Page 7 of The Rhino's Rose

“Um…” For a split-second, I consider asking for a smaller version of Cornelius’s drink, just to know more about him. Doing that would be the same as confessing my crush to Dela. Definitely not ready for someone else in town to be aware of my unrequited feelings. Lexi knowing is bad enough.

“Orange-hibiscus refresher with coconut milk?” Dela offers.

“Perfect, thank you.” I don’t come to The Brew regularly, and haven’t been in for several weeks, but when I do, that’s my go-to drink. “Do you remember everyone’s favorites?”

“I try. Years of conditioning I’ll probably never unwire in my brain. But now it’s my choice to be a people pleaser, and it makes me happy if I can brighten someone’s day with a little extra personal touch.” As she’s reaching for another takeout cup from the dispenser, her attention shifts to the coffee shop’s entrance, and her cheeks turn nearly as red as the revenge demon walking through the door.

Fate’s Falls is protected by the Oracle’s powerful, ancient magic. Only those who are meant to be here canfind it, and no evil can penetrate the boundary. Violence and wrongdoing are literally impossible here.

That doesn’t make the towering hell demon any less intimidating. If he notices me staring, he doesn’t acknowledge it. His fiery gaze never strays from Dela, and hers is just as locked on to him. She finishes making my drink with what must be barista autopilot. It’s pretty impressive, really.

“Keep the change,” I say, sliding cash across the counter and stepping out of the way.

Silent, her mouth slightly open, Dela gives me a small nod, her focus remaining entirely on Razbunare, now standing in front of her.

It’s nice to know I’m not the only person who becomes speechless when face-to-face with their monstrous crush. Still, that knowledge doesn’t settle the butterflies that rush to action as I walk down the street toward Cornelius’s jobsite. The urge to veer across the road and go back to my flower shop is strong, yet my feet stay the course toward Cornelius. Whatever witchy woo-woo Lexi did when she wiggled her fingers in front of my mouth, it’s still working.

The question now is whether my mouth will work when I reach Cornelius. I’ll find out in five, four, three, two…

Two

CORNELIUS

One more look I shouldn’t have taken, but couldn’t resist, and now I’m making eye contact with Rose. And she’s headed right for me. Carrying two drinks, one of which is a familiar green, removing any doubt that I’m her target.

“How’s sweet little Rose doing today?” I ask while picking up a rock large enough to block the front of my pants. My cock doesn’t care that Rose is off-limits; it always stands up to greet her when she’s within reach. The rock will hide the monster straining against the inside of my fly. It’ll keep my hands busy too, so I don’t give in to temptation and tuck that fluttering lock of long, red hair behind her ear.

She’s not mine. Never will be. No matter how much everything in me insists otherwise.

As usual, she gets red in the face and shifts on herfeet, her full lips parted in a soft little O that I know can make all kinds of erotic noises.

Rhinos don’t have the best eyesight, but our hearing is exceptional, and Rose likes to keep her bedroom window open in the summer months. The sound of her soft moans and sharp gasps of pleasure?—

“Watching you work all morning made me hot and thirsty.” Her answer breaks through my inappropriate thoughts.

My thoughts aren’t unusual. Her manner of speakingis. She usually gets tongue-tied around me. Not only has she found her voice today, she’s using it with confidence. Based on her suggestive tone, the shimmer in her eyes, and flirty smile on her lips, her comments aren’t entirely about general temperature and feeling parched.

I’m aware of Rose’s crush, but this is the first time she’s been outgoing toward me, and it makes resisting her that much more difficult. All I can do is silently stare and hope she gets flustered and walks away.

Instead, she smiles and holds out a green drink. “I got this for you. Can you take a break?”

The thick fabric of my work pants isn’t enough to compress my erection. As soon as I put the rock down, it’ll be impossible to miss, and while Rose hasn’t said much to me in the past, she has always openly checked me out, head to toe. She’ll see the bulge of my hard cock and know she caused it. The part of me that insists on claiming my mate is all for that big reveal. But it’s not going to happen.

“That’s very thoughtful, thanks. You can set it on thewindow ledge,” I tip my head in the direction of the storefront, “I’ll enjoy it when I get a chance.”

“Oh.” The smile fades from her pretty face. “Okay. Sure.”

Once again, brushing her off has hurt her feelings. And that thing inside me thatknowsshe’s meant to be mine to cherish roars its dissent, making my guts knot to the point of physical pain.

“Cornelius?” Worry furrows her russet brows when my jaw clenches involuntarily at the internal assault. “Are you okay?”

When I fail to tamp down the discomfort enough to lie convincingly, Rose moves closer. The rock separates us, but her breasts brush against the backs of my fingers. That’s all it takes for a rough groan to escape my mouth. My grip on the rock is firm enough to make my fingertips ache, but even that sensation isn’t enough to distract me from the tease of her soft curves against my skin.

“You don’t look well. I think you should take a break now, not later.”

“I can’t,” I say, after clearing my throat. I even manage to give a casual, neutral smile. The kind a neighbor gives the off-limits young woman who lives next door to him. “The client needs this stonework completed. The next contractor is scheduled to begin the underground integration on Monday.”

Rose’s blue eyes open wide. “Underground integration?”

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