TOO HOT TO HANDLE
The phone rang in Rose's kitchen. Drying her hands Rose rushed over to the handset and hit the green button answering "Hello?".
"um is this Rose? Of Rose Garden Company?" a deep voice asked.
Smiling she replied "yes it is. What can I help you with?".
"my name is Roman Reigns. I just bought a bungalow in the carnival heights area and I need the garden completely redone. It's currently a total mess and you were recommended to me" the man answered.
Rose hummed "um well I am busy for the rest of the day but I could call around early tomorrow morning and survey the garden, give you some ideas and maybe give you some idea of a price. Is that alright with you?"
"absolutely" Mr Reigns replied "I live in the small bungalow up the lane. It's called "serenity garden" do you know it?"
rose smiled thinking of the small cottage and how beautiful it had been in its heyday. It had fallen into disrepair recently and needed a lot of work. If she took on this job she realised it would take while to complete.
"sure I know it. I'll be there by 9am tomorrow morning" she said.
"thank you Rose. I look forward to seeing you" came the response and he hung up.
A shiver ran down Rose's spine as he said her voice. There was just something about the way he said her name. It was warm and enclosed her. Shaking her head Rose told herself she was being daft. She had a habit of being romantic about things and assumed that was what she was doing now.
Going back to the sink Rose finished drying the dishes before putting out a cooling tray for when her freshly baked scones were ready. Tidying away all the tins and bowls, Rose took the scones out of the over. She loved the warm bready scent of them. Laying a clean dish cloth over them Rose soaked the baking tray and went up to her bedroom.
Rose sighed as she reached the hot stuffy room. She went over to the balcony doors and threw them open. She was relieved to feel a light breeze flow across her body. Pulling the light net curtain back across the window Rose went over to her bed where she has her cotton pyjamas laid out on the bed. Pulling down the zip on her dress, Rose let it fall lazily to the ground. Reaching behind she unhooked her bra and slipped it off. Running her hands down her chest and stomach Rose closed her eyes and imagined it was a tall strong dark man touching her. Running his hands over her. Taking a deep breath she opened her eyes and pulled on her pyjamas before climbing into bed. It was so warm Rose threw off the covers and decided to sleep solely under the sheets. Laying back against her deep pillows Rose closed her eyes and thought of the wonderful things she could do to Serenity Garden if only Mr Reigns agrees.
Pulling up the lane towards serenity house Rose was appalled at how badly the hedges had gotten out of shape. They were so overgrown they scraped the side of the car as she drove slowly past. Her mind whirled with ideas as she passed. As she parked in front of the cottage she smiled as she remembered how beautiful it had been in it's prime. She could still see that beauty beneath all the problems. She laughed to herself as she remembered how Mr Reigns called it a bungalow. There was no doubt in her mind a building of this beauty was an idealistic cottage. She heard footsteps coming from around the back of the house and walking around she spied someone bent over moving blocks into a wheelbarrow. Although the first thing she noticed was a massive bush of long black hair, Rose could tell immediately that the person was male. He was tall and extremely well built with a long tribal tattoo on his left shoulder. He was wearing a black vest which revealed huge muscles across his torso. Rose stood there staring. She couldn't take her eyes of him. She had only seen his back and already she was mesmerised by him. The man turned suddenly to face Rose. Her mouth dropped open in shock! It was the man from her dreams. It was the same man that she had fantasised about.
Grinning Roman asked "Do you plan to stand there all day or are you coming over to introduce yourself Miss Komal?"
Rose quickly pulled herself together and said "oh I'm sorry. I was just...just looking over the garden".
Roman laughed "That wasn't all you were checking out sweetie but I'm saying nothing".
Rose went bright red in shame. She thought he hadn't noticed. Lowering her eyes she muttered "so yeah had you any specific plans for the garden or...?"
"well" Roman said "I love colours. I love flowers. And on my days off I like to do a bit of weeding and stuff to relax".
Rose grew excited. He seemed to like the same ideas as her. "so your looking for a nice peaceful area to chill and calm down".
"exactly" Roman replied "I have such a busy job when I get some time off I like to just relax and take it easy".
