Page 17 of Knot in Bloom
I’m out of the car before I think about it.
“Reid.” She stops walking, shifts the small bag to her other hand. That breathless quality appears in her voice that makes my chest tighten. “What brings you to town today?”
“Just enjoying the morning.” I step closer. Close enough to catch her full scent and my cock thickens immediately. “Thought maybe we could talk about expanding those arrangements. Over dinner maybe?”
Her cheeks flush pink, but then something shifts in her expression. Uncertainty creeps in.
“Like a date?” Her voice gets smaller, and her scent changes — that sweet honeysuckle turning sharp with worry.
The change hits my alpha instincts immediately. Need to reassure her, make her feel safe.
“A business dinner,” I say quickly, keeping my voice gentle. “My company covers meals when I’m building relationships with potential partners. Expense account.”
Her eyes widen. The worry scent fades as relief takes over, mixed with excitement.
“Your company pays?”
The way she asks tells me money matters more than I realized.
“Standard practice.”
“Then...” She tucks hair behind her ear. Nervous gesture that makes me want to do it for her. “I’d really like that. When?”
“Tonight? Seven?” Too eager probably, but her scent is scrambling my usual composure.
“Perfect.” Her smile is radiant and I forget why I was supposed to be playing this cool. “Should we discuss the arrangements too? What you need for Tuesday?”
Right. My fictional business meetings.
I design complex buildings for a living. Architectural planning that requires months of careful consideration and precise execution.
But standing here breathing in her scent, I can’t remember what story I told her yesterday.
What am I supposed to need flowers for again?
“I’d like to understand your process. How you decide what works together.”
Smooth. Except I have no idea what I just committed to.
“I can show you my portfolio. Business meetings need sophisticated pieces that won’t distract from important conversations.” Her enthusiasm makes my chest feel tight. “Clean lines. Subtle colors.”
I nod like this makes perfect sense instead of being complete fantasy.
“Sounds exactly right. I’ll meet you out front at seven?”
“I could just walk over myself. It’s right across the street?—”
“Sadie.” I step closer without meaning to. Close enough that she has to tilt her head back to look at me. Close enough that my scent wraps around her and I can see her pupils dilate. “Let me walk you over.”
Comes out softer than I meant it to. More request than demand.
Her breath catches. Her scent spikes with something that smells like arousal mixed with surprise.
“Okay. Yes.”
When I get back to my car, my hands are shaking. Like some teenager instead of a grown man who handles million-dollar projects without breaking a sweat.
But driving away, everything feels different.
