Page 36 of Red Velvet

Maybe this was the whole point for him. To give me something to work on, to find out how to please him without his help.

Either way, I hope my choice won’t disappoint him. I opted for a light summer dress in a dark red color that should go well with our room.

Ourroom.

What am I even saying? We've only been to the red velvet room once, but I'm already calling it ours. There's no ours, just him and me, a casual encounter that doesn't entail a lasting tie or even a promise for such.

I shake my head, casting the thoughts aside as my attention drifts back to what's hiding beneath my dress. I'm wearing a new set of black lingerie: a tiny thong, a laced garter belt with matching stockings—and no bra. I liked the way the fabric of my dress pressed against my nipples during our last date, and I wanted to recreate that feeling tonight. It's different, though, because my red summer dress is loose compared to my last outfit and the summery fiber brushes against my tits every time I move, teasing and tickling instead of pressing against them.

It feels so naughty to go out like this.

And so exciting.

I take a deep breath, fixing a few strands of my hair for the umpteenth time, when my phone rings, bringing me back to a place I don't want to be.

An annoyed growl escapes me when I see his name on the display. I told him not to call me, which is why he's relied on text messages until now. But Jim wouldn't be Jim if he just let it go and waited patiently for me to respond to his inquiries. He's always been impatient and demanding in his own way.

I stare at the display, pondering whether I should pick up and tell him to leave me alone. That would probably be the easiest way to get my peace. As demanding as he is, Jim is also keen on acting proper and accepts a no when it's directed at him.

It would also be the mature way of handling things.

Nevertheless, I opt for the chicken way out and reject his call.

Of course, Jim doesn't stand for that. The moment I turn around to shove my phone inside my purse, it rings again.

That's what I get for not putting it on silent mode when I should have.

An exasperated sigh leaves my lips just before I decide to face his unwanted attention.

"What is it?"

I didn't mean to greet him like that, bitchy and dismissive, but the words are out before I can stop myself.

"Oh, you're alive!" he exclaims, sounding relieved. "I was beginning to worry."

Oh for God's sake.I roll my eyes at his blatant lie and choose to respond with a white lie of my own.

"Of course I'm alive, Jim. I've been busy. Still am."

"Too busy to answer any of my messages?"

I bite my lower lip. Do I really have to spell it out to him? How can he not get there by himself? Isn't it obvious that I simply don't want to talk to him?

"There are other reasons to ignore a person's messages," I tell him. "I told you not to contact me for a while. Why are you making this harder than it has to be?"

He huffs. "Harder than it has to be? I don't think this could be any harder than it already is for me."

I squint as if in pain. His words affect me more than I'd like to admit, and my anger is quickly replaced by pity. Of course this is a lot harder for him than it is for me, and me giving him the cold shoulder doesn't exactly help.

"I'm… sorry, but Jim, I told you it's over and—"

"Yes, fine! I got that! But as I've mentioned in my numerous messages to you, I still have some stuff at our place that I would like to pick up."

My eyes widen in surprise. It's true that he mentioned something along those lines in his texts, but I figured it was just an excuse for him to hear back from me when I was unwilling to communicate with him.

"I thought you wanted to keep that stuff here until you found your own place? Aren't you staying with your dad right now?"

"I am, but not for long," he says, clearing his throat. "I'll be moving soon. I found a place, and I want my stuff."

---