by Jamie Knight
I gulp my drink and order another. Brian looks at me in concern. For a while, they continue chatting; they don't exclude me from their conversation, but they give me room to have my thoughts as well.
As I sip my drink, I sigh. This is going to be difficult. I'm not used to being the one to do the chasing. But I've also never felt this strongly about any other woman, so I can't just give up.
Still, this is like declaring my love for her or something. This involves being vulnerable and showing emotions and feelings. That's all stuff that I'm not comfortable with.
I've never had to do this for anyone before so I wouldn't even know where to start. This is a lot to think about and will require a lot of planning.
For a woman like Sheila that I feel so strongly about, I have to show her in the most amazing way.
Or I should just be honest?
This is so confusing.
I'll just figure it out later, on my own, I decide. I join in on the conversation and joke with Brian and James. I'll figure out the best approach to take with Sheila later.
We order more drinks before happy hour is over. Afterwards, I pick up the tab. On days like this, I really appreciate my friends.
Brian is heading home but James and I are going back to the office to work. My work will be light— looking over some designs I’ve gotten in for a couple of the websites my company has been working on. It’s nothing I can’t do with the slight buzz I’ve got going on.
As we stand outside on the sidewalk, I resist the urge to look in the direction of Love in Bloom. James and I walk inside the office.
"Don't forget about what I said," he reminds me.
We stand by the elevators, talking.
"Trust me, I haven't," I reply.
"You'll thank me when it works and she’s in your arms," he says with a wink.
We both laugh. James walks to his office and I take the elevator up to mine.
My thoughts are not on the pile of papers on my desk, nor on the mountain of work that I have to get through once I sober up – what a stupid idea it was to have so many drinks during lunch – but instead, they’re on Sheila. I pace the office as I try to think of what to say.
She is a very direct and honest person. I think she would respect it more if I was the same way with her. She's not like the other women in my past. She sees through all my charm and flattery.
That's one of the things that I love about her. As scary as it is, I need to be honest with her about my feelings for her. No games, no tricks. The thought of that gives me anxiety.
I sit at my desk and focus on the bullshit work I’m doing, if only to try to take my thoughts off of her, but it’s an unsuccessful attempt. The thought of exposing myself and my feelings like that is so terrifying.
I sit and stare moodily out the window.
Can I actually bring myself to do it?
Yes, for her I can.
There's nothing I wouldn't do for her, no matter how terrifying it may seem to me.
Chapter 17 - Sheila
A couple of days later, I'm at the store pretty early. I still have a few minutes left before I'm officially open for the day, but I unlock the door anyway. Since I’m here, I might as well try to attract whatever customers I can.
I'm setting up and replenishing some of the flowers, making notes of which ones are the most popular sellers. I'm going to have to order more soon.
No customers are in yet, despite me being completely ready for them. I'm busy changing the arrangements around now. I've had some new ideas about where some of the flowers should be placed in the store.
Yesterday, I had a meeting with the security company. It went okay. They have all my information and we came up with a plan for them to start patrolling the area. Unfortunately, they can't start doing that yet.
That's really disappointing. The good news is that I haven't gotten any more calls from that creepy guy, Aaron. Since I haven't heard from him, I guess there really is nothing to worry about anymore. I start to wonder if I should cancel the security service, because it’s a bit pricey, and I don’t really have it in my budget.
My back is turned to the door but suddenly I can hear the sounds of traffic outside. That means someone must have opened it and walked in.
"I’ll be right with you," I say.
I don't turn around because I figure the customer will give me a few minutes to finish the floral arrangement I’m working on. I’m fixing a vase of roses and since they’re so simple, I want them to look perfect. These are some of our bestselling flowers.
I freeze and my heart stops as a voice in my ear growls, "I told you I would be here."
I whirl around and knock the vase off its stand. It shatters on the floor. I'm face to face with the creep from the auction. I don't know what to do as my hands start shaking in fear. He has me nearly pinned up against the shelves on the side of the store.
Amazingly, I manage to kick him off of me and I run to the register and grab my phone.
Adrenaline really is a powerful thing!
I try to call the security company or at least 911 but he catches up to me and knocks the phone from my hand. It also falls on the floor.
I try to make a run for the door, but he uses his body weight to keep me pinned against the register and I can’t manage to fight my way out this time, or even to squirm away.
"I told you I always get what I want," he growls again.
I feel gross and icky as he looks at me.
"Even if you don't give it to me, I'll still get what I want by taking it," he growls.
He grabs my wrists and holds them against the counter. I try to struggle and get away, but I can't.
"You wouldn't give me what I wanted at the auction, but I still saw you naked then," he replies. His face is inches from mine now. I move my head away in disgust.
"I know you liked watching me have sex that night..." he taunts me.
I still struggle to break free, but his grip is too strong. I start to realize that my fate may already be sealed. He came here to do terrible things to me, and I have no way out.
