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  The corporate office motif of Meli’s shoppe was not what he expected for a florist. The reception area was simply decorated, uncluttered, and very modern.

  A young man with spiked hair and retro eyeglasses approached him, offering his hand in greeting. “Welcome to Darling Bouquets, officer. My name is Ben.”

  “I’m Michael,” he replied, adding a firm handshake.

  Ben smiled and headed for his chair. “Well, Officer, if you’ll join me at the table, we’ll get started.”

  He followed reluctantly, sitting across from the young man. “Really, I didn’t come to order anything. I’d just like to talk to Miss Darling.”

  “Unfortunately, Ms. Darling does not receive visitors. However, I’m more than capable to assist you in filling out all the paperwork necessary to request her services. If accepted, I’ll be with you through the whole process. The staff at Darling Bouquets is dedicated to serving our customers…”

  Michael zoned out once the speech started sounding like a pitch from a used car salesman.

  The clerk laid out brochures and paperwork. “Now, we have multiple payment plans available. But before we get to that, I will need you to fill out this form. Flowers are a crucial part of the modern wedding. Steeped in tradition, the bride’s bouquet dates back to…”

  While Ben went on about the history of bridal flowers and their importance in today’s world, Michael scanned the questions on the sheet. The first question was the basic ‘Your first, middle and last name, and your fiancé’s first, middle and last’. The questions after that were like the quizzes his sister used to make him take from the teen magazines she read when she was in ninth grade.

  What is your favorite color?

  What is your fiancé’s favorite color?

  What is your favorite flower?

  When is your birthday?

  When is your fiancé’s birthday?

  How did you meet your true love?

  How did you know it was love?

  How long have you been together?

  What is the color scheme for your wedding ceremony?

  Is it a themed ceremony?

  If so, what theme?

  Ben interrupted his reading. “Are you looking to purchase a bouquet just for the bride? Or bouquets for the entire procession? By the way, I just want to say how wonderful it is to see a groom come in, rather than the bride. So few men take an interest in planning their own wedding.

  “I appreciate your help, but I’m not getting married.”

  For a moment, confusion clouded Ben’s features, but he recovered quickly. “Well, if you’re looking to get your true love a bouquet for that special occasion, we do provide that service as well. However, that’s a whole different form.” He retrieved another folder.

  “Stop.” Michael held out his hand. “I’m just here to see Miss Darling.”

  With an expression of regret, Ben tsk’d. “I’m sorry. I really wish I could help you with that, but Ms. Darling is adamant about not seeing anyone.”

  Frustrated, he slammed his bouquet on the table. “Do me a favor. Go back there and tell her to come get the flowers she littered the highway with last night. The ones she threw out her car window.”

  Ben looked appalled. “Littered?” The young man picked up the bouquet and gently straightened the arrangement, then stared Michael down as if he just abused a child. “I’ll have you know that Ms. Darling’s work could never be considered litter. The bouquet you just so carelessly flung down is probably worth at least a thousand dollars.”

  Frustration swiftly turned to anger. “I don’t care how much its worth. I want to speak to—”

  “Sir, you might not be unable to see the craftsmanship and painstaking detail Ms. Darling put into this remarkable work of art, but I do. This is one of Ms. Darling’s Signature Love Bouquets.”

  “A ‘love’ what?”

  “A Love Bouquet. Can’t you see the six roses?”

  “Six? What the hell does that have to do with love?”

  Ben shook his head in disappointment. “Six has a history of being the lovers’ number. In numerology, six is the number of love, marriage and family. The number six itself is ruled by the planet Venus, named after the Roman Goddess of Love. In astrology, Virgo, the Virgin, is the sixth astrological sign and associated with fertility. In Tarot, the sixth trump card is ‘the Lovers’. I could go on and on with that, but you might also note that these roses aren’t just roses.

  Michael rolled his eyes, his anger simmering down into annoyance. “If they’re not roses, what are they?”

  “These are Fire and Ice Roses, the ultimate rose used to express romantic love. The strong scent, the bi-color petals, yes, all common with the Fire and Ice rose. However, on this bouquet, Ms. Darling hand-painted the white portion of the petals blue, including the inner petals.”

  He leaned in close to examine the bouquet. “They don’t look painted to me.”

  Ben pulled off one of the rose petals and handed it to him. “True blue roses do not exist in nature, as roses cannot produce Delphinidin.”

  Michael was going cross-eyed trying to follow the lecture. “Dela-what?”

  The clerk cleared his throat to hide his smile. “Delphinidin. The plant pigment that gives flowers a blue color. Fire and Ice rose petals are red and white. To make this look natural, Ms. Darling used her skills as an artist to ensure that only the white portion of the petal was colored, and did so without straying into the red portions. Nor did her blue seep through and make the roses look purple. This bouquet must have taken her a day or more of work.”

  A day or more?

  Michael was speechless. Melanie would do all that for him? He rubbed the painted petal between his fingertips.

