Page 146 of Thorns of Malice

I grab the Seducing Ivy bouquet with the matching whore-red bow I put together before I showered and changed. I exit the vehicle and fight my way up the slippery porch steps.

The butterflies in my gut take off, and I knock, shivering from the wet and cold.

Ivy opens the door and my blood turns to fire. My erection comes to life and my heart soars.

The minidress I picked out for her hugs her curves perfectly. The whore-red boots look sexier than I imagined, and all I want to do is bend her over and fuck her while she wears them. The jewelry I designed years ago finally hangs from her ears and over her wrist.

I whistle, stating, "You're going to turn everyone's heads tonight, gorgeous."

Nerves flutter over her expression, but she beams. "Thanks." She smiles bigger and shyly adds, "And thanks for today."

I grin. "I'm happy you enjoyed it."

She nods. "I did."

I step forward and kiss her, but I don't make it too deep. If I do, I'm unsure if I can stop, and I'm determined to take her to dinner. There are things I'm ready to reveal, and I hope she's happy about them.

So I muster all my willpower, retreat from her lips, and hold the flowers out. "These are for you."

She looks at the oversized bouquet, and her face lights up. "Thank you, they're beautiful."

I release a nervous breath. There's nothing I want more than for her to embrace the Seducing Ivy flower and all that's come from it. Yet I know it's been a hard pill for her to swallow.

She takes the bouquet and turns back inside, adding, "Let me go find a vase." She enters the kitchen, opens a top cabinet, and pulls one out. She fills it with water and sticks the blooms inside it.

I grab the coat hanging over the couch and hold it out to her.

She strolls over, slides her arms through each sleeve, then buttons it. She reaches for her evening bag and slings it over her shoulder. She gushes, "I can't believe you designed all this."

A giddy feeling comes over me, but my nerves increase too. "I'm glad you approve," I reply, and wipe my palms on my pants.

What the hell is happening to me?

Since when do my palms sweat?

She softly laughs. "I do. It's beautiful, and I'm sure you'd have some buyers if you wanted to make more. The other women were going gaga over it."

"Good. But they can't have it. It's only meant for you."

Her cheeks pinken, and I kiss her again, then grab the gloves off the couch. "Put these on, baby girl. It's freezing outside."

She obeys.

I lead her out of the house, carefully maneuvering down the steps and to the passenger door. I open it, and she slides in. I shut the door, go around the car, and get into the driver's seat.

The snow falls harder, and I double-check that the defroster is on.

"It's really coming down now," Ivy comments.

"Yeah."

The white flakes make driving difficult, so I grip the wheel, taking it slow and steady, unlike my usual aggressive way. I exit the estate, pass several streets, then veer to the left.

Ivy softly states, "I don't want to put a damper on tonight, but I need to ask you something."

My chest tightens. I don't take my eyes off the road, scared I might slide off it. "Go ahead. You can ask me whatever you want, baby girl."

She hesitates, then continues, "The reports you gave me on my father..."

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