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Chapter THIRTEEN ~ Creations
Early the next morning, with the sunrise, I got out of bed. Feeling different today than the days before. Wanting to get out of bed instead of lying in my own self-pity and sadness. I needed to pull myself together for my business that needed me, and I needed it. I’ve worked too damn hard to just give up and let it all slip away. Cassie’s Blossoms was mine, and I needed to act like it was.
I couldn’t just let Lexi run it alone and not expect things to fall apart. She’s done a great job filling in for me while I had time to grieve, but now I need to push that aside and help her. Dante’s generous help was unexpected, and that’s one reason I have an extra spring in my step. I’m so grateful for his offered help, but I’m still uncertain he will even show up.
The floral shop is never busy in the early morning and that’s when we take the time to get any orders ready. With my absence, the orders have been piling up, and Lexi couldn’t keep up with them all on her own. So, it’s definitely time to make up for lost time.
“Okay, let’s start with this order here.” I instructed as I glanced over the sheet of paper at the small delivery and grabbed some pink flowers. “Looks like it’s for a baby shower here in Dawson.”
“Yes, the expecting mother came in here the other day to place an order. I just haven’t been able to get to it because we’re swamped.” Lexi sighed as she grabbed some flowers and got to work.
“Let’s be honest here, you’ve been keeping this business afloat, and it’s been all you.” I admitted as I looked at her with gratitude and smiled. “I’m so sorry I’ve been such a mess lately, if it wasn’t for you...”
“Well, we don’t even have to worry about that now because you’ve come to your senses and are back in business.” Lexi interrupted and smiled at me. “Now we just have to focus on getting caught up with everything and keep our eyes on the prize.”
“And Dante can hopefully help with that.” I breathed a sigh of relief and continued to bundle the flowers in my grasp. “If he even shows up.”
“What? You don’t think he will?” Lexi asked as she raised her eyebrow and smirked. “Honey, with the way he was gawking at you yesterday, I’m sure he will be back.”
I giggled and swatted a pink flower at her. “Oh, would you stop it! It’s not like that.”
“Oh, no, then we must have been looking at two different men because his beautiful brown eyes were all over you.” Lexi teased as she fanned herself with a flower and placed it inside a vase. “The attraction between you two is insane, and it was like that when you first met. Remember, I was there and I could definitely see it when he carried you through that parking lot with your tits hanging out for everyone in town to see.”
My cheeks burned crimson at the vivid memory and I can never live it down. “Oh, my god would you just let it go.”
“You know I could, but it was honestly pretty fucking hot and the memory just sticks. Kind of like your perky tits.” Lexi smirked wickedly and looked down at my breasts. “You got some good-looking boobs there, girl.”
I blushed even harder as I shook my head and tried to forget. Trying to get lost in my work, but all I could think about was him. I could still remember the feelings he gave me. My tits perky and nipples biting at the cool evening air. Caught up in only him and not giving a damn what anyone thought. Letting him have his way with me. Devouring me right in front of everyone and making me all his for just one night. His kisses are rough but soft like silk. His touch burned every inch of my body and made me long for more. But his thrusts are frantic and set me on fire. Crazy, wild and free.
“Well, just one more bouquet and I believe this order is complete.” Lexi announced as she broke me from my thoughts and brought me back to the present.
“R-right, good. We are getting back on track.” I stammered and hoped she didn’t notice my flustered self.
“We’re back in business, baby!” Lexi exclaimed as she high fives me, her eyes locked on something over my shoulder and raised her eyebrow. “Well, look who showed up.”
I stopped what I was doing and spun my head around. My gaze landed upon a gorgeous sight and one I couldn’t break away from. He’s dressed in a fresh leather jacket with blue jeans and a dark shirt underneath. His precious dog tags still hung from his neck like they always did, but sunglasses covered those chocolate brown eyes. He pushed them up to sit on top of his head and his gaze glistened. My mouth watered and the flowers I once held fell to the table. My heart raced as his ruggedly handsome smile spread across his face and he nodded his head towards us. “I told you I’d make it.”
Dante’s words made me return his smile and I’m left surprised. He’s not only here, but he’s early. I never thought he would return because of how I remember him. Rough around the edges. Tough as nails and edgy as hell. I couldn’t see him working with something so delicate as a precious flower and not fucking it up. A man like Dante worked best with tough situations. The life-or-death ones. Not creating something so precious that he could break it. But maybe he will prove me wrong. He already has by just showing up.
“I-I didn’t expect to see you back here.” I breathed in shock and my voice shook.