Suddenly, though, the door to the shop opens again, startling us both. I’m shocked to see Andrew. He looks surprised to see us. His eyes narrow as they focus on the creep. I don't even have to ask for help.
He sees the creep’s hands on my wrists and crosses the room and punches him in the face. The creep falls back against the register.
I'm finally free. I move out of the way and watch as Andrew grabs the creep by the collar and punches him again.
"Ok, that's enough!" I call out.
The guy’s face is all swollen and Andrew has to hold him up.
"We need to call the cops," Andrew says, looking at me.
He gives the guy a shake. The guy looks around and tries to focus on Andrew but I can tell his vision is blurry from the impact; he squints at him.
"We can’t. Then word will get out about the auctions and I'll lose my business," I inform Andrew.
"Then what do we do?" he asks me.
"We should let him go but tell him to never come back," I say, looking at the both of them.
The guy nods his head at that idea. I think he just wants to be away from Andrew.
With a sigh, Andrew reluctantly agrees.
"You heard her; don't ever come back," he says.
The creep stumbles out of the store. Andrew gives him a light kick with his foot. The creep lands outside, sprawled on the sidewalk. He gets up and runs off.
"Was that really necessary?" I ask Andrew.
But I’m grateful for his help.
He shrugs and says, "at least he's gone."
Then he takes me in his arms. I’m feeling shaky and weak, but I don’t like looking vulnerable. So, I grab a broom and sweep up the broken glass from the vase.
Andrew picks up the flowers and lays them on the counter. After the floor is cleaned up, I grab my phone. It wasn't damaged; I'm relieved to
see that. I grab the flowers and put them in a fresh vase. Andrew clears his throat softly. I can't pretend to ignore him anymore.
"Thank you for helping me," I say after a moment.
"It’s no trouble at all," he replies.
After a moment’s silence, he continues talking.
"I wanted to come by anyways and talk to you. I'm sorry I haven't returned your calls..."
I interrupt him by saying, "It’s ok. I'm not worried about it. I'm busy and you're busy."
I'm trying to keep my voice calm as I reply. I'm still really freaked out by everything that just happened.
"No, it’s not ok...." Andrew says, but I tune the rest of his words out.
I busy myself with fixing the flowers again. I can't deal with this back and forth stuff right now. I don't have the energy to think or concentrate on what he's saying. I’m still scared and I just need time to myself to process what just happened.
I realize that Andrew is still talking.
I interrupt him by saying, "Thanks again for helping me but I think it’s best if you leave."
I can't bring myself to look at him. He stops talking. I can sense his confusion.
He finally says, "Ok then. You're welcome."
I hear him walk out the door. The shop is silent after that.
Then I continue to fix the flowers and try not to cry. I just want to focus on work and not think about anything.
I consider calling Tammy but right now I just need space.
I need to breathe and relax.
I need to get my nerves under control.
I know that is the first thing that Tammy would tell me to do.
So, I do it, telling myself that there’s plenty of time to try to figure out what to do next, later.
Chapter 18 - Sheila
A week later, Tammy is walking with me to the flower shop. I'm about to open it up for the day.
Sometimes we get lattes at the coffee shop nearby and then we bring them to Love in Bloom and we gossip while I get the store ready before the customers show up. That's exactly what we’re doing this morning.
"I'm so glad that Andrew rescued you. It’s scary to think what could have happened if he hadn't shown up," Tammy says.
I hand her my latte in its to go cup, before I look in my purse for the shop keys.
"I can't believe he hasn’t answered your calls from a week ago," she complains, after a sip of her coffee. “But maybe you should try again.”
I find the keys but stand outside talking with her anyway.
"I don’t. I honestly think I've blown my chance with him."
Tammy hands me my coffee back and I take a sip before I finish talking.
"I should have just fallen into his arms after he rescued me. I was scared by everything that had just happened. Honestly, I'm also scared of the back and forth thing between us. It’s too many emotions. I don't like to play games like that. At this point, I think maybe it’s too late; I screwed everything up and shouldn’t try to push it any further."
I start to unlock the door to the shop.
"You need to learn to open your heart to love," Tammy says.
We stand there in the doorway of Love in Bloom, talking and sipping our coffee. Tammy is talking about another romance movie she saw on TV last night. I start to think about how she's right.
If I haven't totally blown it with Andrew, then the ball is in my court. I’m just going to have to keep pursuing him, like he pursued me before. Maybe I can call him again now that some more time has passed and convince him to take me on that casual date he mentioned.
I'll just tell him there will be no strings attached. It’s only a fun lunch date. I keep lying to myself. Deep down, though, I know that Tammy is right. I just don't want to admit it. I want more with Andrew.
I want everything that the other couples have, but with Andrew. I turn on the light in the shop and Tammy and I walk in. We both stop in shock. The entire store has been decorated and filled with the most expensive bouquets and gifts. I'm speechless.
