Page 35 of Shadow

He never was particularly good at falling asleep with the TV on, but Olivia always needed the noise.

She found a documentary and settled against him. Ripley smirked because she was asleep before the opening credits were done.

Chapter 10

Ishouldinvestinsofter cushions for these barstools.

Olivia squirmed as she tried to find a comfortable position to sit in. But Ripley had covered every inch of her ass with his spanking, and now she couldn’t sit without the reminder that she still had more coming later that night. The reminder both terrified and aroused her. After more than two years without playing this way, it seemed they had jumped straight back into the deep end.

But for now, she had to focus on Niki and the contractor who were both throwing numbers at her. Fiona had been unable to make it to today’s meeting.

“Thankfully, the major damage was only in the back room, which was already an add-on to the structure. We’ll have an easy time with the repairs once we have access. You’re looking at three to five weeks of construction time. Then you’ll have to go through a round of inspections from the city before you can get your liquor license back. But that’s not my department.”

Niki slid a sheet of paper in front of her. “Figured I should earn my keep since Fiona doesn’t need much help at Liv’s Place. This should be everything we need to do for the city once construction is done.”

“Bless you, Nik. This is really helpful. Next, can you book your travel to Vegas? I keep forgetting to do it myself. Just use the expense card. The dates are on my calendar. I’ve already got a room booked if you don’t mind crashing with me. All you’ll need to do is get yourself a flight.”

“No. Get a room for yourself, Niki.”

Olivia turned to glare at Ripley who had promised to stay silent and observe.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Get Niki her own room, Liv. I’ll be in yours.”

Of course, he was coming with her and would want to stay in her room. It made sense. But she didn’t appreciate him butting in that way. Especially since she hadn’t shared their relationship status with anyone yet. But there was no sense arguing and making a bigger scene.

“Fine. Niki gets her own room,” she muttered.

Niki winked in her direction.

“It’s Vegas, boss. You never know who I might find to have fun with there.”

“Liv found a husband last time she went,” Ripley quipped.

She whirled on him, pointing at the door. “Do you want to wait outside?”

He held up his hands. “Sorry. I’m just trying to be helpful.”

She jabbed her finger at the exit again. “Helpful is you being quiet or leaving, Cannon.”

The look he gave her said she was going to pay for calling him Cannon. It would be worth it.

A half hour later, the contractor left her with a list of everything he needed in order to provide a final estimate, and Niki disappeared into the back office to make travel arrangements.

Ripley came to sit next to her at the bar, running a hand down her back as he settled.

“It’s fun watching you work. You’ve always loved what you do.”

Olivia smiled, her earlier irritation with him forgotten. “Thanks. I do love my job.”

“How much longer do you think you’ll be?”

She looked down at the list from the contractor. Most of it was information she had readily available thanks to Ripley fixing her laptop.

“Not much longer. Just ten minutes or so.”

“Good. We’ll have time for me to fuck you before we head to Exposure.”

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