Bloom

“Thanks for the pizza.” She sets off toward my apartment door. “I had fun.”

I did too, although it wasn’t the type of fun I anticipated when I picked her up from Wild Lilac hours ago. I haven’t had a date that didn’t end in at least a kiss in years. I’m aching to touch her, but I’m fine with her setting the pace.

Swinging open the door, she takes a step out. “One last thing, Liam.”

I stalk toward her, hoping that whatever it is, it involves my mouth on her body. “What’s that?”

Her hand lands in the middle of my chest. With her thickly lashed blue eyes pinned to my face, she smiles. “That bouquet needs fresh water. You should change it out.”

Reaching down, I scoop her hand into mine.

She tries to tug it away, but I hold tight. When I bring it to my lips, she lets out the smallest moan.

Pressing a kiss to the top of her hand, I lock eyes with her. “I’ll do that before I fall asleep tonight. That and more.”

A knowing smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. “Goodnight, Liam.”

“Goodnight, Athena.”

Chapter 13

Athena

I can’t believe Liam Wolf tossed out the fact that he uses extra large condoms like it’s no big deal.

That’s intimate information. It’s private.

I don’t go around telling people that my bra size is 32B.

I’m small enough that I can get away without wearing a bra but big enough that I have curves that I like.

My breasts are my business unless I invite you to get better acquainted with them.

Men are different. I think that their cocks are directly attached to their egos.

The first time I realized it was in high school during gym class. Some guys wore shorts that were tight enough that I could have guessed the size of condoms they’d need.

None of those were extra large.

The size of Liam’s package doesn’t intimidate me. The undeniable attraction I feel for him does.

Last night was fun. I felt comfortable and at ease.

I liked it.

I like him.

The sound of the bell ringing over Wild Lilac’s door shatters my daydream about Liam. I move to stand, but as soon as I notice Leanna’s hand waving in the air, I sit back down.

I’m tired. I didn’t get into bed until after midnight. I snuck in three hours of restless sleep before I got up, showered, dressed, and walked over to the shop.

The delivery wasn’t scheduled until five, but I felt my creative juices flowing, so I sat at the table with my sketchpad and crafted a rough drawing of an arrangement that I’ll offer on the website as a special for this month.

If I give my customers what they want, they’ll keep coming back for more.

It’s a proven business principle that hasn’t failed me yet.

“Guess what I brought you?” Leanna waves a pizza box in the air. “Breakfast.”