“That’s adorable,” Finn says, picking up the paperback hedgehog with googly eyes and glasses.
“This one is more intense, but there could be tourists that want to take it home as a souvenir, or summer families looking to decorate their lake houses.” It’s an open book, the pages carved out and folded to look like a birdhouse with origami birds on the house and flying around. I even wrote Lake Savage in calligraphy as if the birdhouse has a name, like so many of the houses here do.
“Gorgeous. You really have a gift.” Finn takes the creation from me and glances around the shop, as if picturing where he would hang it.
I love the stillness that doing book crafts gives me. I’ll never forgive Shane for making me feel bad for it and then taking it away when he fled to New York City. Fuck him for trashing all my supplies and hating on my hobby.
I guess it’s enough punishment that he’s dead.
“How about we do it on consignment? If I sell an item, you get sixty percent of the sales.”
“That sounds amazing.” My cheeks heat. I never imagined selling my creations, and it’ll certainly not pay my bills, but I love the idea of it.
“Can you bring in a few more little animals?”
“Absolutely.”
He holds up the birdhouse. “I think I’d like to buy this one to decorate the shop. I can pay you for it today.”
I nod, my heart full.
“I bet we’ll sell a load of these in the summer.”
I walk out a few minutes later and head to my car, texting Wes that I’m on my way.
Me
I’ll be home in ten
Wesley
fucking finally, Calliope
drive safely, but hurry because I want to ravage you multiple times before your sister arrives
I bite my lip and throw my car in gear, my heart beating faster as I make my way to the cabin.
Wes hasn’t stopped tracking my every movement, and I’m here for it. He’s obsessed with me, and I’m obsessed with him. More than a little bit, too.
I feel completely safe for the first time in my life.
“Hey!” I call when I throw the door open. The cabin smells delicious, a sweet potato turkey chili cooking in the crock pot mixed with the scent of apple pie, as usual.
“Hey, Calliope.” Wes is facing away from me mixing something in a bowl. If I had to guess, it’d be fresh homemade whipped cream for the pie.
He’s wearing an apron… and nothing else. This man’s ass is so muscular and perfect, it should have its own social media accounts.
I chuckle and leave my coat and shoes at the door, then pull off my sweater so I’m in my bra, then wiggle out of my jeans on the way to the kitchen.
“You have a great ass.” I walk up to him and wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my body against his bare backside. Our skin pressed together feels divine.
Wes turns from the counter and takes my face in his hands before leaning down to kiss me.
“I see you understood the assignment.” He lets his hands drift down to my waist.
“I always understand the assignment when it comes to you, Wes.” I slide my hands down to cup his ass and press him against me.
“Mmm. You do, sweetheart.” Wes leans down to place a soft kiss on my mouth. “I still can’t believe I found you.”
