Cherished by Lauren Dane
She paused and the light, pale winter light, shone through the windows and over her skin. “I had no idea. What an awesome program. I can’t imagine what it would be like not to be able to wake up and see all my art.” She turned in a circle. “All this beauty and creation. I’m glad she didn’t have to lose it either.”
She stood there, her hair held back with a wide, red headband. She wore makeup, but only a small amount. Her sweater hugged that body. It wasn’t tight, but it caressed her tits, slid along the nip at her waist and down over the flare of her hips. The pants had wide legs and a pinstripe. The Doc Martens completed the picture. She was so pretty there wasn’t anything he could do but dip to kiss her, making himself stop after a heartbeat, or two. Want of her always there roared through him, slammed against his control.
“I’m ready for doughnuts,” she said brightly, turning and taking his arm.
“Well then, doughnuts you shall have.” He put a hand over the one she’d laid on his arm and led her out, happier than he’d been in a very long time.
It was far too early in the morning the following Wednesday as she stood in Mary’s kitchen, dicing onions, trying to figure out how to broach the subject.
“Dude, are you going to tell me or do I have to beat it out of you?” Mary looked up from where she’d been assembling the ingredients for the filling of the pasties she was making for the day’s special.
“Have you ever…Do you…Ah god. So have you ever been tied up? You know, during sex?”
Mary grinned, one of her eyebrows rose slowly to accompany the expression. “Really? Get out of town! I Googled him, you know. Just to be sure he was on the up-and-up. He’s ridiculously jump-worthy. And apparently kinky too. Damn.”
“He’s…oh my god, he’s unbelievable. Hard and dark sometimes. Ties me up, yep. With rope. Hard enough to leave a mark and I like it. I like it, Mary.”
“Good. What would be the purpose of being tied up if you didn’t like it? I’ve never been tied up with rope. I had a guy once who liked to hold my wrists when he fucked me. That was pretty hot. Where can I find a kinky hot lawyer?”
Daisy laughed, letting her tension fall away. Of course Mary would understand. Thank God for friends.
“I really like him, Mary. He’s smart and well read. He can have a real conversation about things other than action movies or baseball scores. He never hurts me. Not you know, not other than the way he’s supposed to. And he’s gentle. I know that sounds weird, but he touches me like I’m precious and fragile. He sent me a cashmere wrap because I was cold at his house. He told me it had to be cashmere because he didn’t want anything but something that soft next to my skin.”
“Damn, he’s good. Jules has met him and I haven’t. Why is that, Daisy?” Mary smirked as she pinched the dough at the edges to seal the pasty.
“I invited him to dinner on Sunday but he’s going to be busy for a little while. His brother is getting married next weekend I guess and he’s got family showing up from all over the country.”
“Did he invite you? To the wedding?”
“No. It’s fine. It’s a family wedding and we haven’t been dating that long. He’s in it too.” And she wasn’t so sure she’d fit into his world very well.
“You’re nothing like her.” Mary shrugged.
“Like who?”
“His wife. No, calm down, his dead wife. She died six years ago. A car accident.”
Why hadn’t he told her? She supposed they hadn’t had the opportunity for that conversation yet. She didn’t know a whole lot about his family and she resolved to ask after them the next time they saw each other.
“Well, is that good? That I’m nothing like her?”
“You’re you, baby. That makes it good. She was blonde and tall and had big, white, blonde-white-girl teeth, you know what I mean. Like Jules has. Only more a sorority-sister type.”
“I imagine, given the position of his family in the region, that’s the type of girl all his brothers are going to marry.” And where did that leave her anyway? Why did she care? It was just dating. It was more than casual fun, but clearly he wasn’t ready for anything more just then or he’d have invited her to the damned wedding she didn’t want to go to anyway.
“Makes me happy that you’re happy and dating. You work too much. I’m glad you have this guy. You should date more.”
“Thanks. He’s nice. I enjoy him. He doesn’t bug me about working too hard,” she teased. “He works as much as I do anyway. Though given the state of his home, clothing and car, he does better at it than I do.”
Mary laughed and they kept on working. “Do you have the time later to taste some stuff for me? I’ve worked out a few menus for Gillian’s wedding. She’s coming over later tonight but I wanted your opinion first.”
“Of course. I’m working at the gallery today. My grandmother called me last night to tell me she was taking a mental health day to do nothing but read in bed.” Daisy laughed. “I hope I can live with that much bad-ass attitude when I’m her age. She does not care about silly stuff. If she wants a day off, she takes it.”
“Sure. And also, she’s getting out of your way. Letting you take the lead at the gallery.”
She sucked in a breath. “Yes, most likely.” Theirs was a small gallery. It predated some of the zoning rules but it wasn’t in a high-traffic area. They didn’t get a lot of casual foot traffic and it was time to figure out what the future of the gallery held.
“It’s time. She’s been training you for this your whole life. Not to run the gallery, but to run your life. All these jobs you do for your friends, you don’t need them anymore. You’re selling your own work well enough to make your bills just fine.”
