Page 64 of Foreplay on Words

I’d proposed staying in a hotel once I joined her, but she refused and told me she’d tie me up and drag me to her condo if I didn’t stay with her. While her violent tendencies were admittedly a bit of a turn-on, I knew I’d hurt her feelings with my insecurities.

The last few days had been filled with back-and-forth email conversations between Adrian and myself, trying to get my manuscript done and ready for publication.

I was disappointed that we hadn’t had time to engage in her naked chef fantasy, but I was packing the apron in my bag along with the wooden spoon.

My mind was already a nervous wreck as we approached our meeting with Emory. I was completely out of my depth. I was sure we could use some levity as we continued to draft the scenes we were putting into the book.

Chase: I convinced Is I was taking a week-long extended staycation.

Neither of us wanted our editors to get wind of this project before we were ready.

Evan: Adrian bought it too. I didn’t tell him I’d be in the city, just out of touch.

Chase: He doesn’t run in the same circles as Emory. I’m sure we’ll be fine.

Chase: Have you left yet?

Evan: I just have to put my bag in the car, and I’m ready to go.

Chase: I miss you...

I miss you too, sweetheart.

Chase: I sleep better with you.

Evan: You mean you sleep better when you have me to use as a body pillow?

Chase: And what a body it is ;)

Evan: Tease.

Chase: I fully intend to follow through if you’d get in your car already.

Evan: Kind of hard to drive with a boner.

She sent me a string of crying laughing emojis, but I was serious. It was hard—pun intended—to drive with a rod in your pants.

Chase: Poor baby. I’m sure you’ll manage. I can kiss it better once you’re here.

Evan: Not helping the situation.

Chase: Not trying to.

Evan: Also not turning down the offer of your lips…

Chase: Charmer. But you’ll need to be patient. We’ve got plans tonight.

Disappointment flowed through me as I sighed heavily. I’d been looking forward to a quiet night with her alone. It’d been years since I’d spent more than a few hours in the city, and the thought of being around that many people was already making me anxious.

Chase: Emory is taking us on a scouting mission.

Fuck...

Chase: Do you own any leather pants?

My palms were sweating as I hit traffic coming into the outskirts of Boston. Taking heavy breaths, I focused on the cars in front of me, not letting the panic at the edges of my brain take over.

It was the same every time I came into the city. Push myself through it with the overwhelming anxiety simmering just below the surface. The pills I kept in my center console would help, but I didn’t want to rely on them alone to get through this. I’d worked with my psychiatrist on calming techniques, and together we’d developed coping methods to help me to handle moments like this.

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