The Glass Secret (Chain of Secrets), page 28
“It’s a habit, I suppose,” I replied bashfully. It was now evident that he was stalling for a reason to continue to talk, and to pay me compliments. Maybe this was my lucky day after all.
“One, that someone so beautiful such as yourself shouldn’t posses.”
Who is this man?
“Thank you.” I blushed and fumbled with my shopping bags.
“Let me ask Pierre to take care of those for you, while we peruse the gallery,” Rain said, putting emphasis on the words care of—you and we. His pointed accentuations caused my heart to flutter. Before I could answer, he gently lifted my bags from my hands and turned. Was he here to buy a spa as well?
“Can I assist you Mr. de’ Bluche?” A man’s voice politely asked. Over Rain’s shoulder I noticed a distinguished older gentleman standing behind him. It was almost as if he manifested out of the dim lighting, the same way the moon does at night. The man came out of nowhere. It was actually kind of unearthly.
Rain acknowledged him with a slight nod, and said, “Yes, please.” Then he glanced in my direction. “I’ll only be gone for a moment,” he said in a protective manner. Thinking back, no, it was territorial. Perhaps both. Protective and territorial.
I gushed inwardly as he pivoted on his heels with my bags in hand. I was relieved not to have to tote them around. They were quite heavy, and they had gotten in the way once already.
“Pierre, can you please take Miss Eden’s packages,” Rain smoothly said. His voice trailed off as he handed my packages to the man. Rain seemed to know the owner of the store rather well, that’s who I assumed Pierre was. I inconspicuously studied them both closely.
-47-
Mmm...
Pierre looked significantly older than Rain. They drew in closer to each other as they spoke. Pierre was remarkably tall—as in, looming a few inches over Rain who was already considered ultra tall from my perspective. Pierre gave off an impression that he would’ve catered to any requests that Rain may have asked.
They appeared to have an immense amount of respect for each other. Pierre had a fatherly air about him, and for a man of his age, he was built quite nicely too. Surprisingly, he wore his hair long, pulled back into an approximately seven-inch ponytail. Yet it fit him well and was nicely groomed.
They both stepped a few paces in the opposite direction away from me. I strained to hear their conversation but couldn’t make out what they were saying. Rain intermittently glanced back toward me and smiled suggestively, cueing me in that he would be delayed a second longer.
As they spoke, I welcomed the opportunity to check him out. I pretended to be occupied by my cell phone, meanwhile, discreetly eyeing every inch of him. The view from behind him looked as sensational as he did from the front.
Rain had to have been six foot-six, in the least, or taller. In my four-inch high heels, I gauged his height pretty accurately when we were standing close. His physique was strong, lean and muscular, stacked with broad shoulders. He had jet-black dark hair that dusted his collar. It was combed back off his delicious face.
His choice of clothing was impeccable. Gray belted slacks, a crisp white shirt with one button undone, revealing a fine dust of hair, and topped off with an elegant designer black jacket.
I was impressed that he wasn’t dressed in a matchy-matchy suit from head to toe. He apparently put thought into how he presented himself. I especially liked the detail of the platinum cufflinks.
There was no mistaking beneath his attire he was packing concealed weapons. Not as in illegal guns...but dangerous man gear!
His smooth complexion was olive, but on the fair side. It was apparent he wasn’t a sun worshipper. His skin was pore-less, yet rather rugged too, extremely manly. He sported a five o’clock shadow that defined his strong jaw line. I could see his profile as he spoke.
All his features were totally symmetrical to one another, so rare. I watched his full-lips curl, ever so slightly. Perched below his thick dark brows were his mesmerizing light-gray eyes that contrasted brilliantly with threads of coal-black ribbons. I found them intriguingly stunning.
Suddenly my cell buzzed in my hand...a text! My phone buzzed again. Perhaps I should check it.
Hey gorgeous! How is my American Beauty doing? Drinks Tonight? Tramps @ 7:00...afterwards we can go back to my pad and watch the sunrise—meet me at the front door! T <3
Eww...His American Beauty? We had never even met in person, and he was calling me his! He was trying too hard! He was way too forward, and I didn’t find him clever, at all.
