Got Love? Read Online Free Page A

know I’ll be back for dinner tonight, and I’ll be taking Flora her drink.”
    Grinning widely, the waitress went to pass the message along, leaving Tharin to think things through while he finished his dessert.

Chapter 5
    For every box of conversation hearts Flora poured into the hollow between two nestled vases, a handful made it into her stomach.
    Crunching the sugar treat between her molars, she stared into space, chewing as she pondered Runa’s last words.
    Scared. Who were her friends to say she was scared? Flora thought. She wasn’t scared…exactly. Maybe cautious was a better word for it. After all, who in their right mind would be willing to jump straight to romantic unrealities ten minutes after meeting somebody? Sex-filled, sweaty fantasies of a man who was lust incarnate and love personified.
    Geez , Flora thought, crunching down on another heart. I’m just as bad as my friends are. Sandy’s right. Shameless hussies, the lot of us.
    Glancing up as the doorbell tinkled, Flora was ready to call out that she was closed, only to swallow the last of her candy and her words before they could form. Lust had just walked into her store, and boy did he look good in a pair of jeans.
    “Tharin.”
    “Flora.”
    “I’m closed.”
    “I figured as much with the late hour and all. My appliances won’t be delivered until tomorrow, and as I was finishing up dinner, I noticed your lights were still on. I brought your scarf back, freshly laundered and a peace offering.” Tharin placed the scarf and a to-go cup on the counter top in front of her.
    “Hot white chocolate?” She asked, sniffing the air.
    “With whipped cream and a cherry. A little bird told me it was your favorite.”
    Accepting the cup, she took a quick sip. “Mmm. That’s good. Smart little bird. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. I’m sorry for startling you earlier. I thought after a long day you might like to take a walk and get some fresh air, work out the kinks.”
    Kink, did he say? There was certainly a lot of that floating around in her head at the moment. Settling the candy with a fingertip, Flora took a deep breath, nervously shifting from foot to foot. “You didn’t startle me earlier. I was in too much of a hurry to pay attention to my surroundings. I’d blame the chaos that is Valentine’s, but that would be a lie. I seem to always run full steam ahead. Thank you for cleaning my scarf. I’d like to pay for your dry cleaning if you let me.”
    “I’d like a walk with a pretty fairy instead,” Tharin persisted. “I promise not to keep you long. Just to the end of the street and back. The snow stopped falling hours ago, and all that’s left is slush.”
    Scared? She would show her friends who was scared. Flora tossed the last of the conversation hearts into the vase. “Let me put these away, and I’ll lock up.”
    “No rush. Don’t forget your coat and gloves. There’s still a bite in the air,” the cupid cautioned, using the time to glance around Flora’s shop. “This is some place you have here.” He marveled at what he saw. No wonder she was the best.
    A profusion of cut flowers wrapped in brown paper sat in galvanized buckets, clear vases held forced bulbs. He saw potted herbs, mini flowers flowing from teacups, and hanging birdcages. Fairy houses and terrariums sat behind glass displays, while succulents grew on the far wall in wild abandon.
    “Ready?” the fairy asked, yellow hat and scarf in place as she began cutting off the lights.
    “You have an enchanted touch, Flora Hawthorne.” Tharin held the door open for her. “Your place is lovely.”
    Blushing, Flora turned the lock behind them, pocketing the keys. Using the excuse of their presence to keep her hand snug in her pocket instead of swaying loosely by her side, while the other clutched her hot chocolate instead of Tharin’s body like she wanted.
    “Thank you. It’s a labor of love.”
    “One you do very well,” Tharin complimented. “What other