Page 51 of Perfect Imperfections

She snorted, smiling even though her friend couldn’t see it. “That’s not much.”

“True, but it makes for some great stories.”

That it did and, boy, did Cam have some funny ones.

“Knock his socks off, sweetie. Love ya!”

“Love you too.”

She waited, staring at the screen until Cam ended the call. Then she whirled like a tornado around her room. Thankfully, she’d already taken a shower the moment she’d gotten off work, so she didn’t smell like bird poop. Makeup had never really been her thing, but she put on mascara and lipstick occasionally. This occasion called for it. A bit of eye shadow and blush, too. She could never get the hang of the amazing contour thing Cam did, but the soft rosy cheeks, smoky eye, and dark red lips weren’t so bad if she said so herself.

Grabbing her blow dryer, she finished drying the two braids she weaved her hair into after her shower. Giving them one last blast of hot air, she removed the ties and ran her hands through her strands to get perfect soft beachy waves. A neat trick she’d seen online.

She slipped the peacock dress off its hanger and carefully pulled it over her head. The stretchy fabric felt silky against her skin, completely comfortable. Unlike the scratchy lace underwear and matching bra she’d secretly bought at a mall in Denver two days ago. It had been ages since she’d been on a date. She didn’t know the protocol as far as when jumping into bed was appropriate, but she wanted to be prepared. Just in case. Anyway, Cam would say screw appropriate and do what you want. Since what she wanted was Sullivan, she planned to do just that. Hence the sexy, uncomfortable underwear.

Beauty can be painful, dear.

Her mother’s words. She’d never agreed with them. Why did you have to endure pain to be beautiful? It didn’t make sense. But she had to admit, she felt…powerful knowing she had a sexy secret under her clothing.

Just as she slipped her feet into her black flats—because, yes, the heels were sexy but tripping on three-inch spikes and breaking her neck wasn’t—her doorbell rang. With one last glance in her dresser mirror, she wished her reflection luck and hurried to the front door. She swung it open to reveal Sullivan standing there, flowers in hand and a smile on his face.

He brought flowers!

Had a man ever bought her flowers before? She couldn’t remember the occasion ever happening.

“Wow, you look amazing.”

Heat crawled up her cheeks. “Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

His grin widened at her attempt to be casual. She’d tried to sound cool and aloof, like Cam would, but the breathy tone belied her casual words. Could anyone blame her? The man looked like a walking advertisement for arousal issues. Can’t get things started in the bedroom? No need for Spanish fly or horny goat weed. One glance at Dr. Sullivan Green and the engines would rev all night.

Hers certainly was.

She’d noticed he always dressed a bit more formally than she did. Due to his profession, she assumed. But tonight, he had on a pair of dark washed designer jeans and a long-sleeved V-neck shirt that molded to his chest like a second skin. He’d pushed the sleeves up in deference to the warm spring they were experiencing, exposing a pair of delicious looking forearms. Ellie had never thought of forearms as sexy, not until this very moment.

The slight blond stubble on his face gave him a roguish appearance and the dark charcoal color of his shirt made his green eyes sparkle and…pop. Now she got it!

“These are for you.”

He held out the bouquet of multicolored daisies. She took them, her fingers brushing against his, sending a thrilling shock of desire straight to her core.

“Thank you. They’re beautiful.” Bringing them to her nose, she inhaled their sweet fragrance. “Would you like to come in while I put them in some water?”

“I’d love to.”

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. She moved to the small kitchen, taking down the only vase she owned and filling it with water.

“I like your place.”

A sudden wave of embarrassment crashed over her at his words. She’d been so excited to see him, so happy to receive flowers. She’d completely forgotten how tiny her apartment was compared to Sullivan’s beautiful, spacious house.

“I know it’s not much, um, there’s just me, so I don’t need a big place or anything and—”

Suddenly, he was behind her. His arms encircling her, hands covering her own as they fussed with the flowers already perfectly arranged in the vase.

“Ellie. I really do like it. I didn’t always live in a five-bedroom house, you know. When I was in med school, I lived in a two-bedroom apartment with five other guys. It was crowded, dirty, and the smell could knock out a bear at fifty paces.”

She chuckled, leaning back into his warm embrace. “Did you know bears are suspected of having the greatest sense of smell in the animal kingdom?”

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