Page 84 of Where We Bloom

“Nothing.”

Do I sound defensive?Yeah. Dammit, I do.

I smooth out the skirt of the Louis Vuitton dress I’m wearing, then sip my wine, but they’re still silent, waiting for an answer.

Why do I have besties who know me so well? It’s fucking inconvenient.

“It scares me,” I admit in a low voice. Dani immediately reaches out to take my hand, giving it a squeeze. “And you know that I’m not self-conscious about how I look, and I know I’m badass, but part of me is doing the wholewhy mething. Like is he only giving memorebecause he also wants the sex? Did I twist his arm? And when he’s decided that he’s over it, will he move on to someone richer? Prettier? Smarter?”

“Whoa,” Skyla says, shaking her head. “I can tell you that none of that is true. If he’s giving youmore, it’s because he wants to. My brother doesn’t do relationships. He always said that it caused entanglements he didn’t want to deal with. And I’ve spoken with him, Bee. You can relax and enjoy him because I don’t think he’ll beover itanytime soon.”

I take a deep breath at that and sip my wine. In safe spaces like this, I’m comfortable having a little alcohol again.

“You think?”

“I know,” she replies. “Also, Connor’s levelheaded. When you start to feel insecure, talk to him.”

Talk to me, angel.

He says that all the time. Maybe I need to be bolder about asking for what I want. I asked formore, and he gave it to me.

“Maybe I need to trust him more,” I murmur. “Sometimes he can be a little intimidating, you know?”

“No, not a sexy-as-hell billionaire.” Alex chuckles. “I’d be shocked if youdidn’thave moments of being intimidated.”

“I guess that’s true.”

The bell over the door dings, and in walks the man himself. He’s changed from his suit to black jeans and a short-sleeved black button-down. I’m pretty sure my vagina just started to drool, thanks to the way those short sleeves hug his biceps.

He walks straight for me, pulls me out of the chair, and tips my chin up so he can kiss the hell out of me.

“Get it, girl,” Millie calls out while the others whoop and clap, and I can’t help but laugh against his lips.

“I missed you,” he says, kissing my forehead.

“And that’s our cue to leave,” Dani declares. “It was fun tonight, ladies. Next month, it’s unhinged dark hockey players for the win.”

Connor’s eyebrows lift in surprise, and I laugh as I pull away and walk my friends to the door.

“Drive safe, guys.”

“See you,” Dani says, giving me a hug. “Call me if you need me.”

“Same goes, always.” I kiss her cheek. When they’re all gone, I lock the door behind them. When I turn, Connor’s watching me, his hands in his pockets. “You didn’t have to pick me up here.”

“It was on the way to your house,” he reminds me. “What do you need me to do?”

“It’s all done,” I reply and cross to him, smoothing my hand up his chest to his cheek. “I just have to turn off the lights.”

He takes my hand and kisses my palm, sending a spark downmy arm.

With a grin, I walk away and into the back of the store, where the electrical box is. I’ve just shut off the light switch when I feel him behind me.

“I don’t think I can wait to do this until we get to your place.” He pushes my hair to the side, exposing my neck, and brushes wet kisses up to my hairline, making me lean back into him.

“It’s only five minutes from here.” My voice has gone rough and breathy. He’s gathering the skirt of my dress up until it’s around my waist, and his hand is between my legs, brushing over the tiny scrap of my thong.

“Too far,” he growls. “Bleedin’ hell, you’re so wet for me.”

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