Page 4 of In Full Bloom
“Don’t drive,” I tell him. He’s put away far too many in the short time we’ve been here, meanwhile I’ve only had one. The aim had been to drown my sorrows, but the annoyingly responsible voice in my head kept reminding me I have work tomorrow, and I have to drive home, and that there’s a litany of other reasons I can’t lose myself in a bottle.
His eyes darken and he scowls. “I wouldn’t.”
“Good. See you round.” I grab my jacket, head for the door and push through into the night. The street is quiet. Just down the block I catch sight of blonde hair highlighted by the streetlight glow.
She’s leaning against the brick wall of the farm supply store, one foot propped up behind her. She’s got her head tilted back, staring at the star-strewn sky, arms folded tightly across her chest.
I approach slowly, still expecting she’ll startle and take off into the night. She doesn’t turn to look at me as I prop my shoulder against the wall beside her.
“I forgot how many stars there are out here,” she says, voice a little wistful. The fiery girl from inside is gone now.
“You’re shivering,” I say like a total dumbass. Way to state the obvious.
She rolls her head down to give me a baleful look. “I also misjudged the weather. Sue me.”
The fiery girl is back. I grin and hold out my jacket. She scowls. “You’re already in, you don’t need to be all gentlemanly.”
“I’d just rather you didn’t freeze to death before we get to see where this is going.”
“Fine,” she says as she turns and slides her arms into the sleeves. “But only so I don’t freeze. Not because you’re being all chivalrous or anything. I’m being completely selfish.”
“Of course.”
She leans her shoulder against the wall, mirroring my own position so we’re facing each other. I don’t want to think about how damn good she looks wearing my jacket. I cannot get attached. She’s made it clear that is not in my best interests. I don’t even know if I’ll see her again after tonight.
“I know we aren’t doing the small talk thing, but can I ask you questions?”
“Sure,” she says. Her eyes are tracking over my body, shamelessly checking me out. It’s obvious she likes what she sees. “But I can’t guarantee I’m going to answer them.”
Of course not. She’s so exasperating. For a moment, I question my sanity in following this road. “Can I kiss you?”
“I don’t know … can you?” She smirks, then reaches up and swipes her tongue across my bottom lip.
I make an embarrassing noise. I’m twenty-seven, way too old to be this awkward with a woman.
I press forward and capture her mouth with mine. I lean her back into the wall, one arm bracing me above her head, the other hand cupping her cheek. Her skin is so soft under my fingers. Loose strands of her hair tickle my face but it doesn’t bother me. I want to feel all of her.
The kiss is hot and heavy. Her hands fist in the front of my shirt, pulling me into her. I comply and my hand trails from her face down her body, moulding to every curve. As I cup her ass, then lift her thigh to wrap her leg around me, she moans. I press my hips against her and she breaks the kiss, tipping her head back as she grinds on me.
My lips drag down her throat. I can feel her pulse racing as her breath comes in short pants. Her hands slip into my hair where she clings tight. I slide my tongue across her collarbone and she twists her fingers. The best kind of pain shoots through my scalp.
I pull away, staring down at her. Her pupils are blown wide and she’s breathing hard.
“Next question,” I say between my own short breaths. “Want to take this somewhere more comfortable?”
She smirks at me but her voice is a little breathy when she replies. “Thought you’d never ask.”
3
KATIE
I pullinto the driveway of Wildflower Ridge and come to a stop.
The morning sun is just beginning to line the hills of the farm that used to be my second home. After my vow four years ago, I thought I’d never see this place again and now that I’m here, I’m not sure I can cross the property line.
I don’t know why I’m nervous. A few minutes down this driveway and I’ll be reunited with my best friend, Olivia, and her mum Violet, who was friends with my grandma.
Olivia and Violet know I’m coming, this isn’t a surprise visit and if I delay any longer I’m going to be late for my first day of work at Wildflower Ridge.
