A Rose in Bloom

Peering over his shoulder, she inspected the tarnished lock. “I’d hear them if they broke the window.”

“Yeah? So what would you do if you heard someone break the window?”

“I would… I would call the police. Nine-one-one.” A slight warble in her voice betrayed her uncertainty, but fortunately, he seemed oblivious.

“And by the time the police got here, you could already be dead.”

“Fine! I’ll buy a better lock. Now please go away.”

“Look, Elyssa—” His hand touched her arm, sending an electric current all the way down her spine.

Jerking away, she rubbed at her skin to rid herself of the goose bumps peppering her entire arm. Please, don’t let him notice.

The corner of his mouth twitched, and the gaze from his deep blue eyes seemed to burn right through her corneas. “Perhaps you should turn your thermostat up. You seem to… eh-hem… have a chill.”

Part 3: Frozen

HOW CAN I FEEL ATTRACTED to the man who’s trying to ruin me? Crossing her arms over her chest, Elyssa gave herself a pinch on the sensitive underarm flesh. Presto—no more chill-bumps. Plus, the pain helped her think more clearly.

She ignored his snarky remark. “Right now, I’ve got a lot of work to do. So if you’re quite done, you can be on your way.”

He raised his eyebrows as he glanced around the empty store. “You don’t seem very busy. What’s your hurry?”

“I happen to have a big event booked this weekend. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Carringtons?”

He let out a low whistle in response. “The Carringtons, huh? I don’t envy you trying to please them. Well, I shouldn’t say that. Just because I don't see eye to eye with them doesn't mean they won't like you. After all, I am from the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak.”

“No, no, no! Don’t tell me anything bad about them. I really need this party to go well. I need to fit in with the people who have money to spend on flowers and events, so I have to like them.”

He spit out a rueful chuckle. “You don’t have to like them—you only have to tolerate them and be polite. Believe me, those rich society people lump all the rest of us together as wannabes.”

“Listen to you. You lumped all rich society people together and criticized them as a whole. You’re just as prejudiced and judgmental. I don’t believe all of them are like that, and I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt. I think they’ll like me once they get to know me, whether or not I have money. After all, I have talent.”

He opened his mouth as if to speak, but must have changed his mind. Instead he pressed his lips together in a firm line while warring emotions played across his face. “Fine. But when you get hurt, don’t come running to me.” He turned his head away from her as if she’d done something to offend him.

“I’ve lived twenty-five years without your help. I don’t think I’m going to need it now.” She grasped at her anger, using it to tamp down her attraction.

His penetrating stare pierced her eyes. Seconds felt like hours. Can he read my mind?

“Don’t move.” His hand lifted, moving slowly toward her face.

Frozen in place, she held her breath as his fingertips brushed her hair, her face warming at the slight touch. Her nerve endings ignited, and her heart pounded inside her chest. The comforting outrage she’d welcomed only seconds before dissipated into the air, leaving her defenseless against his sensual onslaught.

I can’t let him think this kind of forward behavior is allowed or, even worse, enjoyed. I should pull away or slap his face or tell him off. Instead she stood frozen and helpless, mesmerized by his proximity, her mouth too dry to speak.

His hand withdrew, grasping a small green leaf between his fingers, which he waved before her eyes. “I don’t think you meant to be wearing this in your hair.” His eyes twinkled as he smirked.

I hate this man.

Part 4: Under Arrest

“I’M OUTTA HERE, MACK. Are you sure you don’t want to join us for a drink at O’Brian’s? Lisa and Janie are gonna be there.”

“No thanks, Nate. I’m in strict training.” But that wasn’t the real reason he didn’t join his friends. He wanted to check on Elyssa, but he didn’t want anyone to know. He’d been distracted all day, ever since their early morning conversation. He turned out the lights, glancing out the window toward her flower shop, wondering if she’d had someone work on her security. He couldn’t see her front door from his vantage point on the side street.

She had to be the most frustrating girl he’d ever dealt with. In every encounter thus far, they’d ended up in an argument. She obviously hated him, although he’d caught her admiring his physique a few times. In fact, their mutual physical attraction almost overrode their personality conflicts…almost, but not quite. She was so stubborn she wouldn’t even talk to him about the possibility of selling her building. It’s not like he wanted to steal it from her—he’d made a really good offer.

He locked the door and started toward his car, but stopped in midstride. He wouldn’t be able to sleep if he didn’t check on Elyssa’s lock. With a heavy sigh, he trotted across the dimly lit street and around to her front door. It was too dark to tell if the lock had been changed, so he pulled out his cell phone to use a flashlight app. It seemed to be the same deadbolt as before. He shone his light inside through the window, trying to see the lock. Even with his face pressed against the door, he couldn’t tell if there was a keyed lock or a deadbolt.