  Ben continued. “Ms. Darling only uses the best materials to decorate the bouquets. The chain that attaches the card is fine silver, handcrafted in Florence. The ribbon is real velvet made from silk, imported from Genoa, and is purchased from a private supplier whose family still practices the craft of hand-weaving textiles on a loom. Now the card…”

  Before Michael could stop him, Ben read the message. His expression turned from informative sales clerk to shock.

  “Did she make these for you?”

  He didn’t give an answer to that. “Might I see Miss Darling now? Or can you at least tell her I’m here?”

  Ben handed him back the bouquet. “I would, but she’s not in the building. Ms. Darling makes her own work hours and they tend to vary day to day. Usually, she likes to come to the studio in the evenings, but she’s probably at the nursery gathering flowers for her next project.

  Shit. He’d have to wait to catch her on the drive home. “Thanks for your help,” he offered as he stood to leave.

  Ben politely rose from his own seat. “Thank you for visiting Darling Bouquets.”

  Michael went to his cruiser, disheartened at not being able to see Melanie. After the way he’d treated her, he doubted she would speed past him tonight, or ever again. However, that was a good thing; she shouldn’t be speeding. He wanted her to be safe. Tomorrow was his day off. He’d come back to Darling Bouquets and try again.

  He started his vehicle. With another hour or so before he had to report for duty, perhaps a trip to the bakery for some coffee would be in order. He’d need the caffeine and sugar to make it through the night.

  The sound of squealing tires filled the air.

  He turned to see a Melanie’s Volvo speeding down the road as if she were in a Formula One race. She swerved into the near empty parking lot, never touching the brakes. But the moment she spotted his cruiser, she did. Actually, touch was a mild word. Slammed would be more accurate.

  She almost took out the rear side of his patrol car.

  Panicked, Michael jumped out and ran to the Volvo. She had scared the shit out of him. Was something wrong with her brakes?

  He opened Melanie’s door, only to be assaulted by the vapors of alcohol that spilled out.

  “Hello, Officer J
ohnson,” she whispered.

  His blood boiled at her irresponsibility. There was no way in hell he’d let drinking and driving slide.

  “Out. Now.”

  She paled. “Did I—Did I do something wrong?”

  He reached in and turned the engine off, then unbuckled her seat belt. Grabbing a hold of her upper arm, he yanked her out.

  Was this his fault? Had he driven his ‘usually good girl’ to drink and get behind the wheel? It didn’t matter. He had to do his job. She could have killed herself.

  “Have you recently had an opened container of liquor in your vehicle that spilled?”

  When she shook her head ‘no’, he dragged her towards his squad car, not caring that she was stumbling to keep up. Perhaps if she’d been sober, it wouldn’t have been a problem.

  “Have you recently had an intoxicated person in your vehicle? Perhaps one who vomited?”

  She shook her head a second time.

  When he got to the cruiser, he retrieved his handcuffs from his belt and bent her over the trunk. Her short schoolgirl skirt lifted up enough for him to see the tops of her thigh-high stockings and some kind of garter straps—

  Damn! It looked like she wasn’t wearing any underwear! Again!

  Concentrate.

  “Miss Darling, you are under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.”

  “Um, Michael?” She turned her head and looked back at him with innocent curiosity. “Don’t you need to give me sobriety test first?”

  Hell, why did she have to say his name like that? Her sweet voice enchanted him and made him want to hold her rather than arrest her.

  You’d think she was damn siren.

  “No, I don’t,” he answered curtly, snapping the handcuffs into place. He pulled her off the trunk and led her to the back door.

  He didn’t explain it to her, but he was doing her a favor. The judge would more likely dismiss her case if he didn’t perform a field sobriety test or a Breathalyzer. It’d be his word against hers. He’d take some heat for that decision from his superiors, but he’d deal with that when the time came.

  As he reached for the door handle, Melanie gave a nervous giggle. “Aren’t you going to search me?”

  He stopped abruptly. “Should I?”

  “Um… please, before you take me to the police station.”

  Michael tried to imagine where she could possibly hide weapons or drugs in her cute little outfit. Heels, stockings, garter belt, a short plaid skirt, no underwear. The only area he hadn’t seen was underneath her white button blouse.

  He spun her around. “What do you have on you?”

  She cheeks flamed crimson. She bent her head and looked down at her skirt.

  Keeping one hand on her arm, he used the other to pat around her hips. To his surprise, his fingers slid over something hard. He reached into her waistband and pulled out a small remote control connected to a thin cord. He tugged on it, but it was firmly attached to something.

  “What the hell is it?” he asked.

  She bit her bottom lip.

  The remote control had a dial. Curious, he turned the knob as far as it would go. In that moment of uncomfortable silence, he noticed a sound that had gone unheard by his ears before.

  Buzzing?

  Suddenly, Melanie crumbled.

  He caught her in his arms before she hit the ground. She leaned into his chest, her breath ragged.

  “Melanie, what’s wrong?”

  Her only response was a soft moan.

  Michael gathered her to him, drawing her shaking body close. “Please, talk to me,” he whispered into her rose scented hair.

  Roses? Why didn’t he smell alcohol?

  He glanced at the remote in his hand. This time it was his turn to blush.

  Shit. It was some kind of sex toy.

  He quickly turned it off.

