Eve: It’s summer.
Addie: There wasn’t one?
Eve: It was black.
Addie: Of course.
Eve: Shut up.
Addie: And a teal accent. Just like you.
Eve: Not yet. But maybe soon.
Addie: Everything like that lingerie he bought you?
Eve: Kind of, yeah. But we’re veering into TMI again.
Addie: Do you think it might be more?
Eve: That a divorced millionaire might want to marry me?
Addie: The heart wants what it wants.
Eve: I guess anything is possible.
Addie: That’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever said.
Eve: I’m reading The Handmaid’s Tale right now. That’s why.
Addie: You brought it with you?
Eve: It’s always on my Kindle. But no. He has a copy. With notes in it.
Addie: It is true love!
She’s not kidding. But maybe she doesn’t have to kid.
This is the way to my heart. Through my brain.
And he…
God, I really do like him. But I need to keep things carnal. To focus on the parts of him I can have.
To read his text and see only dirty desires.
Ian: There’s something for you in the room down the hall. The second door on the left. In the top drawer of the dresser. Send me a picture once you’ve found it.
Eve: Why should I?
Ian: I’ll make it worth your while.
Eve: How?
Ian: A picture for a picture.
He doesn’t mean he’ll send a picture of himself…
Does he?
Chapter Thirty-Two
Ian
She makes me wait.
Through an hour of research.
A meeting with Shep.
A business lunch.
Most of the afternoon.
Finally, my mobile buzzes.
A text. No picture. Yet.
Eve: Is this a sex room?
Ian: Yes.
Eve: That’s weird.
Ian: It’s out of the ordinary, yes.
Eve: We didn’t use it last night.
Ian: We didn’t.
Eve: But you left a drawer for me.
Ian: Did you open it?
Eve: Yes.
Ian: And?
Eve: I haven’t used it yet.
My balls tighten at the thought of her fucking herself.
I can see her in my white sheets. Turning to watch her reflection. Letting her eyes close. Throwing her head back.
I need to see it. To watch her come all fucking night. To tie her to my bed so she’s powerless to resist.
Ian: Why not?
Eve: It’s kind of a lot. But I guess you are too.
Fuck, she’s too funny.
Ian: Oh?
Eve: Oh is my thing. Don’t take it. And don’t play dumb. You know what I’m getting at.
Ian: Since when do you mince words?
Eve: Mm-hmm. I’m not going to stroke your ego like this. It will make your head too big.
Ian: My head?
Eve: See. It’s already happening. Men are all the same. You think your dick size means something.
Ian: I brought it up?
Eve: No. But you’re thinking about it.
Ian: I’m thinking about you stroking me.
Eve: Are you really?
Ian: Yes.
Eve: I liked that.
Ian: I know.
Eve: This isn’t Star Wars. You’re supposed to say something about how you liked it too.
Ian: I haven’t heard an Original Trilogy reference in a while.
Eve: Addie likes it. She likes the over-the-top fantasy.
Ian: What do you like?
Eve: Crime dramas. The really horrible, gritty ones where everyone dies.
Ian: American?
Eve: Sometimes. Sometimes a Swedish show about serial killers. And sometimes a British drama. They have a certain charm. Everyone is so restrained. There’s more subtext.
Ian: We’re known for our stiff upper lip.
Eve: See. Bringing it back to stiff already.
Ian: Am I?
Eve: Yeah.
Ian: Are you sure you’re not the one who’s obsessed?
Eve: It’s possible.
She’s quiet for a moment. I’m not sure if I want her to ask about my life. Or my cock. I want everything from her.
I want too much from her.
Eve: You have a nice collection of movies.
Ian: Also true.
Eve: You have a favorite?
Ian: I don’t watch a lot of films.
Eve: Still. You must have a favorite.
Ian: Weren’t we talking about you stroking me?
Eve: We were.
Ian: Seems as if we’re getting off track.
Eve: I watch more TV than film. Or read. But I do like quiet dramas. The ones based on plays.
Ian: I usually watch mysteries.
Eve: Now is when you say something about how you liked it too.
Ian: Was that not clear?
Eve: You have to remember I haven’t done this before.
Ian: I couldn’t tell.
Eve: Really?
Ian: The way you look at me, with all this curiosity in your eyes. It’s the same way you look at me when I’m dressed.
Eve: Oh.
Ian: It drives me wild.
Eve: What else?
Ian: What else?
Eve: Drives you wild?
How hard should I push her here?
Ian: You have a sweet mouth, vixen. I can’t wait to fuck it again.
Eve: Oh.
Ian: Oh?
Eve: Yeah. Sticking with oh.
Ian: I did like it. Very much. And I’d very much like to make you come all night. If you stay at my flat, I will.
Eve: I’ll consider that.
Ian: Mysterious.
Eve: Am I taking your thing?
Ian: Yes, but I’m not complaining.
Eve: Generous. But I’m claiming “oh.”
Ian: Good. I want to hear it on your lips again. As soon as possible.
She stays on my mind through research, another meeting, a trip to the gym, the ride up the lift.
My flat is silent. She isn’t here, watching a depressing British drama or playing thrashing guitar music or reading on the couch.