Page 8 of Irresistible Little Ivy

“The what?”

“You know—metal t-shirts, muscle cars, sneaks out of class to drink and get high.”

I shook my head, pretending I didn’t see him smirk as I had to brush my bangs out of my eyes. “I rarely drink and even more rarely get high. Besides, it doesn’t matter what the state of Montana says about legalities. Drugs are absolutely forbidden on Ranch property and cause for immediate dismissal.”

Mason gave me an innocent expression. “No need to preach to the choir here. You do your job, and you do it sober and well.”

“Right, so you think I fit that role?”

Mason’s broad shoulders rose up as he shrugged. “I have no idea. That’s up to you to figure out. I will say that these role-playing crowds tend to build their own personas for the event. You might want to come up with some kind of role play that ties you to her in some way. Like you’re next-door neighbors or some shit. I don’t know. That’s for you to figure out.”

Leaning back a bit, I grinned as I considered a bunch of different characters I could play with Ivy. “It’ll need to be something original. Something she’ll find fun. I could be her professor, or maybe her dad’s best friend.”

Mason shook his head. “You could, but that might work better for a Little. Try being like her tutor, or her older brother’s best friend. Damn, I’m jealous of you now. You’re going to have two weeks of fun while I slave away here, covering your ungrateful butt.”

Not feeling sorry for him in the least, I grinned. “Yep.”

“And she’s a redhead,” Mason said with a mock sigh. “You know I love redheads.”

Something pinched in my gut and I gave him a hard glare. “Hands off, she’s mine. Besides, she’s kinda more blonde than red. But either way, hands off.”

“No worries there. If she’s a brat I have no interest. I have enough almost teenage drama to deal with at home from my daughter, thank you very much.” He briskly clapped his hands together. “Speaking of which, it’s time to head out. You coming with? I can hook you up with some clothes at my house. Everything you have is either corporate or grungy from working around the Ranch. If you’re going to fit an 80s theme, burnout is your best bet. Luckily for you I have quite the collection of 80s metal band shirts and black hoodies. Add some jeans to that, style your hair a little different, and you’ll be good. June has some magnetic earrings, you want one of those? The earrings are a pair of baby blue kittens, but I’m sure no one will notice.”

“Ha ha. Who’s cooking tonight? You or your aunt?”

When Mason had become a single father, his favorite aunt had moved in to help him with June when she was a toddler. Aunt Ginny ended up getting a job at Rawhide working in the catering division and stayed. Now she came over a few nights a week to Mason’s place and fed us “proper” dinners. Proper meaning she buried you in good food until you were too stuffed to move.

Then she made you play, and lose, poker with her.

All the while she packed you even fuller with delicious desserts, thus rendering you unable to leave.

Or even move.

“Afraid it’s just me tonight, my man,” Mason said as he clapped my shoulder, pushing me ahead of him out of the office. “I’ll meet you at my house and we’ll work on your outfit. I’m sure June will love to help. She’s been obsessed with John Hughes movies lately and 80s tv shows.”

“Great, I’m getting dressed by an eleven-year-old.”

“Yep.” Mason locked up his office, then shrugged on the thick black coat he’d grabbed before we left. “See you soon. I’ll have a beer waiting for you and steaks in the oven.”

“Sounds good to me. Just promise me that I won’t be June’s dress-up doll. Last time I let her style my closet it took her three hours. I swear my skin was chafed from trying on things before she was done.”

“And how many items did she find in your closet that had holes in them, or bleach stains, or no longer fit.”

I grunted, unable to say anything in rebuttal. “Whatever. I have to go talk with Derek, but it shouldn’t take long. He’s been after me to take a vacation.”

Mason jingled his keys as we walked down the interior hallway. “Nice to have a boss encouraging you to have a life, huh?”

“Never thought my dream job would be at a sex-positive resort, but here we are.”

We both laughed and I waved goodbye before stopping by Derek’s office.

A quick knock later and Derek’s broad and tall figure filled the doorway.

“Come on in, my friend,” he said with a smile glinting through his salt and pepper beard.

“Hope I didn’t keep you from heading home,” I said as Derek led me into his office and over to a pair of high-backed chairs arranged before the fire.

“Not at all. Mason already texted me, you have my permission and blessing. Go enjoy Spirit Week. Your hard work was a big part of why we were able to pull off such an amazing roster of talent for this event. Our attendees have been thrilled so far, and we certainly benefited from the high profile speakers and guest lecturers. Tickets sold out to the public in fifteen minutes. And the VIP tickets in five.”

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