Page 31 of In League with Ivy
“Excuse me?” I scrunched my brow. “You want to meet tonight?”
“Yes.”
I thought of my date with Ivy. “How about tomorrow night?”
“It’s tonight or never.”
Normally, I liked straightforward women. Life was too short to play mental games. But I was already skating on very thin ice with Ivy, and I needed her as my date for the weekend ball. But this was important. If I could win back this contract, I would get a gold star and some breathing room.
“Sure. Text me the details of where, and I’ll be there,” I said.
“Will do. Eight o’clock sharp. I don’t do late.”
“I’ll make sure I’m on time.”
“And… make sure you shave.”
“Huh?” I frowned.
“The skin between my thighs is super-sensitive.”
I coughed. What? My head pounded from the implication of having to fuck for my supper. “This is a business meeting.”
“Of course,” she purred. “Don’t be late.”
She hung up, and a shaky breath shot out of me. I trundled over to the crystal decanter and half-filled a glass of bourbon. Gulping it down, I stared out the window at a bird. Its wings stretched, catching the wind, and I wished that was me, gliding away from the shit storm before me.
So now I had to get married within six months, take over Elliot’s, and prove my worth within one month. First, though, I had to fuck Cassandra Smith. Tonight.
Fuck.
Maybe I was jumping to conclusions. I sure as hell hoped so.
I moved to the side table, where a lone wilting plant reminded me of just how empty and lifeless that office was.
I made a mental note to bring in some photos and knickknacks.
I buzzed my admin assistant.
“Do you mind bringing in some water?”
“Oh, sure,” she said.
“For my plant.” I turned to look outside at the wall of windows over the road mirroring other buildings and thought it would make an interesting photo.
I grabbed my phone and took some shots. One image I especially liked showed a shadowy outline of the Elliot’s sign reflecting off darkened glass.
Carrying a jug of water, Jenny entered.
“Thanks.” I took it from her and poured it into the sad-looking elephant plant.
“I can take care of it if you like,” she said.
“I’ll be here for the next…” Eternity? “I’ll look after it.” I smiled.
As she left, I scrolled to a photo of Ivy, my favorite picture of her wearing lacy lingerie—an image that normally had me reaching for the lube.
While remaining transfixed on her sparkling blue, come-to-bed eyes, the last thing I wanted to do was fuck anyone but Ivy.