The Unexpected Gift

Chapter 11:

Walking into the floral shop, I am hit with the immediate smell of an overly strong flowery scent. I paused right there near the door and just inhaled a huge gulp of air, trying to fill my lungs with the beautiful smell. I have always loved coming into a florist shop or anywhere that has strong flower scents.

After a few large inhales, I started to make my way around the shop. The space that the owner has her business set up in is not a very large room, but the way she has the shelves and cabinets set up, it gives off the feel that the room is much bigger.

I started making my way around looking at the selections that she has out on display. So far, all that I am seeing are all Christmas-based color schemes. I know without a doubt that I can not buy anything that remotely looks like it has anything to do with Christmas. So, I keep looking. I am starting to get a little worried that they may not have anything that will work, when I remember that the florist usually keeps the more unorthodox arrangements towards the back of the shop. Hoping that there may be something that would work back there, I started to make my way in that direction.

I am about half way there when something caught my eye. Close to the bottom of the stationary shelf, I see a small journal that is leather-bound and has the imprint of different flowers. It is beautiful at first glance. I picked it up wanting to get a closer look.

On further examination, I notice there are a lot of fine details etched into the front cover of the journal. The journal itself is made to look rustic and old. The leather is soft and smooth and feels really nice in my hands. I discovered that it also has a leather strap to hold the journal together, just adding to the look and feel of the book altogether. I was in love.

I really liked the journal, but when I flipped it over I did not like the price so much. I think I just may wait until next time to get the journal.

As I am squatting down to put the journal back on the shelf, I hear someone from behind me yell.

“Wait. No! Don’t…..” a man's voice yelled.

Before I was able to even comprehend what was going on or who this person was yelling at, I was practically tackled from behind.

Not being prepared for the unexpected tackle, I am knocked over on my knees. Although it was shocking to be blindsided, I could tell by the small arms that it was a little kid that did the tackling. As I am trying to get my bearings back, I can hear the rushing of someone running up to me and now the small child.

“Oh, my God! Are you alright? I am so sorry!” I heard a deep voice say in all one breath.

“I am so very sorry! I have no clue as to why he would do such a thing. He is usually so well-behaved.” I barely heard the man tell me. My back is still to him because I am still currently pinned by the small child and the death grip that he currently has on me.

I shift a little, trying to pull the little one from my back to my front, so I know who I am getting love from. As I manage to get ahold of the little one, his face comes into view. I would recognize that sweet face anywhere.

Jason.

Once he noticed that I had acknowledged his presence by pulling him in front of me, he practically jumped on me again. Successfully pushing me from my knees to flat on my butt. I can’t help but giggle at his antics.

“Miss, are you OK? Please tell me you are OK. I do not know what I am going to tell his mother about this.” the deep voice said again.

Now that I was completely on the ground now and no longer in danger of falling over. Well, honestly, I couldn’t get any lower. I was able to try and identify the person the voice belonged to.

As I turned in the direction of this strange, deep voice, the first thing that I noticed was the rugged pair of work boots. His boots had seen better days. They were dark brown with scuff and scrapes all over them. They also had traces of old dried mud, and something blue that was unidentifiable. As my eyes slowly traveled up, I took notice of the toned legs that looked like they might be used to work out, or possibly to go running.

I mentally chastised myself for checking out his private area, that is so inappropriate with a child in my lap. But it wasn’t completely my fault, he was practically putting his junk in my face. And damn if his snug pants do not leave anything to the imagination. All his glory was on display and it was a lot.

I couldn’t help the blush that turned my face. I'm sure it is bright red. The stranger must have noticed where my line of sight had ended up, because I can hear him clear his throat as he squats down closer to my level. Coming almost face to face. He is still a little taller, being that I am now seated on my ass.

I turned away from him quickly, trying to get my blushing face under control. God, this is so embarrassing.

Feeling that my face was not as hot as it was, I turned back to the stranger immediately and was struck with how hot this man was. He has a manly rugged look, that's sexy as hell. His jawline is lightly covered in a five o’clock shadow that only enhances his sexiness.

I must have taken too long checking him out, because as I’m admiring his very plump kissable lips, they quirk up into a sexy as hell smirk. Damn, he is hot, and he knows it as well, if that smirk has anything to say about it. I'm sure he uses that smirk to get what he wants all the time.

Pulling my eyes from his licks, I locked eyes with the most gorgeous gray slate-colored eyes ever. As I am staring at them, I swear they are swirling with different shades of gray within them.

I am pulled from my admiration of this strange man in front of me by a small finger poking me in the cheek.