The text was from a guy who Nuilley had been begging me to go out with. I wasn’t interested and had told him several times. Still, I felt the need to reply, it was the polite thing to do. I flashed up at Rain. He sensed me doing so, then turned and winked.
My fingers moved rapidly over the touch screen.Thanks Terrance...I thought I told you I was dating someone special and moving back to the states with him...sorry
There, I settled that once and for all, no sense leaving him hanging. No pun intended!
“Did you miss me?” Rain asked so confidently, I nearly dropped my phone.
“Uh...I-I was just texting someone—sorry.”
He tilted his head to the side, simultaneously lifting one corner of his gorgeous mouth. “No need to apologize. Keeping up on text these days can equate to a full-time job.”
“Yes, that’s so true,” I said while my thumb was busy silencing the ringer on my cell to the vibrate mode. I quickly slid it into the front flap of my purse. Out of sight out of mind.
“Would you like to look around?”
“I’m confused, do you actually work here or—”
He nodded and simply replied, “Sometimes,” then handed me an ivory business card. I flashed down at it.
Greyson Rain de’ Bluche, CEO
de’ Bluche Capital Funds &
Equity One Investments Group
“Thank you,” I said, taking a closer look at the card.
How odd, I thought. He was an entrepreneur who was obviously a millionaire or possibly even a billionaire for all I knew, but why was he here wanting to help me out, and so intently? Perhaps he was doing this to experience the operation of his investment, assuming that he was the actual owner. Who was I to have questioned what he did with his time?
“Owning this store is one of my hobbies. I enjoy being involved. It gives me an opportunity to come down to earth, and get my feet wet.” he answered my question without my having to ask, which I wouldn’t have gone that far.
One of my old habits kicked in, opening my mouth without thinking first. “Nice hobby. I guess it gives you a chance to mingle with the working class, but...I think you meant to say...get your hands dirty.” I corrected him then blanched. I wondered if he’s so upper crust that he wasn’t familiar with the expression.
He laughed. “No, I meant, get my feet wet...in one of the spas.” His eyes trailed over the arena of spas, smiling proudly.
“Oh.” I closed my eyes for a second, and recoiled inside. From that point on, I assumed he was the kind of man who means what he says and says it how he means it, in the literal sense. Hmm, ‘come down to earth’ now, that was figuratively speaking.
“I love the sound of the running water, the atmosphere and meeting people, such as you, which can be a real treat.”
His words were suggestive, not in a sexual way...but I couldn’t help but let my mind go there. His sex appeal was off the charts. Nonetheless, I understood why he would want to spend time at the gallery when he wasn’t ruling like a god somewhere else. After all, he was the CEO of a large investment company. Everyone needs a place to unwind. Like the rest of us mere mortals, I was sure he got stressed out, too. The sound of all the spas certainly relaxed me, almost immediately. What a great place to retreat to.
I ran my fingers across the embossed letters of his card. For a moment, I imagined myself running my fingers across his well-defined body. The thought of that caused heat to travel to my lower abdomen, actually lower than that. My thumbs caressed over his name. In a sense, it could have been the closest I would get to touch this man.
“Greyson Rain de’ Bluche. I really like your name. It’s very unique. Especially, Greyson Rain. It’s very symbolic. Is it a pseudonym?” I asked politely, yet probingly. I didn’t think my question was too forward.
In Hollywood everyone used stage names, not just actors, so my question didn’t seem that out of line. Heck, my ex changed his name several times after he had behaved like an ass, one too many times during auditions.
Although in this case, we weren’t in Hollywood, and Rain wasn’t an actor like my ex—Thank God—therefore, my asking may have come across as rude. “I’m sorry for being so forward. It’s just—well, your name sounds like the weather...gray...sun...and rain.” I said, followed by a grin. “Therefore, I figure you must have a story behind it.”
