“Yeah, but the digital photos usually stay on your phone. You can’t touch them. People want that instant tactile connection. They are rediscovering the pleasure of doing things with their hands.”

If Frau Lamm hadn’t been an employee, her words combined with her sexy voice would have made Susanne think of other pleasurable things she could do with her hands, but since they worked together, she wouldn’t allow her thoughts to wander in that direction.

Frau Lamm put down the frog and picked up a leather-bound journal from the island display. “I don’t know if you have ever tried out a good fountain pen. Not one of those cheap, scratchy things we’re forced to use in school, but a really great one. That smooth glide of a nib over creamy paper with just the right amount of pressure.” Her gaze went hazy, and a smile played around the corners of her mouth. “That’s so much more sensual than punching keys on a keyboard. There’s something almost intimate about it.”

She smoothed her hands over the leather cover of the journal as she spoke, then opened the book, circled the rounded corners with a sensual stroke of her fingertip, and practically made love to the thick, ivory paper.

Susanne’s mouth went dry as her thoughts rushed into territory she tried to stay away from. She grasped the top of the stepladder to keep her balance.

Frau Lamm looked up at her. “Come on. Even you have to admit it. It’s nice, isn’t it?”

Susanne swallowed and had to tear her gaze away from those delicate yet strong hands before she could answer. “Mm-hmm. Very nice.”

“I knew you’d see it my way.” Frau Lamm winked and walked away to greet a customer who entered the store.

Susanne’s mouth was probably hanging open as she stared at her retreating back. What the hell was that? Had Anja—Frau Lamm, dammit—just flirted with her? Had she practically seduced that lucky journal because she wanted to see what kind of effect it would have on Susanne?

Uncle Norbert stepped up to her, jolting her out of her thoughts. “You’re not getting dizzy up there, are you? You look a little…stunned.”

Susanne jumped down, folded up the ladder, and dragged it to the side so it wouldn’t get in the way of Frau Lamm and the customer. “No. I’m fine,” she answered in a voice so low that the customer couldn’t hear her. “It’s just dawning on me that the stationery business truly is a world of its own. One I don’t have a clue about.”

And neither did she have a clue about what Frau Lamm was doing. Was she playing with her? Susanne hated straight women who did that. Or even worse, was she using her knowledge of Susanne’s sexual orientation to stop her from firing her?