“A delivery for Ms. Cane.”

A delivery? “I’m sorry, I’m not expecting anything,” she answered.

“Hey, lady, I have flowers here for you. Long-stemmed red roses.”

Adam had sent her flowers? She pushed the button, a smile spreading across her face.

She waited impatiently for the knock on the door. He seemed to take forever to arrive, but finally, as she peered out the peephole, she saw the man carrying a large arrangement of huge red roses in a tall vase, surrounded by cellophane. She pulled open the door and took the flowers from him.

“Oh, wait, I need to grab my purse.”

“The tip’s already taken care of. He said not to let you worry about that.” Then the guy turned and walked down the hall.

She pushed the door closed with her foot, holding the arrangement with both hands and breathing in the sweet fragrance. Baby’s breath and lacy greenery accented the flowers, all standing in a stunning crystal vase.

She carried it to the dining room table and pulled open the clear plastic. The flowers were exquisite, the tight red blossoms just beginning to open. She glanced around for a card but couldn’t find one.

A knock sounded at the door again. Had the delivery guy forgotten something? She walked to the door and opened it. Then her eyes widened at the sight of another delivery man with another vase of roses.

“There must be some mistake,” she said. “I already received some roses.”

The guy smiled. “No mistake, ma’am.”

She took the new vase of flowers and set it on the table beside the first one. Then there was another knock at the door. She opened it to the sight of yet another delivery man with flowers.

“Oh my God.” But she took them and set them on the coffee table.

At the next knock she was no longer surprised. She took the next vase and put them in her bedroom on the dresser.

There were several more deliveries, until she had ten vases of flowers scattered around her small apartment. The place was filled with the delightful fragrance of the roses.

As she carried the latest vase to the kitchen, she realized this one had a card. She plucked the small pink envelope from the plastic holder, then opened it with a smile.

But as soon as she saw the inside of the card, her breath caught. The name at the bottom wasn’t Adam’s scrawled signature. The writing was bold and tightly controlled. And read, Dare.

She sank into the chair. The note said:

You are as beautiful as these flowers and far more precious. I never should have let you go.

Shock vaulted through her. Dare had changed his mind?

She stomped down her rising hope, not wanting to convince herself it was true only to find that he only meant these flowers as an apology for hurting her, or he was just trying to cheer her up because he felt guilty for ditching her.

Another knock sounded on her door. She walked to the entrance.

“Not more flowers,” she said as she opened the door. Then her heart leaped.

Dare stood in the hallway. His blue-and-white-striped shirt and lean jeans showcased his powerful frame and the musky scent of his cologne released unsettling memories of his body close to her in more intimate situations.

“May I come in?” His deep, sexy voice tugged at her emotions.

She wanted to hear her name on his lips. To have him whisper it in her ear then nuzzle her neck.

She stepped aside to let him in, not trusting her voice.

“I see you got my flowers.” He smiled, and the charming gleam in his eye was almost her undoing.

She wanted to throw herself in his arms and tell him how much she wanted him. How much she loved him. But how could she admit that when she didn’t know if she believed it herself? Was her attraction to him just her need for a father figure? Didn’t that make her just like Helen? Couldn’t that have been part of the reason he broke up with her?

“What did you mean by the card?”

“I thought it was very clear.”

He stepped toward her and she had to stop herself from backing away. His hands came around her shoulders, gripping them firmly.

“I made a mistake. I don’t want to end what we had.”

“What about Helen?”

“I can’t let her dictate my life. She may have problems, and I’ll help her solve them, but that shouldn’t get in the way of my happiness.”

He drew her close and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close in a gentle embrace. “And you make me happy,” he murmured, then nuzzled her ear.

Delightful sensations rippled along her skin.

“I do?”

He gazed at her, a smile spreading across his face. “Yes, you do.” He tipped up her chin and brushed his lips against hers in a sweet, poignant kiss.

“My big mistake was thinking that we had to end this when my business is done here. That might be what you want, but I hope to find a way to convince you otherwise.”

“You thought that’s what I want?” She shook her head. “I thought that’s what you wanted.”

A chuckle rumbled from his chest and he smiled broadly. “So does that mean we can continue what we started?”

Her heart soared and she smiled so wide her cheeks hurt. “Yes.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, her lips moving on his in a passionate, consuming kiss. Her tongue pushed into his mouth and she tasted cinnamon and coffee. His tongue tangled with hers, their bodies so tight she could feel his pounding heart. Or was that hers?

Then he swept her up in his arms and carried her to the couch. He set her down and glided the hem of her top upward. She sucked in a breath and grabbed his hand, stopping him.

Oh, God, how could she have forgotten about Adam?

“No, we can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I…” She bit her lip as she stared into his midnight blue eyes. “I’m involved with someone now.”

*   *   *

Dare frowned. “You started seeing someone else?”

She nodded.

“This would be the friend you were telling me about that you have feelings for.”

“That’s right.”

“Fuck, are you kidding me? We’ve only been apart a few days.”

“And he and I have been attracted for years.”

“Yet you’ve never done anything about this attraction before. So why now?”

She dragged her fingernail along the armrest of the couch, staring intently at the fabric. “Well, because of you. When I started seeing you, it made us realize that the barriers keeping us apart—the age difference, the fact that he’s my boss—don’t really matter.”

Wait a minute. He was her boss? She was involved with Adam Rawlins?

Fuck, why did it have to be Adam?

*   *   *

Adam watched Ashley working studiously at her desk as he approached. He’d been dying to see her since he’d left her on Sunday morning. Wanting to hold her in his arms again. To feel her soft hair against his cheek. He wanted to taste her sweet mouth as he plundered her lips.

And he didn’t want to wait until this evening to do it.

“Ashley,” he said as he stood facing her desk.

She glanced up, startled. “Oh, Adam. Good morning.”

Her voice sounded strained and her gaze flickered away from his. Was she nervous about their relationship in the office? Maybe she was hoping they’d keep it quiet.

“I need to see you in my office,” he said, keeping his boss face on.

“Okay.” She stood up and followed him to his door.

Once inside, he turned. “Close the door.”

She closed it, then with a stern expression on his face, as if he’d called her in here to lecture her, he walked toward her. Slowly.

“I heard about something that happened this weekend.”

She gazed at him uncertainly. “You did?”

“That’s right. About you and a man.”

Her eyes widened. She shook her head. “I…”

God, she seemed nervous.

“You know, office romances can be tricky things.” He stopped in front of her and stroked her cheek. “But you and I have history, and a deep friendship. I know we’ll be fine. But if you want to keep it quiet for a while, then we can do that.”