The Remake (Second Chance Flower Shop #4) - Noelle Adams Page 0,11

sudden vision of Fitz’s face—his eyes all hot and possessive—as he leaned over to kiss her passionately. Then she imagined his lean, agile hands running all over her body.

Shit. This was no good at all.

She swallowed over her physical response and tried to shake off the mental images as she returned to the kitchen. Fitz was still standing there, like he was waiting to continue their conversation, but Belinda was wise and simply ignored him.

After putting the cheese back, she tried to walk past him to return to her other guests, who’d gotten their food from the table and were gathered in the living room. But Fitz stepped in front of her.

“What?” she demanded. Her voice was sharp, but that wasn’t unusual. Hopefully he’d have no idea what she was trying not to think about right now.

“You look beautiful tonight,” he murmured thickly. “But you’ve always been beautiful. And don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.” He raised a hand to run his knuckles across her cheek.

The light touch sent shock waves of pleasure all through her body. Her breath hitched and she stared up at him, momentarily unable to move or respond.

Fitz’s hand moved to cup her face for just a moment before he suddenly dropped it and stepped back.

She gulped. “Wh-what?” Her hands were shaking. She couldn’t believe this was really happening.

That she wanted it to happen.

“You heard me,” he said in his normal voice. “Just making sure you know you don’t have to get all dolled up for some undeserving guy.”

The shift in mood hit her like a blow. She sucked in a breath and narrowed her eyes. “I was never all dolled up. And I think I’ve made it clear that I’m not waiting around with bated breath for your opinion.”

“Then who is your breath bated for?”

She wanted to smack him. She really did. Not just because of his teasing—which was getting far closer to the truth than she wanted anyone to get—but also because of the disappointment over how she’d misinterpreted the moment before.

Had she really thought he was about to kiss her?

Had she really wanted it?

Exactly how stupid could a girl be?

“Not for you,” she whispered, since she heard the murmur of voices in the living room raise in a way that made it clear the rest of her guests had arrived. “Never for you.”

She left the kitchen without another look at him.

FITZ STAYED WHERE HE was for a minute or two until he’d gotten control of himself.

He’d sworn up and down that he was going to behave himself this evening. He was going to have a brief conversation with Belinda to thank her for inviting him and make sure things were normal between them. Then he was going to eat and hang out with people he liked and not pine over a woman he could never have.

But his libido had been sent into overdrive at the first glimpse of her lush, slim body and unbound hair. He’d acted like a horny adolescent. Like a lovesick schoolboy. He’d confused and flustered her, and then when he’d come to his senses, he’d hurt her feelings by his quick withdrawal.

He was a fool. And he absolutely had to do better.

After a firm inner lecture, he walked back to the living room. Only to discover that Skye and Matthew had brought a friend with them.

Charles Kensington.

Damn it all to hell.

It was obvious that all of Belinda’s friends were subtly maneuvering to give Belinda a chance with Charles. She’d clearly not invited him herself. She looked startled but then infuriatingly happy at his unexpected appearance.

Fitz was grumbling to himself silently as he got a bowl of chili and a square of cornbread. The food was simple and delicious. Everything Belinda made was. She was one of those people who could do anything they set out to do.

Which meant she’d be able to hook Charles. Probably without any trouble at all. After all, who in the world wouldn’t want a woman as beautiful and smart and generous and committed and passionate as her?

Fitz ate his chili and tried not to scowl as he watched her talk to him. She was always a straightforward person. She didn’t really know how to flirt. Fitz had always liked that about her. But she was coming as close to flirting as he’d ever seen her tonight. With Charles.

Who was definitely responding.

After a while, Matthew got up from where he was seated next to Skye and came over to sit on an ottoman next to