Page 75 of Crown of Death
I smile, stopping just before Cyrus and accepting the bouquet. “They’re…” I give a little laugh, feeling silly that I’m blushing. “They’re absolutely beautiful. What kind of flower arethey?”
“Gentiana,” he says and I can feel him studying me. “They commonly grow at home in Austria. I thought maybe you would appreciatethem.”
I smile, my eyes rising to meet Cyrus’. “They’re absolutely beautiful. You didn’t have to do this.” My eyes fall. “I know it isn’treal.”
I feel his finger under my chin, raising it so I have to look at him. “You deserve them, Logan. Don’t deny me something I wanted todo.”
My face blushes, but I offer him a smile. “We…we better get going. They’ll be waiting forus.”
Cyrus nods, extending a hand toward the door that leads to thegarage.
Quickly, I place the flowers in a vase on the table, and head to thecar.
“You think you can handle the traffic?” I tease Cyrus as he takes the keys to that fancy sportscar.
“I believe so,” he says, fixing me with that mirthful look in hiseye.
Donning a pair of sunglasses, because the sun still sits atop the mountains, Cyrus starts the car, and smooth as butter, he backs it out of the garage. Putting it in drive, he peels out, flying down thedriveway.
Maybe it’s the up and down day I’ve had. Maybe it’s because I feel…goodtonight. Maybe it’s the man and what I know about him who sits beside me. But I let out a squeal, looseningup.
A smile. A wide, real, relaxed smile spreads on Cyrus’ ownface.
I guide him through town, and without any jerks, without any accidents, he carefully drives. And just before seven, he parks in the lot. He darts out, only to nearly instantly appear outside my door, which he opens, and extends a hand to pull me to myfeet.
“Madly in love, you said?” Cyrus says as he closes my door and locks the car. “Just how hard do you want me to sell this to yourfriend?”
I blush as he hesitates by the car. “Let’s just say she was more than a little shocked to hear I was ‘moving in’ with you. I’ve never…” I hesitate, feeling embarrassed. “I’ve never had a serious relationship. Or any kind of relationship. So to her, this seems like a really, really bigdeal.”
He studies me, and I squirm under his intense gaze. But I also feel…open. Exposed in a way that I think I actuallylike.
This man, he’s doing something tome.
“Have you ever been in love, Logan?” heasks.
His very serious question snares me, startling my eyes tohis.
I don’t answerimmediately.
Even though the answer is an easy one.Simple.
“I’ve never found a man who didn’t find me too…salty,” I answer honestly. “So,no.”
He stares at me for another long moment, and I swear, he’s looking for something inside of me.Searching.
“Let’s sell this,” Cyrussays.
He holds his hand out. I look down and my heart ratetriples.
I slide my fingers through his, relishing the electricity that rips through my body at thecontact.
Together, we walk through the front doors of the bowlingalley.
It’s loud and smells of greasy food and sweat inside. I search through the crowd, scanning for familiar blonde hair and mile-longlegs.
“Lo!” Amelia waves, flashing a brilliant smile from one of the furtherlanes.
I wave, and Cyrus and I head to the counter to pay and get someshoes.