Page 81 of Text Me Baby One More Time

“I did.”

I approach the bed, bringing the crushed bouquet up to my nose and smelling it. I don’t recognize the blooms, or their scent. “What are they?”

“Amaryllis.”

Remembering that last week the flowers he got for me had a meaning, I ask, “And they mean?”

“Beauty.”

The single word lingers in the air, and a warmth trickles into my heart. It’s that same warmth that’s been working its way inside since Shep came back into my life. Slowly, every day we spend together, it’s spreading.

Oddly, I’m finding that I like it.

I drag my fingertips over the suitcase. “You got me this?”

“I mean, my dogdidpee in your other one.”

“But I thought it was deserved because I was trying to kidnap him?”

“It was, but I still felt guilty. Besides, that other one was tragic looking. I couldn’t let you stuff another one of those expensive dresses into it. It was painful to watch.”

“They did barely fit…” I murmur, dragging the luggage closer. “Shep, this is really nice.”

“It’s a hard case with those idiot-proof wheels.”

“I did always want one of those.”

“Yeah? Good. You’re going to need it next weekend anyway.”

“Next weekend?” I ask warily. “What’s next weekend?”

“Another event.”

“Why would I need a suitcase for that?”

He shoves his hands in his pockets, and I take a moment to admire how hot he looks in his black slacks and unbuttoned dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal his muscular forearms.

I never thought forearms were sexy before, but damn does Shep have some nice ones.

“…on the roster.”

I snap back to reality just as he finishes speaking. “Huh?”

“Quit checking me out and focus.”

I put my hands on my hips and stare up at him. “Quit telling me what to do and just repeat what you said.”

He rolls his eyes with a smile. “I said, the event we’re headed to next weekend is three hours away and we’re on the roster to leave last. I already have a room booked.”

“You mean rooms, right?”

“Nope.Room.” He leans toward me, and I hate the way my heart starts pounding with his proximity.

What is with me tonight? Every little thing he says is getting me riled up.

I mean, to be fair, he is being very…forward. It’s not that I’m not on board with forward, but there’s no reason I should be squeezing my thighs together in anticipation of him sayingpussy.I thought I was going to up and die when he grabbed my chin as I kneeled before him.

Now I’m overreacting because he’s leaning in close to me?

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