Dante crossed his arms, narrowed his eyes, and frowned. “Well, I told you I’d be back and I always keep my promise.”
Well, fuck me sideways.
God, he’s sexy as hell.
I felt heat rise throughout my body and head straight for my cheeks. Causing me to glance down towards my feet and hope he didn’t notice a thing. When I heard him rustle, I looked back up to see him remove his leather jacket.
Thank god he didn’t notice.
The brown leather fell down his arms to reveal a tight black t-shirt that hugged him in all the right places and I found myself wet by the sight. My panties are fucking soaked and I’m happy no one could see. My fiancé died recently and here I am getting all turned on by a man I had a one-night stand with years ago.
Pull yourself together, Cassie!
Dante set his jacket and sunglasses behind the counter. “It’s nice to see you again, Lexi.”
Lexi raised her eyebrow and smirked slightly. “Likewise, handsome.”
A low chuckle left Dante’s lips that caused my stomach to flip-flop, and I tried to distract myself. I grabbed the elastic from around my wrist and wrapped my red locks up in a messy bun. Trying to appear busy and getting ready to start work once again. I could feel Dante’s eyes watching me intently, but I didn’t dare look up.
Suddenly, his hands clapped together and startled me out of my funk. “Should we get to work, ladies?”
Lexi smirked at him and appeared impressed. “Yes, we most definitely should, but the question is, do you know what you’re doing?”
Dante gave a nervous laugh, bowed his head and touched the back of his neck. “I don’t have a clue what to do when it comes to flowers. But with weapons, I know exactly how to work them.”
Lexi nodded and pointed towards him. “Makes sense. You definitely don’t give off the create and decorate vibe.”
He grinned, “No, ma’am.”
Lexi made a displeased face and shook her head. “Oh, no, just call me Lexi. I’m not quite that old yet.”
We all fell into laughter at her comment and got to work. The next order was a big one, and it’s for an upcoming event here in town. I’m thankful for the extra hands, and Dante’s generous help came at just the right time. I didn’t know how I was going to thank him properly. But there’s something about him that told me he wouldn’t accept it. He would just brush it off as no big deal, when in fact it’s a huge one. He’s one reason I’m here and not falling into my own self-pity. I’m not making my life even more of a mess than I had already let it. I’m finally feeling like myself again, but not completely there yet.
I grabbed some pink, red, and white flowers. I placed the same amount stuffed full in my hands and bunched them carefully inside a ceramic vase. The vase gives off vibrant colors with a ribbon wrapping around it. Creating it first to show Dante how it’s done and then letting him try it. Making sure I work closely with him so he can get it just right. Flowers are delicate and treated that way. But creating a creation takes skill and practice. And I need to make sure he can get it right.
“Okay, now you have to go like this...” I explained as I stood beside him and felt him brush my elbow. “Here, let me show you.”
I took my hands over top of his large masculine ones and showed him where to cut the stems of the flowers without harming them. Feeling his fingers work with mine and the scissors. Tingles run throughout my hands as we touch and I try not to get lost in him. He needs to learn, and I’m more than qualified to teach him.
I can do this.
“I’m really enjoying this hands-on work, Cassie.” Dante breathed close to my ear, and the wispy hair tickled there. “What are you going to show me next?”
“W-well we will move onto how to place arrangements.” I stuttered as he caught me off guard, and my mind reeled with electric currents.
Next, we gathered the right amount of colors versus the greenery and placed them neatly inside of the vase. His hands worked with mine as our fingers brushed and we made the arrangement perfect. Smiling at one another as I hold the ribbon and he cuts it in just the right place. Tying it snuggly against the ceramic vase with a lovely finished product.
“Well, would you look at that, Lexi!” Dante exclaimed as his eyes shone with pride and he turned the arrangement to face her. “What do you think? Did I do good or what?”
“It looks just as good as that leaf sitting on your head.” Lexi teased as she plucked it from his hair and giggled.
“Well, shit, how did that get there?” Dante chuckled as his cheeks burned with embarrassment and he ran his hand through his hair.
“All right, you two, let’s get back to work.” I muttered, but laughed at their joyful banter. “We’ve got lots of orders to fill and this could take a while.”
“All right, boss!” Lexi exclaimed as she grabbed some flowers and got back to work.
We all fell back into the flow of it, and Dante picked up the pace. He was very good at following orders and knowing what needs to be done. Having him here was a godsend and one that I needed. I couldn’t imagine this running so smoothly without him. Just by him being here, the workplace seems brighter and everything easier. But deep down, something about his presence still bothered me and I couldn’t quite figure it out.
