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Floss ignored the unspoken strict rules I put up between us, closing the distance to rise up onto her toes to kiss my cheek, but she couldn't reach. I held back a laugh and closed one hand around the back of her waist, dipping my head until I pressed a kiss to her lips. The contact was as brief and as barely there as it had been in the shop, but it was enough to set my blood aflame with arousal.
So much for the rule book.
Telling the downstairs situation to get a grip, I released her and drew back. Her cheeks were as flushed as I felt and I knew I wasn't the only one flustered.
"Have a seat."Original."This is for you."Stunning conversational skills.I pushed the little box forward. She opened her mouth as though to protest, but I cut her off before she could start. "I'm going to probably put both of us through the ringer and a whole lot of pressure in the next weeks. This is my apology in advance and my gratitude for you, taking on a raw-edged cop."
Her expression softened. I hadn't told a lie, well, I might not feel like I was completely out of my league but the fact that she’d agreed to do this for me out of the blue still stunned me.
"You need to give yourself more credit," Floss murmured, taking a little box and lifting the lid. "Oh, Acton." She stared up at me with those sapphire bright eyes flooded with emotion.
I couldn’t get the memory out of my mind of how she sighed my name.
I want to make her do that again.
She plucked the tiny red glass dahlia studs from their pillows.
“I tried to match Dolly’s shade. I mean, I tried to get something for Dolly, but they didn't have anything in her size."
The joke fell flat as Floss was still studying the earrings. "They’re so beautiful. Will you help me?" She passed the studs to me and slipped her gold hoops from her ears. Tucking her hair over one shoulder, she tilted her head, baring the slope of her shoulder to me.
My breath hitched at the sight, and I cleared my throat, forcing myself to focus. "I can't say this is something I've done before, so forgive me if I don't get this right first shot."
A look of bemusement mixed with exasperation slid across her face. "Acton Cunningham. I think you're pretty much perfect."
“Yeah, tell me that again in a moment after I’ve given you an extra piercing."
She giggled and leaned her shoulder back, giving me better access.
My fingers trembled against her skin as I slipped the tiny silver stems into her ears, and worked the butterfly back on. The tiny glass petals reflected the candlelight, sitting perfectly against the pink stain of her cheeks. I rucked her hair around her shoulders, trying not to mess it up, but she looked sexy as hell regardless of what I did. She was wearing something I'd given her. Some part of me roared its approval at that small, simple fact.
"You're beautiful." I grazed my fingers across her cheek, trailing a caress along her neck, fascinated by the way her skin flushed pink forever I touched it.
Floss sat stock still, and I stepped back to give us both a little space.
She reached up to brush your fingers over the earrings. "Thank you. You didn't have to do this. I wouldn’t offer if I didn't mind giving my time to you. Plus," her nose twitched mischievously, "I can give you a run for your money as well. You're stuck with me, too. You know that, right?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to be a hellcat for me?"
Her gaze darted up to capture mine and all the breath left my lungs in an instant.
Damn but she’s stunning.
I slid my hand across the table, leaving my palm open. She paused for a moment then lay her fingers in mine, giving them a little squeeze. Her skin was smooth against my scars and work-roughened callouses, though she didn’t seem to mind as I laced out fingers together, trying to ignore the zings of desire that shot through me every place we touched and failed.
"That depends." She didn't expand on the hellcat comment and I didn't push it, watching her eyes twinkle as she held my hand gently.
I lent forward, drawing her gently across the table in my grip. My heart pounded as blood rushed in my ears.
Maybe pushing blood flow north was a bad idea.
I was already drunk on the mere sight of her, heading directly for that romance I promised myself I'd sit out. Pink lips parted, soft and inviting. I tasted her briefly before , but I needed more. "Flos–" My voice caught, rough and gravelly.
One of the waitstaff cleared his throat from where he stood at my elbow, breaking my peace. Floss drew back, her cheeks stained darker than ever, her hands folded tight in her lap, the moment broken.
"Wine, sir? Would you like to try?” He opened the bottle while I tried not to glare at the man.
"It's fine, thank you."
