Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Madi
I couldn’t focus.
After lunch with Dallas, I’d been unable to think about anything other than having sex with him.
The last few years, I’d been with the type of man who never went down on me, lasted about two minutes, and couldn’t tell a fake orgasm from a real one to save his life. Good luck, Veronica.
To think I’d cried enough tears over our breakup to fill the ocean was embarrassing. Heartbreak was heartbreak, though, even if I knew it was for the best.
Dallas didn’t give me the impression that he was that type of man.
I knew what a primal kink was. I’d heard about it. But after he’d walked me to the hotel, I scurried up to my room and started Googling everything about it for research.
Now I was wet, and couldn’t focus.
I leaned back in my desk chair with a groan and rubbed my eyes. Another cup of coffee sounded like a terrible idea, but stretching my legs and exploring the hotel didn’t.
I’d find some inspiration eventually. I wasn’t sure how. Maybe I’d take a few hikes and try to soak up the natural beauty of the area, even though it was still hot outside.
I slipped on my shoes and headed down to the first floor, the wooden stairs creaking underfoot.
The entire space was warm and cozy, filled with natural light that made all the bright colors pop.
The closer I got to the restaurant, the more my mouth watered from the scents wafting from the kitchen too. This place was perfect.
I took it all in. Dallas had dropped me off and I’d been so flustered by standing next to a charming sexy man, I’d managed to skip over everything else around me.
But now, I didn’t have a hot man to distract me. Just a—
Hot woman?
My eyes widened. Bright pink hair, two full sleeves of tattoos, the glint of silver in her ears. I recognized the woman walking toward me as the one from last Friday. She was just as beautiful now as she was then with the grace of a regal fairy.
Everything around me slowed as she walked past me. My muscles tensed, my breath hitching. It was ridiculous how I’d seen two gorgeous people in one morning—
Her tennis shoes slipped on the floor and she gasped, falling back.
“Oh fuck.”
I lunged forward to catch her. My arms slipped beneath her body, slowing her fall as she landed hard against me, our heads knocking together. Something soft pressed against my lips and I had a split second to realize—
I’d just kissed her.
Our eyes were wide. She breathed out, and before I could apologize, her lips brushed mine again.
The universe stopped for us. Our kiss deepened, her arms wrapped around my neck, my hands holding the curve of her back, keeping her from hitting the floor. All of the panicked thoughts in my head fell silent, the only sound the thumping of my heart.
We drew back, breathless.
A thousand freckles dotted her slender face and cute nose. Her cheeks nearly turned the color of her hair—a bright, vibrant pink that I wished I knew the hex code for so I could paint her.
“Hi, again. Th-thanks for catching me,” she stammered.
“Anytime,” I whispered.
Oh my god.
I was still holding her.
I was still staring at her.
I’d just kissed her.
She smelled like roses. The tattoos that wrapped up and down her arms drew my attention. I loved them. I didn’t know all my plants, but I knew enough to spot belladonna. Her grip on me tightened slightly as I helped her stand, holding onto her as she got her footing.
“I don’t usually go around falling,” she said.
“I don’t usually go around catching.” I cleared my throat. It was now my turn to blush. “Or kissing strangers.”
She swallowed hard, her breaths uneven.
Our fingers were still interlaced.
“That was amazing.”
A new voice jarred me so much that I found myself taking a step back.
The pink-haired woman scowled, her head whipping to the left.
We both looked at a little girl that was watching us with eager eyes, her brows raised expectantly like she was watching a movie.
But instead of buckets of popcorn, buckets of flowers sat on the floor next to her.
“You kissed,” the girl said.
The woman planted her hands on her hips. “Laura, will you go find Austin? Can you tell him there’s water on the floor in the lobby? It needs to be mopped up before an old person busts their ass. Shit, maybe don't say it like that.”
Laura cracked a devilish grin and ran off like she’d been given the greatest mission in the world. I had a feeling that she was going to relay the info given to her exactly the way it was said.
I didn’t know what to say. “Your daughter is adorable . . .”
“Oh.” She shook her head immediately, flustered. “She's not my daughter. She's my niece. I'm not a mom. Or with someone. I’m single. God. Kill me right now, please.”
It was my turn to laugh. I was glad I wasn’t the only flustered one.
“Sorry,” she rushed out. “That was a complete accident—”
“It was,” I agreed. “A complete accident. I certainly didn’t mean—”
“To kiss.”
“Yeah.”
