Page 55 of Knot in Bloom
The conversation flows easily, but there’s electric awareness in every touch. When he reaches for the sugar, his fingers deliberately brush mine. When I lean closer, he watches my mouth before catching himself.
“Tell me about growing up,” I say, weaving our fingers together properly.
“Boarding school, then college, then graduate school.” He lifts our joined hands, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. The contact makes me shiver. “My parents are academics—brilliant, absorbed in their work. I learned early that achievement got attention, but it was never enough. Nothing I did made them actually see me.”
My chest aches for the lonely boy he must have been. “That sounds isolating.”
“It was.” His voice gets quieter, more honest. “I threw myself into work because buildings don’t leave. They don’t get bored with you.” His grip tightens on my hand. “But you’re different. You see people. You make them feel like they matter.”
“You matter to me,” I say softly, and watch something shift in his expression.
“I want to build something real, Sadie. With you.” The words come out raw, unguarded. “Not just structures, but a life. A home.”
The vulnerability in his voice makes my heart race. This isn’t the polished businessman—this is Reid, stripped of pretense, offering me his truth. And I don’t know what to do with how much I want what he’s offering.
“I want that too,” I whisper.
When we finish eating, neither of us wants to leave. He orders more coffee, asks about my dreams for the business, listens like every word matters. I tell him about wanting to expand, maybe offer classes, and watch his eyes light up.
“We could create something incredible together,” he says, enthusiasm building. “I know people, have connections. Not taking over—partnering. Your vision, my resources.”
“What would that look like?”
“Whatever you want. Your business, your dreams. I just want to help make them happen.” He pauses, vulnerability creeping back in. “I’ve spent my career building things for strangers. I want to build something for someone I care about.”
“You care about me.”
“More than I should, given how we only recently we met.” His thumb traces across my knuckles. “But yes. I care about you very much.”
The admission hangs between us, weighted with possibility. My core throbs as his scent deepens with sincerity. This isn’t just attraction anymore—it’s something deeper, more dangerous. And maybe I should be scared about how fast this is happening, but I can’t seem to care about being sensible when he looks at me like that.
“I care about you too,” I say. “And I love this idea. Working together, creating something bigger than either of us could manage alone.”
“Really?” The hope in his voice is bright, eager. “Because I have so many ideas. Ways to expand your reach, systems to make everything easier.”
His excitement is infectious, and I find myself leaning closer, drawn by his passion and the warm bergamot that’s becoming my favorite scent in the world.
When we pullup outside my apartment, neither of us moves to get out. The air feels charged, heavy with everything we’ve shared.
“Sadie,” Reid says, turning to face me. There’s wonder in his expression, like he still can’t believe this morning happened. “This was...”
“Perfect,” I finish.
“I was going to say life-changing.” His hand comes up to cup my cheek, thumb stroking across my skin. “You’re real. You’re here with me, and I can barely believe it.”
Before I can respond, he leans across the console and kisses me. Not careful or controlled—this kiss is desperate, claiming, like he’s been starving for this moment. His hand tangles in my hair while the other frames my face, anchoring me to him.
I melt completely, fisting my hands in his shirt to pull him closer. He tastes like coffee and possibility, and when he deepens the kiss, a soft moan escapes my throat. The sound breaks something in his restraint, and suddenly he’s kissing me harder, pouring weeks of want into this single moment.
When we finally part, we’re both breathing hard. His forehead rests against mine, and I can see amazement in his green eyes.
“God, Sadie,” he breathes. “You’re going to ruin me.”
“Good,” I whisper, surprising myself with the possessiveness in my voice. “I don’t want you to want anyone else.”
His smile is brilliant and dazed. “Not a chance.”
He walks me to my door, and I turn to face him, not ready for this to end. Without hesitation, he kisses me again—softer now but no less intense, taking his time like he’s memorizing the taste of me.
