“What,” I shouted, whirling to glare up at him. His head jerked up and his eyebrow twitched. I shuffled from foot to foot, trying to shove down my need to lash out at myboss. Despite my valiant attempt, angry tears welled.
His lips softened. “What’s upset you?”
“None of your business,” I retorted mulishly. “And for your information, I’m not upset.” I stomped my foot like that would drive in my words.
I whirled on my toes and only managed to take one step before his palm wrapped around the back of my neck, stopping me in place. He guided me backwards until my back was flushed against his front. I peeked up at him leaning over my shoulder, so his lips were near my ear.
“Stop being a brat.” He breathed the words against my neck and a chill traveled down my neck.
“No.”
His palm tensed around the back of my neck. He was being awfully quiet. I shuffled in place, not letting go of my ire. With his grip at my neck, he forced me to turn around, so I faced him. I tried focusing on his lips. Pressure mounted in my chest, and it was making it difficult to breathe. He leaned forward so his face hovered right above mine. He tipped my chin up and I stared into his confused hazel gaze. My belly felt uncomfortable and like it wanted to explode.
“What’s wrong, bunny?” His tone turned softer than it had been. The change in tone drained my anger, and I could no longer hold back the tears. I sniffled, while he blurred in my vision, my face crumpled.
“Where were you? Why didn’t you call me?” I said so fast the words bunched together.
His fingers tightened around my chin. A hiccupping sob escaped my mouth.
He exhaled sharply against my lips and cupped my face with both his hands.
“Baby,” he whispered. “I had a last-minute emergency in Thailand. I flew out the same night I last saw you. I’ve been working nonstop so I could get back sooner.” I hiccupped. “Icalled you as soon as I landed.” His voice turned rough, and his thumbs smoothed my cheeks. “Baby, you’re breaking my heart.”
“A text wouldn’t have killed you,” I returned, sniffling. “Or you could have had Judy reach out to me, or, or—” I shut my mouth so fast my teeth clicked together.
He sighed and his forehead pressed into mine. “I ceaselessly worked so I could get back to you sooner.” He pressed his lips to mine and then a kiss on each of my eyes. I blinked the tears off my eyelashes. “This was my mistake. I should have called you.”
“This is a bad idea. Us,” I said, choking on the words with a helpless shrug. His hold on my face turned stiff.
“Don’t say that, Nina. It can’t be further from the truth. Look at me,” he said sternly. “I’m positive you’re my Scent Match.” I stopped breathing and everything froze. He was so serious. “You’re meant to be mine. Understood?”
I didn’t believe it, but I nodded.
“What else is bothering you?”
I sank my teeth into my lower lip.
“Say it now, because I don’t want misunderstandings to grow between us.”
“Who has the initials C.M?” His eyebrows furrowed. “You had me deliver flowers to the person. The bouquet was nice, red roses—very romantic.” I struggled to spit the words out.
“I had you deliver . . .?” His eyes slightly widened. “Judy passed the job onto you.”
Breathing became slightly difficult. “Who was it?” I could hear the anxiety in my words.
He pulled me to his chest, wrapping both arms tight around me and straightening a little. I had to balance on my toes as he curled his front against my front.
“Who is it?” I repeated, my voice verging on desperation. It felt off to me and I couldn’t shake it.
His arms tightened around me, holding me so tight my spine felt it might break. “No one to be concerned over. I have Judy send flowers to business partners.”
“Really?” I asked hopefully. He buried his nose in my hair.
“Yes. Really, baby.”
“You guys weren’t together?”
“No,” he said so easily and tension leaked away.
