Page 35 of Seeds of Malice

Ivy: Dax, I'm not saying that.

I go quiet on her, just to add to the tension. It works.

She sends another text.

Ivy: Please don't be mad at me. I just need to talk to my dad, and I haven't had time to do that. It has nothing to do with you or how I feel about you. And I'm not embarrassed by you.

I decide fewer words will keep her a bit anxious, which is how I want her. I learned a long time ago to put girls in positions where they need to please me and make me happy. Nothing does that better than a touch of planted guilt and anxiety.

Me: Okay.

Ivy: I'll see you in a few minutes.

Me: Okay.

Ivy: Dax, don't be mad at me.

Me: I'll see you on the boat.

I get on the golf cart, and I drive down to the docks. Alan, a man who works in our kitchen, is on the boat.

I question, "Got everything loaded?"

He nods. "All set up, sir. Do you need anything else?"

I shake my head. "No, I'm good. You're dismissed."

He leaves, and I step on the boat, glancing at everything, making sure it's perfect. I don't know why I do. Alan always makes sure everything is to my standards. But after yesterday, I can't let anything go wrong.

"Dax?" I hear Ivy call out.

I step out of the bedroom. My heart beats faster. This girl really does turn me on. Part of me wishes she didn't, but I'm here to do what I need to do.

Destroy all the good within her.

And I'm going to enjoy all of her while doing it.

I jump off the boat, tug her into me, and slide my hands through her hair. I kiss her, then retreat.

Her face flushes like it always does. She shyly says, "Hi. Did you get any sleep?"

"No."

She arches her eyebrows. "No? Aren't you exhausted?"

I grin. "Nope." Then I intentionally let my expression fall. "Are you sure you're not embarrassed by me?"

Guilt flashes in her eyes. "I swear I'm not. I just... I need to talk to my dad on my own terms, and he was at work when I woke up. He only came home for a quick minute."

"Okay. But just so you know, I won't hide with you forever."

Anxiety fills her expression, and it is just what I want. I don't want her relaxed. Not about this. Not about us.

Her current emotional state works perfectly into my plan. She must always feel a little bit of stress unless it's to my advantage for her not to.

"Come on, let's go," I order, then jump into the boat and reach for her. She takes my hand and lets me help her aboard. I showher around quickly, take the ropes off the dock, get behind the wheel, and steer the boat toward the center of the bay.

"This is awesome," she chirps.

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