Her sounds and joy and smells.
“Fritz,” she said, putting a hand on my chest and letting out a little giggle. “You taste like you need some water.”
“You taste so good.” I nipped her bottom lip again and enjoyed how her eyes darkened with lust. God, our chemistry was unreal. “I need you.”
She might not have realized it, but she leaned closer to me like my words mattered to her, and I kissed her again, slowly. My goal was to justkissher and taste her joy and smiles. She kissed me back and slid her tongue into my mouth, and I groaned, not getting enough.
The moment wasn’t lost on me despite my very tipsy mind. I didn’t make out with women in my lobby. That wasn’t who I was. I also didn’t skip around or picture women in wedding dresses, but things had gone sideways.
“You’re insatiable,” she said, pulling back and rubbing her thumb over her wet bottom lip.
“It’s you.” I trailed my fingers over her shoulders and arms. She was petite but strong. Her tank top showcased muscles earned from all her plant business, and I loved how it shaped her curves.
She blushed and looked at the ground, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “Come on, buzzy. I bought you some gifts today.”
“Gifts! For me?”
Was it a beanbag chair?
“No, it’s not a beanbag chair.”
“Did I say that out loud? With my mouth?”
“Yes. Why are you…you know what, doesn’t matter.” She laughed and took my hand to drag me into her unit. “I’ll get you some water.”
“Water, schmater. Do you have orange juice and champagne? I recommend it very much.”
She pushed me onto her kitchen chair with more force than I would’ve known she had and set a brown bag in front of me. “Eat.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I opened it up and found a very sexy brownie. I took one bite and crossed my eyes. “What the fuck is this sorcery? It’s magnificent.”
“A brownie from this cart at the market. He takes his food cart to markets and small gatherings, but he was talking with Carla today about starting his own business.”
Bells went off in my head. Loud fire alarms.Did that mean Nora knew my name?
“Oh.” I swallowed. It hurt. She wasn’t looking at me with suspicion or anger, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t a trap. Samantha trapped me, and I didn’t even know it. Her stare grew and grew, and the silence was stifling. So I said, “It’s very good.”
“I thought so too.” She beamed and patted my hand. “I also brought you this.” She handed me a little gray pot with a large pink flower growing from it.
A flower baby for me!
Okay, maybe I did need some water.
“Another plant, how thoughtful,” I said, hoping my voice came out teasing and not confused and worried. “Is this a plant version of you?” I held it up and found I liked the little flower lady. She was bright and pretty, independent but still needing some care.
She blinked, and her eyes looked misty. Oh no. Did I say something dumb? Or wrong? I couldn’t remember what I thought versus what I’d said, and this was why I rarely got drunk because I could be a real doofus. “Nora, I’m sorry. Whatever I said, please, ignore me. It’s the mimosa.”
“No, you didn’t do anything wrong.” She sniffed and patted my hand. “I like all these new things you’re showing me. I didn’t think I would, but I’m having more fun than I would’ve imagined. The lake, the market, the bars…life isn’t so bad.”
“There is still so much more!” I set the flower down as my adrenaline spiked. “There are protests and camping and tubing in the lake and volunteering at animal shelters. We can try to fit it all in before—”
Before you leave me and go back to your palace.I managed tonotsay that. I took another bite of the brownie to shut myself up.
Her eyes widened. “Hm, maybe not all of those.”
“Yes. All of them. This isn’t up to you. I’m your tour guide here, Doc.” I winked and made sure to close my mouth when I chewed because I did have manners. “Get ready. I’m packing your itinerary tight.”
Chapter Twenty-One