"Andrew must have done this," Tammy says, with a little smile on her face.
I turn to look at her but a movement in the corner gets our attention. It’s Andrew. He's hiding behind the one of the largest bouquets, in the back of the store.
“Oh, my God!” Tammy exclaims. “Speak of the devil!”
"You can come out now," I say, trying to sound irritated, but really, I’m just so glad he’s here.
I wonder how much he heard, though, of Tammy’s and my conversation about him.
Tammy giggles and sips her coffee. Andrew stands and looks at me with that sheepish smile of his that I love.
"I don't appreciate being bought like this. I am my own independent woman, you know," I tell him.
"I think you appreciate it more than you are letting on," Tammy whispers to me. "I can see you making googly eyes at him."
She laughs.
Her comments are not helping. They are just making me more confused. I know what my heart wants but I'm starting to feel like my values are conflicting with that.
Also, I'm insanely attracted to Andrew. So much so that my heart doesn’t give a damn what my brain thinks.
I set my coffee and purse down on a small table that sits near the door with bouquets of flowers on it.
"Would you mind giving us some privacy?" I ask Tammy quietly.
"Sure, I'll give you two lovebirds a little one on one time," she jokes.
She gives Andrew a friendly wave goodbye before walking out of the store with her coffee.
"She's funny," Andrew remarks.
"Yeah, she really is a good friend," I reply.
I look up at him, curious as to what he wants.
"I wanted to apologize for not answering your calls or calling you back. I thought about getting you flowers, but I figured that since you own the shop already, it was better to fill it with flowers for you to sell...."
I cut off his rambling speech by saying, "Look, you know I'm not looking for commitment, but if you want sex, I can do that."
Andrew blinks and then says, "Ok, I can handle that," as if he knows better than to say anything further than that.
I melt into his arms as he grabs me for a kiss. This feels even hotter than the hotel. Maybe because we're at work.
He lays me down on the tile floor. I'm so glad I wore a dress today. The sign still reads closed, so no one will walk in.
We make quick gentle love, just like that night at the hotel. The way he feels is even better than I remember. I'm surprised by how much I missed him.
He’s missionary style on top of me, pulling my panties aside while taking his cock out of his pants. Before I know it, his dick has slipped into my pussy and I’m remembering how much I love it – as if I could ever forget.
He feels so big and hard inside me, as it fills me up completely.
“I missed this,” I admit, as he thrusts in and out of me.
“You missed my big cock?” he asks me, raising himself up a little so that he can twist my nipples as he asks me this.
“Yes, sir,” I tell him, nearly whimpering.
He takes my nipple in his mouth and sucks on it before continuing.
“I missed your big, amazing tits and your tight little pussy,” he says.
The way his cock is moving in and out of me while his mouth and fingers work my nipples is so hot that it pushes me over the edge.
“Mmmm,” I moan out, and I can feel his cock throb inside me.
“Mmmm is right,” he says, and his moan turns into the now-familiar grunt that tells me he’s about to orgasm.
I didn’t even realize how much I’d missed it. And I knew I was missing him a lot, so that just goes to show you how much better it is for us in person than anything I’ve been remembering or dreaming about.
We cum together and are both breathing hard when we’re finished. We fix our clothes and then I grab a mirror from my purs
e to fix my hair. I'm back into business mode as I get ready to open the store.
"Just out of curiosity, how did you get in?" I ask Andrew.
After he zips up his pants, he looks at me.
"The security company you called let me in. They do work for my company as well and called to ask me if you were a trustworthy client. I asked them if they would do me this favor," he explains.
I look at him in shock.
Now I'm mad all over again.
Just when I thought that things were really turning out for the better between us.
"That is so wrong of them to do that and even more upsetting that you would ask them to do it," I snap, in anger.
Andrew reaches out to hold me, but I move away.
"Why does nobody take me or my business seriously?" I complain.
I know he’s a hot shot tech guru with a lot of connections in our town already because of his business and money interests, but I’ve lived here my whole life. Tammy and I grew up together here, graduated from high school here. Now I own this flower shop here and people treat me as insignificant compared to the Great Andrew Yannon.
It just doesn’t seem fair to me and I don’t feel like hashing it out with Andrew any more than I have to. At least we had hot sex, but now he can be on his way.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," Andrew apologizes.
I'm too mad to even hear it.
"I'm sorry but I think you should leave," I tell him.
Andrew nods sadly and turns to walk away.
But then he pauses and turns back to me and asks, "Can I still take you on that casual date? We can go to the happy hour that my friends and I go to?"
I decline his request by saying, "I'm sorry, but no."
Before he leaves, he tries to say, "I really am sorry. I just wanted to help. I know you have been growing the business and doing a great job of that, but my systems and I can help you even more," in one last ditch effort to win me over.