Hayden peered at the cuttings in pots and the buds forming. “Looks like you’re getting flowers. What colors are you hoping for?”
Armi smiled. “Almost anything. Come outside with me.”
It was a beautiful evening, and the garden was in full bloom after a day of bright sunshine. A riot of colors greeted his eyes—blush to magenta pink, crimson red to coral. Cheerful yellow climbers shared the trellis with delicate, peach-edged whites.
“It smells heavenly.” Hayden wandered about, and Armi thought how gorgeous he looked surrounded by flowers. How would it be to have someone special to share dinner with under the stars, surrounded by the beauty and perfume of his roses?
He sighed, and Hayden, who’d leaned in to smell a large hybrid tea—John F. Kennedy—gazed up at him. “What’s wrong?”
Forcing a pleasant expression, Armi shook his head. “Nothing. Nothing at all. Everything’s fine.”
“You have a beautiful home, from what I saw. It’s just you alone?” Hayden reached out to run a fingertip over a velvety petal, and Armi had never wished more to be a flower.
“Y-yes. I grew up here, and my mother moved out when I graduated from college. Probably hoping I’d get married and have kids.”
“Is that so far-fetched? Marriage and family, I mean.” Hayden sat in one of the Adirondack chairs. “Do you want that?”
“Do I have a choice?” The familiar tightness returned to his chest. “It’s not as if I have much to offer. Aside from my money.”
Hayden’s brows drew together. “You’re kidding, right?”
Armi leaned against the wooden picnic table. “Come on. Now I know you’re blowing smoke up my ass. I know I’m no prize. I’m clumsy and awkward and not quick with the comebacks. It takes me time to process and think things through. I don’t care about fashion or the latest trends. You don’t have to flatter me.”
“Cut it out.” Hayden’s voice whipped across him, and Armi flinched as if he’d been slapped. “Stop it.” Visibly angry, Hayden left his chair and stalked toward him, his face dangerous, and yet Armi was as turned-on as the first night they’d met, when Hayden had been flirty and teasing. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“It’s nothing new. Stick around long enough, and you’ll see the whole picture of what you’ve gotten yourself into.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“I’m not looking for pity. It’s just how it is.”
Hayden stormed off to pace the garden, and Armi watched his long, lean body move with grace. He stopped and strode over again. “I’m telling you, that’s bullshit, and I’ll prove it. Did I know anything about you when we met that night at The Vibe?”
“No, but—”
“But nothing, Armi. I saw you, and I liked you, and I wanted you. Period. I took you home with me, and we had sex. Intense, fucking awesome sex. Are you denying that?”
“N-no.” Unable to bear the intensity of Hayden’s piercing eyes, he dropped his gaze. “It was the best night of my life.”
Cool fingers tipped his chin up, and Hayden’s eyes bore into his. “It was hot as fuck. And you were sexy as hell. Stop thinking you’re not enough. You might be everything.”
His breath caught as a deep ache bloomed inside him. He wanted…God, he wanted someone to love and hold him and say those words because they meant them. Not because they felt sorry for him, like Hayden did.
“Thanks for the pep talk. I’ll try.”
A flicker of doubt clouded Hayden’s expression, but he dropped his hand and stepped away. “Thanks for showing me your garden. It’s beautiful. I’d better be going.”
He’d planned to ask Hayden to stay for dinner so they could get to know each other better, but obviously, that wasn’t on Hayden’s evening to-do list. And the way he was dancing on his toes, he couldn’t wait to get away from Armi and out of his house. Armi understood. It was enough to spend the day working with him; Hayden didn’t need to waste his night as well.
“Sure, no problem.”
With a false smile pasted on his face, Armi led Hayden through the town house to the front. Hayden remained silent, with none of the earlier teasing or sensuality he’d given Armi a glimpse of.
“I’ll see you Monday,” Hayden said. “You should have the scouting reports that were requested at the meeting over the weekend. I’ll start a spreadsheet for you.”
“I appreciate it.” Armi took out his phone. “Let me call you a car.”
“I can walk.” Hayden opened the door.
