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Slick gasped as he entered. It was a reaction I was familiar with and one I loved. Visitors were amazed upon entering the greenhouses, and rightfully so. It was a riot of colour and scents, not overwhelming but eye-catching. Ezra’s order was placed on six double-tier tables at the beginning of the greenhouse, three on each side. Behind them, rows of flowerbeds stretched out on the right. A narrow path ran down the centre, with beds on the left.
“Wow,” Slick muttered.
“It’s something,” I agreed.
“Beautiful.” Slick’s eyes were on me.
I felt a blush begin and turned. “This is everything Ezra ordered. If you’d like to check it off, I have the paperwork?”
“No. I’m sure it is fine. Can I drive the truck here, or do we need to carry it out?” Slick asked.
“Yes, if you follow the road to the left, it will bring you to a small car park at the rear of the greenhouses. We’ll still need to transport the plants to it, but it’s a far shorter journey.”
“Be back soon,” Slick said and walked his ass out.
My eyes were drawn to the way his jeans clung lovingly to his butt. Jesus! I fanned myself with my hand and turned deep red as Slick peeked behind him and caught me.
He sent me a wink and disappeared as I wished the ground would open up and swallow me.
Slick
Damn, that was one fine woman. Sweet and sincere, and he longed to get to know her better. But his gut told him she wasn’t a good-time girl at all, that Summer wouldn’t be interested in a fling. No, this woman would be for keeps, and as much as Slick wanted to offer her that, he didn’t think he had it in him.
He swung into Ezra’s truck and stared out of the window for a few moments. Was this his chance to grab something beautiful? Summer was the whole package, from what he could see in his few minutes of speaking with her. And he was seriously sick of casual sex. Slick hadn’t fucked anyone for a year, in truth. He was done with barflies and wanted what his brothers had. Hell, even the prospects were falling faster than flies.
Slick knew damn well if one of his single brothers saw Summer, they’d snap her up. There was no barrier to starting something special with Summer—and he guessed she was interested—other than himself.
Slick accepted he’d changed since Artemis had kidnapped him. Until then, he’d been more open and less cagey. What Artemis had put him through had choked him emotionally.
She’d gone to great lengths to make amends, and while Slick forgave her eventually, their relationship had never been the same. They both knew it, too. Sometimes, Slick saw a sad expression on Artemis’s face when she gazed at him, which was quickly hidden. Slick could have taken the beating and walked away and no hard feelings. The fact she’d drugged him and tried to seduce him to get the truth was what caused the damage. Slick couldn’t shake the feeling of betraying Ace.
He’d loved Kayleigh and, towards the end, might have even been a little in love with her. But he’d never poached from a brother.
Artemis’s seduction methods had nearly broken him, and Slick would not have been able to forgive himself if he had given in. He fought against his sexual feelings while heavily drugged.If he’d surrendered, Slick would have had to leave Rage because facing Ace, knowing he’d fucked Ace’s woman, wouldn’t have happened.
Slick parked at the back of the greenhouse and wondered if fate was giving him a reward for denying his emotions towards Kayleigh. Although Kayleigh and Artemis were the same person kind of, he never felt that way about Artemis. Slick knew he wanted a gentle, caring homemaker as a partner. But he also loved the feisty, strong sides of women. Ideally, he planned to settle with someone who would allow him to look after her and treat her like the queen she’d be. Summer seemed to fit.
She was waiting outside with a trolley laden with plants and a sweet smile on her face. As he turned the engine off, Summer was already moving to load up the order.
“Here, let me help,” Slick suggested, exiting the pickup.
“I’m used to lifting these,” Summer said while hefting a heavy pot.
“But you can take a break and watch me sweat,” Slick returned with a wink.
Summer’s eyes wandered to his muscular arms, and she blushed again as she ducked her head. “Be my guest,” she murmured, and Slick grinned.
He’d no problem flexing his muscles if it impressed Summer.
“Anytime, honey. What are your plans after work tonight?”
The light faded from Summer’s face, and he felt a kick in his gut.
“I have stuff to do,” she muttered, and Slick heard the resentment in her voice. Summer had a secret, but despite his curiosity, he couldn’t bring himself to ask. They’d only just met.
“Do you want to go on a date when you’re available?” Slick asked.
“I’d love to, but I’m really busy at night.”
