Page 3 of Kaede
Willow: Don’t clean. Your home is lovely and you have better things to be doing with your time. Like snuggling with Maverick. Can’t wait to get me some baby smells.
Daisy: You need to find a man, my friend.
Willow: Nope. I’m done looking. He’ll have to find me.
I’m only twenty-four. There’s still time. No rushing.
Daisy: He will. Have a great night and see you in the morning.
Willow: Night. Hugs to Mav.
Daisy: Will do. <3
I turn off my phone. I’m not sure where my charging cord is in my bag, but I also said I wouldn’t worry about it. I know where Daisy lives, and I know how to get there.
I start cleaning. In two and a half hours, I have the place spotless. I stand back and look at what I’ve accomplished.
And how freaking tired I am.
I, technically, didn’t touch anything that was this guy’s. I maybe moved a couple of things to the back of the countertop and rearranged a few spices.
Who doesn’t alphabetize their seasonings?
His desk is covered with pieces of leather and opaque plastic bins are packed to the ceiling on the left side of the desk in the corner. I didn’t open any of them. He could have human body parts in there as far as I’m concerned and as long as I get some rest and relaxation, I don’t care.
I take a long hot shower. The rain shower head washes away all the tension. I grab for my shampoo, but my hand lands on his. I decide to use it. If I can’t sleep with a man, I might as well smell like I have. It’s deep, earthy and woodsy. My uterus tremors in endorsement of the manly scent. I finish up and blow dry my hair before I put on my night gown.
I collapse on the overstuffed couch, but I know if I don’t head to the bed, I’ll be sleeping here all night long. I don’t need a crick in my neck in the morning. I want to feel refreshed. I turn off all the lights, locking the front door.
Flicking down the sheets, I make sure they get a little warm air. I swear they smell like the cologne version of the body wash I used, stronger and more concentrated. It could be just the scent that’s infused into my hair. But I want to believe it’s a nice touch left by the owner to remind me that a guy lives here.
My head hits the pillow, and I’m fading when my eyes pop open. I swear I hear the front door unlock.
I’ve never been in the wilderness on my own before. I’m sure it’s my mind playing with me, but I flip over to face the door.
Then I hear them.
Footsteps.
Big.
Heavy footsteps.
I try to calculate whether I have time to run to the bedroom door and lock it. But there’s no time. The bedroom door swings open, and light floods the room.
“Who cleaned my house? And who the fuck’s sleeping in my bed?”
2
KAEDE
I swear I’m seeing a forest pixie in the flesh. Her screaming is about as colorful as she is, with her spikey pink hair, tanned skin, a colorful tattoo over her shoulder and down her arm. She’s off the bed, pulling the quilt I bought from the swap meet last year to her chest.
“Just get out! I’ll… I’ll call the police.” She grabs her phone from the nightstand and waves it at me like I’ll be petrified at the sight.
If she’s five feet tall, I’d be surprised. And if her round flushed cheeks are any indication of how she looks under that blanket, she’s got curves for days.
I cross my arms. “This ismycabin and I don’t allow anyone in it. Soyouget out.”
