Page 84 of Start With A Slap

“Try it. If you like it I’ll get you a few bottles.”

She sniffed one. It smelled expensive. “You’re saying my cheap body spray doesn’t do it for you?”

“I’m saying you deserve the best.”

She wiped it over her neck. “I’m fine with what I have.”

He was giving her a look, most likely a meaningful one, but she refused to acknowledge it. Instead, she found her thong and wriggled into it while scanning the passing scenery. They were on I-210, headed towards Pasadena.

“Can you ask Terrell to turn around now?”

“I’m watching you dress.”

She rolled her eyes. “What time is it?”

He tsked, and opened another compartment that turned out to be a mini-fridge. “Youshould always wear a watch,tigresse. Basic necessity for an adulterer. Plus it hides the wrist burns. Peach?”

Ivy blinked at the fruit he’d just bitten into. “No. Thanks... I have a phone. And I don’t need a watch because we are not seeing each other again.”

“Did you ever drink that champagne I got you?”

“I haven’t had much reason to celebrate.”

“Secretary’s Day, that’s coming up.”

She stopped buttoning her blouse to fume, “I’m not a secretary!”

He pointed at her with the half-eaten peach. “Your exasperation is even more winsome when you’re not fully dressed.”

Unable to settle on a coherent response, she threw her hands up and grabbed her skirt. “I can’t believe I let you do this to me. In the middle of the day!”

“It is when I get my ‘wood’.”

Attempting to ignore him, she zipped up her skirt and fished her phone and makeup bag out of her purse.

“But I s’pose I can wait ‘til you’re out of work tomorrow. He stays late most nights, yeah?”

“What? No! We’re not doing this tomorrow!”

“Day after, then? I think I’m free?—”

“No! Sever! You—” Ivy let out a sigh. She was beginning to bore herselfwith her repeat pointless performances. “Stop talking, okay? Just drop me off downtown and let me go on with my day. Please?”

“All right. But first,” Sever tapped his cheek, “kiss me. Right here.”

“I just reapplied,” she said, lip gloss wand in hand.

Brow arching, he gave her a come-hither finger.

“You’re unbelievable.” Reluctantly, she got on her knees, crawled to him, and pecked his cheek.

“Softly,” he said.

Oh, for the love of...She kissed his cheek. Softly.

He tapped his neck, so she kissed that, then his chest, leaving pink lip gloss prints behind. When he tapped his cheek again, he turned his head to catch her with his mouth.

His tongue tasted like peaches and sex.

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