“I’m not shooting in two weeks.” His lips curled up. “Yes, you are. Modester just didn’t call you yet. You got the campaign. And while you’re on a beach in fucking Mexico in a fucking bikini in front of some fucking knob, I’m stuck here, waiting for you to get back.” I couldn't even be happy. I couldn’t be thrilled about getting the campaign. All I could hear was the thickness in his voice. The one he was trying to hide. “You are mine, Brenda. Don’t ever doubt that. Every part of you is mine. And I’m yours. Every part of me is yours. Don’t doubt that either.” I buried my face into his chest. He was right. We belonged to each other, even if it was in the most fucked-up way. In a way that made no sense at all. “I don’t doubt it,” I whispered into him. “I never doubt it. Not when I feel this way. I can’t. It’s impossible, Ivan. I can’t not believe it.” “Then listen to it. Please, baby girl. Please just fucking listen to it when I make you

I hid my smile and took my phone. “Seriously. Is she pregnant?”He shook his head. “After the last few days, thank god she isn’t. The day she does get pregnant, I’m going on a nine-month-long vacation. Now, before she marches over here and strings my balls from the pier, go to fucking Starbucks. I’m going to get Tylenol and a nap.”I got in my car, laughing loudly, and waved to him. I think I wanted to feel sorry for him, but he can be just as bad.When I arrived at Starbucks, and she gets in my car before I can even cut the engine.“Drive. Now. To your apartment,” she demanded, clicking her belt into place.“I thought—”“I need a tequila shot and a bottle of wine—something Starbucks can’t provide me. Foot down, Brenda.”She was lucky I always had tequila and wine

"I’m the only one on my floor. It’s…convenient.” His lips curled at the corners.“Very much so.” Another sip. “And you have quite the uninterrupted view over Elliot Bay. Another convenience?”“I enjoy waking up to nature on a morning. It’s very pleasurable.” The inflection on the last word reached out and grabbed hold of me.“I’d imagine it is.”I sat back while the waiter removed our plates and offered us the dessert menu. Ivan politely declined, instead requesting the bill.“Tell me.” I leaned onto the table. “What else do you find pleasurable?”His jaw ticked, and he reached out to cup mine. “Beautiful blond women who wear lacy, navy lingerie and do as they’re told.”“How convenient,” I murmured, turning into his hand.

“No, I’m an expert lock picker. Of course he did.” The door slamming followed her words. “What are you doing anyway? Why didn’t you answer your phone?”“I’m not alone,” he said flatly.“You’re not—oh! Oh, bollocks!”Oh, bollocks indeed. I was apparently about to meet Ivan’s sister and the only clean item of clothing I had was panties.Fanfuckingtastic.“Mm,” Ivan said. “Give me a minute.” He walked back through the door and closed it behind him. He leaned against it and covered his eyes with his hand. “Shit. I am so sorry. I swear she said Sunday.”“It’s okay,” I squeaked out.No. It’s not. It’s not fucking okay. Not at all. I am not ready to meet any of his family I didn’t already know.

I laughed. “Shut up. Aren’t you supposed to be taking your sister for dinner?”“Yeah,” Mish said over his shoulder. She sat next to him. “Do you know his idea of dinner is Mc-fucking-Donald’s?”I chewed the inside of my cheek and noddes. “Um, yes.”“Hey, y’all want me to buy you dinner all the time, you gotta take the cheap stuff.”I stared at Ivan flatly. “Honey, we aren’t in Texas. Tuck your y’alls away and don’t bring them out again until you dress up as Woody from Toy Story for Halloween, okay?”Jack laughed loudly. “Hell, I’m gonna miss you, girl.”“Is this a Brenda Love Fest? I want in!” Lizzy cried, squeezing me tight.“Holy…crap!” I squeaked. “I’m only moving to a ba