Read Online Bliss by Hilary Fields - Free Book Online

those lean cheeks could use a good going over with a razor—his five o’clock shadow, she guessed, probably started around eight in the morning. Plus— ugh —she’d always hated guys who wore chains around their necks. Still, with eyes like that, who was complaining?
    Pauline drew Sera forward, beaming fit to crack her face. “Kiddo, I’d like you to meet Asher Wolf, who owns that marvelous jewelry store next door and is single-handedly responsible for every exquisite work of art inside. He’s also the author of that floral exuberance that’s been…ah…decorating our shops. Not to mention, quite easy on the eyes, if you hadn’t noticed.” She winked outrageously at Asher, who seemed to think nothing of it, merely winking back companionably.
    Oh, she’d noticed. This guy was a jewelry maker? With an Incredible Hulk–sized green thumb? And a name like Asher Wolf? She would have pegged him for a biker, maybe, or a kung fu expert—or maybe an artist’s model. Ladies probably tucked panties with their phone numbers embroidered on them into his pockets as he strolled down the streets. The women he dated would be sensual, uninhibited, sophisticated. And probably stellar in bed. It should come as no surprise, Sera acknowledged painfully, that he failed to take notice of her.
    â€œAsher, allow me to introduce you to someone very special,” Pauline continued warmly, interrupting Sera’s thoughts. “This is my niece from New York, Serafina Wilde. My very single niece. Everyone calls her Bliss.”
    â€œ No one calls me Bliss,” Sera mumbled uncomfortably, squirming under the Israeli’s curious regard. “You’re the only one, Aunt Pauline.” As Sera’s godmother, Pauline had had the honor of gifting her niece with that fantastical middle name. Sera had secretly always liked it, even as it made her feel vaguely embarrassed to cop to it.
    The lanky artisan had the grace to pretend not to notice Sera’s ungracious tone. “Your aunt has a way with words,” Asher complimented in his lilting accent, filling the awkward space. “It is a true pleasure to meet you, Bliss. Any relative of Miss Pauline is a welcome addition to our little town.”
    Now why did she get the feeling there was not a chance in hell of getting him to stop calling her Bliss and start using her given name?
    And why, further, was she having an even more unsettling fantasy upon hearing the way the word “bliss” rolled off his tongue, of that name being a promise he might collect on?
    â€œYou had a delivery a few days ago,” Asher told Pauline, interrupting Sera’s squirrelly thoughts with disheartening practicality. Somehow, she’d expected the guy to spout movie dialogue, not prosaic everyday stuff. “When you couldn’t be reached, I put the boxes inside for you.”
    â€œOh, dear. I’m sorry, Ash. I did mean to call you back, it’s just that things rather got away from me since…since Hortencia…” Moisture gathered in Pauline’s coffee brown eyes, and she crinkled them valiantly to keep tears at bay. Sera felt a pang, and reached out instinctively to rub the older woman’s shoulder. There were so many reminders of her life with Hortencia, and it had to be hard on her to carry on alone. They may have found each other late in life, but there was little doubt the two women had been soul mates.
    Asher’s quick gaze took note of her gesture and seemed to warm a bit. Sera wasn’t sure what to make of that and glanced away uncomfortably. She did not need to get herself enthralled by another charismatic man, damn it! Especially not one as inscrutable as Indy over here. ’Cause yeah, that had worked out real well for her last time.
    â€œThank you for taking care of that for us, Ash,” Pauline resumed when her composure returned. “I always said you were a good egg, and I