Page 56 of Smoldering Nights
His brows rose into the lock of hair that fell over his forehead.His smile was genuine.Sexy.And a bit of a tell."I wanted you closer."
"Is that so?"
She smiled as she stared at him.His cheeks tinted slightly pink, and she stepped closer to him, enjoying the aroma of his scent as it filled her.
He cleared his throat."You're different."
"Oh.Different how?"
"Different."
"How?"
His lips brushed hers lightly."Different."
He pressed his lips firmly to hers as his arms swept around her and pulled her close.
She enjoyed the feel of his tongue as he explored her mouth.She explored his in return.Warm, sensual, sexy.
When he pulled back, she stared into his eyes for a long moment.She smiled slowly before saying, "Mitch DeMario, did you have a bit of a crush on me?"
"Maybe."
She chuckled.
His hands slid down to her ass and pulled her tightly to his body."I really have a crush on you now."
She giggled as her arms wrapped around his shoulders.She rested her cheek against his cheek as she closed her eyes and soaked up all the feelings happening in her body right now.Too many to name.So many new feelings she'd never felt before.It made her head spin.
He squeezed her once more, then stepped back."It's Noah.He's dangerous and fixated on you."
Her eyes rounded."Noah?"
"Yes.As we drive to the shop, I'll fill you in."
She swallowed to moisten her dry throat, as she woodenly reached for her purse lying on the table near the armchair.Slipping it over her head to rest on one shoulder, she turned to Mitch with a smile on her face."Shall we?"
He moved toward her, his hand at the small of her back as they exited.After leaving the building, she couldn't help but turn her head from right to left, back to right again.She felt nervous, afraid, and highly exposed.
As he drove to Petal Pushers, he told her what his investigation had turned up.
The bell above the shop door jingled gently as Izzy stepped into Petal Pushers.The air inside still carried the familiar chill and faint scent of eucalyptus and roses, but something about it felt…off.She stood just inside the doorway, heart thudding, as Mitch followed behind her.
Everything appeared untouched, thanks to Ms.Jillie’s help and Mitch’s constant watch.But the sense of violation still lingered, like a shadow in the corners.
She swallowed hard.“It feels smaller somehow.”
“It’s not,” Mitch said softly, standing behind her.“You’ve just been through a lot.It’s normal for things to feel differently.”
Izzy nodded and walked slowly toward the design table, running her fingers along the edge.She paused at the cooler, eyeing it warily, remembering the shears Noah had mysteriously returned.Her skin prickled.
Mitch came up beside her, his expression watchful.“You sure you want to be here today?”
“No.”She looked up at him.“But I need to reclaim this place.It’s mine, and I’m not giving it up to fear.”
Pride flickered in Mitch’s eyes.“That’s my girl.”
A smile tugged at her lips, and she leaned in to kiss him.It started slow, warm, and full of gratitude, but deepened quickly, her fingers curling into the front of his shirt as he pulled her closer.She hadn’t realized how much she needed this.Him.Just one moment where nothing else existed.
