by Ella Frank
“Red. I see you with red.”
Rachel thought about that for a moment as she walked around the counter toward the man she now absolutely adored.
“Red, huh? That’s bold.”
With a mischievous grin, he held out the crook of his arm to her. Rachel couldn’t help the wink she gave him as she slipped her arm through his. He patted her hand as they walked toward the front door.
“Don’t try and tell me you aren’t an outgoing young lady. I see that twinkle in your eye.”
“Oh, you do, do you?”
“Yes, missy, I do. My Clara has that twinkle, too.”
Stopping at the front door, Rachel reached out and twisted the handle. When she pulled it open, the bells chimed above. She leaned down and laid a gentle kiss on the man’s cheek. “Well, I will take that as a compliment. Your Clara is a very lucky lady.”
“So, red?” he suggested again as he let go of her arm. He made it down two steps and then turned back to look at her standing in the doorway.
Rachel nodded and waved. “Come back next week, and see for yourself.”
“I think you just asked me on a date.”
As he turned and pushed his free hand into his pocket, Rachel couldn’t help the warmth that spread in her chest. Incorrigible indeed.
Making her way back into the shop, she headed over to the counter where Tulip was lying beside her laptop. She now kept it handy for orders and to update the website she had designed for the store. This morning, she had placed an ad for some part-time help, providing her email address and the shop’s phone number for applicants.
Clicking open her inbox, she was happy to see she had received six emails since the ad had been posted two and a half hours ago. Good. Maybe I’ll find some half-decent help, she thought as she opened the first inquiry.
Bonnie Sampson. Work experience: McDonald’s and babysitting. Education: high school diploma, currently enrolled at Midwestern University. Looking for morning part-time position.
Okay, so that one could work, but I really needed an afternoon person, Rachel thought as she closed it and moved to the second email on the list.
Kate O’Neal. Work experience: O’Malley’s Pub. Education: high school diploma, currently attending the University of Chicago. Looking for a part-time job in the afternoons.
This one looks like a good possibility as well, she thought. So far, so good.
She wrote down two numbers on her notepad. Rachel clicked on the next message, and she was about to read it when the shop phone started to ring. Minimizing the screen, she answered the phone with the usual greeting.
“Precious Petals. This is Rachel. How can I help you?”
You can come to my office, and let me take off all your clothes, Cole thought as he stood. He stared out the large window in his office as Rachel’s smooth voice flowed through the phone.
When he didn’t say anything, she repeated, “Hello? Can I help you?”
“Hi. I’m here. I’m actually calling about the ad that’s posted online.”
“Oh yes, the part-time position.”
Cole imagined her smiling. It was an expression he had seen a couple of times although it had never been directed at him.
Not really believing his ridiculous behavior, Cole almost hung up until her voice came through the phone again.
“You’re the first guy to call about it actually. Huh, I didn’t expect that—a guy working in a flower shop.”
“Excuse me?” Cole questioned, not knowing if she expected an answer.
“Oh, nothing. I’m sorry. Of course, the job is open to both males and females. I’m in no way sexist.”
Biting back a laugh, Cole found himself enjoying her rambling for the moment. “Well, that’s good. I might have had to call a lawyer.”
“Ugh. Don’t do that. I can’t stand lawyers,” she admitted good-naturedly.
That interested Cole immensely. Turning his chair to face the window, he sat down and leaned back, crossing his ankle over his knee. “You don’t like lawyers? Why’s that? Bad experience?”
Rachel seemed to forget that he was a potential employee candidate as she began to talk his ear off. “Well, they always turn up at such horrible times, don’t they? Divorces, accidents, deaths.” Her voice faded out, but then she muttered, “Reading of wills.”
Cole could understand her aversion, but it would make it that much harder to get her in his bed.
“I’m sorry! You’re calling about the job, and here I am, going on about something not even remotely related.”
“Yes, about the job, I’m wondering if the position has been filled yet. Or can I come in for an interview?”
There was a pause, and he wasn’t sure, but he could have sworn he heard her whisper, “Tulip!”
“Yes. I mean, no. No, the position hasn’t been filled, and yes, you can come by for an interview.”
Cole wasn’t sure why he was so surprised she was all over the place. From the beginning, he’d known she was anything but ordinary, and that was one of the reasons he was so intrigued. Another was the fact that she tried to contain all her wild energy whenever she turned up at that club.
He thought she needed to be free, free to be this woman on the other end of the phone. She could be free to be all over the place as long as she had someone like him there to anchor her and pull her back in when needed.
“I need a name first,” she pointed out and waited.
Shit. He hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“C.J.,” he told her, giving his first and middle initials. He could hear her moving around, and he presumed she was writing it down.
“C.J.?”
Last name. She needs my last name. Well, I hope she doesn’t know it, or if she does, I hope she doesn’t put it together.
“Madison,” Cole said, waiting for an accusation to be hurled through the phone.
Instead, she just said, “Okay C.J., when do you think you can stop by?”
“Today?” he asked without any thought or hesitation.
