Bloom

Pausing, I watch her every move. She tugs the bag onto her lap before her hand disappears inside it.

“I know I didn’t eat it,” she whispers. “It has to be in here.”

Holding the bag open, she searches through it. “How can a candy bar disappear just like that?”

I inch closer to get a better look. The bag is filled with everything I’d expect it to be. A package of tissues, a set of keys, and a black leather wallet are the first things I spot.

“I found it,” she announces, yanking her hand swiftly out in triumph.

The candy bar appears along with something else.

A foil packet bounces off her lap before settling on the sofa between us.

“That wasn’t supposed to happen,” she says with a stuttered laugh.

Before she has a finger on it, I’ve got the package in my hand. I close my fist around it.

“That’s mine.” The words come out breathless. “Liam, that’s mine.”

“You won’t need it tonight.” I toss t

he package over my shoulder.

Her eyes follow the movement of my hand. “I didn’t put that condom in my bag tonight. It’s been in there for months.”

Nodding, I take in the flustered look on her face.

“For the record, I didn’t plan on having sex with you tonight. I wasn’t going to have sex with you tonight.”

I lean forward, enjoying the way her cheeks have flushed pink. “For the record, Athena, that condom wouldn’t fit. I buy a specific brand. Size extra large.”

Her reaction says it all. Her lips part, her breathing stalls, and her gaze drops to my lap.

I may be only semi-hard at the moment, but the bulge in my jeans is enough to send Athena to her feet.

Silently, she rounds the coffee table in search of the condom I tossed.

I stand too, raking a hand through my hair. “Let’s say we split that candy bar now.”

“No.” Her voice comes out shaky. “I should go. It’s larger than normal.”

She has no fucking idea.

Biting back a laugh, I clear my throat. I’ll drop my jeans right now and show her, but I sense the condom remark was enough for tonight.

“I meant that my delivery is larger than normal.” She scoops up the condom and tucks it into her pocket. “It’s arriving extra early in the morning, so I should go and get some sleep.”

I can’t argue with that logic. I respect her work. I won’t get in the way of that.

“I’ll take you home,” I offer.

“No,” she says with a scrub of her hand over the back of her neck. Her fingers skirt right over that sexy tattoo she has. “I’ll be fine. You stay here.”

Nodding, I take a step closer to her. “I’ll see you again soon?”

“I have plans this weekend, so maybe one night next week?” She reaches for her purse and her phone. “We can touch base on Monday to see what works.”

“Monday it is.”