laugh.
“Mercy, you kill me.” Jessica grinned, holding up the bikini top she had been working on for two months. “When are you going to get your Naughty Crochet series up and running?”
“Oh. I don’t know. Soon maybe.”
“But we need you! Who else is going to show us how to crochet a thong, for goodness sake?”
“You are doing great, Jess.” Mercy gave her shoulders a squeeze and turned to face the group.
“Okay, gang. The project list for this month includes a bondage cuff pattern or a simple headband for you ladies who don’t want to frighten the fish, so to speak.” Mercy smiled as the group began to titter with laughter. “The project models are up on the board for you to see. Personally, I think the black and pink ones are wicked cool.”
“Mercy?” A young redhead in the back of the room stood up.
“Yes, Arlene.”
“Can you help me with last month’s project? I can’t seem to get this right at all.” Arlene held up a gray vibrator cozy that was supposed to be rectangular but had somehow gone horribly wrong.
“Oh wow, honey. What have you done?” Joan, a woman in her mid-forties asked, holding up her own completed project.
“Remember that little scarf you made last Christmas, Joan? Don’t judge.” Mercy raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Can you see if you can help Arlene figure out where her stitches went wonky while I get everyone set up?”
“Sure.” Joan slid her chair down and the two began comparing notes.
“Thanks.” Mercy looked around the room. Ladies were poking through some of the new wools and synthetics she had brought back with her from market. Others were at the back of the room in the kitchen sampling the iced tea and cookies she had prepared while they decided what kinkery they were going to create this week.
“Okay class, decide which project you want to start and I’ll be around to talk with you about yarn selection. For anyone interested in next month’s pattern, we’re going to work on a matching set of panties and a sleeping mask.”
Mercy made her way to the back of the class and watched the ladies race to the project board and sign up sheet. Naughty Crochet had to be her most popular class night ever. She had sunk her life savings into this shop and was determined to offer something a bit different than the average doilies and baby sweaters most of the local yarn stores offered. She really did want to have someone film her projects and market them, but the right opportunity had yet to present itself.
“Ladies, don’t forget to take your measurements for next month. You’re going to need them for the panty sizing.”
Mercy didn’t even bother to listen to the griping her announcement prompted. She understood. Not a slim woman, she flinched whenever she had to get on a scale, measure body parts, or go shopping. Her best kinky moments were in her head and through her crochet hook. Not to even mention her stash of smut novels. It was her secret joy and every night after work she retreated into the bedroom with a glass of wine, her latest erotic pick and her sketch pad. It was how most of her projects had been born.
Her thoughts drifted to the bakery across the parking lot and she wondered if her friend Carly was going to make it. She was hip deep in making cupcakes for Fifty Shades parties, but she said she was going to try and come over. Mercy sighed at the pulse of heat between her legs when she thought of Carly’s long red hair and bright green eyes. The girl was a veritable ball of energy. Mercy had been secretly in love with her since the first moment she had stomped in the shop and demanded Mercy come over and try one of her famous gourmet cupcakes.
A gorgeous woman who could bake. It was fate and Mercy was doomed. As far as she could tell, Carly didn’t date. Ever. It didn’t give a girl much hope. Sighing, she dove back into helping the ladies with their projects.
Before she knew it, the hour and a half was up and the
Richard Ellis Preston Jr.