I wondered if he was the son of Zeus, the Greek God of the sky and weather.
I winced and covered my mouth trying to tame my brazen curiosity, but I had to ask. He didn’t seem to mind. I hoped that I hadn’t offended him by calling him a gray sun—he was nothing close to that description.
“Yes, Brielle,” he paused on my name for a fraction of a moment. I loved hearing him say my name. “There just so happens to be a short story. My mother was the one who named me. She was pretty eccentric, a poet and refused to name me the fifth, after my father. He was the fourth of course. My father was infuriated that she had broken the chain of his family tradition. That’s for sure. My grandfather, her father, encouraged her to think outside the box, which was unacceptable for women in those days. However, when it came to naming me, she stood her ground.” Rain raised a single brow.
“She sounds like someone I would love to meet.” I couldn’t believe I had invited myself to meet his mother. What had gotten into me? “I bet she’s a pistol.”
“That might be difficult to arrange. God, bless her soul with eternal life,” he said with an intonation of sadness.
“Oh, dear. Excusez-moi...I’m so sorry.”
“It’s quite alright, don’t hold back. Say what’s on your mind. I find you very interesting. But, she was a pistol—as you call it.”
Interesting? I hoped he found me more than interesting.
“If it is too difficult to talk about, I understand.” I said, biting my lower lip and feeling heat rush to my face. After all, I had pried into his personal life.
“No. It was so long ago when I lost her.”
“How long ago was it when she—” I hesitated. Damn, why do I have such a loose tongue? I am ruining any chances that he’ll find me more than interesting.
“Many decades ago,” he said, nodding.
“Again, I am sorry. I don’t mean to pry,” I lied my butt off. I liked this man so much already; I wanted to know everything about him.
“I don’t mind.” He flashed me a reassuring smile that made my knees wobble.
“I love hearing details about other people’s lives.”
“From what I understand, in the brief moments, before I came into this world the sky grew dark and gray. A thick fog swept over the city and a sudden down pour of rain came...along with my cries. Voila, here I am,” he said, smiling.
His eyes filled with a strange sincerity, a seam of light entered into them, I could see the gray parts now appeared lighter than I had previously thought. Stunning. Defined rings around the irises, so jet-blue they could be mistaken as black. Ominous eyes. Changing colors.
“Oh my, it seems you’ve inherited your mother’s gift of poetry. You tell that with a spark in your eyes.” I openly flirted, flashing him a coy smile.
“Thank you, she would have been pleased to hear your kind words. She thought my name was very apropos, considering.” He stopped short, shrugged in an exaggerated manner and clapped his palms together. “Well, there you have it. That’s my story.”
“You miss her don’t you?”
“I do. I can still see her soft hands in my mind to this day.”
“That’s so sweet.”
Rain flashed down at my hands. “They were small and petite like yours.”
Suddenly, I felt the need to fidget. “Awe, thanks. May I ask about your father?”
What was I doing interviewing him?
Rain shook his head. “He’s gone,” he faintly snapped. “God bless his soul too.” His tone softened, but still it was cold, empty and didn’t sound like much of a blessing.
“I’m sorry you have suffered such losses. I couldn’t imagine losing one of my parents.”
“It’s okay—my father’s one good contribution to me was loving my mother. Which made him a good man, and I loved him for that reason alone.” A dark expression settled into his smoky eyes. Hmm, I sensed there might have been a conflict that rose between him and his father. I wondered what had happened? But, why would he tell that to a complete strange? He didn’t seem the type that would besmirch his father. Maybe another time he’ll share his family secrets, I hoped then let it go.
“Well, I think it was clever how your mother chose your name. Thanks for sharing Greyson...” I paused awkwardly, wishing I had never asked anything about his father.
“Please, call me Rain, most of my old friends did—do.” His breath caught. “Most of them do,” he said, correcting himself.
“Okay, then Rain it is. I love the rain!” I couldn’t believe I said that. I wanted to drown myself in one of the spas.
