Page 26 of Cursed Luck
“I was hoping you’d have a remover of feet from mouths?”
Her heart danced and her stomach did somersaults at the sound of his voice. The deep, rich notes of each word sent a caress along her skin. Never had a person’s voice wrapped her in such warmth like his always seemed to do. “I might have something around here. Although, it’s yet to be seen if the foot should remain lodged in said mouth or removed.”
“I’m really sorry for being an ass,” he whispered after coming closer.
She wanted to turn around but feared one look would melt the wall she had built in his absence. The scent of fruit and his cologne reached her nose, and she caved. She turned on her heels, and her mouth hung in surprise at the beautiful bouquet of fruit he held.
“I’m sorry, Mia,” he repeated as he offered it to her.
Her attention shifted from the colorful arrangement to his face. Worry lines marred the space between his eyes, and another piece of her heart accepted him in. His hair was disheveled, and she wondered how many times he had run his hands through it.
“Apology accepted,” she whispered, unable to make him suffer. “This is awesome! Where did you manage to get one?” At his silence, she peered up as she plucked a grape off the end of a skewer. “Wait,” she said around the grape. She shook her head at the preposterous thought. “You didn’t make this… Did you?”
His face darkened with embarrassment, and her eyes widened before taking in the bouquet once again. “Really?” she muttered and set it on the counter.
Edward rubbed the back of his neck. “I got some help…”
“Brandy?”
He shook his head. “Debbie and Junior.”
Mia reached out and set her hand on his bicep. “Thank you, Edward. I’m not sure anyone has ever gone through so much trouble for me.”
He closed the distance between them. He stood close enough she could feel the heat radiating off his body, but without touching each other. Her gaze landed on his lips, and the pulse at her neck took off in a sprint. Her breaths became shallow as she breathed him in.
“Mia, I’m so sorry. It seems every time I’m around you, I’m suddenly a fifteen-year-old who doesn’t know how to talk to a girl. I never meant to be an ass. I’m genuinely happy my suggestions have helped—”
She rolled to her toes and shut him up with a press of her lips to his. The chaste kiss set a fire ablaze in her, and she wanted so much more from the man. His mouth moved against hers, tentatively and teasing her with each stroke.
Her mind screamed,finally!
A guttural need to open her mouth and invite him in overtook every one of her senses. Where they were fell away, leaving them in a beautiful bubble of desire and need to mark him as hers. She’d never shied from her sexuality, but in that moment, she thought she understood the animalistic urge between werewolves when they found their mate.
Edward set every single nerve of hers on fire with the brush of his lips. What would he accomplish if she allowed him to touch her?
Her nipples tightened, and heat pooled between her thighs at the thoughts. His large hand cupped her cheek, and a second before their tongues could meet, the chime announced a customer.
Mia pulled back quickly. His hand fell to his side as she pulled in her lower lip and tasted his kiss. Her cheeks warmed as she met the client’s gaze around Edward’s body. “Hi, if you need any help finding something, don’t hesitate to ask,” she managed to say, her throat thick with emotion and desire for the man in front of her.
“Just browsing,” the woman said with a wink.
Mia nodded and looked at Edward. His eyes were dark, his own desire reflecting. He raised a hand to her jaw, and his thumb caressed the apple of her cheek. She swallowed back a moan at the sweet touch and offered him a smile.
“You kissed me,” he stated, his gruff voice making her stomach clench with need.
“I did,” she whispered.
His eyes fell on her lips, and she knew he wanted to kiss her again. “Go out with me,” he demanded.
She sucked in a breath at his Neanderthal tone. “Try again.”
His brows narrowed before raising. “Sorry, what I meant to say was… Please go out to dinner with me?”
Mia chuckled. It seemed the man really did struggle with his manners around her. “I’d love to.”
The chime rang once again, and she looked over in time to see a young teen step inside. His eyes darted around, nerves and fear nearly buckling the poor boy’s knees.
Mia stepped around Edward and smiled. “Hi.”
