Blind Date with the Spare Heir Page 12

  “This is pretty incredible,” Elyse said. She couldn’t believe she was standing in the back of the house at the Atlanta Cougars’ stadium and that half of all this could have been hers if Josiah hadn’t swindled her father out of his share.

  “C’mon, we’d better head up. The game will be starting soon and I want to introduce you to my parents and the rest of the family. Unfortunately, you won’t meet Xavier, he’s on-air talking about the game.”

  “No problem. I’ll see him at dinner, right?”

  “Yes, he should be wrapped up with his segment by then.”

  And so she followed him into the elevator that would lead to the chairman and owner’s lounge where she would finally meet Josiah Lockett.

  When they arrived, the floor was humming with attendants and security. Julian led her down the hall, saying hello to several people along the way. She liked that he was friendly and wasn’t above speaking to those who worked for his family.

  Eventually, they came to the skybox lounge. Security opened the glass doors and Elyse was shocked at the luxury. It had plush beige carpet, upholstered chairs, mahogany-paneled walls holding large television screens, and a huge marble-encased bar with several attendants at the ready to serve the Lockett family and their guests.

  But Elyse only had one man on the brain and it wasn’t the man standing at her side. Instead, it was the six-foot-five burly man in slacks, a button-down shirt and a sleeveless sweater-vest. Elyse would know Josiah Lockett anywhere even if she hadn’t researched the hell out of him.

  At his side was a beautiful woman with a peanut butter complexion. She was wearing slacks and a cashmere sweater set. Her hair was set in a classic fifties-style flip, but on Angelique Lockett it didn’t look dated, it looked elegant and sophisticated.

  “Mom, Dad.” Julian ushered Elyse toward them. She felt underdressed in her leather moto jacket, calf-length pencil skirt and high-heeled booties.

  Julian’s mother came over instantly and swept Elyse into her arms. “So you’re the woman whose captured my Julian,” she whispered in Elyse’s ear, “and foiled all my plans.”

  Elyse responded. “I’m afraid so.”

  His mother took both her hands. “I’ll forgive you because I’ve never seen my son look happier.” She gave Julian a wink.

  Meanwhile, Josiah stayed back behind his wife, regarding Elyse from a distance, and it made her uneasy. She couldn’t tell why, but the way he stared at her was quite strange.

  “Darling.” Angelique walked to her husband. “Please come over and meet Elyse.”

  Elyse swallowed as the bear of a man moved forward. Josiah towered over her. She was certain he used his stature to intimidate people, but she refused to be one of them.

  “Mr. Lockett.” She glanced up at him from underneath her lashes. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “I would say the same, but I’m not sure what your game is here,” Josiah stated, glaring at her.

  “Pardon?”

  “You upstaged my wife, who was hoping to find the great love of Julian’s life,” he responded with a big belly laugh. He offered Elyse a hand. “Ms. Harper. It’s nice to finally meet Julian’s girl of the week.”

  “Josiah, behave,” his wife warned.

  He shrugged and asked, “Have we met before? You remind me of someone.”

  Elyse’s heart began thudding in her chest. She had met Josiah a few times when she was very young, but her memories were fuzzy. Surely he wouldn’t recognize her? It had been over twenty years.

  “Please come.” Mrs. Lockett ushered Elyse forward. “You have to meet the rest of the family.”

  Elyse did as she was instructed, yet couldn’t help but notice the funny look on Josiah’s face as she passed him. She shook it off and walked toward Roman Lockett. Other than Julian, he was the most famous of the Locketts now, having been in several magazines touting his financial prowess. Though Xavier once held that title, but after losing his quarterback status, he’d faded into the background.

  Like his father, he was over six feet tall with chocolate skin and dark, deep-set eyes. She didn’t want to cross him. Something told Elyse he would make a worthy opponent. She smiled and held out her hand after his mother introduced them.

