Page 51 of Where We Bloom

“Spoiler alert, Connor, but we’re having a conversation right now, and I’m learning more about you. You texted me every day this week. You’ve been flirty and funny. You stocked my fridge, which I admit threw me for a loop, but in a fun way. And I love this necklace.” She rubs her fingers over the malachite. “I love that you thought of me while you were traveling, but I don’t need expensive gifts.”

“It wasn’t expensive.”

“Yes, to normal people, it was expensive. I love it, but I don’tneedit. Honestly, this is what I like the best.”

“What’s that?”

“This date. A simple drive, a nice conversation, flirty touches. You’re dressed all sexy, and I can’t wait to getyou naked again.”

And just like that, my dick is engaged, and I pull her onto my lap, making her chuckle as she presses her hands to my chest.

“That can be arranged at literally any given moment, bumble.”

She laughs and kisses my cheek, then she gets serious again as she cups my face in her sweet hands.

“Thank you for telling me this. I want to know so much more, but it’s a good start.”

“I have to be honest with you because this isn’t a game for me. I’m not now, nor was I ever trying touseyou. Never, angel. I simply can’t stay away from you and want to touch you all the time. I’m not good at the rest of it, but I’m willing to try. If it means I get you in my life, I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you,” she whispers and tips her forehead against my own.

“There is one more elephant in the room to discuss.”

“The fact that I don’t want other women to see your arms?” she asks, making me smile.

Fuck me, I smile so easily when I’m with her.

“No, my age.”

She frowns at me. “Why?”

“You’re twenty-seven.”

“Almost twenty-eight. A few weeks away from that, actually.”

“I’m nearly forty, Billie.”

She nods, watching me as if she’s waiting for me to spell it out for her. Finally, she rolls her pretty eyes at me, and I narrow mine.

“Roll your eyes at me again, and I’ll take you over my knee.”

“You’re not old enough to be my father, although you sound like one right now.”

“Technically—”

She frames my face in her hands. “I don’t care, Connor.”

“Others might care.”

“Do I look like a woman who gives two fucks about what others think? Look at me. I’m plus-sized, and I eat whatever I want, wherever I want.”

My hand grips her arse, and I scowl at her. “Your body is fucking perfect, angel, and I don’t ever want to hear you say otherwise.”

“I know. Butother peopledon’t think so, and I don’t care. I live my life on my terms, and as long as I’m not hurting anyone else, it’s my own business. No one else’s.”

“I’m not trying to talk you out of seeing more of me,” I remind us both. “I’m simply making sure you’re okay.”

“I’m way better than I was,” she admits.

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