“How?” I try to contain my grin because her lips are tilted into a frown and her eyes are tensed into a challenging scowl.

“Carry me upstairs.”

My dick hardens. I may be banged up a bit, but this I can do. I’ll go all night if that’s what it takes. Dear God, I hope that’s what it takes. I scoop her up in my arms and kick the door shut. Bending down, I try to kiss her but she turns away.

“Not yet.”

She’s playing hard to get, making me work for it. Challenge accepted.

“Stop,” she says before we get to the bedroom. “Put me down.”

I ease her to her feet and she hobbles back a few steps. “Prove it.”

I hope she’s asking me to fuck her against the door and not open it, but the nauseating sensation in my stomach tells me I’m not that lucky.

“It’s all or nothing, Oli. You said anything. No take backs?”

Am I ready for this? No. Can I let her go? No.

I suck in a deep breath and release it with a slow nod. “No take backs.” I lift the cobalt vase and dump out the key. Sticking it in the lock, I pause before turning it. The thought of opening it paralyzes me as much as the thought of losing her. “Can I ask you for a favor?”

She crosses her arms over her chest. I’m pushing my luck. “What?”

I rest my forehead against the door and close my eyes. “You go in, but when you come out we don’t talk about it until we get back from your parents’ house this weekend.”

“Why?”

“Just … please, Vivian.” I hate the desperate sound of my voice, but that’s what I am. Right now I’m so desperate.

Her hand rests on my back. “Okay.”

I sigh and turn the lock, but I don’t open the door. “Take your time. I’ll be waiting out here.”

She furrows her brow as I step back and move to the side so I can’t see in the room when she opens the door. Her hand turns the knob with painful slowness, like she’s fisting my heart, squeezing it unbearably tight. I close my eyes and lean back against the wall as she steps inside and closes the door.

There’s a good chance she comes out and says “no fucking way” then leaves my ass. I’m a normal guy in every aspect of my life except this room. A teddy bear or Barbie fetish would probably be easier to handle than this. I’ve never chewed my nails, but right now I’m biting the hell out of them. How long has she been in there? What is she doing or thinking? There is a window; it’s possible she’s halfway to Hartford by now.

The door opens rescuing me from my thoughts or maybe torturing me with the anticipation of her reaction. I’m not sure which yet.

Shit! She’s been crying. A sad smile pulls at her beautiful lips and she sniffles. “So 8 a.m. tomorrow?”

I nod once.

She holds out her arms. My wrinkled forehead isn’t doing a good job of hiding my confusion. “Carry me downstairs.”

My dick, that decided to take a nap when she chose door number one, perks up. My brain sends the silent message that he will not be needed at the moment. I feel his disappointment, I really do, but this was a small victory and I have to believe our patience will pay off … eventually.

“This is good.”

I stop at the door. “I’ll carry you across the street.

“Nope, I need to practice walking, even if it does still hurt.”

“But you had me carry you up the stairs.”

She shrugs. “I just like the feel of being in your arms. But I don’t need to look completely helpless to the rest of our neighbors.”

I set her down and she leaves her arms wrapped around my neck. “See you in the morning,” she whispers and kisses the corner of my mouth like she didn’t just see something very disturbing upstairs.

“In the morning …” I release her hand one finger at a time as she takes a cautious step out the door.

* * *

Vivian

I’m giving myself a three-day reprieve from my troubles and Oliver’s. It’s not possible to make the memory of his reveal vanish from my mind, but I’m hoping my parents and my birthday will help distract my thoughts. The anger is gone. It’s been replaced with pain … his pain. He’s filed for divorce for reasons that are still unclear, but he chose to leave her before he met me. He technically never lied to me, he just didn’t tell me everything. And I feel with absolute certainty that he wanted to, but the words were too painful to speak.

“Alex?” I knock on her bedroom door then start to open it. “I’m leaving—oh my God! I’m—uh-uh—sorry.” I exit as fast and unexpected as I entered.

What the hell?

“Hey, Flower, sorry about that. I forgot you were leaving this morning. Happy birthday, by the way. I have a present for you on the counter downstairs.” Alex ties the satin straps to her red robe and closes the door behind her.

I can’t look her in the eye. “Yeah, um, so I’m taking off and … I’ll be back uh … later.”

“Flower, don’t be embarrassed. You were the one who inspired us.”

“What?” I whip around.

She bites her bottom lip and nods. “The whole spanking thing. I think it’s kinda in right now. So Sean and I decided to spice things up.”

I swallow hard. “He had you handcuffed to the bed facedown and blindfolded.”

She waves a hand in the air. “Oh that’s nothing new. I thought you must have heard the sound of his palm slapping against my bare ass a few minutes ago. It’s kind of hot.”

My cow eyes refuse to blink. “He’s wearing black leather chaps, a cowboy hat, and nothing else,” I whisper with a shouting exertion.

She grins. “I know, it’s new. What do you think?”

I shake my head like a dog, trying to erase the memory. “I think I need to get out of here.”

“Have a good time!”

“Um yeah, thanks, you too … I guess.” I lug my bag down the stairs surprised to do it without much pain. Alex brought home a box of second skin pads last night and they make walking so much easier.

“Don’t forget your present,” Alex yells down the stairs.

I grab the gift bag and my purse off the kitchen counter then hustle out the door.

“Good morning, birthday girl.” Oliver stands right outside my door holding a single red rose.

He takes my bag and hands me the flower while giving me a chaste kiss on the cheek.

My grin beams out of control. “Thank you.”

“Shall we?” He motions to the steps.

