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I saw the way those girls were looking at him, but honestly, all I see is a stunning man. I think they make him look like someone who’s been around, seen a lot. Like zebra’s stripes, he’s utterly unique and I’m so turned on by him it’s probably unsafe.
For him.
“Sorry,” I say quickly. “You don’t have to tell me. That was uncalled for.”
I turn away, but the instant I do I feel his fingers on my chin, sending a shiver right down my spine as he turns my face back towards his and I gaze into those serious gray eyes.
“Don’t apologize.” He shakes his head, then shrugs. “I don’t feel sorry about having them. I’m alive, which is a fuck lot more than I can say for two of the other people who were there that day. I got away with just being an ugly motherfucker. I’m lucky.”
“I don’t…I don’t think you’re ugly…” I say, then without thinking too hard about it first, I reach out and run a finger down the biggest ridge of scar tissue, tracing the route from his cheekbone, down his chin, along his neck. He stares back at me, unflinching. “I want to know.”
With a deep breath, he nods. “I was in the navy. Traveling in a Humvee with the rest of my team. There was an explosion.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, scooting closer to him. “Wait, you were in the navy? You seem a bit, I don’t know…corporate?”
“Seal team five.”
“You were a navy seal?” I look him up and down, seeing him in a new light. “I guess that explains a lot actually. Can’t help noticing you’re kind of…intense.”
He laughs. “Anyway, let’s let that go for the time being. Tell me about your business.”
“It seems a bit lame now after learning you’re a goddamn seal. I sell flowers.”
“Oh, that’s great baby. I wouldn’t have seen you as a florist though. Lots of red roses and white lilies? Gothic?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Not exactly. I sell dead flowers. And black ones. Venus fly traps and other carnivorous plants. Anything a little bit crazy and dark. It’s a bit silly but my best friend, her fiancé cheated on her and she found out like two days before Valentine’s Day.” I pause, the alcohol fog giving me a moment of clarity. “Exactly two years ago today as a matter of fact. So, for Valentine’s, I made her up a bunch of these withered, dead flowers to send to him and the girl. Honestly, they looked like they’d been on somebody’s grave for a month, like some sort of Victorian horror novel. Then another friend asked if I could do the same for her. And then I started getting inquiries, set up a website and the rest is history.”
He nods. “GothGardens.com, right?”
My eyes go wide. “Yes. How did you…?”
“I keep my eyes and ears open when it comes to hot new businesses. You made a couple lists I keep track of. Made a couple of million your first year as I recall. I had no idea I was sitting next to a successful entrepreneur. I’m the one that feels lame now.”
I frown, and feel my stomach churn, that spinning feeling getting stronger. “Not so successful unless I can pull off a financial miracle—oh, God, stop the car.”
Suddenly, all my insides feel like they are fighting to find the exit. It hits me like a slap across the face, suddenly and out of nowhere, and I’m desperately looking around for somewhere to throw up.
I shouldn’t have had so much to drink.
I shouldn’t have taken a limo drive.
Especially not with someone I like.
“Hey, it’s going to be all right,” I hear him say as I wrap my arms around my middle.
Please stop the car, I think, looking around hopelessly as the limo starts to slow.
“Nearly there, miss,” the driver says cheerfully, but he’s obviously unaware of how desperate the situation is.
I look around for a bucket, a bag, anything. But there’s nothing. Reid leans across me, pushing the button to open the window, and I take the opportunity. My head is out of the window in an instant, and I decorate the side of the limo with proof that alcohol is not my friend.
“I’ve got my own room,” I mumble as he carries me down the corridor Of the hotel. “You can leave me to die quietly. Alone.”
“You’re not going to die, little drama bird. Not a chance. I’m taking care of you. Nothing else is going to happen, trust me. But I’m not leaving you on your own. Let’s go get you cleaned up.”
My cheeks heat at the mention of nothing else happening. I get it. I’m completely disgusting. Good thing he got his kisses before I fouled the vessel.
But honestly, maybe it’s just the drink, but I would like nothing more than for him to take complete advantage of me right now.
