Page 8 of Smarty Plants
She pulls me close again, fingernails pressing lightly into the back of my neck. I would give anything to feel this beauty let go completely. To feel her hot, curvy body as she loses herself in me.
I should do the right thing. Take my time. Let things progress slowly. But I can’t. Iris has ignited a fire inside me that has been waiting to be set ablaze my entire life.
I pepper a string of kisses along her cheekbone, then breathe against her ear. “I have to go before I rip this dress off, angel. You’re just too hot for your own good.”
Her breath catches as she looks up at me with a twinkle in her eyes. “Are you trying to tell me that you can’t control yourself?”
I grin. “Sure I can. I just don’t want to.”
Her head tips back when she laughs, and I kiss along the column of her throat, then lower, dipping into her dress as I kiss along the top of her breast. My back is blocking her from the street, but not enough for me to pull the fabric down and suckher nipple into my mouth as I want to. Instead, my hand slips in, softly teasing for just a few seconds.
Her legs tremble as I hold her snugly against me. “Talk to you tomorrow, beautiful.”
Iris is already nodding. “Be out of your office by ten. That’s when the painters are coming. And please warn Dakota.”
“Yes, boss.” I kiss her forehead, then step back while she pulls out her keys, adjusts her dress, and slips inside.
Someday soon, I’ll have her over to my place so she doesn’t have to go home at the end of our date.
But first, I have to save my business from the worst member of my family.
5
IRIS
Every time we refresh our plant shop, I sit back and run the numbers while my mother and sisters attend to the creative stuff.
Wow. I’ve been missing out.
I’ve been surrounded by plants, art, and design all my life, but now that I’m leading my own project, it feels like all the knowledge that’s been swirling around in my brain for years finally has a focus. I’m especially glad that Ben is fine with all my choices.
By noon, I’ve finished my essential work at the shop, confirmed that the painters will be done at Ben’s within two hours, and Jasmine has finished potting up Violet’s choices for the plant arrangements.
“Thank you so much.” I watch as she taps the sides of the pots vigorously to make sure the soil has settled. “Sorry it’s such a rush.”
“No problem. I’ll just check on the front planters at Brody’s Books tomorrow instead.”
Something clicks in the back of my mind. “Ooh, planters. Like they have at Brody’s. How long would those take to make?”
Violet jumps up from her desk and joins us. “That’s a great idea. If you’re doing the inside, you should totally do the entranceway too. We have enough stock – hosta, coleus, some ferns for height, maybe a couple of bright fuchsia at the ends?”
“If it’s okay that the planters themselves are exactly like Brody’s, I have two spare in the back,” Jasmine says, straightening up.
“Perfect. I’ll call the guys to have them delivered to Ben’s office for end of day.”
I send a text to our delivery guys and general all around handymen, Craig and Brendan. When I look up, I see my sisters staring at me strangely. “What?”
“Speaking ofBen, are you going to actually, you know, tell us anything about him?”
My eyes snap closed. Busted.
Violet bursts into laughter. “We saw you getting out of his truck last night, girl. He’s obviously not just a client.”
“He’s…” There’s nothing I can say that would be both honest and logical without them rolling their eyes at me. “He’s amazing. Can we maybe leave it at that for now?”
They share a glance, then nod. “Only because you’re blushing so hard,” Jasmine says.
“And clearly very busy updating his entire life,” Violet adds.