We cross the street and he opens my door. A box wrapped in beautiful floral paper adorned with a wide pink bow is on my seat. “Oli …”

He picks it up and holds my hand while I get in then hands me the gift and walks around to his side.

“Ready, my love?”

Love? Am I his love? Yes, I believe I am.

I smile and lean over. He meets me half way. “I’m glad you’re coming with me.”

“Me too.” He kisses me and then starts to pull away.

I grab his shirt and hold him to me. My tongue brushes his upper lip and he opens his mouth. Our kiss deepens and a moan escapes me. My God what is happening? It’s like my whole body came alive and I’m in desperate need of him, like now! His cologne, minty breath, and clean-shaven face are driving me crazy. My mind screams that it’s too soon, but my body pleads its case with the winning argument: It’s my birthday!

“Oli—” I mumble against his lips. “We should go … inside.”

He pulls his head back. “What?”

I’m breathless. “Let’s go inside. I need … you.”

“Sex?”

I nod trying to catch my breath while fumbling to unbuckle my seatbelt.

“Whoa, wait…” he latches my belt back again “…What’s gotten into you?” He sits up straight and starts the car.

“Nothing, that’s just it. I need you to get into me, Oli.”

He grins and pulls out onto the street. “I like you like this, but you can wait a couple of hours until we get there can’t you?”

I squeeze my legs together. “You mean a couple of days. My parents are not going to let us sleep together.”

He slams on the brakes, thankfully no one is behind us. Resting his arm on the back of my seat, he looks behind us and reverses back into his spot with the speed and precision of an indie driver. His seat belt is off and he makes quick strides to my side. I no sooner get unbuckled and he has my hand, dragging me up his front steps.

Door slam. Pants unfasten.

He drops to his knees and slides his hands up my bare legs under my cotton skirt. Curling his fingers into my panties, he pulls them down.

“Sure, now you’re wearing them.” He looks up at me and grins.

I run my fingers through his hair with a coy smile pulling at my lips.

Leaving my panties on the floor, he skims his hand back up my legs. “What does the birthday girl want?”

I want you to tie me up and spank me. Holy crap! How did that thought invade my mind? Damn Alex! Now all I can think about is being handcuffed to the bed and spanked.

“What’s it going to be, Vivian?” His voice is thick with lust.

I stare down at him pursing my lips to the side, trying to hide my naughty-thoughts grin.

“Tell me.”

The words are on the tip of my tongue ready to jump off. They want to play, but I pull them out of the game and send in a different lineup. “Just … do something to me that you’ve never done with anyone else.”

He raises a brow and smirks. “But it’s your birthday.”

“I know, so make it unforgettable.”

He grins.

“But hurry … I’m a little … desperate.”

“Yeah?

I nod.

“Well, maybe I should take the edge off for you first.”

“The edge?”

“Mmm hmm.” He lifts my left leg over his shoulder. “Are your feet okay?”

“Yes,” I answer through a breathless pant.

He slides my skirt up to my waist and swipes his tongue along my slit once real slow. I let my head fall back against the wall. “Yes …”

He does it again and stops when my hips jerk.

I open my eyes, look down at him, and grab his hair. “You’re supposed to be taking the edge off not keeping me teetering on it in angst and misery.”

Keeping his eyes on mine, his entire mouth covers my sex and his tongue doesn’t stop until I feel completely … satisfied.

“Oli …” My eyes fight to stay open as my jaw goes slack.

“Yes?” He wipes his mouth with his arm and smiles as he sets my foot on the ground and kisses his way up my body taking my dress with him. He sucks in my nipple and it jolts straight to my sex.

He grins and lets my dress fall back over my body then bends down to pick up my panties.

“Here.” He hands them to me. “I’ll meet you in the car.”

“Wait, what are you doing?”

He walks to the pantry. “It’s a surprise, now get your sexy ass out to the car.”

“Okay, okay, bossy.”

I wait in the car and a few minutes later he comes out with a brown bag and puts it in the trunk.

“What’s in the bag?” I ask when he gets in the car.

He laughs. “For the last time, it’s a surprise, now open your gift. We have two more stops to make before leaving town.

“Whe—”

“Uh uh …” He holds up his finger. “Damn, woman! Just let the day happen and stop being such a nosy control freak.”

I roll my eyes, untying the pink ribbon before removing the wrapping paper. In the box is a messenger bag.

“For school?” I grin.

“Yes. It’s custom made. I picked the floral pattern for the center panel and red and white for the sides. It made me think of your tattoo. Well, and you work at a greenhouse and Alex calls you flower. Sorry, they didn’t have a cannabis pattern as an option.”

“Shut up.” I shake my head and laugh. “It’s perfect. I love it and I’ll no doubt be the coolest freshman on campus.” I lean over and kiss his cheek. “You do realize Alex doesn’t call me flower because of my tattoo or my job?”

“Oh?” He gives me a quick sideways glance.

“It was because I was a virgin. Not sure why she’s still calling me it … since I’m not.” I look over at him.

Oliver keeps his eyes on the road as his lips curl into a roguish grin. “Sorry. I blame myself for that.” He squeezes my leg.

I laugh and squirm out of his grip. “You should.”

* * *

Our first stop is appropriately Dunkin’ Donuts. It’s our second stop that has me confused.

“The Green Pot? Why are we here?”

“I need to borrow something from Chance.” Oliver pulls around back next to Chance’s truck. “Stay here I’ll be right back.” He gets out, takes the bag from the trunk, and goes inside. A few minutes later he knocks on my window, startling me. I was checking out all the compartments to my new bag and getting excited for my first day of classes like I did in high school. He opens my door.