhat conceded when I told him that Blake has a lot of women and that he didn’t see me that way.
I have seen a couple of the women in the two weeks since meeting Blake, too. When all four of us had gone out to eat, he always managed to bring a date with him and the women he consorted himself with—gorgeous doesn’t even cover it because they were almost perfect. Blake goes for perfection and I am not in that category. After a week of convincing Kyle that Blake was simply a friend, he finally accepted it, reluctantly.
Blake and Toby were always in the apartment. There were times when I came out in the morning and all three would be having breakfast. Having people to trust and just be comfortable with, it felt like my little family, and I loved it. I also noted how Blake made me a perfect cup of coffee. He’s such a gentleman.
So, when that day rolled in for us to go sight-seeing, I was excited to hang out with him.
I made a quick dash to the mirror and checked my appearance. Yes, I looked like I could do some walking in the cold chilly air. When I came out of the building, I halted when I found Blake leaning against his black Vanquish. To be quite honest, each time I see him, I always get like this. Like he’s all I see… I guess because he’s just so f*cking HOT. The list goes on from there…
“Ready, milady?” Blake grinned at me while his eyes twinkled.
Sigh, could he be any sexier? I am crushing on Blake so badly, but that’s my secret and not one I would share. Imagine if Blake ever found out? I could see him teasing me, amused and all.
No, thanks.
I gave him a shy smile since my thoughts were really not appropriate and especially since I’ve been in love with another man. “Yep, how long have you been waiting?” Blake’s smile vanished.
His voice was serious and husky when he spoke. “A bit, but I don’t mind waiting. Some things are worth waiting for.” I looked at him weird. His response did not make sense whatsoever. Instead of clarifying that, he just ushered me inside his car.
“Where are we heading?” I asked him as he maneuvered the car and joined London traffic.
Blake cocked his head sideways and winked at me. “You’ll see.”
Shit, f*ck, shit. Stop making me blush damn it!
Not wanting to dwell on my stupid thoughts, I turned on the radio. After thirty minutes or so, we were somewhere around the airport.
Okay…
I tensed. “What are we doing in Gatwick?” He just smiled at me again.
“Blake?” I questioned, but he ignored me and swiftly parked the car in the garage. Once done, he opened the door. Before he rounded mine to open it, I did it myself.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I hate surprises!” I exclaimed. Where the hell is he taking me?
“Come on, Miss Pouty. Your jet awaits.” Blake ushered me towards the gates.
Jet, what jet?
Blake handed two passports to the security people while I stared at him, shocked. Once they let us through, I glared at him. “You stole my passport!”
He chuckled. “No, I borrowed it. There’s a big difference, my sweet.” We went through another set of doors and into a private concierge area. From there, someone waited to greet us named Bart.
Okay, even if I was a little weirded out about everything, I must admit that I was impressed with the kind of power Blake held. The f*cking man commanded power and everyone just seemed to bow to him. Must be nice to lead that kind of life…
Bart ushered us to a private jet and bid us a good afternoon. Inside, two pretty stewardesses greeted us and then the two pilots spoke to Blake for a bit. I didn’t speak until we were both seated across from each other.
“Where are you taking me, Blake? You promised to take me sight-seeing!”
Those dynamic eyes were amused as they twinkled. “I am taking you sight-seeing in Paris. When you agreed to let me take you, you never once asked where.”
“God, don’t you do anything in small measures?” I was back to glaring at him again. Although, I was excited to see Paris for the first time, I wasn’t going to let him get off the hook that easily.
When the pilot announced to get ready for take-off, we didn’t resume talking until the stewardess, Ellie, finished serving us food and refreshments.
“Tell me, Sienna, do I look like the kind of man that does things in small measures?” Hell-to-the-f*cking-no.
I threw a grape at him. “Can you stop being so amused?” Why was he so damn happy, anyway? F*ck, Kyle will murder me if he finds out about this.
Blake held my gaze and spoke, “I can’t help provoking you when you look simply and utterly beautiful as you glare and blush like that.”
Before I managed to even respond, he started on the food that was before us. I murmured my thanks when he gave me coffee. In between bites of Belgian waffles, I asked, “The woman that you’re seeing at the moment… is she okay that you’re taking me out of the country?”
Blake shrugged and took a sip of his beverage. “Why should she? And besides, you’re a friend, there’s nothing for her to be jealous of.”
Right, we were after all that—friends.
When we landed in Paris, I was crazily psyched. “Welcome to the city of lights and the city of love,” he exclaimed with such enthusiasm.
Blake was the best guide I could ask for. We went to a few places, but I got too distracted to be interested because there were too many pastry shops. Each time we passed by one, my body walked forth, but my nose stayed and lingered, smelling the damning, delicious aromas. Of course, Blake obliged me. He seemed to have a weakness for sweets as well. So that worked out perfectly.
He was funny and spoke in fluent French. Yeah, that was something to behold. He was quite breathtaking. I guess some people were just born perfect?
Before midnight, we were back in Charles de Gaulle airport to go back to London. “Blake, thank you for today… I know I was a little bitchy in the beginning… but you made me really happy. I can’t thank you enough.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek before I went back to my own chair.
“I am quite glad that today made you happy. That was my goal, nothing more. Why don’t you go rest awhile? I’ll wake you up before we land.”
I murmured my thanks before I closed my eyes.
Today was rather eventful and I was weary and exhausted.
Paris, I will never forget you.