Page 30 of Thor
I called Jason and set up an appointment for the next day.His receptionist sounded almost too cheerful as she told me she could manage to squeeze me in just before lunchtime.Things were moving fast.
When Thor brought it to me, I’d sat down and read the whole contract over, and I couldn’t see any issues with it.It was written in plain language, without a lot of legal jargon, and spelled out everything I’d already agreed to.It even had a paragraph dealing with what would happen if Thor and I split up.
Butterflies were having a party in my belly.It felt like I was about to take a huge leap into the unknown, but another opportunity like this wouldn’t likely ever come my way.I just needed to have faith in myself and my abilities.
I tucked the paperwork into my backpack so I’d have it handy the next day.I’d been using the backpack to carry things when Thor used his bike to chauffeur me to places.It worked better than trying to sling a purse over my shoulder.Of course, there were always the saddlebags, but I preferred to keep my wallet and whatnot on me.
I loved riding behind my big Viking, with my arms circled low around his waist.I could slide my hands up under his shirt and feel his warmth.The thrum of the engine and the vibration of the machine beneath my butt were something I’d never expected to enjoy as much as I did.It had its drawbacks though, the main one being the ability to carry things.Grocery shopping required the Jeep.
* * *
The next morning came fast, and not surprisingly Thor had slept over the previous night.One thing I’d learned in the past few weeks was that Thor was one of those people who could roll out of bed cheerfully at first light.I wasn’t quite as jolly until I’d had at least one coffee.
“You ready to go?”Thor had made a habit of coming into the store with me in the mornings to help me to get the place in shape for the opening.Riptide had him on what they called light duty.As near as I could tell, that meant unless it was just riding around on his bike, he wasn’t doing it until Joker okayed it.His knife wound had healed well, although the scar still looked raw.Joker said it would take at least six months for it to start to fade, and more likely a year or two to be completely faded.By then I’d probably be used to it.
I grabbed the backpack and made sure the paperwork for the lease was in it.Thor promised to drop me off at the lawyer’s for my appointment later in the morning.Satisfied I had everything I needed, I slipped it on.My boots were by the door, a cute pair of biker boots I’d picked up last week when Sophia and I had gone shopping.The twins had gushed over them so much we’d promised to take them with us the next time we went shoe shopping.
I straightened up.“All ready!”
We walked down the stairs hand in hand, nodding to one of the neighbors heading in the other direction.We really were starting to act like a couple.
The bike ride was quick.Not many people on the road at this hour of the morning.Thor parked at the side door, and I unlocked it and went in.We’d already cleaned the retail space and painted the walls.I needed to set up the displays shelves and make a list of supplies I needed to order.
I was hoping to do a soft opening at the end of the month to work out the inevitable kinks.I’d already set up the sales system using an online program that tracked inventory.Shadow had helped with that and made sure there were backups in place in case something went wrong.Actually, he said for when somethingdidgo wrong.
The delivery van with the new flower display cooler showed up at ten a.m., right on schedule.I let Thor supervise the unloading and placement of it.It was nice having him around to help.We worked well as a team, each of us doing what we did best and allowing the other to work without interference.It was getting harder and harder not to give in to the desire to make our relationship official.
The delivery guys left, and I reached for the glass cleaner to remove all the labels and fingerprints from the glass.Things were coming together nicely.I glanced at the clock, a large antique piece with whimsical flowers marking each hour.The hands were shaped like stalks with leaves at the tips to point to the time.I’d found it at a garage sale a few years back and hung it on the wall of the living room in my apartment.Every time I looked at it, I swore I’d have my own florist shop someday to hang it in.Now it was here.And the decorative hands showed eleven fifteen.Time to go see the lawyer and make this official.
Thor sauntered over, dusting his hands off on his jeans.“Time to head out?”He already knew where the lawyer’s office was and promised to wait outside for me.He said it was important that I have no pressure from him or anyone else in Riptide while I discussed the contract with the lawyer of my choice.I thought he was being a touch paranoid, but if it made him feel better, I was fine with it.
I nodded and grabbed the backpack.Thor double checked the lock on the front door and followed me out the side one.“So how long have you known this lawyer?”
Something in his tone made me do a double take.“You’re not jealous, are you?”
“That’s not an answer.”
I tried to stifle my laughter.The big bad biker was jealous of a happily married man old enough to be my father.“He used to bounce me on his knee when I was a toddler, so I’d have to say a long time.A couple of decades or so.”
“Good to know.”He mounted the bike and motioned me behind him.“You sure he’s not going to go running to your parents with anything you tell him?”
“Positive.I already confirmed that with him, but why would you ask?”
“No reason.Just asking.”He started the bike, and I wrapped my arms around his waist as he kicked it into gear.
The ride to the law office was short.I have to admit I felt a little trickle of disappointment deep down in my belly.I would have been happy to sit with my legs spread and my head resting against Thor’s broad back for another hour, minimum.Definitely too short.I let out a sigh as he pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine.
Reluctantly, I sat up straight and slid off the seat.Thor leaned over and wrapped an arm around me, drawing me in close for a searing hot kiss.
“Is that in case he saw us pull in?”I teased.
A mischievous smile curved my biker’s lips.“Maybe.”
I laughed.“Then I won’t tell you he has the corner office on the far side of the building.”
He dipped his head.“I appreciate that.It’s important to humor me.”He reached down to swat me on the ass.“Now go discuss the contract so we can get back to the flower shop and see if the workbench in the back is the right height.”
I tilted my head.“Right height for what?”
