“I’m sure we will,” she said.
“Oh, and aren’t you forgetting something?” Blayze regretted asking the second it slipped out of his lips.
“Uh… not that I can think of,” she said.
He shrugged. Why did he suddenly feel like teasing her? “Just thought you might throw out anotherhooyahcheer. You’re pretty good at that.” He smiled, enjoying the warmth stirring in his belly as he awaited her response.
“Well, aren’t you turning into alengua largo.”
His brow scrunched. “A what?”
“Lengua largo, long tongue. It’s like a Chatty Kathy, you know?”
No one had accused him ofthatbefore.
“See you tomorrow, Blayze.” A click sounded.
Blayze hit theend callbutton and sank back into his chair. Had she called him by his first name before? He didn’t think so. She definitely hadn’t said it in that snide, playful tone, that was sure. “Alengua largo?” He shook his head as a vision of the intriguing woman came to mind. Kind brown eyes on that flawless face. Blayze might have fought overseas, but she carried herself like a woman armed for an entirely different war. And he’d be lying if he said he didn’t find it intimidating.
What had Cannon said about her at the club that night?“…she seems like averylovely lady.”The man always spoke like a gentleman. And what he’d said was true— Sophia Vasco seemed like theperfectwoman, at a glance anyway. The type who might, unlike Emily, actually support a man when he went overseas. A thought that lit sparks low in his belly. Sparks that hadn’t been there for quite some time.
Still, no need to think about her in such a way. In just a few hours, Blayze’s job would begin. He might need to stay physically close in order to protect her, but if he knew what was good for him, Blayze would keep his affections at a safe distance.
Chapter 4
Sophia listened as Isabella, her father’s campaign manager, recited the most important things on today’s agenda. Her father’s campaign team stood packed into the large lobby, filtering through portable tables, water coolers, and a row of printers. Sophia, crammed between a bulletin board and a tower of stacked chairs, placed one neat checkmark beside each appearance that included her. A few universities, a number of press conferences, and a charity banquet to name a few.
A burst of excitement coursed through her as she looked proudly over the list of appearances; she and Papa were going all out this year—divide and conquer at its best. She was ready for it. Last time around, when her mom had been his campaign partner, people had shown nearly as much interest in Camila Vasco as they had her father. Showing a common interest in goals was important, and Sophia was proud to fill her mother’s shoes, assuring voters there was still that strong, female support in his life after Camila’s passing. Sophia had to take leave from her job at the immigration office, but it’d be worth it if her father could hold on to that District Attorney’s chair.
With all the madness going on around her, Sophia was surprised to catch sight of the door just as Blayze Brockton entered. In this part of California, sandy blond hair wasn’t an uncommon sight. But there was nothing else about Blayze Brockton she’d call common. Papa had told him not to bother wearing a suit, as it might make him stand out. Looked like he’d stand out no matter what he wore; the massive size of him alone was intimidating.
The other men in the room shifted as he strode by. Straightening their posture or broadening their chest span in some unnatural looking stretch. Jane, one of the college interns, fanned her face, her eyes never leaving him as he weaved behind the water cooler to stand in a corner. Even Isabella, bless her, stammered over whatever she’d been saying.
Blayze had no idea where Sophia was in the crowd. Maybe she’d slip out of her heels and remain hidden for a few minutes more.
Blayze gave a distinct head nod to a cluster of gawking female interns. Just as Sophia began to wonder when he’d locate her, he turned, shooting a pointed look at Sophia like she had a bullseye pasted on her face. A face that was quickly turning as red as a bullseye under his gaze.
For a moment, it felt like a stare-down. Gorgeous blue eyes presenting a challenge of sorts. The corner of his mouth quirked the slightest bit. Sophia’s did too. It seemed as long as she held his gaze he’d do the same. At last she tore her eyes from him and forced her attention back to her notes, but through the lined pages and carefully spelled out words, all she could see was him. That strong, masculine jaw. Those stormy blue eyes. And that spark of amusement lingering somewhere on his sculpted lips. The heavens would have to help her now—she was distracted just having him in the same room.
As her father took the mic, thanking everyone in advance for their hard work and efforts, Sophia looked up to catch a wry smile from evenhim. As if he knew the effect Blayze had had on her.
The idea pricked at her pride. Sure, she hadn’t dated a whole lot over the years, but it wasn’t like she was starved for affection.
“As you can all see on the monitors,” her father said, “we still have a generous lead—”
“But that’s no reason to get lazy,” Isabella blurted over him. She took the microphone from his hand. “Things can shift on a dime, and we really want to keep our District Attorney behind that desk, right everyone?”
“Right,” Sophia cheered. She caught eyes with Blayze once more as she lowered her exuberantly raised fist, a wave of déjà vu pouring in.
“Ms. Vasco,” a young voice came. “Do you have anything you’d like us to help you with today?”
Sophia snapped out of her stupor in time to realize the crowd had dispersed. She glanced to the young girl who’d addressed her. The intern who’d been gawking at Blayze.
“Hi, Jane.” She double-checked the blonde’s nametag. “I know there’s something I needed. Let me see…” Sophia scanned over her notes as a few others huddled around her.
“I want to help too if you have enough work to go around,” Matteo said.
“Shut up, punk. I was here first,” came the redhead beside Jane. A tall, gawky kid named Frank. Frank was one of the easy ones to remember, since he always drew a likeness of Frankenstein’s profile at the squared corner of his nametag, stitches and all.