She had been socking away money for years now. It made her feel safe to have a nest egg. Made her feel like if an opportunity came along she might have the chance to take it. Her savings represented her options.
Her work was selling well enough. But you couldn’t always count on regular money coming in. And while she was a free spirit and all that jazz, she also knew she had to take care of her future and have something to fall back on to supplement her art unless or until she had a career that was so financially stellar she could do it full-time without worry.
Daisy cocked her head as it hit her just how well Mary knew her. “You’re sort of scary.”
“I’ve known you nearly all your life. I love you. Also, you’re not that mysterious.”
“Damn. I thought I was getting better at it.”
“You are bright colors and star jasmine on a summer evening. That’s better. Anyway. We all love you, but you don’t need to help Josh out at the dance studio. He can actually get off his butt and find a part-time instructor. All of us have counted on you to fill in as if you don’t need a stable schedule and all that. You do.”
“I don’t need eight jobs, you’re right. But I like helping you out on catering jobs. It’s fun. I get to visit with you and eat yummy things and chat with people. I like helping Jules when she’s in a bind.”
“Well okay, I get that. And I was going to amend to except when I need you, because I’m selfish. You’re my sanity on catering jobs. As a matter of fact, I’d like to talk to you about something. I’m thinking about finding some space to lease here in town.”
“Oh my god, finally!” She bounced up and down. Mary had been toying with opening up a restaurant for some time. Daisy knew how monumental it was that she was looking for a space to do it.
“I’m so glad you get it. I’m so glad you didn’t try to balance my expectations and all that stuff with a wishy-washy congratulations.”
Daisy moved around the big block countertop to hug Mary tight. “I’m thrilled for you. Now tell me what you need because you know I’m in for helping you make this a real deal.”
“I need your skills. You know people who run businesses and who are always having parties. You’re creative and dynamic. Help me.”
“Oh! I totally do. So you’re looking for a plac
Mary exhaled. “Yes, exactly. Oh, thank you for being so smart.” Mary squeezed her hands. “Yes, I want to have dinner there so I’d need front of house. Doesn’t need to be huge. I don’t want to get in over my head.”
“Or dig into how awesomely special it is that it’s not something you can get anytime you want. People like special things.”
“I told Ryan you’d be perfect for this job. I know you have the gallery going and I respect that. But around that time, I’d love to have you helping me get all this in place. Whatever time you have.” She rattled off a salary that was more than fair and the look on her face dared Daisy to not accept it.
“So you’d need me to find you a place with a big kitchen and enough cold storage and all that jazz for your catering biz and a dining room that’ll seat, what, thirty? And then work on some marketing to get you gigs?”
“Yes. Exactly. You’re good at all this stuff. I am a disaster at it. Ryan will continue to own part of the business. He and I have agreed to give you the authority you need to find a place and get it set up. And then to hire someone to be my assistant and they can take over the scheduling. I know this isn’t a career for you. I just want your brain while we get it set up.”
“You got it. Maybe you can have a counter for a few fresh dinner items. Make extras so people can come in and get something for a party that day? Not a lot, you don’t want anything going to waste. But it’ll be some good word of mouth advertising when people can try you out so easily. Then they’ll think of you when they need an event catered. I’ll work with Gillian on some graphics.”
They continued to plan as one of Mary’s part-time helpers came to get the truck loaded and on the road.
Chapter 11
It had sucked not to see her. Nearly ten days since the last time he’d been able to touch her. Even though they didn’t live too very far from one another, his life had been filled to nearly exploding with family obligations for Mal and Gwen’s wedding.
“I think it’s time you stopped moping around and found another wife. Kelsey has been dead for years. You need to move on.” His mother said this as she thrust a champagne glass into his hand.
“Mother, this is one of those things that falls under none of your business. With all due respect.”
“Levi Warner, don’t you talk to me that way. Carrie is smart like her father; thank God she’s nothing like her mother but the looks. The best part of that horrid woman if you ask me. But you’re second oldest. You need to produce us some heirs. You know I love you all equally, but Mal is clearly under the spell of Gwen’s well, her other skills. She’s not smart. I worry their children will be pretty and dumb.”
He laughed and kissed her cheek. “You should work on speaking your mind. Being so shy isn’t a good thing.”
She arched a brow. “He’s a lovely boy. Got good grades. Never got expelled.” She paused long enough that Levi heard, like you did, before she continued. “But that wife of his is a twit. She’s got decent genes. A good family. That’s something. But really, she’s not very bright. No, Carrie will take over the firm after you and Jonah are ready, but you need to help him out. I’m beginning to think the twins will never settle down. I know you loved Kelsey, but she’s gone. She wouldn’t want you pining this way.”
Christ, he’d been living the lie so long he nearly believed it the way his mother appeared to. All the things he’d wanted to say for so long pushed at his tongue and he knew it was time to go before he said them. “I have another engagement. Since I won my auction I’m off. Oh, don’t fret, I got my picture taken for all the PR. Everyone important saw me.”
He wanted to be with Daisy and he was done waiting.
