Page 66 of Seeds of Malice

Me: How many times do I have to tell you that won't happen? When are you going to trust me?

Ivy: Dax, please. I'm doing the best I can.

I pick up the phone and call her.

She quietly answers, and her voice alone makes my cock harder. "Hey."

I don't beat around the bush. "I'm coming to get you right now."

"You can't. I told you that," she argues.

"Ivy, how are we supposed to be together if you never see me? It's been a week."

"I know, and it's killing me," she whines, which only makes my chest tighten.

"I'm going crazy not seeing you," I tell her, which isn't a lie. I am.

I spend all day pacing, trying to figure out how to get her away from her father and see me. Part of me wants to fire him, but then she'd be off the estate, which wouldn't help my cause.

I've never wanted anyone as much as I want her, and my obsession is growing. And I should be moving forward in my game, not backward.

She coos, "Dax, I miss you."

"I miss you too. That's why I'm coming to get you," I repeat.

"Please. You're not listening."

"Ivy, all I know is that you say you want to be with me, but you're not making any effort," I accuse.

"Really? Is that what you think? I've been fighting with my father all week," she admits, her voice shaking. Then I hear a sniffle.

My heart sinks and then I wonder what the fuck is happening to me. I've never been soft for anyone. I don't care if girls cry. But I lower my tone. "Ivy, this hurts. I miss you."

"I miss you too. I'm working on it, I promise."

I sigh.

She adds, "You can't come here right now, Dax. I can't get my father anymore upset. His heart..."

My ears perk up. I ask, "What about his heart?"

She hesitates, then relays, "He was having palpitations the other day. He didn't want me to know. I don't want to be the cause of him having another heart attack."

So, John has a heart issue.

Hmm.

I put that in the back of my mind for later if needed. Then I decide the best thing to do is to let it be for now. So I cave. "Okay, gorgeous. But I need to see you soon."

"Yeah. I need to see you too, Dax."

My pulse increases. I realize I'm way too pleased she feels this way. But I question, "You do?"

"Of course. I'm going crazy without you," she admits.

I can't help my grin growing larger. "Good. I feel the same. Keep working on it," I tell her and hang up.

I have a week before school starts, and I don't want to waste more time. So, for hours, I pace my cottage like I've done every other day this week.

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