Page 17 of Start With A Slap

“I’m not candy,” Ivy informed her in a bright, even tone. “I’m his daughter-in-law. He brought me here because I have a degree in modern art. I ‘stormed off’ because he bought a painting that should be in a museum. And by the way, it’s oil, not watercolor, I’m twenty-eight years past fetal, and you should all be ashamed for shit-talking women you know nothing about.”

The three women gawped at her, appalled.

Warm fingers grazed the small of Ivy’s back …and there went her escape plan.

“Mitz,” Sever greeted the woman with a nod, his palm firm and possessive on The Spot. “Have you two been properly introduced?”

It took Mitz a moment to speak. “We haven’t.”

“Ivy Tyler-Mark, this is Mitzi.” He paused for effect. “Rockefeller-Kennedy.”

Ivy blinked, absorbing the impact of sassing not just a Kennedy, but a Rockefeller to boot.Society pages, here I come. Good thing I never read you. Or even know where to find you...

“Enchanting, isn’t she?” Sever asked of Mitz as he gazed at Ivy.

“Darling,” Mitz returned, still stunned.

“Shall we go, then?” He caressed Ivy’s far shoulder, slid his grip down her arm to her elbow and steered her away. When they were out of earshot, he said, “I havegotto take you to more of these.”

“I’m not here for your amusement, Sever.”

“I’m more than amused.” He followed her through the revolving doors and out onto the street. “I’m impressed.”

“Oh, goodie,” she said, playing it up. “Now I can die happy.”

“Might want to hold that thought.” Off her frown, he said, close to her again, “For three weeks from tonight, when you’re quaking in my arms?”

“Ah.” She shifted so his breath wouldn’t tickle her ear. “I thought your magic calculator of delusion said it would take a month.”

Thumb. Circles. Lower back. Suppressing a shiver, she stole a glance at him and it was clear: He knewexactlywhat that did to her.

“I’m feeling optimistic,” Sever said, and opened the car door for her.

Once again, she tried to sit as far from him as was possible in a Rolls limo, but it only gave him the perfect vantage point to stare at her.

“Let’s see.” Idly drumming his fingers on the car seat between them, he fucked her with his eyes. “What to do with you now.”

She crossed her legs, straightened her skirt. “How about you take me home to my husband?”

He seemed to consider that and decide against it. “Too many limbs. Plus, he’s my son. Could get awkward.”

“Oh my god!” She covered her mouth as an appalled chuckle escaped. “You stop at nothing!”

“You’re just seeing that now?” He winked at her and pressed the intercom. “Drive west.” She lived East. West washishouse.

“Sever, I’m begging you. Drop me off at home so I can start forgetting this ever happened. Please?”

“Not much incentive for me, is it? Though I do like the way you beg.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“All right, I’ll let you go. On one condition.”

Surprise! There’s a catch.“What?”

“Tell me what you want, what youcrave,” he slid to her side, “more than anything in this life. And ‘to go home’ is not an acceptable answer.”

What was he getting at? “I don’t ‘crave’ anything, Sever! I am telling you, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I have neverfeltmore fulfilled.”

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