I bolted before I did something stupid. Like kiss him or fall in love, confusing a bunch of pick-up lines for the beginning of a love story. Something about him felt exciting, risky, and forbidden. Like a new, dangerous drug that promised to take me to some incredible place where dreams come true. The first hit was free.

Once hooked, I’d need more to satiate the craving.

I knew that when the big rush wore off, I’d need more of him. The subsequent shot would be costly. He’d claim my heart, then my soul, and after I’d have nothing left to pay, he’d discard me broken and desperate for more.

Yet, I didn't take the warning seriously. There was something about that man. His low, rough voice made my heart beat faster every time he spoke. His hypnotizing eyes peered down into my soul, trying to possess it. When he was close, I could feel the heat of his body. It made me want to let myself burn with his touch.

Nothing about him made sense. My unusual reactions to him scared me, yet I wanted to be ignited and consumed by his fire.

Was that why there was a constant warmth running through my body?

Kaden Hades had no effect on me. I dusted my arms, cleansing myself from his touch. That heat was Ella’s second-hand embarrassment. Not my imagination, wondering how his hands and lips would feel when they finally skirted over my naked body.

Because nothing would happen between us. He was sex, sin, and lust. Everything I would want in bed. But was he love? I doubted it.

Kaden Hades looked like a bad boy and talked like a smooth operator. I bet he devoured women with just a simple kiss. His proximity alone made me forget myself. What would happen if I let myself taste him only once?

One bite.

To burn the desire growing deep in my core I ran toward my shop, ignoring Ella’s “emergency” text. My friend liked to be the center of attention. If Kade rejected her, she’d be whining about it for months—maybe years. I couldn’t believe she used the number. The embarrassment and guilt made me sick to my stomach.

Once I arrived at the flower shop, my phone rang. It was Ella. I sent her to voicemail and unlocked the front door. Bending down, I turned on the sensor and looked around the store to make sure I didn’t have to stock the shelves.

I pulled out the bracelets and necklaces from the velvet bags that were in the safe and set them in the display case.

My shop was more than a place to buy flowers. It was a place where people could buy something special for their loved ones to celebrate, commiserate, tell them how much they meant or any other of the many reasons to send a present. I sold greeting cards, frames, stuffed animals, candy, chocolates, books and other knick-knacks for every occasion: from thoughtful husbands to forgetful boyfriends. When young fathers came to buy flowers for their wives, they left with presents for their little ones too.

“Morning, Raven,” I called out to my assistant manager who opened the shop on Saturdays, so I could have fun on Friday nights.

I never met her expectations. She anticipated hearing sexy stories about some crazy evening with a rich guy like Christian Grey. But every week I disappointed her.

“Good morning,” She greeted me from the back of the store. “Did you do something fun last night?”

“Yes.” For the first time in months, I had some sort of answer.

Nothing too sexy, or kinky. Kaden Hades gave me his number, he wanted a date and almost slept with Ella. It sounded like gossip for a tabloid.

“I went to Logan’s café. They had an unplugged concert.”

“You watched a live performance of Killing Hades!” she screeched like a teenager.

“Who did you sleep with? Kaden or Jax?”

“What?”

“Yes, she banged a rock star!” She clapped and whistled. The noise boomed through the silent store.

“Are the arrangements we have to deliver ready?” I changed the subject.

“Yes, I finished loading the van. If it’s okay with you, I’ll deliver, and you can take care of the orders we receive starting … now!” she replied with that game show voice that drove me insane.

“So, what happened during the concert?” Now that tone sounded provocative. “Did you hook up with any of the band members?”

“No.”

“A stranger?”

“There was no hookup involved. Zero sex.”

“Damn you, Sadie,” she protested. “You have to find a man to take care of that itch. Even I have sex.”

“Of course you have sex. You’re married,” I reminded her. “I’ve heard sex is part of the marriage contract, isn’t it? And you and your husband have a pretty active sex life.”

“Should I remind you about last Saturday when I caught the two of you having sex inside the walk-in fridge?” I made a gagging sound.

She didn’t respond, thank God. I was still having nightmares about her and Bill half naked and going hard and fast. My poor innocent flowers witnessed the ordeal too.

“Maybe next Friday I’ll find some hot guy, and I’ll send you a picture,” I offered. “For now, let’s get to work.”

“Yes, boss.”

Before I began working, I dropped my purse inside the tiny room I called my office. There wasn’t much to it. A desk, a chair, and a filing cabinet. Everything I needed was in the shop. I walked toward the register, where I had my computer.

As I checked the new orders, my hand flew toward my mouth, and I gasped. “We got a special order!”

