Page 14 of Rooting for Kiran (The Mate-Cute #1)

KIRAN

It’s been a week since my night with Thea, since I saw her last.

Seven whole days since my mouth was on her, since hers was on me, since I was inside her.

I’ve been forced to use my hand every night since, but it doesn’t compare to her touch, her mouth, or her pussy.

Her body was made for me, and mine for her. I just need to make a plan that will help her see that it’s okay to take a chance with me.

“You okay, boss?” Colton comes up beside me and asks.

He’s a local community college student with hopes of studying botany and has been working here since he was able to get a job in high school. Great kid. Fantastic worker.

Only issue? He’s a total meddler.

Moving the hose over to the next batch of plants, I sneak a peek at him. “Of course, why?”

He does a little tilt back and forth from his heels to the balls of his feet before settling back in place. “Well… It’s just that… You were overwatering those orchids before I came up.”

Sure as shit, there is an absolute pool of water beneath the stands of orchids.

“Damn it! Here!” I thrust the hose into Colton’s hands. “Finish up while I save these things.”

Colton doesn’t even question me as he gets to work finishing up with the rest of the indoor plants. Meanwhile, I swear and complain under my breath the entire time I scurry to soak up the water. I have to remove my socks and shoes in order to absorb the massive puddle on the floor through my feet. Simultaneously, I forcefully sprout tiny roots from my fingers that extend to reach into each pot, where they then siphon the excess moisture from every orchid’s soil.

By the time I finish rescuing the flowers, I slosh my way over to the alien section, desperate to empty my waterlogged body’s reservoir into this section of plants in order to find some much-needed relief. Not a single droplet of water goes to waste in my greenhouse. Not if I can help it.

Then I hide away in my office for a break to clear my head.

“Wanna talk about it?” Colton takes me by surprise with his presence once again.

I can’t help but roll my eyes before staring up at him as he leans against the doorframe. “About?”

His smirk leaks sarcasm. “The woman you’re head over heels for.”

“I’m not head over heels for any woman,” I respond.

He crosses his arms. “ Yes , you are.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“This is ridiculous.” Using both hands, I attempt to stroke away the sudden headache pulsing in my temples. “I’m arguing like an adolescent with an adolescent.”

He scoffs. “Aren’t I technically a young adult now?”

Throwing up my hands in frustration, I move around to the front of my desk and perch on the edge. “Technicalities. Now, what do you want, Colton?”

An alien-like fire must cross my eyes, because Colton’s gaze widens before settling again. “I want to know who—or what—has you so distracted. Maybe I can help.”

“How the hell do you think a twenty-year-old such as yourself is going to help a man in his mid-thirties?”

He shrugs. “Well, I have a girlfriend. I’d like to think I understand ladies up to a point.”

My left eye twitches as I mull over what to do and say with a long, deep sigh that escapes through my mouth. “You can’t say a word.”

I can’t believe I’m actually considering this.

His thumb and forefingers touch before he zips them across his lips like a zipper.

“Her name’s Thea,” I start. “She came in here, busted a plant, caught my eye, and now I can’t get her out of my mind.”

Colton nods along with my words. “It was your precious penis plant, right?”

“My what?”

“You know. The only one of its kind. Looks like a penis. You checked on it at least once a day. That one.”

I can’t contain my raised brows. “I didn’t realize I made it that apparent…”

“Did you sleep with her after she bought your penis plant, concurrently stealing your heart?”

“We shouldn’t be talking about this.” I shake my head. I knew this was a bad idea. “It’s inappropriate.”

He laughs. “To talk about sex with a fellow adult?”

Walking closer, I lower my voice. “You’re barely one.”

A smile pulls up at the corner of his mouth. “So you did sleep with her. How was it?”

Tongue in my cheek, I head straight back to my desk. I shouldn’t say anything. Right?

“Me and my girl,” he starts. “We—”

“Nope!” I hold up a hand. “No. I don’t wanna know. It was great, okay? Best night of my life, and now I can’t stop thinking about her. There. Happy now?”

Colton nods as a humongous grin grows on his face. “Very. Now, let’s make a plan for you to see her again.”