“This isn’t over, Levi.”
He kissed her cheek again before straightening. “It is, actually. If and when I get married again, it’s going to be because I love someone enough to risk exposing them to my crazy family. Right now I have plenty of other things to think about.”
“You can’t have babies forever, you know. What if you wait until it’s too late?”
“Men have babies when they’re in their sixties. And there’s always adoption.” He stood. “I’ll see you soon.”
“You’re living like you’re thirty. And you’re not. You have a responsibility to yourself and to your family.”
He sighed. “I’ll see you soon.”
And got the hell out of there, dialing her number once he’d reached his car and was on his way back home.
“Are you free?” he asked when she picked up.
“I’m not home right now. But I will be in an hour or so.”
“Can you come to me when you’re finished? To my place? Stay over.”
She paused. “All right. I’ll be at your house in about an hour. I have to stop at my place first.”
He felt a lot better then.
Daisy had no plans to cut her evening with her friends short, but they were nearly done anyway.
Gillian, Jules, Mary and Daisy all sat on Gillian’s back deck drinking hot chocolate and talking about the wedding and everyone else’s week and good and bad things.
She’d looked at several places for Mary’s place and had found a few that were adequate. And one idea she thought was far better. “I have an idea.”
Everyone leaned in. “Can’t wait to hear it.” Mary winked.
“Mary, I’ve been looking for a place for you to buy or lease. I’ve seen a few I think would work.” She turned to Jules. “And one I think would be perfect.”
“Do tell.”
“Tart. Jules’s kitchen is huge. She’s got plenty of space for cold storage. A place to park the catering van out back. She only uses the space during the day. Noon on weekdays, one on the weekends. You two can share the space. It’s central. It has the licensing issue dealt with. She’s got enough room to set it for thirty if you set up long tables on supper club nights. She could provide the dessert for your supper club. You could have her sell your self-serve catering stuff. You could share the cost of a counter person to handle any extra business.”
“Oh my god. I was just thinking of options to use the space better.” Jules’s eyes lit. “Mary, I didn’t know you wanted to run a restaurant. We could totally make this work.”
“Not a restaurant in a big sense. Just dinner three nights a week. What I really want is your kitchen. And you’re right, Daze, it’s the perfect size. I’ve cooked in there many times as it happens. If we shared staffing where we could, we could both save some significant money while helping each other’s businesses out at the same time.”
“Right now you both use as many locally made ingredients as you can in your food. I think you’d be better off combining your work with others in the community. If you get your fruit and vegetables locally, you can note it in the menu for some break in price? I don’t know if that’s doable, it just came to me as I was working at the gallery yesterday. Oh and by the way, I just thought I’d let you know my piece got chosen for art walk.”
There was much celebrating, so much so that Adrian came out to see what was going on and joined the celebration.
“Why didn’t you say sooner?” Mary took her hands and squeezed them.
“I only found out right before I left to come over here. Then we were talking about other stuff. I just waited my turn. Everyone is having a great day.”
Which was true. Plans for Adrian and Gillian’s wedding continued apace. She’d shown them three possible ring designs and they’d loved the second one so much Adrian had called a jeweler right then to make an appointment to have the rings made.
Mary had landed a big catering job and she and Jules had decided to share the building Tart was in. A lot of great news for the people she loved most. And now she was going to see Levi for the first time in ten lo
“I can’t wait!” Jules raised her mug of chocolate and everyone followed suit. “To Delicious.”
“Delicious!” everyone echoed.
She stopped at her place and grabbed a change of clothing and her toiletries bag. She liked his house well enough. Loved the view most certainly. But it was so neat and serene. It made her want to muss things up. His bed though was very nice, especially with him in it.
She did two quick braids and touched up her lipstick before leaving. He liked things that way. With that in mind she also changed into a skirt she knew he’d like as well.
And then she went to him.
She went to him, all the while knowing how much she’d come to need him in the last weeks. Knowing she wasn’t being mysterious at all, about her need for him. She couldn’t have even if she’d tried.
When he opened his door it was while holding the sculpture she’d donated to the auction.
“I thought today was the auction.” She came in and kissed him before taking off her coat and hanging it in the hall closet and dropping her bag nearby.
“It was. I bought it. I’ve been planning to buy it since the first moment I saw it. I put a stack of your cards on the table where it sat for the bidding and every single one is gone.”
Warmed, she smiled. “Really? Thank you. You didn’t have to buy it. Unless, oh god, were you the only bidder? Wait, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”
Smiling, he put the piece down on a nearby shelf. “I’d planned to put it in my bedroom and I still might. But I’m trying it out here too. I think it’s going to look pretty there in the morning.” She walked to the spot and liked her barbed rose there just fine.
“That was my very first thought when I saw it at your studio. I had to have it.”
She liked him just then, far, far more than was wise. There was nothing else she could do but like him far, far too much than was wise.
It filled her with joy to be there with him. To stand and look at her artwork right there, in his home. It felt staggeringly intimate and she had to swallow back a knot of emotion.