Page 45 of Hollyhocks

He turns his hat backward, lifting the umbrella only over my head. “It’s okay.” Fitz cups my face. “There’s always calm after a storm. It will pass. Come on, Wildflower. Let’s get you inside.”

“Wildflower?” I ask him, stepping under the umbrella he kindly provided.

“Yeah. You remind me of my favorite flower, which we have already discussed, but also, something tells me you have a wild side.”

The memory of me fucking him while I invade his dreams tickles my mind. “You have no idea,” I almost growl.

He steps into the rain again, holding the umbrella directly over me so I don’t get wet.

“I’d love to have even the slightest idea,” he says.

“I’m not sure if you could handle my wild, Fitz.”

We both turn to look at one another while walking through the storm to get to his house.

“I think you’ll be surprised when you learn I can handle more than you could ever imagine, Wildflower.”

My breath catches with hope. That dangerous fucking human emotion that has no business in my new form, but damn it, Fitz makes me hope.

I trip on the edge of his driveway. I barely have time to think to brace myself for impact. I won’t have time to get away from Fitz before my monstrous form takes over in the rain.

I’m planning the worst scenario in my head as the driveway becomes closer to my face when Fitz’s arm wraps around my waist. He catches me, forcing me to be inches away from his face.

His eyes do the dance again, dropping from my eyes to my lips. “Are you okay?” he rasps, the rain beating against the top of the umbrella to remind us we aren’t alone.

I can’t seem to find my voice which never happens. I’m part siren. I always have a voice.

Not now. Not when I’m so close to Fitz, his eyes roam all over my face as if he is memorizing it for himself.

“Wildflower?” he calls me in his gentle, deep, yet soft voice.

I could fall asleep listening to him, lulling me to sleep. Maybe one night, a very long time from now when he knows the truth about what I am. If he is able to love me for what I am.

“I’m okay.” I glance up, noticing I’m still mostly dry while Fitz is choosing to be soaking wet. “You’re soaked. Let’s get inside.”

“I’m just showing you rain doesn’t hurt, but I’d love to know why you think it does. When you are ready to tell me, of course.” He straightens us, leaving my heart trembling for him. “Come on, let’s get you inside.”

We step onto his porch and that’s where I notice the empty plant pots lining either side under the awning. I’m shivering from the cold and I’m worried that any second, my human disguise will fade.

Fitz opens the door for me, and I remember when I broke into his house last night. He forgot to lock the back door. Granted, I doubt he expects anyone to hop the fence to break into his house.

But a girl wants what she wants.

I step inside, the warmth wrapping around me like I wish Fitz would. That’s fine. I can wrap myself around him later. Why wait for him when I know I’ll be getting my fill of him tonight?

Doe Eyes shakes the water from the umbrella, setting it right inside the door on a rubber mat. Getting to watch him in his home gives me reassurance that I’m not an intruder. I like seeing him in his element.

“Your home is beautiful,” I say, breaking the silence between us. “I love the beams.” I point to the ceiling, loving the color of the metal. “I wish my house looked this good. It’s still empty.”

“Empty?” Fitz takes off his hat, giving the cap a good shake before hanging it on a hook over the coffee table.

He’s an organized guy. His keys are in the bowl on top of the coffee table. His hat is strategically placed right above the keys.His coat is on a hanger next to the door. Everything is ready for him to walk out if he needs to.

I lift a shoulder, shrugging. “Yeah, it’s no big deal. I’m still shopping for furniture. I am picky with what I like.” Because everything I like is in this house and eventually, this house will be my home. Why would I spend the money I stole on useless furniture when I could spend it on Fitz?

“If you ever need any help, I’m pretty handy. I can help you repair or fix anything. If you need a truck for furniture shopping, I don’t mind at all. I bet it would be fun to go together.”

“You’d go shopping?” I question in disbelief, strolling into his living room to plop on his couch. “I thought men didn’t like shopping?”

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