Page 64 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

“What are these?”I ask as a young man I don’t recognize hands me flowers.The bouquet is a colorful mix of various shades of purple, from lavender to deep plum.The flowers range in size and shape, some with delicate petals and others with bold, wide blooms.They are tied together with a simple white ribbon.The sweet and intoxicating scent fills my nostrils, a blend of floral and earthy aromas that instantly brings a smile to my face during this long day in the office.

I thank the delivery guy, and he leaves.The note is simple.“Just because.”It doesn’t include a signature.No anything.But I know who they came from.

I sniff each and every flower from the lavender and lilacs to the hyacinths.The whole office will smell like this for days.

A few minutes later, the culprit himself walks through the door.“I thought we agreed not to make this a thing.”I wave my hands to the flowers, but I can’t help myself, and a smile forms on my lips.

“No.You agreed to not make it a thing.I decided no such thing.I kissed you last night.We can’t take that back, and I desperately want a repeat.”

My face flushes, and I glance around the room to make sure no one is hovering around the office doors.“We can’t talk about this.And it can’t happen again.”

He wiggles his eyebrows.“We’ll see.”

Seth sits at his desk and proceeds to ignore me.Or at least I think he does.A few minutes later, a message pops up on Facebook.

Seth: Can we still send dirty messages to each other?

Mae: We never did before.

Seth: We should start.

Mae: I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Seth: Tell you what.You let me kiss you again sometime today OR I’ll send you a very explicit message tonight explaining exactly what will happen to you if you show up at my cabin after midnight again.

Mae: Not sure which one of those things I’d rather have more.

Seth: That wasn’t the response I was expecting.I can give you both if you want.And then wait for you to show up after midnight so I can make good on my promise.

I don’t look up from my computer because my face is flaming, and I don’t want to see the look in his eyes.Because I’m tempted to message him back and tell him we can do those things after midnight if he wants.

But I don’t.

Because I need to have some self-control.Somehow I became the good one in this not-a-relationship.Which is not really what I expected.

If Seth loses everything because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.

I hear his chair move.I still don’t look away from the slew of messages I should be answering but can’t read because all my mind can think about is what he wants to do to me after midnight.

His hand comes to my elbow.“Stand up, Mae,” he commands.

I shake my head.

“I’ll sit on your lap if I have to.”

I sigh and stand, and instead of letting go of me, he slides his hand around my waist and pulls me tight against him.He uses his other hand to tip my chin up so I’m looking him in the eye.

“We can’t…” I start.

But his lips are already on mine, moving with an urgent and passionate energy.I can feel the heat of his body pressing against me, and I instinctively wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.A gentle breeze caresses my face as we continue to kiss, stirring strands of my hair in its wake.

I push away.“Seth!We can’t do this.The door is wide open.”I wave to the door.

He shrugs.“I don’t care anymore.”

“Well, I do.No more kissing.No more dirty messages.From now on, we are just coworkers.Nothing else.”

He raises an eyebrow.“We’re more than just coworkers, Mae.We’re friends.”

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