She’s so close. She was so close to being right where he wanted her—in a room alone with him.
“Today?” she repeated back, like she hadn’t expected him to come by so soon. “Umm…well, it depends on what time you’re thinking. I have to be downtown by seven tonight. Do you think you could stop by here around four?”
Cole felt a self-satisfied smirk cross his face. “Yes. I am positive I can be there by four...Mrs.?”
Rachel laughed loudly at that. “Oh no, please. I’m not married. You can call me Rachel.”
Oh, I plan to call it—when I’m deep inside you while you’re screaming my name.
“Okay, Rachel, I will see you at four. Is the address on the website correct?”
“Yep, all the info is correct.”
“I’ll see you at four then.”
“Yes, I will be there. See you soon.”
After disconnecting the call and placing his phone on the desk, Cole wondered just how congenial Rachel would be when he arrived as one C.J. Madison.
Three fifty rolled around quicker than Rachel had expected. She was happy to have several interviews lined up throughout the week. Right now, she needed to step into the back room and do a quick touch-up on her makeup since her four o’clock would be here any moment.
Well, she hoped he would be punctual. After all, it would show he gave a shit. Oh hell, she thought, realizing that had sounded very much like Cole. She groaned at the thought that he was rubbing off on her in any way.
In the small bathroom, Rachel looked herself over in the mirror. Fluffing what was left of her black curls, she pouted at her reflection. She pulled out her cherry red lip-gloss from her pocket and slicked her lips. Just as she decided that she was happy with the result, the bells from above the front door chimed. Yes, she thought as her blue eyes stared back at her, this is presentable for an interview. Time to go and meet the potential lifesaver.
She wiped her hands on the red apron looped over he
r neck and tied around her waist. She turned and made her way up the back aisle to the front of the shop. As she walked through the doorway between the two areas, she came to a complete stop as her eyes connected with broad shoulders covered by a black wool coat.
No, no, no! Rachel’s mind screamed. It can’t be him. He hasn’t turned around yet, so maybe there is a slight possibility—oh hell, who am I kidding? I’d know that rigid backbone anywhere.
Glancing up at the clock, Rachel watched as the big hand moved in slow motion to make that final tick to the twelve, confirming it was now four o’clock. She had missed locking him out by only ten minutes. Why didn’t I lock the damn door before? He was the last person she wanted to deal with when C.J. turned up. Well, better get this over with. Keep it professional, Rachel.
Clearing her throat, Rachel made her way behind the counter. Best to have something between us. He turned to face her, and just like that, she was reminded of exactly why she needed an obstacle to separate them. Those damn eyes were serious and far too perceptive as they looked her over, like he was studying her for later consideration.
Pushing his hands into his pockets, he took several steps forward. Rachel was certain to track those steps with absolute focus. After what felt like an eternity, he finally stopped directly in front of her, standing on the opposite side of the counter, as Rachel allowed herself to look up and meet his eyes. She reached out to grip the edge of the counter as the heat between them increased, threatening to melt her on the spot. Holy shit, this guy is something else. She knew she needed to get rid of him quickly, so Rachel steeled herself against the sizzling once over he was giving her. She decided to go with cocky. With a bit of luck, she hoped that maybe her attitude would get rid of him.
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m almost positive this falls under the stalking category.”
Cole took a moment to look around the small flower shop. He was surprised to find that she really fit in here. Bursts of color were everywhere in the form of red roses, a rainbow of tulips, and bright yellow sunflowers displayed in a large aluminum can.
With her colorful hair and bright persona, this place seemed exactly right for her. Now, it’s time to get that wild side to come out and play.
“You’d be wrong,” he stated matter-of-factly.
He removed his hands from his pockets and began to undo the buttons of his coat. When her eyes dropped directly to his hands, he had to stifle a laugh as she watched him intently.
What exactly is she thinking? Better yet, why should I guess when I can just ask? “You don’t mind if I unbutton my coat, do you?”
Her eyes shifted directly back to his as she moistened her painted bottom lip and shook her head. “No. I mean, no, I don’t mind…not no, you can’t.”
After undoing the final button, Cole shrugged a little to let the material part and relax around his body.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded, finding her footing again.
Cole lifted his arm and made a show of pushing it forward, so his silver watch appeared from beneath his coat and sleeve. Looking down at it and then back to her, he allowed himself a moment of enjoyment. He then turned to look at the clock on her wall. “Well, I’m sure I was told to be here at four.”
He could see the wheels turning behind those annoyed blue eyes of hers. He decided he didn’t care how long it took her to come to her final conclusion. He was happy to stand there for a minute, just looking at her.
Her hair was down today, hanging in loose curls over her shoulders. Her eyes had been enhanced with what looked like blue and silver glitter across the lids. Instead of looking ridiculous, it just made her more appealing, like a shiny toy he wanted to touch.
She’d colored her fabulous mouth a sinful red that made Cole think about how good that color would look smeared all over his—Yeah, well, best not to think about that at the moment.
