“I wish I were. But they latched on to the idea and they won’t let go. Will didn’t even discuss it with me before he approached them. And now that he has me here, he’s going to keep me writing day and night until we’ve got something to show them. I don’t know what to do, Eric. Should I just come home?” She’s close to tears, realizing the horrible position Will’s placed her in.
“If you do, what happens?” I need to know all of the details before I can offer her any advice. Will’s too smart not to have covered his ass.
“Then Will’s going to move ahead with the Lauren version of the script in the hope that he can find someone willing to battle her uncle in court. I guess people in the industry are already buzzing about it, and Will’s looking to capitalize on the notoriety, even if it’s not necessarily positive. He’s giving me this last chance of working on the rewrite as a way out. I either do it and he calls off the dogs or I don’t and he throws me headfirst into a legal shitstorm. Either way, I’m going to end up hurting you.” This time she can’t hold back her tears as she begins to sob.
“Ivy, I don’t want to see all the pain I went through marketed and sold like I’m trying to profit off Cassidy’s death. I couldn’t live with myself if I agreed to something like this. It makes my skin crawl.” I shouldn’t be so tough on Ivy, but there’s no way I can bite my tongue. Not when it’s about Cassidy. “But if I don’t comply with Will’s demands, then how in the world am I going to provide for our baby? Lauren’s uncle has the power to take everything away from us, everything I’ve worked so hard for.”
“Eric…I’m…so…sorry.” She can barely get the words out through her tears.
“I’m sorry too, Ivy.” I can’t deny that I’m disappointed in her. I should’ve made her show me the script. Maybe I could’ve prevented all of this if I had known what she was up to. Now my personal tragedy is once again going to be heralded as the nation’s favorite sob story. The agony Cassidy endured will be memorialized as nothing more than a stupid chick flick. I never thought I’d have to betray her memory like this. That’s why I stayed out of the limelight. That’s why I retreated into seclusion. That’s why I don’t speak to the media. I hate to even think like this, but if I’d never agreed to that Gazette interview with Ivy last summer, I wouldn’t be going through this right now. I let her in. Little did I know that I’d be giving up my right to privacy…as well as surrendering my heart.
“I can’t go through with it, Eric. It’s not right. I messed up and you shouldn’t have to pay the price for my mistake.” She’s trying to rally my spirits, but it’s too late. The damage is done. I’m just going to have to suffer through this somehow.
“Ivy, stop. I don’t like it. I don’t agree with it. But it’s happening. There’s nothing we can do about it now. My only consolation is that I know that Cassidy’s memory is in good hands if you’re the one writing the script. I know you will honor her story and tell it the way it needs to be told. If you fight Will on anything, I want you to maintain Cassidy’s integrity in how she is portrayed. Please don’t let them tarnish her image.” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from crying. I never expected things to unfold like this. I feel like someone just whacked me over the head with a two-by-four. Man, I need to sit down.
“Eric, I promise you that I’ll do whatever it takes.” The conviction in her voice is the only thing that’s sustaining me as I collapse onto the couch. I can’t take this out on her. She got caught in a bad situation. I love Ivy with all my heart, but sometimes she makes life so difficult. I thought with her I’d have a fresh start, but she keeps bringing me back to Cassidy. It’s like there are three people in this relationship instead of two. I have to try and get things back on track. I can’t end this call on such a sour note. I don’t want Ivy to fall asleep, thinking I’m angry with her. Despite it all, she needs to know I still love her no matter what.
“I wish this call had gone differently. I didn’t even get a chance to ask you what you’re wearing.” All I want to do is flirt with my sexy girlfriend and forget about everything else. We’ll deal with it in the morning. Now I want to put Ivy to bed—the right way.
“I’m in one of your shirts, of course…and I stole a pair of your boxers from your drawer before I left.” I can hear the smile in her voice. I grip the armrest of the couch, instantly hard. I know deep down we’re both still upset, but right now she’s giving me exactly what I crave.
“Your sweet pussy is resting right where I’m usually throbbing for you.” I shift my weight against the cushion, already straining against the pair I’m wearing now.
She gasps, breathing heavily. I can hear her rustling the sheet.
“Ivy, are you touching yourself?” I ask, sitting up straight.
“Yes,” she whispers, moaning, the frame of the bed creaking in the background.
“Tell me exactly what you’re doing,” I order her as I unzip my jeans.
“I’m straddling the side of the mattress. One leg is touching the floor and the other is bent on the bed. I’m digging my fingernails into the footboard, holding on for all its worth.” She’s panting, and I have a good idea what she’s up to. I caught her doing this once before on our bed, but she didn’t know I was watching her or I’m sure she would’ve stopped. Now she’s letting me in, sharing all of her dirty little secrets.
“Are you rubbing yourself over the edge of the mattress?” I ask, finally freeing myself from the confines of my jeans.
“Yes…” she replies, out of breath. “My shirt is off. All I have on are your boxers. My hair is tickling my swollen breasts, and I’m sliding myself over the edge again and again, gripping it with my thighs.”
“Hump it, baby, hump it.” I start to vigorously stroke my cock, trying to catch up to her.
“Uh, it’s not enough. I’m going to have to use my fingers. Hold on, your boxers are so snug.” The bed continues to squeak as she rides it. She’s trying to find her G-spot. I know how she likes a little pressure above her clit. She always goes crazy when I hit it just right.
“Keep…going.” I’m as breathless as she is now, and I jerk my hand up and down my dick, squeezing it harder.
“Almost…there,” she cries as the shaking of the bed increases. “I have my fingers pressed…firmly against me…the panel of your boxers holding them in place…as I work my hips…over the mattress…gripping it tighter…and tighter.”
“I’m right there with you, baby. You’re working me over just listening to you.” I sink lower on the couch. I forgot to shut the blinds before I started this and the glow from the fireplace has me perfectly illuminated. All I need is for someone to walk across my property and catch me jerking off. I’m in the middle of nowhere, but still.
“Oh God, Eric!” she yells, coming undone.
“I love hearing you come,” I groan against the phone, pressing it between my cheek and my shoulder. “It’s so fucking hot.”
“Are you close?” she asks, repositioning herself on the bed. “I just kicked off your boxers and I’m lying spread-eagle on the bed…buck naked. My arms are outstretched with my hands on the headboard and my legs are as far apart as they will go. I’m wide open for you.”
“Damn it, Ivy!” I shout as I explode in my hand.
She laughs into the phone as I lean my head back against the couch, desperately trying to get some air into my lungs.
“That was just what I needed,” she whispers, spent and satisfied.
“Me too.” I stare blankly at the firelight dancing across the ceiling.
“I don’t want to hang up,” she confesses.