The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 312

Perched on Maloney's arm, Nora wrapped her hands around his neck and subtly sniffed him.

He smelled like rain-soaked grass warmed by body heat.

A sharp, earthy scent mixed with the dampness of the storm.

It was fresh, almost sweet.

Very sweet.

She took a deeper breath.

It smelled distinctly like apples.

A soft, intoxicating fruitiness.

Where on earth had he picked up that scent?

Her nose was practically grazing his neck.

Her warm breath ghosted across his skin.

Maloney's Adam's apple jumped. His grip on her tightened as he picked up his pace, his trench coat snapping behind him. He kicked open their bedroom door and deposited her onto the velvet sofa.

The rain was coming down harder now.

Maloney caged her in, leaning down until they were chest to chest.

Just as his hand gripped the back of her neck, a crack of thunder shattered the sky, making her jump.

The noise jolted her brain back online.

"Maloney,"

Nora tugged nervously at his lapel. "About the flowers..."

She was a terrible liar.

Guilt was radiating off her before she even opened her mouth.

He slowly massaged her nape. "Who did you run into at the hospital?" he asked in a low, dangerous rumble.

Gathering her courage, she replied, "No one. I was just catching up with Cassidy."

"Who else visited Cassidy?"

"Just... just me, and Silas's assistant."

Maloney frowned slightly. "Silas sent Cassidy flowers?"

Nora stared at him.

That was completely the wrong takeaway.

"No, no, the flowers weren't at the hospital!" she hastily corrected. "My designer texted me that someone sent a bouquet to my studio, and I assumed it was from you..."

The first half of that sentence was the truth, and it tumbled out smoothly.

The last half was pure fiction, delivered with a perfectly executed, timid stutter.

Maloney stared down at her.

"Who sent them?" he demanded.

"I don't know," she whispered. "There was no card."

"Where are they?"

"I threw them out."

Normally, receiving flowers wasn't a federal offense.

"I swear I didn't see anyone..."

He was backing her into a corner.

She was hopelessly outmatched.

Her head was a mess. The plan had been half-baked from the start, relying entirely on vibes and improvisation.

And she had tripped right out of the starting gate.

Right then.

Another deafening crack of thunder shook the windows.

Nora threw herself into his chest with a terrified gasp.

The thing was, Nora wasn't scared of storms.

He knew this for a fact. He vividly remembered watching her as a teenager, walking home alone in a torrential downpour with a tiny umbrella, loudly reciting poetry to the empty streets without an ounce of fear.

In all the years since, she hadn't flinched at a single lightning strike.

She was acting.

Something was extremely off.

The rain lashed against the glass in a furious staccato.

Maloney studied her for a beat, then took a half step back.

"Nora, let's make a deal."

The pivot gave her mental whiplash. "What kind of deal?" she asked blankly.