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.