I clapped excitedly when I saw that the customer not only ordered an arrangement of jasmine, lilacs, and peonies, and also a blossoming gardenia bonsai. This order let me breathe a sigh of relief. The store was only a year old, and though it was profitable, I was still concerned about my future.

Before I gathered the flowers and fixed the bouquet, I pulled out my phone. I opened the music app and chose one of my playlists. I fetched the flowers, some greenery and set them on the working table. Then, I went to the storage closet to get a vintage cut glass vase.

“Those flowers are beautiful,” Raven approached.

“My favorites.” I walked to the stand where I had my bonsais on display.

“Once I finish it, we should take a picture for the scrapbook,” I commented, cutting the stems of the flowers.

Since I opened the shop, I’d started a scrapbook with pictures of my designs and notes that were worth keeping because the words were either heartwarming, swoony or touching—or all of the above.

“Where is it going?”

“No idea?” I was too excited about putting it together to read the details. I tilted my head toward the computer. “Why don’t you check and print the card?”

Raven walked to the front desk and gasped.

“Oh my God! This guy has a big crush on whoever is getting it. And I have the feeling that the recipient is playing hard to get. Maybe the other guy is married and doesn’t want to come out of the closet. Two gay guys and a forbidden love!”

I rolled my eyes at her. “Are we already making up a love story?”

“Of course, that’s why I love working for you,” she said, sighing while mumbling something under her breath.

“We have to save a copy of this note,” she declared with a swoony voice. “This is one of the best we’ve ever gotten. I swear if she or he doesn’t fall for him, I’ll divorce Manny and date the guy.”

“Your husband’s name is Bill.” I rolled my eyes. My body shook as I tried to muffle the laughter.

“See, I’ve already forgotten about him. Just tell my ex to keep our children alive. I’m eloping to Vegas.” She hugged herself, moving her hands all over her body, and blowing kisses several times.

“When you’re done fondling yourself, read it to me,” I teased her and continued working on the arrangement.

“I’ll take those million moments any way you’ll share them with me, and I’ll dance to whatever music your heart plays. Your new friend. Kade,” Raven sighed after she finished reading the note.

My body froze when I put together the words, million moments, and the name, Kade.

“What did you say?” I marched toward the computer to make sure that this Kade wasn’t my Kade.

Well, Kade wasn’t mine, but the coincidence of the name and similarity of the note to the one he gave me last night was uncanny. And my eyes widened when I realized that the flowers were going to Sadie Loza-Bell. Both the arrangement and the bonsai. The address was my shop.

My pulse accelerated, and my heart melted a little. That damn man with his perfect words had struck again. Apparently, his shenanigans included perfect gestures.

“Those flowers are addressed to you and…” She gasped as she read who they came from. “Is that the Kaden Hades?”

Raven traced his name several times. Another example as of why I should stay away from him. Every woman in the world wanted a piece of Kaden Hades. Even my assistant manager, who was happily married, had a crush on him.

“Nice choice to end the drought,” she said.

“You’re fired,” I said, annoyed with her and with Kade.

“Not until you have sex with the rock-God and give me all the deets,” she protested. “I want a report that includes everything, even the size of his dick.”

She wiggled her eyebrows. “Rumor has it that he has a monster dong.”

“Dong?” I chuckled. “Penis, cock, shaft, dick… but don’t call it dong.”

“Whatever, I just want to know every detail.” She walked away and came back carrying my camera. “Maybe take a few pics of his naked, lick-able body.”

I tried to ignore her and continue working. But I couldn’t stop picturing his taut body. Raven had piqued my curiosity. Should I google Kaden Hades’ dick? How big was it?

Would size matter?

“So, what’s the story with you and my soon to be husband?”

“There’s no story,” I clarified while staring at my perfect arrangement and the little bonsai that wanted to come home with me.

“The flowers say something different.”

“They’re not mine,” I insisted.

“Sadie Loza-Bell,” Raven read out loud. “That’s you. There’s no other Sadie at this address.”

“Should I fire you?”

“No, you need me, and you’ll need me more once you have an active sex life with the hottest man in Seattle.”

How do I return them? I’d never accepted presents from a guy I didn’t plan on dating. By doing so, I’d give the impression that something more could happen.

I shouldn’t allow for anything to happen. Kaden knew the words, but I knew what men like him were capable of. Hurt. They couldn’t love. I’d stick to my just one dinner plan.

That was fine until one of his songs played over the speakers. His raspy voice and angst-filled lyrics never failed to make my heart skip. Last night, listening to him sing in person was an out of body experience. We sang every song together. For a moment, I believed he was singing only to me.