“I am glad you do,” he said then winked at me without missing a beat, adding. “One day I intend to rain all over you.”
How suggestive! Did he really say that? What do I say? Let it rain! If only I was fearless, but that could have been taken wrong. Even if I was teasing...I didn’t have the nerve.
“Uh...” I said long-winded, for the lack of words, feeling my face burning crimson.
Damn, Rain’s confidence poured out like a strong waterfall, steady, bold and unwavering. I wished mine had flowed that freely. Instead, I gawked, shivered inside and blushed a lot.
“Brielle...I am teasing you.” He quickly piped in, smiling down at me. He must have seen the look of shock written all over my face, not to mention my lack of response.
“Mr. de’ Bluche, you have a clever sense of humor...very witty.”
“Perhaps...but not as quick as your wit. I realized I was a little slow earlier when I hand delivered you, your receipt.” His brow arched in the damnedest sexiest way.
“Oh that, the double entendre.” I giggled and waved my hand into the air. “Sorry, it’s just—your hand—well, it...I mean you actually hand delivered it to me.” I said half-wittedly, fumbling my words. Here I go again.
From the first moment I met Rain, I spoke as if I had a silly crush on him. Everything about me was magnified, my voice, my breath and the heat coursing through my veins. This coquettish behavior was not like me.
My voice didn’t even sound like my own. My pitch was reaching notes I didn’t know existed in me. I sounded like a teenage girl, hanging out backstage of a concert, behaving gaga goo-goo over a rock-star she had just met. There wasn’t a moment I wasn’t smiling, and I couldn’t seem to wipe the grin off my face.
Rain’s smile broadened, revealing his pearly white teeth. A mischievous wryly expression touched his lips and settled into his eyes. He radiated confidence. From my perspective it was apparent—that he knew he had a mesmerizing effect on me. I believed he liked that he was able to rattle my nerves to some degree.
Even when our conversation turned toward business, he had an effect on me. I felt spellbound by his presence. I went on and on, prattling about how I wanted to remodel my bathroom by adding a bathing tub, which would complete my vision.
I explained my bathroom dilemma. “It doesn’t have to be a spa with all the bells and whistles. I certainly don’t need the finest jet system that’s on the market. Just something simple that fits maybe—uh, never mind. Right now, all I have is a stand in shower so...I’m sure you get the picture.” My blushing began again, especially when my eyes caught his expression.
A little Zoolander sexy pout formed on his kisser. His eyes slowly narrowed, and went slightly upward. I wondered if he was imagining me naked in my shower.
Rain and I had become quite comfortable in the first moments of meeting. Thanks to my utter lack of personal boundaries, ice-breaking questions and his confidence. My nerves actually settled when I was distracted with taking care of business. Every moment I had spent with him revealed something new and unpredictable.
He showed me several spas that would work with what I described to him. I was most embarrassed when I blurted out that his prices were a bit beyond my tight budget. Negotiating prices when making a purchase or talking about money, in Paris, or the lack of having it, was considered taboo.
He kindly overlooked my etiquette faux pas and totally agreed with me that his prices were not in most people’s budgets.
We stood there for an awkward moment of silence, just staring into each other’s eyes. However, I didn’t miss that he had slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small skeleton key.
He turned his head toward the back of the store then toward me and smiled sagely, “I have something very special to share with you.”
Inquisitively, I repeated, “Special?”
“Yes, I’ve been waiting a long time to show you this,” he winked. I didn’t mind at all that he was flirting with me.
He held out his large long hand then wiggled it a bit, indicating that I take hold of it.
I wondered what he meant by his comment, waiting a long time? Was he implying that I had talked too much? Why would he have something special waiting for me, and what was the key for?
I felt a bit puzzled, even so, that didn’t matter, without hesitation I reached out and received his hand. When the palms of our hands collided, an electric shock ran through my entire body; it was as if his soul entered into the center of my throbbing heart, and for a split second, it hurt-so-good. He turned and smiled at me in this exact moment. I wondered if he, too, had felt the hurt-so-good sensation.
