Page 81 of The Floral Arrangement

“I should have warned you. I know how much you dislike flowers,” I said, taking Roz’s hand and leading her down the hall. “I’ll let you know now—the bedroom continues the theme. If you want to make a run for it, now’s the time.”

Roz chuckled. “Nope, you promised me snuggles. I’m not running away now.”

I laughed and then pushed open the door to my bedroom and flicked the light switch.

“You weren’t kidding.” Roz’s wide eyes surveyed the yellow and white daisy duvet cover and pillowcases and the muted-yellow-and-pink floral wallpaper.

“I can turn off the light.”

Roz stepped toward me, her eyes glinting. “But then I wouldn’t be able to see you.”

I laughed. “Okay, but no complaints, then.”

Roz stood in front of me, gazing into my eyes. “Absolutely no complaints.” She lifted her hand and brushed her thumb over my lips. “You know, I think flowers are growing on me.” We fell into the bed, snuggling together under the daisy duvet, Roz gazing at the yellow daisies and pink dahlias that decorated my walls. “Maybe being around you has acted like some form of exposure therapy.”

“Happy to be of service,” I said, grinning up at her before closing my eyes to enjoy the warmth of Roz’s smooth, lean naked body against mine.

So, this was what sex with a woman was like. It blew all my previous experiences with men completely out the window. Maybe I was a lesbian? All I knew was that the attraction I felt toward Roz was stronger than anything I’d felt before. And I didn’t want this one-night stand to end.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

ROZ

I woketo the sound of pattering rain interspersed with the occasional gentle snore.

Smiling, I opened my eyes to look at the source of the snores. Olivia lay next to me in pink daisy pajama shorts and matching t-shirt, the duvet thrown half off her body, her relaxed face framed by silky brown hair falling across the pillow. My heart skipped a beat. Damn, she was gorgeous. My gaze dropped to her chest, the soft curves of her breasts just visible, and my core began to thrum.

I closed my eyes.What the hell am I doing?

Last night certainly hadn’t gotten my attraction to Olivia out of my system. Quite the opposite, as the throbbing sensation between my thighs reminded me. The image of Olivia, leaning against the front door of Sapphire Blooms, trembling legs parted as she came over my fingers, did not help matters.Shit.

I stared at Olivia’s ridiculous floral wallpaper, hoping it would act like a cold shower on my libido, but it did nothing. I should leave, before this got even more out of hand. I sat up, looking around for my phone. Before I located it, my gaze fell back to Olivia’s face. She was distractingly beautiful. My gaze lingered on her soft, pink lips and long lashes. Her eyes suddenly snapped open wide. I flinched.

“Good morning,” Olivia said, giving me a sleepy smile.

My heart ballooned with warmth.Goddamn my body and its involuntary reactions.I couldn’t help smiling back at her. Olivia wriggled closer to me, and I sank back down into the bed. Suddenly, we were kissing again, hands roaming over each other’s bodies, and Olivia was tugging off the t-shirt she’d lent me to sleep in.Maybe just one more time…

When we finally came up for air, we lay facing each other, our heads on the same pillow. Olivia gazed at me, her eyes soft, her lips curved slightly upward. She reached out and gently traced her fingers across my jaw bone.

She was looking at me with such tenderness, my bones felt loose, like I might melt into the bedspread.

I used to look at Sadie like that.My heart squeezed.I should go.

“How do you feel about coffee? And possibly pancakes?” Olivia ran her hand down my stomach.

No. No. You need to leave.But you also need to eat… I glanced out the window. It was pouring rain outside.Fuck it.I’ll head home once I’d eaten. I smiled at Olivia. “I feel very good about both those things.”

“Excellent.” She swung her legs out of the bed.

As Olivia mixed the pancake batter with a large wooden spoon, I sat on the counter stool, sipping my coffee in my boy shorts and borrowed t-shirt that said, “Flower Dealer”.

“Do you have any plans today?” Olivia asked.

I should go to the farm, throw myself into work now that Fred had given the investment a greenlight and pretend last night—and this morning—never happened. But that seemed very unappealing. I shook my head. “No.”

“Me either. Maddie is working today, and since it’s raining the shop will be quiet.” Olivia poured the batter into a hot frying pan. It let out a satisfying sizzle. “If you feel like it, we could continue your movie education. Since we don’t need to worry about fake dating anymore, we could move onto some other tropes that tickle your fancy. Enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, forbidden love?” She wiggled her eyebrows, her eyes twinkling.

I glanced out the window. The rain was even heavier than before. I took a deep breath, savoring the scent of the pancakes. I’d just eat a couple pancakes, watch one movie, and then excuse myself.

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