  “Elyse, I’d like you to meet my wife, Shantel.” A beautiful caramel-skinned woman approached her. She was wearing a sweaterdress that showed off her rounded belly. She glowed with a radiance and a smile.

  “So nice to finally meet you.” Shantel leaned in for a hug. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about you from Julian.”

  “Ah, that’s right.” Elyse pointed to Shantel and Julian at her side. “You two went to school together, right?”

  Julian laughed. “Not quite. I was at Morehouse and Shantel was at Spelman, but we have known each other for years.”

  “Don’t forget about us.” A statuesque woman sauntered toward Elyse. She was wearing skinny jeans and killer knee-high boots that Elyse just knew had to be designer.

  “I’m Giana,” the woman said, extending a hand, and Elyse appreciated her firm handshake. “Our baby brother, Xavier, is one of the commentators on the front lines, so you’ll have to meet him later.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  “Well, stop crowding my lady,” Julian said, putting his arm around Elyse’s shoulder. “Can I get you something to drink?” He glanced down at her.

  “I’d love a white wine,” Elyse responded.

  “Wine at a beer event?” Josiah scoffed from behind her. Although he’d rejoined the crowd of men he’d been with when she’d arrived, he’d managed to call her out. “Julian, get this girl a beer like the rest of us.”

  Elyse glanced around and noticed everyone had cozies with beer bottles. When Julian raised an eyebrow, she said, “A Heineken would be great.”

  “Coming right up.” He headed for the bar, leaving Elyse alone with Julian’s mother, Giana and Shantel.

  “So.” Mrs. Lockett, slid her arm through Elyse’s. “How are things going with you and Julian?”

  Now there was a subject she wouldn’t get caught up in. “Everything’s great. Better than great.” She glanced over at the bar where Julian and Roman were talking.

  “Well, you did go through quite a lot of trouble to meet my brother,” Giana said. “I mean, ambushing the blind date Mama set up.”

  “Giana...” There was a warning tone in her mother’s voice although she, too, seemed rapt to hear Elyse’s response.

  Elyse swallowed. “You’re right. What can I say? I’d heard a lot about Julian over the years. Who hasn’t, living in Atlanta?” Mrs. Lockett’s eyes narrowed and Elyse knew she had to tread carefully. “I was curious about the man underneath the façade he shows to the world. And I have to say, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how much depth there is to your son, your brother, and your friend.” She looked at each of the women in turn.

  “Not many women care to see beyond Julian’s flashy image and the fancy cars and expensive dinners,” Mrs. Lockett said. “I’m glad you’re not one of them.”

  “So tell us a little bit about you,” Giana said. “We’re all very curious about the woman who’s stolen my brother’s heart.”

  “Have I?”

  “You’re the first woman in a long time Julian has spoken so highly about,” his mother said. “And definitely the first he’s brought to meet the family.”

  “Really?” So Julian was talking about her to his family and closest friends? A secret thrill went straight through Elyse that Julian felt as she did. Yet, on the other hand, she couldn’t reveal too much about herself for fear she might leak something and reveal the past connection between their families.

  “Yes.” Giana came over to Elyse. “I’ve never seen my brother like this before. He’s quite enamored with you.”

  “Is that a bad thing?” Giana seemed very s
uspicious of her motives.

  “Oh of course not.” Mrs. Lockett was quick to say. “I’m excited my son feels that way. Perhaps it means he’s thinking about settling down and having a family of his own someday.”

  “Mama, isn’t it enough that Roman—” Giana eyed her older brother who was still at the bar with Julian “—is giving you a new grandbaby in a matter of months?” She smiled at Shantel, and Elyse could see Giana was definitely a fan. She doubted Julian’s sister would ever look at her that way because once she realized Elyse’s true agenda, she would be persona non grata with the Lockett family.

  “Can’t I have more than one?” her mother asked, shrugging her shoulders. “Lord knows, it could be years before you decide to give up being a businesswoman to be a wife and mother.”