"okay I see where your coming from" Rose smiled "are there any flowers in particular you like? Any special requests?".
Roman grinned "maybe you would like to have lunch with me?"
Rose's eyes widened. "lunch? Well...um I'm...Okay then".
He took a step closer to her and whispered "you don't seem too sure".
Smiling shyly Rose said "no I'm sure. Well if there's nothing else then I will start my garden plans".
Roman placed a large hand on Rose's cheek and whispered in her ear "Absolutely. See you at lunch" and he kissed her gently on the cheek.
As Roman pushed the wheelbarrow away Rose placed a hand on her cheek where he had kissed her. Taking a deep breath she went into the garden and started planning the perfect garden.
Rose was sitting cross-legged at the bottom of the garden writing in her notepad when Roman joined her carrying a tray of orange juice and cup cakes. Laying the tray down on the ground between them, Roman sat down opposite her and poured her a glass of juice saying "phew it's hot out here".
Rose wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and sighed "yeah it is. It will help the flowers grow and honestly weeding in the rain is no fun".
Roman laughed "I think I'd like to see you out in the rain all wet".
Rose's eyes shot wide. She couldn't believe he just said that. Her face flushed and she bowed her head to her notebook so he wouldn't see.
Smoothing her hair back from her face Roman smiled "I didn't mean it that way sweetie. Don't be shy".
A stubbornness grew within Rose as she raised her head defiantly and asked "so is this out big lunch? You think I'm a cheap date?".
Roman smiled at Rose asking "so you want a date do you?".
Laughing Rose said "you know I didn't mean that! Quit teasing!".
"I wasn't teasing" Roman said seriously. Holding the back of Rose's head Roman leaned in close. Rose's heart started to palpitate. She breath hitched the closer Roman got. She was scared he was going to kiss her yet at the same time she wanted nothing more in the world.
Looking deep into her eyes Roman looked for any sign she wanted this but he only saw fear and hesitation, so holding himself back Roman turned and kissed her gently on the cheek. He smelt the fragrant lavender perfume she wore as he pulled slowly away taking in every aspect of her he could.
Rose was disappointed as he pulled back. She felt embarrassed and ashamed that he hadn't wanted to kiss her so to distract herself Rose began telling Roman about her plans for the garden.
"Basically Mr Reigns the garden will be a rectangular shape. The size will depend on how the weeding and clearing of the garden goes. Down either side we will have large borders approximately 5-10ft again depending on how much room we have. Towards the outside we will have some cherry blossom trees and bushes to give you total privacy. As we come towards the inside borders we will have flowers decreasing in size so when in full bloom they will give you an array of colour".
"Rose..." Roman started but Rose continued on not wanting to hear Romans excuses.
"so the whole middle of the garden will be all grass. Its always nice to have grass for animals, kids love grass and mowing it can be very peaceful. At the bottom of the garden I plan to build a little terrace, peaceful area where you can dine or just relax".
"Rose please!" Roman started but again Rose continued "those bricks you were removing earlier, if we can get enough whole bricks I was thinking we could build them into rectangle planters to lay alongside the house. We'll paint them white to match obviously..."
Roman finally had enough and he leaned forward and clasping the silky black hair from behind locked his lips firmly against Rose kissing her. Rose gasped as Roman held her tightly filling the kiss with every bit of frustration and need in his body. As Roman pulled away he watched Rose carefully. Her chest rose and fell quickly as her breathing laboured. Her brown eyes shone as she looked up at Roman then away shyly. Roman took her by the face and turning her towards him gently kissed her again smoothing down the back of her hair. Rose groaned as she felt his tongue press against her lips seeking entrance. As she moaned Roman took the opportunity to slip his tongue in to explore her mouth. Reaching around her waist he pulled her up onto his lap holding her close. He pulled her tighter wanting to feel every inch of her delicate body against his own. Rose's hands slid up his chest of their own accord needing to touch every muscle, feel the hardness of his body under her palms. Rose felt a pressure rising under her thighs and suddenly becoming shy she got quickly up off his knee and muttered "I..um I better check out the bricks" and she hurried round the corner but not before cheekily looking back at Roman shooting him a sexy smile.
A/N to be continued.