Page 106 of Ruthless Contract
Why was he back? He was just here yesterday. Was this going to be an everyday occurrence now? My heart and my staff couldn’t handle that. My heart was racing at the mere sight of this man.
I told myself to remain calm. I was the boss around here. I was in control of this situation. Rome was just another customer. I would not panic or let him see me fall apart. I swallowed hard, my grip on my phone tightening.
His smile nearly made me swoon. How could anyone be that damn handsome? And those glasses.Ugh!This man was pure perfection. As he walked toward the register, my gaze drifted over him.
Today, he was wearing a blue short-sleeved button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone, exposing just enough skin to make me want to rip the rest of the shirt open. He had on beige shorts and blue shoes.
This man looked good in business attire, casual wear,andwhen he was butt ass naked. My cheeks warmed.Focus, Blossom. I drew in a slow breath, willing my heart to calm down. I had to stop picturing this guy naked.
I had to stop picturing myself riding his tongue until my cream slid down his throat and he begged for more. He was no longer my Romeo. He wasn't the man who’d whispered filthy promises to me through a voice modulator.
He wasn't the man I'd fallen in love with. He was simply another customer walking into my flower shop. I had to hurry up and reconcile myself with the fact that the curtains had closed on Romeo and Juliet. The play was over. It was time to move on.
But how could I ever accept that as a truth... how could I ever get over him when this man wouldn’t leave me the hell alone? My pulse pounded in my ears as I watched the man I loved make his way toward me.
Be still, my beating heart and pussy.
We cannot have him. Even if he was looking at me like I already belonged to him.
Oh, fuck. I should probably greet the man.
"Welcome to Blossoms and Vines...again...Mr. Cattaneo."
Though I sounded a bit petty, I managed to keep my tone warm and professional. His smile didn’t falter.
"Morning, Blossom."
Damn him and that deep voice.Where was a voice modulator when you needed one? The way he’d just said my name damn near turned my knees to jelly. I wasn’t really the swooning type. But this man was swoon-worthy.
Get it together, Blossom!
I forced myself to hold his gaze as he approached the counter.
"What can I help you with today, Mr. Cattaneo?"
"I actually came by to thank you."
My brows rose slightly. “For what?”
"The peace lilies." His smile widened. "My cousin loved them."
Relief settled over me. I was hoping those flowers would bring Marcel at least a little bit of joy.
"I'm glad to hear that," I told him, meaning it.
"He put them right in the middle of his living room. Right on the center table."
Hearing that made me smile.
"That’s the best place for them to be. I'm happy they brightened his day and his home."
"Me too," he muttered.
An awkward silence washed over us as he stood there, staring at me.
"If you ever need more flower suggestions, you can check out our social media page. We post gardening tips and share what flowers are best for what occasion on there." I smiled politely. "And you can order them online. We also take phone orders, and you can have the arrangements delivered to you."
"I'd rather come to the shop," he told me, stepping closer to the counter. "I prefer a more... hands-on approach," he drawled.
