Obsessed

"Maddie to him," I say sarcastically as I settle into the chair.

"I'm sorry, sugar."

"It is what it is." I feel a need to change the subject. "What are you doing here? For that matter, what are you doing out of bed at this hour?"

"I can't sleep much anymore." Liz walks towards the windows. "I'm worried about the placement. If I don't get it, maybe I need to rethink my dream."

"Ridiculous." I try to sound encouraging, "Never give up that dream."

She lets out a slow breath. "It's all I have left."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing." She half-smiles. "I'm just tired of living off Daddy's trust fund."

"You're the next big thing in art. I can feel it."

"What would I do without you?" She turns on her stilettos and struts to the door. "Let's go shop."

"I can't. I need to work on the rest of the pieces for Jax and Maddie."

Liz picks up the envelope addressed to Mark. "Another one?"

"I'll take care of it."

She places it back down and nods as she swings open the door and tosses her hair back. "See you later."

Chapter 9

"Is Ms. Veray in?" I quiz the unfamiliar middle-aged woman seated behind the reception desk.

"She's other wised engaged." A weak smile crosses her thin lips. "May I ask whose inquiring?"

Other wised engaged? What did that even mean? "I'm Ivy Marlow. I'm here to drop off the final pieces of my bridal collection."

"You're Ivy Marlow?" Miss Meek and Unassuming has shot to life.

"That's me." I extend my hand over the desk to her.

She jumps to her feet. "I'm Teresa. I love your jewelry. I …well…I mean my husband and I love it. He gave me one of your necklaces this past Valentine's Day. He gave it to me right after we made love and now I wear it every time we do it."

"I'm flattered." I'm assaulted by a mental picture of her naked with one of my necklaces bouncing off her chest as she's on all fours with a faceless man behind her. I shake my head subtly, trying to chase the image away.

"Can I see what you brought?" She's giddy and not afraid to show it.

I lean closer and in a whispered tone say, "I can do one better. I'll have a set of earrings that didn't make the collection delivered right to your desk."

I'm met with a high pitched squeal of delight.

"But there's one condition." I smile.

"What is it?"

"You have to promise to wear them when you go out with your husband." I say half-teasingly, looking for reassurance that she's not just going to wear my pieces only when she's being fucked.

She throws me back a wicked grin before sitting back down behind the desk. "I know Ms. Veray would want to see them right away, Ms. Marlow. Why don't you take them in to her? I'm sure she won't mind."

I'm puzzled. "Maybe you should call her and tell her I'm here?" I point towards the phone sitting on her desk.