Page 41 of Pocket Full Of Posies

“Hi. I was visiting with Calliope. I’ve never had a friend date before. It was…fun.”

I leave my bike on the grass, leaning it against the porch and Kai meets me at the bottom of the stairs, wrapping me in his arms. His embrace is tight and desperate, trying to meld my front to his. He expertly maneuvers my hair to allow his face to press against my neck, inhaling deeply and pressing an open-mouthed kiss to my neck that makes my pulse flutter.

“I missed you, Blossom,” he whispers into my skin, his nose nudging my earlobe.

I giggle at the overwhelming sensations he causes. “I just saw you yesterday.”

“And that was too long.”

Shifting from my neck to my lips he presses a desperate and seeking kiss to them. Starting hard and impatient, the kiss is beyond heart melting and turns into something soft and gentle. Feather-soft brushes of his lips against mine that create more tingling desire than the bruising kiss.

My tail curls tight around my thigh as desire and wetness grow between my legs. I was not expecting that. He’s been so proper while in areas we can be seen by others. I guess now I can’t argue with Calliope that he isn’t my boyfriend after that little display of claiming. Because that’s what it feels like to me. Kai staking his claim on me. Or is it mine on him? Could be both.

“That’s better,” he breathes against my lips, resting his forehead against mine while we both recover from the kiss.

Trying to regain my composure and lower my heart rate, I pull back from him enough to put an inch or two of space between our bodies. Having his naked chest pressed so close muddles my brain and makes me think of what the rest of him looks like naked.

“Where have you been all morning? Tobias said there are more cars at your place now.”

“Yeah, my parents and my brother arrived. They’re a handful.”

“Anything I can help with?” I’m surprised by my own offer. All this socializing is making me gregarious.

Kai’s brow pinches, just barely, before smoothing out.

“No Daisy, there’s nothing you can do. Although another kiss would make me feel a lot better.”

~

Another day passes with Kai showing up and following me around. He’s gotten more brazen with his flirting and public displays of affection. I even had to swat him away a few times when he tried to make out with me in the middle of the greenhouse while customers were watching.

In the morning he shows up grumpy and eager to touch me, kiss me. By the afternoon he’s once again his cocky teasing self, all jokes and laughter. After he stays for dinner and has to leave his mood falls again like he doesn’t want to go home. Like he doesn’t want to leave me.

This morning he showed up grumpy again but far less handsy. Whatever is bugging him today can’t be solved with kissing and some light groping. It’s been hours and he’s still moping around, grumbling to himself.

“What has got your tail in such a knot today?”

The Equinox is only two days away now and I have to admit even I’m getting excited for it. Kai should be just as excited as me, right?

“Nothing. Just normal family bullshit. Don’t worry about it, Blossom. Just ignore me.”

“Hard to do when you’re never more than four feet away from me.”

He stops kicking the rocks on the ground and realizes he was pouting and trailing behind me everywhere I went. Every time I moved, he followed like a shadow, his head bent low, and hands shoved deep in his pockets.

Lifting his head, he forces his shoulders out of his ears and gives me a weak smile.

“Sorry.”

“Not that I mind you being here, but every grumble you make I can hear your displeasure and frustration. I know something is bothering you and I just want to help. Frowning doesn’t suit you.”

He attempts to strengthen his smile and relax his frown, but it doesn’t completely work. I can still see the tension in the slight pinch of his lips.

“Thank you, Daisy.” Kai pulls me into a hug and nuzzles my hair, burying his face in my flowers. “You’re always so sweet and kind. I don’t deserve such a wonderful girl.”

“Of course, you do. But I can’t help make you feel better if I don’t know what’s causing you to be so grumpy.”

Kai groans loudly and pulls away but doesn’t release me, placing a kiss on the tip of my nose, but he still doesn’t answer.

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