The Matchmaker's Mark Read Online Free

expression was serious, despite his obvious effort to force his lips into a friendly smile. It was only working halfway, but the result caused a pleasant ripple in her belly.
    "Please? I just need something for my mom."
    "I'm closed," she insisted, though her mind was already thinking about the options.
    "It's a birthday dinner," he added.
    She knew it was a lie, even as she looked back into her cooler for just the right arrangement. Seeing the tall vase of sunflowers, she pulled it out and held it up for his inspection. Girlfriend, mom, or whoever, sunflowers would be acceptable. No surprise, he nodded. "How much?"
    It took willpower to keep him outside, when her hormones wanted desperately to let him in. "Just a sec," she called over her shoulder. When the flowers were wrapped against the weather in a protective sleeve, she unlocked the door and held them out, keeping the large heavy vase between them. For some inexplicable reason she couldn't quite look him in the eye, though a good look at his straight nose, squared chin and firm lips offered more than enough temptation. "Twenty, even."
    "Are you sure?"
    "I'm sure." Just as she was sure the flowers would find the nearest trash can. It made her a little sad, but she didn't know how to call him a liar without offending him. And causing offense was both rude and stupid in this situation. He didn't look as though he was plotting criminal behavior, but there was no sense pushing it. "I hope your mother enjoys her birthday," she added, just to see his reaction.
    "She will." He took the vase. "Thanks for saving me," he added.
    Lily's reply was on her lips when his fingers brushed hers and the contact sizzled along her nerves, rendering her speechless. She pasted a smile on her face and retreated into the safety of her shop, throwing the lock and retreating to the counter. When she glanced back at the street he was gone.
    Thankfully. Yes, of course, she was thankful he was gone.
    Her hand tingled where they'd touched, but worse, the birthmark on the inside of her left wrist burned as if she'd brushed against a hot oven. She had to ignore it. Cade would be here any minute and he was overbearing enough when she was her normally cheerful self. If he found her upset, she wouldn't be rid of him until he'd drawn it all out of her.
    And really, what was there to tell? She could just imagine his reaction to 'a handsome stranger stopped by after hours and made me tingle'. It was too awful to think about.
    Lily collected herself and continued her closing routine. She had a green thumb and an eye for color and she'd learned to use both to keep her flush in the world of humans. She owed apologies to no one.
    Doing a final circuit of her small showroom, she murmured to the plants as she turned off grow lights and displays, until only the small front window remained to advertise her services to the street.
    In the workroom, she swept the debris of natural materials into the bin for compost and cleaned her tools and counter. She'd settled considerably by the time she hung her apron on the peg by the office, just as a big orange tabby cat meowed and squeezed through the cat door from the alley.
    "Henry," she cooed, rubbing her fingers together, inviting him closer. He obliged, leaning into her before leaping up to the counter stool. She bent, letting him nuzzle her forehead and smiled at the deep rumble that was Henry's happy purr. Knowing her brother wouldn't be far behind the feline herald, she hurried upstairs to her apartment to change for dinner.
    She rubbed absently at her birthmark while she pushed her clothes around the closet trying to make a decision. It wasn't as if Cade would notice anything about her fashion choices, but she knew if she looked good she'd feel better while they were out.
    She pulled off the long sleeved tee with her Flower Ever After shop logo and tossed it toward the laundry basket. Reaching for the fuzzy pink sweater she'd chosen, she caught the reflection of her