18. Wren
18
WREN
MERRICK: If I die during this meeting just know your tits are the best I’ve ever seen
WREN: Is it weird I’m flattered?
MERRICK: No that’s the point
WREN: Also aren’t you supposed to be paying attention in that meeting?
MERRICK: I’d much rather have you bent over my desk right now
WREN: You are supposed to be FOCUSED
MERRICK: Yeah, focused on how you look spread wide for me, your pussy glistening and begging for my dick
WREN: I. AM. AT. WORK.
MERRICK: So am I
MERRICK: You should send me a picture of your tits—it would make this day so much more bearable
WREN: OMG I’m putting my phone away
MERRICK: (sad face emoji)
WREN: I thought you were too old to use emoji
MERRICK: Keep it up and see what happens
A little thrill shoots down my spine, knowing he’d absolutely deliver on that promise. And because I like him all riled up— for me— I make sure the door is locked before lifting my shirt, squeezing my boobs together, and taking a picture.
WREN: (boob selfie)
MERRICK: Fuck
MERRICK: I swore out loud
MERRICK: Totally worth it
MERRICK: Fuck, baby you’re so damn hot
WREN: Be good, Mr. Ellis
MERRICK: Only until I’m home
WREN: Then what?
MERRICK: Then you’re mine
MERRICK: I’ll let you know when my flight gets in—I want you naked and waiting
WREN: Do you have any idea how bossy you are?
MERRICK: Yes
WREN: *sigh*
MERRICK: What if I say please?
WREN: Are you?
MERRICK: No, but what if I did?
WREN: You’re ridiculous. I’m putting my phone away
MERRICK: Please.
WREN: I guess we’ll see
MERRICK: Wait
WREN: What? Some of us have jobs to do…
MERRICK: Ha—tell your boss to fuck off
WREN: I did and he told me to watch my mouth
MERRICK: I love that mouth
WREN: Oh my God, what is with you? Focus!
MERRICK: I want to be in you bare
MERRICK: There’s no pressure
MERRICK: I’ll respect whatever you’re comfortable with
MERRICK: I was given a clean bill of health before I came to Montana and I’ve only been with you
WREN: Sweet talker
MERRICK: Wren…
WREN: I was a very good girl at my last appointment—all good
MERRICK: A good girl huh?
WREN: You don’t believe me?
MERRICK: I think you should prove it
WREN: Maybe…but Merrick?
MERRICK: Yes?
WREN: I’m trusting you
MERRICK: It means more than you know
WREN: You’re that passionate about no condoms?
MERRICK: No, Hellcat—you trusting me…us.
MERRICK: That means a lot
WREN: Don’t break us Merrick
MERRICK: I’ll do everything I can not to
* * *
“What is that face?” Reid asks when I collapse on Pen and Lake’s couch, my brother relegated to Harlan’s for guys’ night.
“What? What face?” I ask, looking up startled at having been caught rereading the text thread with Merrick.
Reid squints his eyes at me and points an accusatory finger at me. “ That one.”
“There’s no face.”
“There’s definitely a face,” Pen says, and now it’s my turn to point a finger.
“I brought you coffee and donuts when you were hiding away from the world.”
“And I didn’t comment on your face when we saw you all starry-eyed at the bar.”
“I was not starry-eyed.”
“You were,” Reid says. “Spill.”
“There’s nothing to spill.”
“How long have you been sleeping with your super-hot boss?” Reid asks, almost bored. “Listen, it wasn’t that hard to figure out.”
Grabbing my wine glass, I take a sip as my cheeks heat, silently praying they’ll drop it.
Unfortunately, when I look up, they’re both still staring at me.
“You cannot tell anyone,” I say quietly.
Pen squeals and launches herself at me as Reid gapes at me. “Wow, I didn’t think you’d actually admit it.”
“So, what’s happening? Are you dating? You’re hardly ever at your apartment.” Pen rattles off her questions in one single breath before squeezing my hand. “I’m really happy for you.”
“We’re going to talk when he comes home from New York. It’s…”
“Complicated?” Reid supplies and I shrug.
“Yes and no. Yes, because he was never supposed to be in Wintervale—his brother was—so I guess he’s trying to figure out what comes next with the business. But I just…” I blow out a breath. “I’m mad that I care, that he makes me care.”
“Wow,” Reid whispers.
“Stop saying wow,” I snap, self-consciousness trickling in at how it must sound.
“Wren,”—Reid’s voice is soft and his eyes sympathetic—“there’s zero judgment here. I just want you to be happy and be treated the way you deserve. Does he do that?”
“I am and he does.”
Now if only we can make it last.