By Virtue Fall (The Shakespeare Sisters 4)

‘That’s because it’s my tree house,’ Charlie piped up. ‘And I don’t want flowers in it.’

‘But flowers will make it pretty,’ Poppy said, frowning. Juliet sensed this was simply a rehash of their earlier row.

‘I don’t want it pretty. I want it manly. Flowers are for girls.’

‘They’re so not.’

‘Yes they are. Boys don’t do flowers.’

‘Some boys do,’ Ryan said, catching Juliet’s eye. ‘Some boys like flowers very much.’ He leaned down to pick up a purple aster, from the cluster growing around the tree. Winking at Juliet, he slid it behind his ear. ‘See?’

Even with that flower in his ear he looked ridiculously attractive. Poppy laughed and picked another flower. ‘You want one, Charlie?’ she asked him.

Torn, Charlie looked from Poppy to his father. ‘I … I don’t know.’

‘Did you know that in the old days people thought asters could ward off evil snakes?’ Juliet asked him.

Charlie turned to her, leaning his head to the side. ‘Really?’

‘Yep. And the purple ones are symbols for wisdom. So they’re pretty cool if you think about it.’

Licking his lips, Charlie turned to Poppy. ‘I guess you can put it in my hair … if you have to.’ He stood still as Poppy slid the aster behind his ear. When it was firmly in place, she tugged hard at his earlobe and stuck out her tongue, before running away from him. Charlie chased her, the two of them weaving in and out of the tree as they giggled loudly.

Juliet looked at Ryan. He was staring right back at her. For a moment she held his gaze, the heat of his stare searing at the air surrounding them. This was getting crazy. It seem

ed as though every time she looked at him her breath got caught in her throat.

She needed to get over herself fast. If Thomas was already getting angry about her being seen around the wharf with Ryan, God only knew what he’d think if he could read her mind.

Poppy and Charlie were still dodging in and out of trees, paying their parents no attention as they shouted and laughed at each other, Poppy’s attempts at stealing Charlie’s flower failing each time she got close. They were about a hundred yards away – audible, but not visible – when he looked at Juliet, and caught her staring right back at him.

She was beautiful. Her features were delicate and yet defined, her blue eyes wide and sparkling. And her smile – oh, her smile – it was like the sun bursting out through a thick layer of cloud.

She took a step towards him, that smile still illuminating her face. ‘That flower really does suit you,’ she said, reaching to touch it. ‘Purple is definitely your colour.’

There was a teasing tone in her voice that made his heart race. Letting his mouth curl up into a lazy grin, he reached up and grabbed her hand where it was touching the flower, sliding his fingers between hers.

‘I’m not afraid of showing my feminine side,’ he told her, even though every thought rushing through his brain felt masculine as hell. He brought her hand to his face, breathing her in, then brushed his lips lightly against her wrist.

Her breath hitched. She was still staring up at him, her eyes framed by thick lashes that swept down every time she blinked. He kissed her wrist again, sliding his lips along her delicate skin, and the sensation made every cell in his body explode with desire.

For a second he could see his desire reflected in her own expression. Then without warning she pulled her hand away, taking a step back from him. She shook her head and frowned, before turning to call for her daughter.

‘Poppy, we need to go.’ Her voice was tight. The teasing from only a few moments ago had disappeared completely.

‘I’m sorry.’ Ryan looked at her, seeking her eyes, but her gaze was still firmly stuck on her daughter. ‘I was out of line. I shouldn’t have—’

‘It’s fine,’ Juliet said quickly. ‘I just need to get back to the house. There’s a lot to do.’

He wanted to reach out and take her hand. To ask her what she was thinking, because all he could see was a blank expression. He wanted to kick himself, too. He wasn’t the kind of guy who kissed a woman against her wishes. Wasn’t the kind of guy who did anything that wasn’t mutually desired.

‘Do we have to go, Mommy?’ Poppy said when she ran up to them, her voice breathless from chasing Charlie around. ‘Can’t I stay here? We’re having fun. And Charlie said I can go to his for tea.’

‘No.’ Juliet’s reply was vehement. ‘We need to go home now.’

When she finally looked at Ryan, her expression was calm, yet somehow as closed as it could be. ‘Thank you for taking care of her today.’

‘You’re welcome.’