  “Who says she has to give it up?” Shantel asked. “I’m living proof that it’s possible to have it all, Mama Lockett.” She gave her a wink. “I have a thriving psychology practice and at the same time—” she rubbed her large belly “—I’m a wife and soon-to-be mother.”

  “Your generation has it so much easier than mine. It was a foregone conclusion we would stay home to be wives and mothers. You have more opportunities than we ever did, but I caution you not to leave it too late.” She looked at her daughter when she spoke. “Starting a family in your thirties might be ideal for you careers, but your bodies have other ideas. And there—” she stopped herself because Giana was about to interrupt her. “I’ve said my piece, Giana. You know, I’m old-school.”

  “I don’t know about you ladies—” Elyse glanced at Shantel and Giana “—but I appreciate the motherly advice.”

  Mrs. Lockett instantly reached for her hand. “I’m sorry, my darling. Julian told me about your mother. I was so sorry to hear of your loss at such a young age.”

  “Thank you.” Elyse offered a half smile.

  “Absolutely,” his mother said. “We’ll move on to happier subjects.”

  Julian returned with Roman and two beers in hand and brushed a kiss across her forehead. “You all right?” he asked, whispering in her ear as he handed her a bottle of beer.

  “Absolutely, I’m not made of glass.” She’d endured losing her mother and having a drunk for a father, but she’d done it and made something of herself without giving in to despair. But could she do this? Could she really go after the Locketts to return to her father what should have been his?

  Thirteen

  Julian reflected on the day as he stood outside on the terrace of the Lockett estate and got a breath of fresh air. He was thrilled with how it had gone. Elyse had blended seamlessly into the Lockett family clan at the stadium and again here at dinner. His mother was enthralled, his siblings were both friendly and gregarious, but his father... He couldn’t put his finger on it, but his behavior tonight bothered Julian.

  He wasn’t outwardly hostile, not like he’d been with Shantel the first time she’d joined Roman for a family dinner and they’d announced their marriage and baby bombshell. But Julian knew his father, and the man was being mysterious. He definitely had something up his sleeve and Julian intended to find out what it was. He wouldn’t let Josiah wreck his relationship like he’d nearly done Roman and Shantel’s.

  As if she’d sensed he was thinking of her, Shantel joined him outside. “Hey—” she shoulder bumped him “—what are you doing out here?”

  “Just needed a moment alone from all the ruckus.”

  “Heck, I’m used to it thanks to the big clan I have in McDonough County,” Shantel replied.

  She came from a large family with three brothers, their wives and a gaggle of nieces and nephews. Going to one of Shantel’s family events was like going to a three-ring circus. Everyone spoke at the same time and you couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

  “So, what are you up to?” Julian asked.

  “I saw you standing out here on my way back from the powder room. You have no idea what pregnancy does to a woman’s bladder.”

  “And I don’t want to know,” Julian said, laughing as she swatted his arm.

  “Seriously, what’s going on with you? You seem introspective.”

  Trust her Spidey sense—or should he say psychologist sense?—to know when something was on his mind. “I’m just thinking about Elyse and me.” Julian had always felt like he could talk to Shantel. Over the years, he’d confided in her about prior relationships.

  “And?”

  “I don’t know what’s happening to me,” Julian said. “Elyse is so beautiful, I can hardly take my eyes off her. And she’s spirited and unafraid of sharing her opinion. She’s a refreshing change from all the women who’ve pandered to my every whim.”

  “That’s awesome, but what’s the problem?”

  “There isn’t one,” Julian said. “I’m just finding that my feelings for her are more substantive than any woman I’ve ever been with.”

  “Then don’t fight it,” Shantel replied. “Explore those feelings, Julian. Don’t close yourself off to what could be your first real love.”

  Julian frowned. “I didn’t say anything about love.” That word wasn’t in his vocabulary. Other people like Shantel and Roman and his parents used it, but never him. He only knew familial love.

  “You don’t want it?”

  “What, love?” Julian gave a rueful laugh. “Many people love me.”

