Page 95 of Forget me Knot
He grins wickedly, pulling me closer. “That’s half the fun, isn’t it? The risk, the excitement...”
His scent envelops me, rich and intoxicating. I find myself leaning into him despite my protests. “You’re terrible,” I murmur, but there’s no real reproach in my voice.
“Terribly in love with you,” he counters, nuzzling my neck.
I’m about to give in and kiss him when someone clears their throat, announcing a customer. We spring apart, and I smooth down my apron, trying to look professional.
“Welcome to Forget Me Knot,” I call out cheerfully, my voice only slightly breathless.
The old woman gives me a knowing smile as she approaches. She knows the score. It’s hard to keep your hands off your alphas when they are in touching distance.
As I tend to the customer, helping her choose the perfect bouquet for her sister’s birthday, I can feel Max’s eyes on me. His gaze is heated, promising more for later. It’s both distracting and thrilling.
Once the customer leaves, satisfied with her purchase, I turn back to Max. “You’re a menace, you know that?”
He grins unrepentantly. “But you love me anyway.”
I grin back. “I do. God help me, I really do.”
Max pulls me close again, his lips brushing my ear. “I just miss you when we’re apart.”
“I miss you too,” I admit softly. “But think how sweet it’ll be when we’re together later.”
Max’s eyes darken with desire. “Oh, I’m counting on it.”
Just then, another customer comes in. This time, it’s Mrs Higgins, one of my regulars.
“Good afternoon, Lily dear,” she calls out cheerfully. “And who’s this handsome young man?”
My smile widens, if that’s possible. “Mrs. Higgins, this is Max, my new prime alpha.”
Mrs Higgins beams at him. “Oh, how wonderful! I’m so happy for you. But tell me you are also with that handsome and manly gardener, Jack?”
Trying to hide my snort of amusement at Max’s face over the ‘handsome and manly’ description of Jack, I nod enthusiastically. “Yes, Jack and also Sam the Fireman.”
“Oh, he’s such a hero,” she says dreamily. “Such wonderful alphas in your life, Lily. Good for you.”
“Thanks, Mrs Higgins.”
Max and I share a private smile before I turn my attention fully to Mrs Higgins and her herbal needs.
Chapter 48
Jack
As I step out of the car, I spot Lily and Max near the barn, surrounded by a small forest of potted apple trees waiting to be planted. Lily’s face lights up as she sees me, and I smile back, my heart filling with such warmth.God, I love her.
“Jack!” she calls out, waving me over. “You’re just in time. We’re about to start planting these babies.”
I make my way over, kissing Lily softly before nodding to Max. “Looks like quite the project you’ve got here.”
Max grins, hefting a shovel over his shoulder. “My grand plan for an orchard. Lily is about to supervise and boss me about a bit.”
Lily rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “Oh, please, like you aren’t dying for a bit whip-cracking.”
“Oh, I am!” Max says enthusiastically, and I chuckle.
I’ve had a hard day pushing myself to catch up on all the jobs that I neglected while I was worrying about Lily and then the mating, but I’m excited to get this done. There’s something satisfying about working the land, about creating something with your own hands. Plus, the idea of having our own littleorchard is undeniably appealing. Hopefully, we can expand it to include all kinds of fruit that Lily can sell in the shop.
