After a quick peck on the lips, I move around her and walk to the bedroom. Let her think over those words for a moment. Even though the shop is opening late today, I still need to go home and get ready. I doubt we’ll be busy with deliveries, but I know the shop is going to need major cleaning after the chaos from yesterday.
The parking lot to the shop is empty, aside from one car, when I pull in. I guess everyone else will get here at the last possible second. Honestly, I probably would be too, but I can’t handle being late to a shift. It’s just not how I operate.
The door to the warehouse area is unlocked and I walk in. Kate is standing by one of the shelves with a tablet in her hand. I wonder how much earlier she got here than I did. The inventory is being taken for what we have left after the sales yesterday. There also looks to be a couple of vases on the delivery shelf. I guess a few people decided they wanted to get some flower orders in late. Or, they’d rather not deal with the rush.
“Busy day today?” I move to her side.
“Not really,” she points at the bottom shelf, “we got a few orders in late last night for today, but other than that. It’ll be taking inventory and helping walk-ins.”
“Do you need some help with inventory?” My shoulder brushes against hers as I peek at the tablet, and her entire body shivers. “It would probably go faster with two people.”
A few seconds pass as she gets herself under control. “Do you know all the flowers by sight?”
Of course, she’d ask that. “Um, not yet. But I know some of them.”
“Then I think I’ve got this.” She smirks at me, and I’ll now make it my mission to know as many of the flowers as possible.
My hand drifts to her side, and I run my fingers along her waist where a sliver of skin is showing. “We could find other ways to fill the time before the work day starts.”
“What if someone comes in?” She glances over my shoulder. “We’re supposed to keep this under wraps.”
Shrugging, I lean in closer to her. My finger sliding into the belt loop on her pants, pulling her closer to me. “That door is loud as hell. The minute someone begins pulling it open, it’ll creak.” She’s nervous, and I don’t blame her. This is probably so far out of her wheelhouse she doesn’t know how to react. “We could always count inventory in the back of the shop. Then nobody would catch the slightest glimpse of us.”
Instead of answering, she slips out of my grasp and grabs my hand, leading me to the back shelves where there’s more cover. I don’t say anything, and let her take the lead. We come to a stop along between the last shelves and the wall. Nobody will be able to see us if they walk through the warehouse door. Not even if they come through the front door and through the all. Not that I’ve ever seen anyone do that. But there’s a first time for everything.
Kate sets the tablet on an empty section of the shelf and throws her arms around my neck before her lips crash into mine. It’s good to know she’s been antsy since we parted ways this morning. She’s all I thought about since the moment I left her apartment. If I’m being honest, she hasn’t left my mind for weeks.
Her fingers dig into my hair and she deepens the kiss. Our tongues twirling and I turn her around until her back is against the shelf. I grab the one above me to keep my balance because everything about this woman throws me off in the best way possible.
My arm wraps around her waist and I lift her up, her legs hooking around mine. Our kiss intensifies and she’s rocking into me. This woman is going to make it hard for me to walk out of these shelves without anyone noticing what we were doing.
A soft moan escapes her lips and I melt at the sound. We should stop. I know that, but it’s so hard to pull away from her. The chemistry we have together is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. Not that I’ve had a ton of relationships, but nothing has come even close to comparison. Kate makes me feel alive when we’re together.
One of her hands moves to the waist of my jeans, toying with the button. Holy shit, are we going to do this here of all places. After she said being together at work is off limits. She’s leading the way, though.
She gets them unbuttoned and slides her hand toward my underwear.
“Hello?” Her hand stills and she moves away from my mouth. “Kate? Xander? Are you here?”
“Fuck,” Kate whispers against my lips. Both of us were so caught up in each other we didn’t hear the door open. Maybe she was right about us not being public while at work. The position we’re in at this very moment is comprising.
She unhooks her legs and slides them down my body before straightening her shirt. Running her hands through her hair, she smooths out the tendrils that were coming out of her ponytail. One piece is falling over her face and I move it behind her ear.
“I’m sorry.” I take a step back giving her space to make sure she’s presentable.
“No, it’s fine. I take all the blame on this one.” She waits for me to button my jeans and messes with my hair until it doesn’t look like she’s been gripping it in her hands. “Can you hand me the tablet?”
“Guys,” Emily’s voice sounds closer than it was before. “Where are y’all?”
“Back here,” Kate calls in response, “showing Xander the flowers so he can help with inventory.”
“Ugh, inventory sucks.” Emily groans, but I hear her steps closer to us. She comes to a stop when she sees the both of us facing the shelf. “I brought breakfast burritos if y’all want any.”
“Thanks.” I rush around her and toward the front of the room. I do not need to give away that we’re together, and sticking around will do just that. I have a tendency to wear my heart on my sleeve. And my expressions say everything I’m trying to hide.
The two of them start whispering as I make my way down the aisle. I’m almost positive Emily knows something is up. So much for keeping things a secret at work.
Chapter Thirteen