My skin tingled remembering his touch, while I wished that his mouth had traced my naked silhouette.

Stop, Sadie. I wanted to kick myself for having those thoughts, and him for making me want him.

“So, that dreamy face has nothing to do with Mr. Rock-God.”

“You don’t understand, I can’t—.”

The sensor chimed. I looked up to find Ella entering the store. “Does nine-one-one mean nothing to you?”

“And I thought this would be a bitch free Saturday,” Raven mumbled under her breath.

“You didn’t have an emergency, Ella,” I said exasperatedly.

All the fluttery butterflies that danced in my stomach vanished. They were afraid of Miss Ella De Vil. Her last name was DeVonaire, but some days the former represented her personality to a ‘t.’ Some days it felt like if I weren’t around to stop her, she’d be skinning innocent puppies and sucking the blood of innocent children.

“Kaden Hades is gay,” she announced.

“Really?” I crossed my arms.

“Do you have pictures of him and a guy—or a video,” Raven challenged her. “Because I love watching boy on boy action.”

“Well no, of course, I don’t.” She scrunched her nose in disgust. “Go back to work, nosy bitch.”

“Please don’t start, Ella,” I warned her. “Now, why are you spreading rumors about Kade?”

“I just know.” She huffed.

I rolled my eyes and stared at the door, searching for the right words to kick her out. Or wait for Raven who always had fun doing it for me.

“Fine, don’t get mad at me but I spent the night with him—naked.” She glared at me, then she waved her hands around her body. “He refused to touch this. I was ready for him—I shaved instead of waxing.”

I gasped, touching my lips lightly with my fingers. “Shaved?” I mocked her.

“You had to use a razor? God, have mercy!” Raven yelled in horror, touching her chest lightly with her left hand and doing the sign of the cross with the right. “Like us mortals.”

“Why is the help interrupting our conversation?”

“Stop it. I get that you’re in a shitty mood but don’t take it out on Rae,” I advised her with a stern voice. “We can talk about your latest obsession tonight.”

When I’m less confused about my own issues with Mr. Hades. Well, they aren’t issues. More like doubts about how to react to his smooth words and gestures.

“What’s with you today, Sadie?” She walked to the counter, resting her hands and leaning forward. “You’re such a selfish bitch. Can you focus on me for a change? This is important. Maybe he’s not gay. Though, why do you think he rejected me? I think he’s playing hard to get.” She smirked slightly. “But I’ll get him. You just have to help me.”

“First of all, I’ve told you several times that you shouldn’t drink and invite strange men over to your house. You’re putting yourself in danger.” I placed my hands on my hips. “Second, I’m not helping you get anyone. He’s not interested. Leave him alone.”

“How do you know I was drunk?”

“He came to see me,” I sighed.

“And he sent her flowers,” Raven marched to where I stood, holding the bouquet.

Ella narrowed her gaze, set her hands on her hips, and huffed. “He’s mine. We have an agreement. You promised when we were fifteen.”

Raven laughed, holding her stomach. “You always crack me up, Ella.” Then she turned to me. “You’re not fifteen anymore, are you?”

“Rae, it’s delivery time.” I tilted my head toward the back door.

The two of them were about to have a catfight if I didn’t stop them.

“Fine, I’m leaving, boss.” She slumped her shoulders walking away. “But if Plastic Girl is here when I get back, I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”

“You should fire her,” Ella huffed.

“Ella, I have work to do. I’m glad that Kade didn’t take advantage of you.”

“The fucker swears that he wants you, not me.” She fumed, her face turning red.

“Fucking asshole, he thinks you’re pure and innocent,” she said, bitterly. “But I set him straight about you and told him that you wouldn’t fuck his trashy ass.”

“You…you what?” My mouth gaped, I was at a loss for words. “After taking care of you, you insulted him? You’re unbelievable.”

“Well, you wouldn’t fuck him, would you?”

“That’s none of your business.”

I crossed my arms and scanned the flower shop looking for white and pink objects. That exercise calmed my anger and anxiety. It had been a long time since Ella got on my nerves, but she had finally done it. I’d had enough of her. My patience ran thin. In the name of our friendship, I decided to take a break.

“Out,” I ordered her. “We need some time apart.”

“Not again,” she complained, slumping her shoulders and stomping a foot like a five-year-old and not the twenty-eight-year-old woman she was. “I need you, Sadie-Wadie-Woo.”

I marched to the door and swung it open. “Out.”

Ella straightened her back, lifted her chin and threw her meanest glare my way. “You’re going to regret this,” she warned me and left.