Prologue

Today was my mom's memorial, which meant I needed to visit the flower shop. She left this world because my abusive and despicable father.

Her ashes had been scattered at sea because she wanted to be free. Every year on this day, I'd buy her flowers and place them on my dining table, where her favorite meal would sit hot and ready. Today I'd share meat lasagna, fried chicken, and a piece of chocolate cake with her.

I wasn't a flowers guy. Knew little about them. Didn't have the patience for them. Didn't care for them. But my mom loved all kinds of plants, so I'd developed a friendly appreciation for them. I'd adopted her plants when she passed. Sadly only one aloe plant survived from the ten I'd taken in.

Forgive me, Mom.

I'd like to think the plants were with her now.

After my last training session with a longtime client at my fitness center, Kessler's Workout Studio, I rushed into Happy Flowers. Six customers browsed the bouquet section while another four hovered around the potted plants. I'd never been into this store before. It wasn't too far from the Etched Building, where my fitness studio and tattoo parlor were located. The flower shop was busy for a weekday. I didn't realize this many people shopped for flowers in December. But what did I know?I only visited a flower shop once a year.

I browsed the shop and was about to pick a rose bouquet with the tiny white pompom-looking things when a beautiful woman walked out from the back room carrying a vase of interesting purple flowers that somehow reminded me of her—distinctive and mesmerizing.

"Excuse me." She walked past me.

I shifted aside, and her arm brushed against my coat. An energy zipped down my spine, forcing me to straighten up, fully aware that something strange just occurred in my body.

What the hell?

I'd been working a lot lately. Could it be a sign I was coming down with something? No, this was something else.

She looked at me, smiled, and placed the vase on the glass display. She had brown eyes that didsomething peculiarto my body. It was as though her powerful eyes saw straight through me. I wobbled a step back.

What the fuck?

I couldn't stop staring at her. What the hell was wrong with me? If I kept this up, no women would join my gym.

At forty-six years old, I should have control of my body, but right now that control panel had disappeared.

The floor under my feet trembled. Or was I hallucinating?

Mind you, I was six feet three and packed with muscles, so I didn't normally "wobble" unless it was intentional. Not only that, my skin tingled. I'd worn a parka because it was five degrees outside. Maybe I'd caught a virus and my body was desperately trying to fight it off. My stomach churned like it was roasting a chicken. A warmth bloomed from within me, and I had no fucking clue where it came from. The start of a fever?

No, please.I had too much shit to do and no time to be stuck in bed.

Stop staring.

She had long brown hair tucked to the side with a flower clip. The snowflakes earrings glittered in the light. She wore a soft pink sweater that accentuated her cheeks and made my gaze land on her luscious lips.

Like a satellite programmed for her, I followed her steps as she moved to another section of the store. I felt like an idiot standing in her store. I was losing it.

An older woman with a young girl approached her. "Miss, I'm picking up an order for Mary."

"I'll get it for you."

I kept staring at her, probably looking like a creep. But I didn't give a shit. For a moment I forgot why I was in the flower shop.

A sales associate with blonde hair approached me. "Can I help you, sir?"

"What are those flowers called?" I pointed to the vase of purple flowers.

"Oh, those are passionflowers. Aren't they gorgeous? Do you want to purchase? Or do you need something else?"

"No. I need her." I jerked a chin toward the woman who had me grounded to the floor.

"Eva will be right with you."

Eva.The sound reverberated throughout my body like some mystical force.

At the mention of her name, she glanced up and met my gaze.

I didn't smile. I didn't nod. I didn't do a damn thing except stare at her like a fool with my heart thundering as though I'd been running a marathon.

What the fuck was wrong with me?

When the last customer left, Eva walked up to me, looking cautious.

"How can I help you?" she asked, and something in me cracked a little.

Maybe it was my bones thawing from being frozen in place so long.Or maybe I was hearing things.

I knew I'dcompletely lost it when I blurted out, "Wanna have dinner with me?"

She blinked, and I felt a tug on my cock. Scratching the back of her neck, she studied me a moment and said, "Umm . . . Sorry, but I'm unavailable."