  “Yes, but do they know you?” Shantel asked. “Perhaps it’s time you allowed yourself to take a risk and open your heart to love and being loved. You’ve already admitted that your feelings for Elyse are different. So why deny it could be more?”

  “I think you’re reading too much into this. And I probably am, too. I’m mistaking good sex for something else.”

  “Why can’t you own your feelings, Julian? What—or shall I say who—has made you so afraid of opening up?” Shantel touched his arm.

  Julian snatched his arm away. “Don’t shrink me, Shantel. You promised you would never do that.”

  “And I’m not,” she said softly. “I’m just trying to be your friend and get you to see you could have more than you ever thought possible if you just let a little bit of your self-control go.”

  Julian snorted. “Everyone seems to think I have none.”

  “That’s because they don’t know you like I do,” she said. “It’s a façade to keep everyone at bay.”

  “Ahem.” A loud cough sounded behind them and Julian turned to see Roman standing there. Of course, his brother had come to retrieve his wife, but Shantel would always be his best friend.

  “Thanks for giving me and my best friend some time to chat.” Julian patted Roman on the back and left his brother and his brother’s wife on the terrace to talk alone. He went in search of Elyse. Was Shantel right? Was it possible he could be falling in love with Elyse?

  * * *

  The next couple of weeks passed by in a whirlwind for Elyse. When she wasn’t at the office working to get her clients out of trouble, she was spending time with Julian. By hitting award-winning restaurants, art shows and charity events, they’d finally made the gossip columns. She and Julian had such an active social life, he’d taken her shopping for a new wardrobe of fashionable evening wear and formal attire.

  Initially, Elyse had balked at taking more from Julian given he’d bought her such beautiful vacation wear in Saint Lucia, but he’d been insistent. And a small part of Elyse had secretly enjoyed all the fuss of being treated to the Pretty Woman experience. Julian had even splurged on La Perla lingerie, which hadn’t lasted long on Elyse. Once he’d taken a look at her, the luxurious lingerie had quickly found residence on the bedroom floor.

  Everyone was speculating on how Elyse had snagged Atlanta’s illustrious bachelor no other lady could ever seem to hold on to. And when Elyse and Julian weren’t painting the town red, they were at his penthouse or her apartment making a homemade dinner, watching a
movie or listening to music as they cuddled on the couch. Those were her favorite moments because she got a glimpse of the real Julian. The man he rarely showed the world. The man driven to succeed by working long hours, tempered by a wicked sense of humor. She was falling harder and harder for the reformed playboy with each passing day. And as far as she could tell, there weren’t any deep dark secrets for her to exploit, or at least none she’d discovered during pillow talk with Julian. The more she got to know Julian, the more she became unsure that she could use him to get revenge on his father.

  Tonight, a Saturday, she and Julian had arranged to meet with Curtis and his father, Tim Jackson, for dinner at Manuel’s. Julian told her the older man preferred a more laid-back environment.

  Julian introduced her while they waited for a table. “Tim, Curtis, I’d like you to meet Elyse Harper.”

  “Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Harper,” Tim said. “Where have I heard your name before?”

  “It’s nice meeting you, as well,” Elyse said.

  “From me, Dad. Remember I told you she’s in PR?” Curtis responded.

  “Is that right?” Tim raised a brow and looked at Julian. “And are you lobbying for your girlfriend to have the job, Lockett?”

  She was surprised when Julian answered honestly. “I was hoping you’d at least consider her.”

  “But only if you think I’m the right person for the job,” Elyse interjected. “Connections can only go so far. I’d hope my background and experience might speak for itself.”

  “All right, Elyse. Do you mind me calling you by your first name?”

  “Not at all.”

  Over dinner, Elyse filled the Jacksons in on her years in public relations and the successes she’d had with several high-profile clients. Tim listened with an open mind and although he didn’t make any promises, Elyse was encouraged she had a fighting chance of winning their business. Julian had made good on his promise to get her an introduction.