15. Sylvan

15

SYLVAN

I t was hard saying goodbye to Irving, but the promise of seeing him again the next day was enough to keep me going. I gave him one last kiss before we went our separate ways, one to tide us over until tomorrow.

I skipped home with an extra spring in my step. I had much to do over the coming day, including finishing my latest commission and cleaning up after myself. I didn't mind the mess, but Irving did, and I wanted to show him that I respected his feelings, as silly as they might be sometimes. There was nothing hotter than a man who knew what he wanted, and if Irving wanted my cabin to look like it was untouched by either human or fae, I could do that much for him.

As soon as I walked in my front door, I realized how much of a shambles I'd left the cabin in. Lived in was one thing, but the mess had surpassed that description by now and was teetering on the edge of disaster.

Paint-covered towels were slung over the couch, paintbrushes lay drying by the kitchen sink along with a few dishes, a pile of used herb clippings sat on the counter threatening to blow away with the slightest breeze, and the bed lay unmade with the quilt hanging half-on, half-off.

"Maybe Irving's right," I mused. "This place could use a deep cleaning."

I set to work, taking time to dust every surface, polish every dish, and put every little item in its place. If it didn't have a place, I made it one. My bookshelf had more knickknacks than books on it now, but I liked how it looked. I might have to get another shelf for all the books I planned on taking from the library and not returning until my cousin threatened me with overdue fees, but I was pretty sure I could fit another one somewhere in the cabin.

I washed the bedding, hanging it out to dry after examining the sky to gauge how likely it was to rain. It was still windy, but the clouds were sparse and snow-white. Even the forest creatures were out enjoying the breezy afternoon, and they certainly wouldn't be foraging if they thought they might get caught in a downpour.

It was dark out by the time I finished cleaning and working and cleaning again to clear the painting mess. My hands were stained a rainbow of colors from paint, and no matter how hard I scrubbed, it wouldn't all come out.

"Ah, well," I said nonchalantly. "Irving won't mind, and if he does, I'll kick him out."

I chuckled at the thought of Irving sitting outside in the field with the deer and rabbits and raccoons. He would hate it, but I would have to take a mental picture to paint later. Of course, I would never actually do that to him. But it would be rather funny if I did.

The bedding was still damp, and in the cool night air it wouldn't be dry for several more hours at least, so I fell asleep on the couch with an old sweater to keep me cozy. As long as it was dry by the time Irving came around, I didn't mind doing without it for one night.

I could hardly wait for Irving's work day to be over when I awoke the next morning. I bounced around the cabin dreaming of everything we would get up to, half-wishing he would play hooky and come here early. It was a bit trickier to blow off school when you were the professor as opposed to the student, though, so I gave him a little grace and forced myself to be patient.

I curled up on the couch with my book and a cup of tea, flipping each page methodically as my eyes roved over the words. I was just getting to the good part – the part where the two lovers finally kissed. That first kiss was my favorite scene no matter the book or movie.

"He brushed his thumb over her lips," I murmured, drawing the book even closer to my face, "across her cheek, and behind her ear, tucking her hair back. ‘James,' she protested weakly, ‘we can't do this here.'"

"Oh, but they can," I mumbled, turning the page. "She stared up into his eyes, an ocean of blue, and –"

A knock sounded at the door. I jumped up, dropping my book on the floor in the startle, and ran over to look out the window. I'd been so wrapped up in my book that I forgot to pay attention to the time and Irving, true to his word, was here exactly when he said he would be.

"Come in, come in," I said, flinging the door open and ushering him inside.

He was wearing what was, for him, something a little more casual. He'd ditched the three-piece suit, instead wearing a cardigan with his slacks and button-down. I liked it better, although I suspected that he'd chosen it because the last two times we were together, his jackets were all but ruined.

"Are you surprised to see me?" Irving looked around the cabin, taking in the tidiness of it all before glancing down at his watch.

"No, no," I said quickly. "I've been busy cleaning all day and I finally sat down to read for a few minutes."

"How long ago was that?" He picked the book up from the floor and smoothed out the crumpled pages before setting it on the coffee table next to the empty mug of tea.

"An hour…or two…ago," I replied sheepishly. "I lost track of time just a little."

Irving nodded. "I can see that." He turned back to look at me, the corners of his mouth upturned slightly. "The house looks better than it probably had in years."

"I'm glad you noticed. I haven't cleaned this much…ever."

"No, I'm sure you haven't." Irving shook his head, letting his smirk turn into a full smile.

I couldn't wait any longer. "Oh, Irving," I said, falling into his arms. "I missed you so much."

"We only saw each other yesterday."

"An entire day is torture when one is in love."

"Well, I wouldn't call it love just yet. I think you've been reading too many of those romance novels."

"Fair enough. But don't tell me you haven't been thinking about me all day too."

Irving's hand pressed against the small of my back, hugging me tightly against him. I wished more than ever that we were already undressed and could fall onto the couch together, but I could be patient for a few minutes longer.

"I'd be lying if I said I haven't," Irving confessed. "It made it quite difficult to hold my lectures this morning. I had to sit behind my desk the entire time lest I embarrass myself in front of my students."

I sighed. "I wish I could have been there."

"Well, you could always go back to college and get another degree –"

"Never mind; I'm happy enough seeing you after work."

He chuckled. "I thought so. Now, shall we get to what I came here for?" He took my hand gently in his and pressed it against the stiff bulge in his pants.

I smiled. "Yes, let's. I don't want to wait a second longer."

We fell back onto the couch together and I climbed on top of Irving, straddling his lap. I began unbuttoning his cardigan while he worked on my silky robe. We couldn't keep our hands off each other. It was exactly how I imagined it would be; it was perfection.

"Oh, Sylvan," Irving moaned into my lips, "I'm absolutely fascinated by you."

I opened my mouth to respond when a cascade of thunder rolled overhead. My eyes flew open.

"The laundry! I left it outside on the line."

"I'm sure it will be fine," Irving said, arms locked around my waist to keep me from getting up.

"No, it won't. Those are the only bedsheets I own and it's going to–"A clattering of raindrops began hitting the roof as the storm outside broke loose. "Rain," I finished defeatedly.

"Well, then, what are we waiting for?" Irving pushed me off his lap and got up, taking long strides to the door. "Let's get out there and bring those sheets in before they're fully soaked again."