Page 73 of In Full Bloom

“Yeah. You guys are a great couple. You’re so perfect for each other and with Sadie it’s like, instant family.” He lets out a long sigh. “I want that. I’ve never had it, not even close.”

“Never?”

“Nope. No girlfriend, no boyfriend. No partner of any kind. Not even hook ups. Just me. Alone.”

The addition of hook ups stuns me for a second. I thought Flynn was living it up with a variety of people, especially when he’s off on his regular surf trips. But it’s the last word that tears at my heart.

I drop the brush and step around the horse. This time it’s my turn to wrap my arms around Flynn and pull him in for a tight hug. “Not alone, Flynn, okay? Never alone.”

He hugs me back. “I know. Having you and Livvie is obviously incredible. But it’s not the same as having someone who wants to sleep in the same bed as you every night.”

“Dude, I’ve slept in the same bed as you. I don’t blame them.”

He slaps me on the ass with his brush. “Shut up.” But he laughs.

“Come here,” I say and reach out for another hug. “It’ll happen for you, Flynny.”

“Yeah, I suppose. I guess I never really noticed how much I wanted that until I saw you with it.” He squeezes me tight, then lets me go.

“The right person will come along for you,” I say, reaching up to ruffle his hair.

He bats my hand away. “Speaking of the right person.” He tilts his head in the direction of the barn door to where Dallas is standing.

“Hey,” I call and he takes a hesitant step forward.

“I’m not interrupting anything?” He asks. “I can catch up with you later.”

“It’s all good,” Flynn says, handing me his brush. “I’ll leave you two to it. But think of Aurora, okay? She has innocent ears too.”

I laugh and toss the brush at his head. He catches it deftly and drops it in the grooming bucket.

“I’m going to go fix that fence in the Kauri paddock, okay, boss?”

“Sounds good. Give me a call if you need a hand.” Dallas pats him on the shoulder as he passes

“Should be right. Looks like you’ll have your hands full.” Flynn shoots me a smirk.

“Oh, I wasn’t offering me. I’d find someone else to help you.”

Flynn fires finger guns in Dallas’s direction. “Goodcall boss. I’ll catch you later, Katie Kat.” As Dallas turns back to me, Flynn points at him then shoots me a thumbs up. A moment later his motorbike flares to life and Flynn speeds off down the farm.

“That guy is chaos,” Dallas says, shaking his head.

“That he is. But we love him for it.”

Dallas smiles and nods agreement, then wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to him. “Afternoon, gorgeous,” he says against my lips.

I lick his mouth and he opens, sliding our tongues together. I melt into him, like I do every time his lips connect with my body.

“You two okay?” He asks as he rubs his nose to the spot right under my ear, which he knows always causes shivers.

“We’re good,” I say and nip at his throat.

“Have plans for the next few hours?”

“Dunno, boss, do I?” I swipe the cap off his head and slide it over my hair, wearing it backwards.

“Punk. And yeah, you’ve got plans with me. I’ll pick you up from your place in an hour. I’m taking you on a date.”

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