Page 60 of Where We Bloom

I can’t help but laugh at that. I love that she doesn’t have a filter and says what she’s thinking. She’s not shy in the least, has no poker face, and it’s a breath of fresh air. It makes me wonder how I’ve survived so many years ofyes-menwho’ve bent over backward to appease me but have never shown interest in me as a person.

She’s one of a kind.

Christ, I want to see her.

A few seconds later, my phone rings.

“Hello, bumble.”

“You bought out the whole florist,” she says, her raspy voice a little shaky. “Summer just said that you boughtall of the flowers, Connor.”

And I’d buy her more if they’d had them.

“I hope you like them.”

“Like them?” She huffs a breath, then chuckles. “Thewholestore? You couldn’t save some for someone else? What if someone has an anniversary or something?”

“Not my problem. Tell me you like the flowers,mo rúnsearc. And the water.”

She’s quiet for a moment, and then her voice is soft, and I ache to touch her. “I like the flowers and the water.”

“Good. I’d like to take you to dinner tonight, if you’re free.”

“I’ll be finished here around six thirty.”

I smile. Something that’s been happening more often. “I’ll be there, bumble. Have a good afternoon.”

“You too. And Connor?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

I pocket my phone and nod when Lyle raises a brow, wondering if I’m ready to move on.

“Let’s wrap this up,” I tell him.

I have to get ready for a date.

Her back is to me when I walk into the bookshop. Bouquets cover every available surface, filling the space with fragrance and color. Was it over the top to buy every bloom available at Paula’s Poseys?

Yes.

I don’t care. She deserves them.

She’s wearing the blue Dior dress she bought that day in Big Sky, her dark hair is in the usual curls down her back that never fail to make my fingers itch with the need to touch, and she’s wearing black heels that make me think of her naked and writhing with her legs on my shoulders.

I want this woman more than I’ve wanted anything else in my life. Her body, with all its curves and soft skin, is my fantasy brought to life. I know she was kidding yesterday when she said she’d fucked the owner of this place to get him to sell, but at that moment, I saw red.

I wanted to kill a faceless man at the mere thought of him having his hands, or his cock, anywhere near my angel’s perfect arse. Hell no.

And I’ll make it crystal clear to her that she’s mine.

Later.

She laughs at something her employee says, then turns around and stops short when she sees me, but the smile doesn’t leave her gorgeous face. I walk straight to her, tip her chin up, and cover her lips. I want to deepen the kiss, to brand her here, but I respect that these are her employees, so I keep the kiss light.

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