While he couldn’t see much of what she was wearing, the apron that was wrapped around her waist made him want to untie it. He liked undoing things, and the thought of undoing her was extremely appealing.
“You were told to be here at four?” she asked in a tone that screamed bullshit.
“Yes, definitely four today. I never miss a meeting.”
“You’re insane.” She muttered in frustration as she ran her hand through her hair. “The only person who should be here at four is C…”
Ahh, the penny has finally dropped, Cole thought as he tilted his head to the side. “Who?”
“You presumptuous jerk!” She stormed around the counter.
Well, I’m not going to argue with that.
Cole turned and met the feisty woman head-on. As she stopped in front of him, he became immensely satisfied when she had to crane her head back to look up at him.
“You set this whole damn thing up! C.J. my ass,” she hissed like a pissed-off wet cat.
Cole admitted to the accusation without a shred of remorse. “Guilty. And as for your ass…well, I am definitely open to discussing it.”
Her cheeks flushed as her annoyance and irritation began to overwhelm her, and then there was the fact that she had been duped.
“Your arrogance is unbelievable!” she fumed, turning to storm away from him.
Cole decided it was now or never. He reached out and took ahold of her arm in a firm but gentle grip. She stopped where she was, like her feet were glued to the ground, but she didn’t turn around.
Okay, Miss Langley, let’s get all the cards out on the table.
Breathe. Just breathe. That was the mantra Rachel was repeating over and over in her mind as she felt the heat of his tall body move in close behind her. The hand that had firmly grasped her left arm had still not let go, and just as she was about to request her freedom, she felt a second hand wrap around her right arm.
Closing her eyes against what she knew was about to happen, Rachel wasn’t surprised when she felt Cole’s strong body brush up against her back.
Why did I ever go to that damn club? Oh, that’s right. I was lonely. Well, look at what that got me.
The man standing behind her now wanted something she was not willing to give. Oh, she was human. She wanted companionship, and she craved to be touched, but Rachel wanted the control. She never wanted to be the helpless one again—ever.
The only problem with this scenario was the way she melted at the thought of giving it all over to a suit named Cole.
“Where are you going, Rachel?”
His voice, dark and seductive, slid down her spine.
“You need to take your hands off of me.” She was proud of herself for getting even that much past the lump in her throat.
Immediately, he released her arms.
Instead of fleeing the way she had imagined she would, she stayed frozen and waited.
“They’re off. I won’t touch you again until you ask me to,” Cole whispered.
Rachel couldn’t help the ridiculous noise that escaped her throat. She tried to convince herself that it was somewhere between a laugh and a cough, but she knew it ended up sounding more like a bark.
“Well, don’t hold your breath,” she retorted.
“Why? Are you worried for my health?”
“No,” she denied emphatically.
This time, she turned her head to look over her shoulder, forgetting how close he was. Her mouth was now only a whisper from his, and as their eyes collided, Rachel felt her heart almost thump right out of her chest.
“In that case, I repeat, I won’t touch you again…until you ask me to.”
Rachel blinked and clenched her jaw as she watched his eyes trace what felt like every line of her face. Finally gathering her nerve, she pivoted around to face him. He stood back up to his full height, which caused him to look down at her, as he waited with what seemed like infinite patience.
“And what if that’s never?” she countered.
“It won’t be,” he answered with far too much confidence.
“I hate to be th
e one to tell you this, but I don’t want to date you.”
Rachel studied him as he moved his coat aside. He pushed his hands into the snug pockets of his pants, which automatically drew her eyes to his crotch. She instantly became infuriated because she knew that had been his goal.
“I don’t remember asking to date you,” he said matter-of-factly, taking a step closer.
Rachel refused to back up. With men like him, she knew she needed to stand her ground.
“I want to touch you, Rachel, all of you, but I won’t until you ask me to.”
Rachel was finding it harder and harder to breath. The man is too fucking much—cocky, arrogant, sexy, and bad. Oh yeah, and it didn’t help that the look in his eyes and the tone in his voice screamed all the bad things he wanted to do to her. He was making it impossible for her to think rationally.
How can I be getting all hot and bothered over a man wearing a three-piece pinstripe suit? He is my exact opposite. Think, Rachel, think!
“There’s one small problem here, don’t you think?” she questioned.
She watched his light brown brow arch while his serious mouth twitched with what she could only guess was some form of humor.
“And what’s that?” he asked with a smile.
Rachel swallowed and decided it was now or never.
“We both want to be on top.”
Cole couldn’t help the wicked thrill he felt snake up his spine at her words.
“I’m not averse to being underneath you, Rachel, not in the least.”
She placed her hands on her hips as her eyes moved from his face, to his body, and then back up to meet his eyes again.
“You’d never let someone control you,” she accused.
“Is that what you want? To control me?”
As she licked her lips, Cole felt a delicious bolt run straight to his cock.
Fuck, she just might be able to control me with the way my body is reacting to her.
“I won’t lie. I wouldn’t mind getting you out of that suit. How many layers do you have on anyway?”
Cole considered her question before he extended an invitation. “Come closer, and find out.”