  “Can I have my sobriety test now?” she mumbled into his shirt.

  “Okay, honey. Let me get rid of the cuffs first.”

  Opening his car door, he guided her back until she collapsed on the seat. He reached around her and removed the handcuffs, noting how empty his arms felt without her.

  Meli kept her head bowed and her face hidden behind her hair. Whether she was being shy or just really embarrassed, he didn’t know.

  He squatted down and gently lifted her chin up. “Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t drinking?”

  She kept her gaze averted. “You didn’t ask.”

  True. But usually one would volunteer such information. “Then why did you lie about spilling alcohol in your car?”

  Melanie shook her head. “I didn’t lie. I’d never lie to you.”

  For some reason, he believed her statement. She seemed to be one of those people incapable of true deceit. He moved a stray tendril of hair from her eyes. “I know you wouldn’t. What’s in your car that has alcohol in it?”

  This time she smiled. “A rum cake. I baked it for you last night. It’s my grandmother’s secret recipe.”

  His heart swelled. She had to be the sweetest person he ever met. He wondered if baking the cake naked was the secret.

  At least she hadn’t been drinking.

  “Do you always drive so recklessly?”

  “Except when there are cops around.” She nodded, and then added. “Unless it’s you.”

  “Did you wear the sexy outfit for me?”

  “Yes.”

  He picked up the remote control. “And this?”

  “A clit massager.” She lifted her shoulders. “I guess I was being naughty.”

  “I’d say so.” He tucked the remote back into her skirt’s waistband and rose to his feet. “You didn’t break the law, but it’s probably dangerous to use one of these when you’re operating your vehicle. Especially after seeing what it does to you.”

  Michael got in the front seat and called the station. Telling the dispatcher there was a private emergency he needed to take care of, he requested a personal day. After he received approval to skip his shift, he got out and held out his hand to Melanie.

  “I’m going to follow you home. I want to make sure you make it there safely.”

  Her eyes brightened as she slid her hand into his. “Are you going to come in? I mean… uh, for coffee?”

  Helping her up, he led her to her car. “That depends. Do you want me to?”

  “Yes.”

  He could fall in love with this woman. He opened her car door. “I’d love some coffee. And make sure you bring in the rum cake.”

  When she nodded, he closed he door. As he walked away, he heard her window roll down.

  “Are you going to give me my ticket?”

  Shaking his head, he went back to her car. “You want me to punish you?”

  She bit her lip again and looked down, an action he noticed she did when she was nervous and didn’t want to answer his question. It must be ‘yes’.

  Oh, hell, he didn’t mind the personality quirk. It was kind of hot.

  Pulling out his pad, he wrote her a ticket for making a wide turn and failing to use her signal. “This is for the way you pulled into the parking lot.”

  She took it from his hand and read it. “I’ll remember to use my signals in the future.”

  “And no more speeding. Ever. Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  Smiling, he headed back to his car. His Meli was something else.

  Chapter Five

  Melanie was sure she was dreaming. There was no way that such a gorgeous male specimen was actually pulling into her driveway.

  Using the mirrors, she watched Michael turn off his car.

  Oh, my God! It’s real! It’s real!

  She was bringing home her first man. And she was going to seduce him and lose her virginity. Finally.

  Her stomach d
id somersaults and her heart pounded so hard, she thought it might pop out her chest. She was too excited. She was too happy. She was so giddy she was seeing spots!

  She grabbed her purse. After throwing a breath mint in her mouth, she swiped flavored gloss across her lips. Okay, she needed to calm down. She could do this. She waited her whole life for this moment.

  Tap-tap-tap.

  Michael was standing beside her car. What to do… What to do… Shit. What was she suppose to do now?

  He pointed towards the ground, signaling for her to roll down her window. Willing herself to move, she pressed the button. The glass slowly slid away, allowing the smell of his woodsy cologne to drift to her nostrils.

  He looked at her.

  She looked at him.

  He smiled, so she smiled.

  After a moment of awkward silence, Michael let out a heavy sigh. “Did you change your mind?”

  She said ‘no’, but it came out as an exhaled breath. She lost her voice again.

  “Was that a ‘no’?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “So you still want me to come in?”

  Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she nodded again.

  Amusement sparkled in his eyes. “Are you going to leave your car?”

  Please speak, Meli.

  “Yes,” she mouthed.

  Damn it!

  Michael squatted down and rested his arms on her door. He smelled so wonderful; she couldn’t wait to tangle herself around his body.

  “Um, Melanie, have you ever had visitors before?”

  She gave a quick affirmative nod, then regretted her response. She’d never really had visitors per se. Buster came to collect the grocery list each week. And then there was the mail guy who came to deliver her packages. Oh, she had cleaner and a handyman that came once a month to help out with things around the house.

  She tried to talk, then remembered her current speech impediment. She snapped her mouth shut and shook her head, hoping he recognized her answer change. Friggin’ shyness. It always happened at the most inconvenient times. It would be better if she could ramble incoherently.

  He looked a little confused. “You’ve never had a man over for coffee before?”

  She nodded vigorously, so glad that he understood. He grinned and her world turned cock-eyed. His smile had the most profound affect on her.