Page 42 of Iris
Three sets of eyes watch me swallow. All of them have some form of a smirk on their own faces. I'm taking that response as a yes. I have a feeling they are thinking about what will happen after dinner. So am I.
Shifting slightly, I hope my body will calm down from the images I’ve begun to imagine. I clear my throat.
“Right. Dinner. So, I’ll see you guys once you get back from work. Dorian, you can set up anywhere you’d like when you come back. I’ll be in the greenhouse for the most part of the day. I want to get all the flowers ready for the dance. Saturday night is only a little bit away. So much to do. The red banana tree will be ready to plant on Wednesday. It’ll grow on its own between that night to Saturday. It’s a sturdy little tree right now.”
“I will provide comedic relief throughout the day!” Igor’s leaves move in excitement. “Pranks, jokes, galore!”
“Igor, no pranks. Unless you’re open to everyone pulling pranks on you as payback.” I raise an eyebrow at her as she huffs.
“Fine! Ruin my fun!” Now she is going to sulk for a little while.
The rest of breakfast is uneventful as we finish up the food, working together to put the dishes in the dishwasher, and wipe down the table. I say goodbye to all of them with heated kisses that leave me breathless and wanting more.
“Wow.” My lips are swollen by the time they all leave. I slap my cheeks smartly. “Okay, gotta work.”
I go barefoot to the greenhouse. The sandals would just get in the way when I plan to work some big magic to make sure the flowers and plants are ready. I want to give the other plants in the greenhouse a checkup, too.
As soon as I close the door, my toes bury into the soil beneath my feet, I let my magic spread out. I lean against the door as I feel my magic run along the ground, touching every flower, tree, and everything in between. Everything seems healthy and happy. The seedlings for the party are almost fully grown now. They are almost ready to bloom. Guess I can’t call them seedlings anymore.
Igor is at her normal spot when I begin moving through the building. There aren't really any issues with the plants as I check on their pH levels, the fertilizer and soil are still fresh for them, and they have all been trimmed the other week.
The red banana tree I’ve chosen for the centerpiece is almost fifteen feet high from the other day with that small bit of magic I used. Running my hands down the trunk, I nod in satisfaction. it's healthy and ready for its journey to be part of City Hall.
“You’re going to steal the show at the dance.” I step back, grinning at the tree. “I’ll move you on Wednesday. You won’t go alone. The vines and some of the other plants will go with you.”
I spend the next few hours feeding the plants with my magic or adding more plant food around the areas that are a little low. Sweat beads my forehead as it grows warmer in the building. I’ve stripped off my shirt and have been working in just my sports bra when I sense Dorian walking inside.
He spots me as I come down the pathway. His smile is contagious. When he leans in to kiss me, I step back.
“I’m all gross. You don’t want to kiss me right now.” Laughing, I grab a towel next to Igor on the table.
“Mmm. I’m going to kiss you anyway.” Dorian captures my lips in a searing kiss, he even pulls me close against him, ignoring that I'm sweaty and icky.
When he finally lets me up for air, I'm seeing double for a few brief moments. "Wow. Talk about a kiss."
His smug look makes me chuckle as I step back.
"You're actually just in time. I decided on the flowers that will go in the other dancing room."
"Yeah? That's good since the mayor asked for an update." Dorian leans against the table next to Igor, who seems to be napping.
"Mmm. Yup. Since we can't use magic, I have some grape vines on an archway. We can move the archway to the entrance of the room. I'll bring it back after the dance. I've also got a few birds of paradise that are ready to be pinched. I'll also be bringing some blooming ginger plants, clivia, and hibiscus. I'd been thinking of using carnations or general flowers like that, but they just would clash with the theme." Now I'm rambling while Dorian stands against the table with a soft smile while I go on and on.
"I think he gets it, Oh Great One." Igor moves a bit in her pot, her version of stretching.
"You finally woke up. Enjoy your sun nap?" She does a head bob before yawning. I turn back to Dorian. "Everything will be ready to move on Wednesday. I'll need at least 3 or 4 men, or women, strong enough for the manual labor with a big truck bed."
"I believe that’s part of Kieron's job, so you'll have the help. I've got the truck taken care of."
"Well. I guess I just have one last thing to do." The honeysuckle vines and star flowers just need a little push so they can start intertwining together. "It'll take a few minutes. After that, we can head out of here. It's times like these I wish I had a pool."
"You want to go swimming?" Dorian grins as he leans forward while his hands still grip the table edge. "Maybe go skinny dipping?"
I have to bite my lower lip to stop from laughing. One of Igor's roots comes up from behind him and whacks Dorian in the back of the head.
"Pervert! My Iris is pure like the driven snow!"
Yup. Can't hold it back anymore. I crack up so bad that my sides hurt and I end up on the ground, gasping for air as I laugh.
