Page 92 of Halo

How am I going to make it through dinner not touching her, much less the next five fucking minutes?

Her dark hair is down. Not in a braid or woven into a crown. It's actually down, cascading in thick, loose waves, tumbling over her shoulders and down her back.

Her gray sweater dress hugs her curves that are normally hidden behind modest tops and fitted pants. Between the hint of cleavage at her neckline and the sinful red painted on her lips, I am in serious trouble.

“Hey! You made it.” She beams.

I clear my throat. “Wow … you look …” My eyes wander over her body again, tracing the lines of her legs to her hips before settling on her bright eyes. “I'm sorry. I want to say beautiful, but that sounds so ordinary, and you are just … wow ….”

“Nick …” she croons as pink blooms across her cheeks.

“Oh, and these are for you.” I take a step forward, holding out the bouquet of flowers.

A stocky white pit bull with his ears pinned back squares himself in front of Leah, growling.

“Angus, no, buddy.” She scratches behind his ear. “Sorry. He's not a fan of men.”

“Hey, that's okay.” I squat down. “We won't be strangers for long. Right, big guy—?”

He huffs, baring his teeth.

I jump, steeling my back. “Jesus, dude …”

“I warned ya.” She snorts before bending down and petting the little hellion. “You're just a little protective, aren't you?”

A dopey smile appears on his face as he looks longingly at Leah, his tongue rolling out of his mouth.

“I'm sorry. Did you say that these were for me?” Leah takes the bouquet of peonies, carefully smelling the large pink bulbs. “They're heavenly,” she croons, her eyes sparkling. “How did you even know they're my favorite? And how did you even find them?”

“I have my ways, Ms. Harrison.” I wiggle my eyebrows.

“I would expect nothing less from my stalker.” She giggles, waving me in. “Come in. Let me find a vase for these.” She disappears into the kitchen.

I carefully shut the front door behind me, my eyes not leaving her attentive dog who I'm pretty sure wants to eat me..

“Heel,” I whisper-shout, peering over my shoulder at the kitchen. “At ease. Stand down.”

Angus responds by narrowing his eyes and letting out an even deeper growl.

“C’mon, don't be a little shit.” I point toward his bed. “Go be off-duty for a little while, would’ya?”

He sits back on his haunches, but his expression doesn't change.

Suddenly, there's a clatter from the kitchen.

“I'm fine,” Leah calls out as more clanging continues.

I rush to the room to find Leah hunched over, collecting scattered boxes of tea and paper goods scattered across the floor.

She gives me a coy smile before pointing up toward a high shelf. “I have a crystal vase at the top of that cabinet. Do you mind grabbing it for me?”

“Of course. Are you sure you're okay?”

“Oh yeah, I'm fine. I'm just glad nothing broke.”

I reach above my head, wrapping both hands around the heavy crystal vase before carefully working it toward the edge of the cabinet. “I have to ask …” I glance up at the shelf, then back down at Leah's petite height. “How exactly were you planning on getting this down?”

She folds her arms. "I had a plan."