The rest of my working day went off without a hitch. Though, Ella’s departure left me shaking with anger. As she grew older, her selfish attitude reminded me more and more of my mother. They only cared about themselves and never learned from their mistakes.

The latest incident might be the beginning of the end. But I was weak. If she dropped by with a big apology, I knew that I’d let her back into my life. My therapist would ask me why I kept repeating the same action and expecting a different result. When in fact, I knew what the outcome would be.

Because I loved her, and we were supposed to see beyond the imperfections of our friends, weren’t we?

My friendship with Ella was toxic, mostly for me. Thankfully, after an hour or so I calmed down. Working with flowers relaxed me. This shop was my dream, my therapy, and my entire life. As long as I had the shop, I was happy.

Did I feel lonely?

I looked around, and my eyes landed on the rice milk chai tea latte that was delivered earlier to me. Yet, another present from Kaden Hades. The same drink I had last night, along with a gluten-free cranberry scone—my favorite.

For a few minutes, I allowed myself to believe that he was just a charming man who wanted to woo me. Until another one of his songs began to play on the speakers. Raven’s words played inside my head several times.

What do you have to lose if you go out with him?

Before I could answer my question, the chimes of the doorbell rang.

“Sorry, we’re closed,” I yelled and grabbed my keys.

“Well then, you should turn your sign and lock the front door,” the low, raspy voice said.

My heart beat fast. Who could be dropping by at two in the afternoon? No one ever came this late. I held my breath as I saw a tall man turning the open sign around. Hypnotized by his perfect male form, I stared with my mouth agape. Corded arms, broad back. His tight t-shirt showing the sculpted muscles of his back, and for a second, I imagined the front would be as lean and fit.

He turned around and my heart skipped a beat when I recognized him. His bright gray eyes focused on mine.

“Why are you here?” I controlled my tone and ignored the sparks flying around us.

“Can’t a friend just drop by to visit?”

A friend, yes. You shouldn’t be near me.

“How can I help you, Mr. Hades?”

“Mr. Hades?” He cleared his throat looking around. “Call me Kaden, Kade … not Mr. Hades. That’s too formal. But I like the way that it sounds coming out of your beautiful mouth.” His eyes found mine, and he beamed.

I rolled my eyes. Fight those flirty words, Sadie.

“Is there something I can do for you? I’m about to close the shop.”

“If that’s what you’re doing, I can help you.”

“Cleaning?” I stared at him shocked by the offer. “Don’t you have people for that?”

He held his stomach while laughing. “You’re funny.”

“You’re telling me you do the cleaning at home?”

“Maybe I have someone dropping by weekly to make sure my apartment is spotless. But I do most of the dirty work.” He showed me his big hands. “These babies know their way around a broom and dustpan.”

The suggestive tone turned my insides upside down.

Breathe, Sadie. He’s just another player trying to get laid.

I couldn’t help but stare at him. My eyes lingered on his body. It was toned, fit. Hard lines delineating each muscle on his chest. And those strong arms … but it was his hands with those long fingers that made me want to break a few rules.

“Is everything okay?”

My entire body shivered with his thick, low voice. I wanted Kaden to whisper dirty things in my ear, use his hands to touch every inch of my body, to make me come with his touch.

What are you doing, Sadie?

I’m wet and ready for that hunk.

I moved my eyes toward his crotch, there was definitely a package in there. But how big was it?

Stop!

I closed my eyes, mentally slapped myself, and breathed long enough to control the urge.

“Then I hope you don’t mind sweeping.” I walked to the janitor’s closet for the broom. “Do you know how to use this?”

“Yes. I say Accio Firebolt, and it’ll fly, right?”

“And the guy thinks he’s funny.” I twisted my mouth biting the laugh. “Why don’t you start with the front? The dustpan-vacuum is mounted on that wall. Just sweep the trash over there, and it’ll suck it. I’ll be mopping right behind you.”

He saluted me and without hesitation began to work. It took us half the time that it usually would to tidy the place. I grabbed my things, set the alarm, and we left through the back entrance.

“Where are the flowers I sent you?” He stared at my hands.

I smiled. “Raven, my assistant manager, delivered them to my house.”

“Did you like them?”

“Yes, I did,” I confessed.

I adored them, and I was grateful to him because no one had ever sent me flowers. Or anything for that matter. This guy had studied the book on how to go into battle and conquer. He was good, but I wouldn’t let my guard down.

“Thank you for sending them.” I hugged myself, avoiding those penetrating eyes.

That gaze hypnotized me. Looking at them was like staring at a magical frozen lake which had a blue fire within. I wanted to get lost in them. My logic won over desire, though. I knew what’d happened after the fire consumed me.

I wouldn’t survive.

“You shouldn’t have sent them. They’re expensive.” I said, tilting my head toward my home. “I appreciate the visit and all your presents. Have a nice day.”

I began walking away.

“When was the last time someone sent you flowers?” His rough voice slid down my spine, shooting a charge of electricity around my entire body.

I shivered and stopped mid-step. When I turned around, I collided with a sturdy wall of muscle, and my nostrils were hit with his sandalwood and tobacco scent. His hands captured my arms, steadying my body. I craned my neck. He bent his. Our noses almost touched, and if I stretched my neck one more inch, I would finally taste him.

“Long ago?” I lied. No one had ever done it before.

“Your eyebrow is twitching,” he smiled. “Are you nervous, or upset? Not sure, but those warm eyes are smiling. I bet you don’t get angry easily.”

“What makes you think that I can’t get mad?”

“You might, but it’s against your nature.”

“My nature?”

“You’re made of sunshine, rainbows, and happiness.” He caressed my jaw with the back of his finger, his other arm holding me secure against him. “Your bright light is a magnet to my darkness.”

I doubted that my make-up included all those, but his darkness did call to me. I wanted to reach inside his soul and evaporate the undeniable pain that he carried with him.

Such a bad idea, Sadie.

How many men have you tried to help that abandoned you, leaving you alone and with a broken heart?

But none of them sent me flowers, helped me clean my shop, or held me like I was precious.

“So, when was the last time someone sent you flowers?”

I shook my head, wanting to run away from him, but I couldn’t move. Those eyes hypnotized me. I was at his mercy.

“No one has ever sent me anything.”

“You deserve to receive them every day,” he assured me.

“Why would you say that?”

“You seem like the kind of person who takes care of everyone and doesn’t ask for anything in return. I doubt you have time to care for yourself,” he said, brushing away a strand of hair from my face.

A shiver ran through my body. His voice, his words, and those strong, safe arms made me want him as my haven.

“What are your plans for the rest of today, friend?”

His bedroom eyes and husky voice made the hairs on the back of my head stand on end. I was lost in Kaden Hades, and the scary part was that I wanted to remain there. I took a step backward, leaving his embrace.

In an instant, a rush of coldness ran through my body, missing his protective hold. I hugged myself, rubbing my arms to warm me up, but it wasn’t the same.

“Hmm.” I tapped my chin thinking of the things I could do to avoid going home so he would leave. “I’m going to the grocery store for food. Maybe the bookstore. There’s a gift shop I want to check out that has some jewelry I want to carry.”

“What about tonight’s concert,” he added.

“I’m skipping it.” I turned around and resumed walking toward the store. “The next time I leave my house will be Monday morning. Have a good rest of your day,” I said, walking away.