Not So Silent Night by Kelly Ryan

Sniffling, sneezing, and itching eyes; just what Anna needed to brighten her already dismal holiday season. It appeared she was literally allergic to Christmas. Her first Christmas working in the flower shop she had inherited from her grandmother, and she turned out to be allergic to the greenery and the poinsettias this season required.
    “I always knew there was a reason I hated this stupid holiday,” she muttered to herself as she got ready to close. “Only two more days, I can last two more days and then I can get rid of all this crap.” Thankfully, she would not be open on Christmas Day itself, so the end was in sight. In fact, she planned to spend her Christmas getting rid of all the plants that had been making her miserable for the past month.
    She had almost finished cleaning up in back when she heard the bell on the door ring less than five minutes before closing. “Seriously? Can’t people let me get out of here on time just one damn night?” she muttered to herself as she stormed toward the front so she could wait on her customer and then get the hell out of the store.
    Anna whipped around the corner in a huff, not caring if she scared the latecomer customer away. She stopped in her tracks and almost forgot what she was pissed about when she saw the customer in question. The most breathtaking back view of a man she had ever seen stood just inside the doorway and her brain stopped working for the moment. Wow, who knew broad shoulders and a great rear could stop a woman in her tracks? While she gawked like an idiot, the man turned around and proved to be even more distracting from the front. This man was like a wall of muscle, perfect body attached to a very masculine and handsome face with the deepest blue eyes Anna had ever seen.
    “Sorry, I know you are about to close, but I need a gift of flowers,” he said when he saw Anna. He had a very thick eastern European accent she thought it might be Russian which of course only made him hotter. She noticed his eyes taking her in and she couldn’t help but stand a little straighter, showing her curves off to her advantage while she absentmindedly ran her fingers through her long, wavy auburn hair, which most men seemed to love.
    It took Anna’s brain a few moments to catch up before she could speak. Her previous anger and frustration vanished, replaced by eagerness to help this particular customer. “No problem at all. Do you have an idea of what kind of gift you are looking for? Is this for your girlfriend or wife?” Anna held her breath as she waited for this mystery man to answer.
    “No, it is for my mother. My family is visiting for the holidays and I almost forgot today’s her birthday. You are the only shop still open in all of Manchester, so I thought flowers are a perfect gift.” The mystery man smiled at her and her heart skipped a beat.
    Anna shook her head slightly, trying to clear her mind. It was so unlike her to let a man distract her. Hell, she had barely even looked at men since Ryan, but it hurt to think about him, so she tried to concentrate on her job. “Well if she is just visiting, you probably don’t want to get her a plant, which would be hard for her to get back home. A floral arrangement seems best to me. Do you know what her favorite flower is? Her favorite color?” Anna tried to be professional as she skirted the gorgeous man in her midst and turned her store sign to say closed and locked the door. “Sorry, but I want to make sure you are the last customer of the night.”
    “Of course, I am sorry to be keeping you late. Please feel free to add an extra charge. I am just glad you are open and I can give my mother something beautiful. I trust your judgment. Give me the biggest and best arrangement you have,” the mysterious man said, while following Anna with his eyes. She could physically feel his gaze on her as she moved around the store, searching for the perfect gift.
    “Well it is winter; white is a traditional winter