From the corner of the greenhouse where he inspected his varied collection of orchids, Cal watched Laura work. She was efficiently filling the bottom third of three dozen hanging baskets with polystyrene in preparation for repotting the
Rhynchostylis
, a portion of the orchids they were busily preparing for the wedding of Cal's niece the following spring.
His sister had asked for a large variety of blooms. As a result, Cal had spent even more time than usual in his greenhouse, preparing pink and white
Miltoniopsis
, and waxy
Angraecum leonis
, among others.
"Let me help you out over here," he called to Laura, and made his way back to the work table.
Cal had worked closely with Laura before and kept his desire for her firmly in check, but there was something about the day, the humidity, the smells, and the closeness of her that rocketed that desire to a fevered pitch. Perhaps it was the steady patter of rain on the glass roof or the way he'd watched Laura run in from it, skipping over puddles and laughing like a girl as she'd covered her hair.
Perhaps it was the simple fact that Laura had neglected to wear a bra that day, and he could see the subtle movements of her small breasts and outlines of her rosy nipples through the clinging t-shirt she wore. Her long, light brown hair curled just enough to frame her delicate face. A stray beam of sunlight made its way through the rain and touched one lock, turning the strands deep, honeyed gold.
Cal reached out and caressed it. He was so absorbed in studying it that he didn't realize Laura had completely stilled.
"I know I should start repotting," he mused, watching the way her lashes swept over her cheeks. "But all I want to do is kiss you."
Her eyes met his and he was gratified to note that the color had deepened with mutual desire. "Then what are you waiting for?"
It took only those few words of permission and Cal's mouth met Laura's, first smoothly exploring the petal-like softness of her lips, and then more vigorously as she met his pent-up enthusiasm with her own.
Cal lifted Laura's shirt and she gave him a long, lustful stare as she raised her arms and allowed him to remove it.
He loved what he saw. Laura was tall and slender, with firm breasts, just the right size to cover with his hands or hold in his mouth. He pressed her to him, tangled his fingers in her hair and began trailing kisses down the side of her neck, over her collarbone, and down to her breasts.