Page 97 of Ruthless Contract
I nodded.
“I’d recommend something calming and easy to care for. Flowers can also help clean the air in a home. Since this person rarely leaves home, those kinds of flowers could be helpful. Bromeliads, gerberas, and peace lilies are all suitable options for removing harmful toxins from the air.”
It was funny how she was talking about cleaning the air while she was the one making it difficult for me to breathe. And to focus.
“Peace lilies,” I repeated, glancing at the plant she’d gestured toward. “They sound nice.”
“They’re beautiful, simple, and they don’t require much maintenance.”
“You... uh... know a whole lot about flowers,” I told her. “How long have you been doing this?”
“Most of my life,” she said, touching the leaf of one plant. “My family has owned this shop for years.”
“Was this always your dream?” I asked. “Becoming a florist?”
Her gaze returned to mine. Would I ever stop feeling like I couldn’t breathe when this woman stared directly at me?
“No,” she admitted. “This wasn’t always my dream. But it’s always been a passion of mine, and I love what I do.”
“What was your dream before this?” I asked.
“It’s been so long, I don’t even remember what that dream was,” she told me, and I knew a lie when I heard it.
I’d been hoping she’d say something pertaining to her degree. Since she hadn’t, I couldn’t bring it up.Damn. All of this being patient was driving me crazy. I understood why my brothers had resorted to kidnapping. That would make all this a lot easier.
I studied her as she explained the upkeep for various flowers. The professional tone remained in place as she talked, but there was something underneath it. Something controlled. She was keeping a distance between us. Forcing herself not to be too friendly, while not being standoffish either.
She was treating me like a customer, even though we both knew I was much more than that. And damn it, I hated this. I wanted her to look at me and see me, her Romeo, not a patron of her store.
I wanted to tell her that I’d spent the morning preparing my beach house for her. I wanted to tell her she could stoppretending. I knew who she was. I knew, and I didn’t care. I wasn’t mad.
She didn’t even have to explain to me why she’d hacked me in the first place. I just wanted us to move forward. I wanted this woman to be mine. I wanted the hacker and the florist. Juliet and Blossom.
“What do you think?” she asked.
I think I need you in my life right fucking now.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to be the customer she seemed to want me to be. I looked at the peace lilies again.
“These are peace lilies, right?” I nodded to the flowers.
“Yes, they are.”
“I’ll take those.”
“Good choice.”
“Thanks. I think Marcel will like the name. Maybe they’ll bring him peace,” I mused.
“Marcel?” she asked.
“My cousin,” I explained.
She nodded. “I hope they brighten his home and bring him joy, Mr. Cattaneo.”
“Me too.”
“If you wait at the register, I’ll get these ready for you.”
