A Rose in Bloom

DRIVING ALWAYS CLEARED Jaxon’s head. At two a.m., after driving for two hours, his mind should already be clear. It should be practically transparent. Instead he was just as confused now as he’d been when Elyssa threw him out of her shop and he was left standing alone outside, stunned, as her newly-installed security lock slid closed with a clank of finality. It wasn’t the tears running down her cheeks that had bothered him as much as the devastation in her eyes. It was just a kiss to him, but it must have been much more to her. She’d never kissed a guy before, so she’d planned to save her first kiss for someone special. And now he’d stolen that from her, and he couldn’t give it back. What’s wrong with me? Why did I lose control?

He replayed the kiss over and over in his mind. For a moment, it had seemed like she was enjoying it. He’d thought she was responding. Had he imagined it? Even if she’d kissed him back, that didn’t justify the way he’d forced himself on her. He’d never been aggressive before. What had made him snap like that? How was he going to earn her trust now?

Flashing lights in his rearview mirror drew him out of his reverie. He glanced at the speedometer, and let out a groan. Great! He got me doing eighty-five in a sixty-five. Can this night get any worse?

*****

Elyssa put the finishing touches on the last boutonniere and lifted weary eyes to glance at the clock. Two thirty in the morning. Ughh! She still needed to pack all of her vases and supplies for transport, but maybe she should get a few hours of sleep and get up early in the morning to prepare for the day. On the other hand, she probably wouldn’t be able to fall asleep anyway. She could hardly think straight since her disastrous encounter with Jaxon, and her stomach was still tied in knots.

She’d made such a fool of herself. First, she’d kissed him like a wanton hussy. She didn’t exactly know what that term meant, but she’d heard her Great Aunt Maggie use that term for a girl who’d been making out with her boyfriend in public. And that’s how she felt—she was mortified at her own behavior. Oh, she’d slapped him like she was truly outraged. But only after she’d reveled in the thrills running up and down her body, and plastered herself against him like she wanted to sleep with him. She’d even made embarrassing noises, but hopefully he hadn’t heard her.

Only one thing she knew for sure… she could never face him again. That kiss had meant nothing to him. He’d probably kissed dozens, maybe even hundreds of girls. He’d probably noticed she had no idea what she was doing. He’d looked so surprised when he pushed her away, she must have been awful. She hadn’t actually planned to wait so long before she kissed a guy for the first time—she didn’t think it was a sin or anything. She just hadn’t ever found a guy she wanted to date, and she hadn’t ever felt like she was missing out much. She had her hands full with her own ambitions, and she didn’t need a guy to muddle her mind and make her lose sight of her goals.

Her shop phone rang. Who would be calling at two thirty? It had to be Jaxon. She refused to answer, waiting to see if he left a message. The answering machine beeped, and she heard a gravely voice on the machine.

“Hey, baby! Are you lonely in there all by yourself? Would you like some company?”

How dare he call and tease her like that! She grabbed the receiver and pressed the talk button. “Shut up, Jaxon! I’d much rather be alone than have your company!”

An eerie chuckle sounded in her ear before he disconnected the call. An involuntary shiver ran up her spine. Had that been Jaxon’s voice on the phone? Surely it was him. He was probably just trying to scare her. She stared out the shop window, trying to peer into the darkness. Was his car parked out on the curb?

With trembling fingers she pulled out her cell phone and dialed his number.

*****

Jaxon forced himself to turn the car toward his apartment, resisting the urge to drive by A Rose in Bloom. She was probably asleep by now anyway. Maybe after he’d slept for a while, he could come up with a plan for how to salvage their relationship, even if they could only be friends. His cell phone rang, his dashboard indicating Elyssa as the caller. His heart leaped in his chest.

“Elyssa? Elyssa, I’m so glad you called me. Please, let me explain—”

“Did you just call the shop?”

“What?”

“Just tell me the truth. Did you or did you not call my shop phone a few minutes ago?”

“No, I didn’t call the shop, but I want to talk to you. I would have called your cell phone, but I didn’t think you’d answer.”

“You didn’t call here? Do you swear?”

“I swear. Why? What’s going on?”

Her voice rose an octave, and she squeaked out her words. “Oh my God! A man called… He could see me, I think… Oh my God! I’ve gotta go!”

“No, Elyssa! Don’t hang up! I’m on my way! Put your cell down and call nine-one-one on your shop phone right now. Don’t hang up… Do you hear me? Don’t hang up!”

A loud crash rang in his ear, followed by Elyssa’s scream. The line went dead.

Part 15: Shattered Glass

ELYSSA JUMPED AT THE SOUND of breaking glass, her cell phone slipping from her fingers and crashing to the floor. For a moment she stood in shock, watching the case crack open, the battery popping out to slide across the tile, coming to rest near a brick surrounded by shards of glass. Then her eyes were drawn to a movement at the door, as an arm snaked through the opening in the glass, groping for the lock. She could see the man’s face through the glass, his crazed expression turning to frustration at finding no deadbolt.

He disappeared, and she let out the breath she’d been holding. She started toward her shop phone, afraid to venture near the door to grab the cell phone battery. But steps away from her goal, glass began to fly across the room. Something was smashing at the glass, enlarging the opening. Her mind flew as she backed away from the splintering glass door. If she ran out the back, he could run around and catch her in the alley. But if he thought she was hiding inside, he would search for her. If she could delay him, it would buy time for Jaxon to come. And she knew he would come. In her heart, she knew he would come.

Blood pounding in her ears, she watched as a head and shoulders pushed through the opening, the shirt catching on the jagged glass. Lifting his face he caught her eyes with a demented stare. She tore her gaze away and raced up the stairs.

*****

“I can’t believe it!”