Page 59 of Hart of Vengeance
I scrunched my face as the sweet floral aroma wafted over me.
Dina touched my arm, showcasing her blue-painted fingernails. “Did you hear me?”
Ever so slightly, I bobbed my head, trying to muddle through who would send me orchids. I knew it wasn’t Mallory. For one, she knew what that type of flower meant to me. And two, I’d been with her the whole time. “Thank you.”
She studied me for a second. “You look pale.”
I was certain I’d seen a ghost. “I think I’m coming down with something.” That wasn’t a total lie. I didn’t feel as heated as I had when Mallory and I had left the coffee shop, but my sinuses were throbbing. I also didn’t want to tell Dina about Savannah, at least not until I told Kelton.
Dina edged back. “Well, go home if you’re sick. I better get back.” She hurried away as though I were contagious.
I opened the card attached to the vase. I blinked once, then twice, as I read each word.
I know you love orchids, and I hope these flowers bring you a moment of happiness and put a smile on your beautiful face. I’m so sorry for your loss. Xoxo, Denim.
My knees were wobbly as I eased down into my chair, clutching my chest as though I were having a heart attack. Maybe I was.
After all these years, the man remembered. He remembered that I’d told him how my dad had showered my mom with orchids on their wedding anniversary. He remembered that I, too, would rather have orchids than roses.
I heard Denim and Kelton’s voices getting louder, but I was in too much shock to listen.
“Jade,” Kelton said. “Is everything okay?”
I shuddered, swallowed my tears, and blinked a few times before I lifted my head.
Kelton and Denim were standing at my desk. The two tall men, about the same height, stared at me with their penetrating blue eyes. Whereas Kelton’s were a deep blue, Denim’s were a medium shade lighter.
Denim grinned. His smile was sexy and downright heart-ramming when we locked eyes.
“Who sent flowers?” Kelton asked.
I glanced at the card. “They’re from a friend.” I didn’t know if I should out Denim, although Kelton knew about our past relationship.
Kelton tucked a hand into his pants pocket. “Any special occasion?”
I inhaled a quiet breath then told Kelton about my sister.
Kelton tipped his head toward his office. “Let’s talk in my office. Denim, we’ll be in touch.”
“Sure thing,” Denim said. “Jade, can I speak to you alone for a minute?”
“I have work to do.” I hoped I didn’t sound curt. Kelton was all about professionalism, and Denim was a client.
“I need to grab some coffee,” Kelton said. “I’ll give you a minute, Jade.” He wound his way around cubicles until he was gone.
Traitor.Yet he didn’t know about the war raging in my head over Denim or about the one in my heart.
“Thank you,” I whispered to Denim.
He leaned his butt against the edge of my desk, his thigh almost touching my arm. “I’m really sorry about Savannah.”
I scooted my chair away from his thigh, which was giving off heat. At least I felt extremely warm.
“You remembered I liked orchids.” I couldn’t look at him. If I did, I would jump in his arms, ravish his lips, and kiss him until the end of our days.
I sounded like a lovestruck teenager.Pathetic.I was supposed to be mad at Denim. I was supposed to be cold and uncaring. I was supposed to walk away. Yet there I was envisioning how his lips would feel on mine—soft, tingly, and mouthwatering.
His gaze slid over me like warm butter. “I remember a lot of things about us.”
