Page 91 of Seeds of Malice

"Are we doing a French manicure or color today?" Nancy asks, directing her question at me.

"Whore red," I answer.

Ivy stiffens, and I geek out. I don't think I'll ever get tired of her embarrassment.

Nancy beams. "Ah. Great color."

Ivy relaxes.

"Yes, it is. And that's what my Ivy wants. Right, baby girl?" I slide my arm around her and give her a kiss on the forehead.

She gingerly smiles, but her face is flushed. She affirms, "Sure. That sounds great."

I love how she agrees to everything I want. It's almost getting easy.

Nancy points to the back room. "Go sit in chair two, and we'll get started."

I kiss Ivy on the lips and pat her ass. I'll be back soon, okay?"

"You're leaving?"

"I'm going to run a few errands."

She smiles. "All right." She disappears into the next room.

I step in front of the lipstick counter and find the matching color to the nail polish. I add it at the reception desk and announce, "I want this added to my bill."

Quinn, the receptionist, grins. "Great color."

"So I hear," I say and leave the salon. I take a breath of fresh air and get into my Porsche. I drive several blocks and pull up to the medical clinic. I walk past the receptionist.

"He's in with a patient," she yells out.

"So what?" I go down the hall and open the door.

Dr. Collins's hand is on a woman's breast. He asks, "Have you felt any lumps?"

"No, I—" She turns toward me and covers her chest with the paper sheet.

"Oops. Sorry, I didn't realize anything was happening here," I lie.

"You should knock first," she reprimands.

Dr. Collins scowls. "Yeah, you should knock."

"I'm sorry." I pull out my wallet. "I'm Dax Carrington. Here, have some money for your troubles. I need to see Dr. Collins about some urgent issues, so excuse us for a few moments."

She glares at me.

Dr. Collins addresses her, "Can you excuse us for a minute?"

"I've never been so insulted," she states.

"Touché," I offer.

She glares harder at me.

Dr. Collins motions for me to step outside, and I follow. We go into his office. He shuts the door and declares, "Dax, you've got to stop doing this."

---