As usual, my distracted thoughts turned to Maria. How could someone I'd only known for a brief time have this much effect on me? To the point where I was sending her two baskets of muffins and a bouquet of flowers. Despite her expressed wishes to be left alone.
Guilt assailed me as I thought of how she’d react. I was never one to steamroll someone. When Hannah and I fought, she always stressed that she needed space away from me to stew. I always gave it to her without hesitation. I wasn't one to rehash an argument or crowd her with apologies or platitudes when she made it clear she wanted to be left alone. In fact, I was happy for the space, happy to just let whatever gripes a husband and wife had with each other simmer away until it died out, and we inevitably broke the tension by deciding what we wanted to eat for dinner.
I didn't know how my gifts would go down with Maria. Would she reach out to thank me like I hoped she would? Or would I find a stash of wilted flowers shoved into the trashcan behind her store? I was hoping for the former, but knowing Maria, even as briefly as I had, I would put money on the latter. So why did I do it when she so obviously wanted to be left alone?
Because my mind wouldn't still until I said my piece to her. The way I'd treated Maria at Da Vinci's; my mind stalling when she mentioned her celibacy, and the burning jealousy I felt when confronted with Logan—it all ate at me.
And then Lissa.Christ, Lissa. I was thankful that nothing went further than it had, but I was acutely aware that I would've slept with her if she hadn't had a picture of Maria in her apartment. And then I would’ve pissed away any and all chance of Maria being with me. Not that I thought I had a chance with her now.
"Ah, boss." Harry's haltering voice from the open door pulled me from my intrusive thoughts. His low tone held a warning lilt, his eyes wide as if trying to convey a secret via telepathy. "You have a –"
"What thefuckdo you think you're playing at?"
My mouth dropped open in shock at the sweet, husky voice that haunted my dreams.
"– visitor," Harry finished superfluously. He stepped into the doorway and stood to the side, allowing a very pissed-off Maria to barrel in after.
"Maria." I stood, my chair wheeling back at my sudden movement. She took option three: tracking me down and storming into my office in a temper. I did not see this coming.
Her long, white, floral pleated skirt fluttered in the wind. The sun shone behind her, illuminating her figure through the almost sheer material. Christ, she looked like she belonged in a country club, sitting prettily while some silver spoon-fed douche attempted to flatter her. She definitely did not look like she belonged in a dusty worksite office surrounded by men wearing high-visibility jackets. But goodness, what I would give to be able to dirty the whiteness of her clothes.
Given the thunderous expression on her face, I knew the closest my body would get to Maria was via her knee to my balls.
It was then I noticed what she held in her arms and what was likely the cause of her storming over here, guns blazing. I winced at the sheer size of the vase and flower arrangement. It didn't look that big when the florist described it to me. It belongedmore in a funeral home rather than the desired effect I’d aimed for—to woo her.
Maria stalked forward before dumping the vase on my desk. It wobbled slightly before thankfully righting itself.
Her hands went to her hips in a haughty way that should not have made my dick twitch. Her pose drew attention to her slim waist, and my eyes were unwilling to remove themselves from the tempting sight. She wore a form-fitting, white sleeveless top that showed a sliver of flat stomach. I swallowed at the sight of that smooth skin.
"You need to stop," she hissed. "The texts, the calls, the ambushing me with coffee and muffins, and now this Garden of Eden monstrosity." She slapped at a bobbing pink flower, causing a few petals to fall and the vase to wobble precariously again.
"I –"
"Was I not clear? When I told you that I didn't have time for you, what did you actually hear?"
A throat clearing tore my gaze from Maria's stormy glare. Harry was still standing by the door looking equal parts awkward and riveted. I had no doubt the boys would hear an exaggerated version of events within minutes of him leaving.
Attempting to appear I had things under control and Maria's tone hadn't shriveled my balls, I nodded curtly at Harry. "Thanks, man. I got it from here."
Harry sent me a skeptical look before reluctantly and slowly trudging down the wooden makeshift steps.
Unlike me, Maria didn't look at all embarrassed that a stranger had witnessed her angry vitriol. I had a feeling she reveled in the discomfort it brought me.
Keeping my tone calm and even, I gestured to the empty chair. "Maria, would you like to sit?"
"No, I do not want to sit," she sneered. “I want to know why you won't leave me alone after I explicitly asked you—no, Idemandedyou to."
"Sorry –"
"Sorry, sorry!" She threw her hands in the air and jabbed them in a frustrated motion. "You're always fucking sorry."
She pointed at herself, stabbing the middle of her chest with each word she spat out. "I've worked so hard on myself, and I'm not going to let somemanruin all my hard work. So come on." She beckoned to me before folding her arms. "Out with it. What are you so desperate to say to me?"
I was still getting over the fact that Maria was here, in my office, looking like a walking wet dream. I had so much to say to her, but not a single sentence came to my stationary brain.
"Uh...sorry...let me just think. You've caught me off guard."
"Oh, I'm sorry, did I catch you unawares? Ambush you, by chance?"
