Page 83 of Yours Truly

That dark bottom lip wobbles a little, but she sucks it back in. My girl prides herself on being strong. I squeeze our waffled hands, giving her a little wink. “Do you know what you are to me?”

Her blue eyes bounce between mine. “Your apprentice.”

Dipping into her space, I bring my lips to her ear, the back of my neck breaking out in bumps at her patchouli scent. “You’re my girl, Ivy.” I press my lips to her cheek, over and over, until I make my way to her lips. I don’t care if mine end up black; I’d paint my body in her lipstick if it meant getting to taste her.

“You want to be my girl?” I ask, dropping my forehead to hers. Her fingers tighten around mine.

“Girlfriend?” she quantifies.

“Girlfriend,” I confirm.

She squeals, and I crash my mouth to hers, eating up those noises of delight. I fucking love this woman, but I’m not ready to say it. Right now, I want to show her that I can be to her all those things she is for me.

Supportive, encouraging, guiding, caring, helpful. I want to show her that I deserve to love her, because I’ve shown her my ugly side plenty of times. Now it’s time to give her the best I can; she deserves it.

I break the kiss and step back, shaking our hands free. Her eyes widen in confusion but I cup mine to my mouth, tip my head up, and shout, “Ivy Ellington is off the market!”

Her cheeks flame and she laughs, grabbing my forearm, tugging my hands down. “Shut up, dummy,” she hisses, a smile from ear to ear.

“I can’t,” I tell her, looping my arm around her waist. “I gotta make sure everyone is clear,” bringing our mouths together, our lips barely grazing, I groan, “you are mine.”

She arches her brow. “Fine, I’ll let you believe that. But I think it’s the other way around.”

“You love disagreeing with me.” I smile, kissing her lips then down her throat. She shoves me back.

“Not at work!” she protests, but those tight little nipples tell me she wants it.

Later. Definitely later.

“You’re mine, I’m yours, potayto, potahto,” I say, sinking in the chair as another client comes in.

“Howdy, hodwy.” She grins.

I shake my head. “I’m gonna pay you back for that tonight, Firecracker.”

And I intend to.

TWENTY-FIVE

“I wanna smell you on me tomorrow.”

Ivy

“I’m definitely locked in the bathroom right now,” I whisper, my cheeks aching from the smile I’ve been wearing for the last two hours. “And I’m pretty sure my last appointment thought I was high because of the stupid look on my face.”

“Stupid happy!” Dolly corrects jubilantly, Bear and Honey laughing in the background. “That’s great—being official is a great step!”

“Next up—a ring!” Juniper adds.

“I’m so happy he came to Bluebell. Deuce was right, this was the best thing for him,” Ev chirps. “Actually, you were the best thing for him. He’s really changed, Ivy, and I think we can all agree—that’s because of you.”

Pinching the phone to my shoulder, I reach into my pocket and dig out a tube of lipstick. Using my mouth, I take off the cap and spit it in the sink, twisting it until the black pigment appears. “We’ve been good for each other,” I agree, but to say it’s all been me that’s helped Trace turn things around… I don’t think so.

Not drinking takes more than a strap-on and a tease of sex. It takes willpower and dedication, all the while being in a new environment, training someone, and adjusting to the world around him– “I’m proud of him, though. He’s really pulled out of the dark space he was in when he came to Bluebell.”

“Well, what now? Are you coming home tonight?” Juniper asks, but before I can answer, Ev and Dolly give a unanimous “Psshhh.”

“She’s getting dicked down to celebrate, aren’t you, Ivy?” Dolly asks.

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