She swallowed hard. “Sorry about the second kiss, though. That may have been more intentional.”
I could still feel the softness of her lips against mine.
It’d been a long time since I’d kissed someone else. Too long.
“I liked it,” I whispered.
We stared at each other.
“I guess we have to stop meeting like this,” I finally said.
A smile slowly warmed her. “Maybe. I like this meeting better than the first.”
Sticky embarrassment flooded me. “I feel like I owe you something for almost hitting you the other day.”
“Oh,” she laughed. “Honestly, it would have made my day easier if you would have. How are you settling in?”
“Well, I think I’ve finally caught up on sleep. I’ve mostly been working this week and sticking to the hotel. I had lunch with someone earlier . . .”
Her eyes lit up. “You mean with Dallas? I saw him drop you off here at the end. Sorry, I realize that sounds creepy. Also, my name is June.”
June.
It was a perfect name for her.
“I own the floral shop across the street. Sorry I didn’t properly introduce myself on Friday. It was kind of a bad time.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t either. I was horrified by myself.” It’s amazing how tiny Whynot was. Did everyone know everything about each other? “So you know Dallas?”
“We go way back. His sister is my best friend,” June said.
Now, my brows shot up. Wait. Oh god.
Was this who Dallas was talking about?
Had I just kissed the woman I’d heard Dallas talking about at lunch? She had to be. Unless Avery had another best friend that was short with tattoos and—holy shit.
No wonder he was still halfway in love with her.
June ran her manicured nails through her pink hair, cheeks still flushed.
“Avery, right?” I asked. “She’s your best friend and Dallas’s sister?”
She nodded eagerly. “Yep. And you’re the artist for the residency?”
“I am. I’m excited to meet her.” I needed to put a face to the chaotic warmth she radiated.
The two of us smiled.
“How are you liking Whynot so far?” June asked.
“I love it. It’s so much different from being in a city. And well, the bugs scare the shit out of me. Dallas rescued me from a scorpion earlier.”
A shiver rolled through her. “I do hate those.”
“They’re terrifying.”
June tilted her head, studying me closely. “This may be rude, but you’re tall enough, I could climb you like a tree.”
That image worked its way into my mind and my heart raced. “Anytime you want.”
Oh god. Here I was again, flirting with a stranger. A stranger I was certain Dallas had feelings for.
But, this felt different. I was really flirting? With a beautiful woman? After kissing her? And not fainting?
What had gotten into me?
I loved the way she laughed. It shook her petite frame, a full body sound that echoed around us in a way that was contagious. The way she smiled quieted the loudest, most anxious parts of me.
My fingers pressed to my lips for a moment, lingering.
I thought coming here would be a complete disaster, but maybe it was the exact kind of shake-up I needed.
Here’s to the new Madi.
I wanted to kiss her again. And again. And again until the two of us were panting and needing more.
As June crossed her arms, I memorized every single one of her tattoos, my desire to draw her making my throat tighten.
“If you want someone to get a drink with or lunch with or do anything with, let me know. I’ll probably be at my shop all week, night and day, until I make it through this month. It's mum season.”
My brows raised. “Mom season?”
“No,” she snickered. “M-U-M. Mum. Do you know what they are?”
I thought about it for a moment, but still had no idea what she was talking about. “Can't say that I do. Is it a flower?”
“You're not that far off. It is a Texas-sized corsage that boys traditionally give to girls for homecoming every year. It is my job to make sure I am supplying the entire town of Whynot with all of their mum needs.”
“Oh, that makes sense. I think homecoming is when we’ll be showing my animation . . . Mums sound serious. How big is the town again?”
“I’m sure you’ve realized how small it is, but I’m a one-woman show running the only floral shop in town. I’ll be up to my tits in ribbons, tape, and trinkets for the next few weeks. Plus, I’ve had some new online orders today.”
And now, I was thinking about her tits, which was entirely inappropriate given we’d just met. And given my random lunch date with Dallas. And yet . . .
Apparently the horny brain was having a field day.
“Well, if you need help, let me know. I’m pretty crafty. I’m here as an animator, so between working on my project, I’ll have time.” Once I actually started my project.
Eventually, something would come to me. Right?
June’s face lit up. “Oh my god, you’re an animator? That's so cool. How did you get into that?”
I opened my mouth to answer her, but Laura ran back up to us with a man that looked almost like Dallas. A little older, a little more stressed, but just as handsome. He wore a denim shirt with his sleeves rolled up and khaki pants.