Page 36 of Ironside
I blew out a shaky breath, pinching the bridge of my nose. This couldn’t be happening. Not again.
“Fuck.”
The pit of dread in my stomach was growing bigger by the second. I kept calling Lena’s number over and over, silently begging her to pick up so we could talk. I just needed to hear her voice, to know for certain that she hadn’t walked out on me.
But there was no response.
I hurried to get dressed and grabbed my keys. Then I climbed on my bike, spitting gravel and churning up a cloud of dust in my rush to get to The Bellflower and find Lena.
Chapter ten
Lena
My phone rang again. I glanced at the screen with a sigh, seeing Ironside’s name there. Twelve missed calls in the past hour. Multiple texts that I didn’t have the heart to read. Rejecting the call again, I shoved my phone back into my purse and tried not to think about it.
I woke up this morning at the crack of dawn, when Ironside’s bedroom had been shrouded in the lavender-blue of early morning. He was so warm and strong wrapped around me. Protective and possessive and…perfect.
But the sting of last night’s failed attempt to have sex burned in my stomach like a hot coal.
How could I do this to him? How could I expect him to remain satisfied in a long-term committed relationship with someone who couldn’t have sex?
Thank God my schedule was full today, so I could stay busy and distract myself from thoughts of Ironside. Guilt gnawed at my gut for sneaking out like a coward. I didn’t even say good-bye. I just…left.
But if I looked into Ironside’s face and told him that it wouldn’t work out between us, I would burst into tears.
So I fell back into old habits, dedicating myself to my work.
I had a wedding to set up for today, creating a floral arch for the altar, and placing flower arrangements throughout the church. I couldn’t afford to get wrapped up in my emotions about ending things with Ironside.
Deep down though, I knew I couldn’t avoid him forever. He was tenacious, stubborn. A fighter. He wouldn’t give up that easily.
Sometime around noon—two hours before the wedding guests were scheduled to arrive—I had my arms loaded with miniature flower bouquets for the reception, placing them around the tables, when Ironside showed up.
I swore under my breath, wishing I had more time to prepare for this conversation.
He scanned the staff that bustled around the church, searching for me. And then his gaze met mine and my heart somersaulted.
He headed straight for me with bold strides, unwavering in his determination to reach me.
“What the hell is going on, Lena?” Ironside said. “You’re not answering my calls or my texts, and you took off this morning without saying anything. Are you okay?”
I shook my head, fighting to speak around the lump in my throat.
“I can’t talk right now. I’m working.”
A shadow flickered across Ironside’s face and a muscle twitched in his jaw. He cupped my elbow, gentle but firm, leading me to the side as he lowered his voice.
“Did I do something wrong last night?” he asked softly.
I sputtered a laugh of disbelief.
“No. God, no. You were…absolutely amazing. It was better than anything I could have asked for.”
Ironside arched an eyebrow. He shifted even closer, cupping my chin. He pressed his thumb to my chin, just beneath my lower lip.
“Then what’s the problem? I woke up and you were gone.”
I glanced away, biting the inside of my cheek. My throat was getting tighter by the second. I fiddled with a bundle of peonies and daisies.
