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I close my eyes and revel on the red behind my eyelids. Fuck no. Never.

“They can’t have me. I refuse to do it. I have to go. I’m waiting for someone.”

“Don’t hang up, Luxxy.” She sighs. “Look, we all have to do things we don’t like. You get to hang out with your gorgeous ex for an afternoon, and all you have to do is be your beautiful self. That doesn’t sound so bad to me.”

“What? I said no?—”

“Hold on.” She cuts me off. “This is not an ask. We’ve given you a lot of control, but this is nonnegotiable. We’ve already promised the Emperors and the Cross Foundation. Be here tomorrow for the interview and the gala.”

Rage blows through me like a supercell twister.

“What if I don’t?”

“Well,” her voice drops, “the next call will be from legal for breach of contract.”

I have to hold on to the windowsill.

“Did you just threaten me?”

She sighs again. “No, Luxxy. I’m just stating the facts. This is not personal, and we will only resort to that if you shake your responsibility on this.”

I blow out a mouthful of air. Because fuck her, Mateo, and everyone else.

“First of all, it’s Lux. Second, I’ll be there, but I hope you know this changes everything.”

I cut off the call and email my agent and Cam’s head lawyer.

Ruthy,

Big Apple is forcing me to do an interview I’m uncomfortable doing. They want me to spend the day with Mateo and have insinuated legal action if I don’t. I will fulfill my obligations, but I want out of this contract. Please find a way to get me out. We can schedule a call to talk about it later on today.

I’m shaking with rage, but I drop to the floor in lotus position and breathe. I chant until the rage has left my body, and I’m calm again. I’ll do the interview and gala, and then I will be done with him and Big Apple forever. I can do this on my own. I’ll start my channel and take my audience. Maybe I can ask Ollie to come with me tomorrow.

My phone chimes, and it’s him. The time stamp says eleven.

Ollie

I’m on my way.

Oh shit. He’s not going to like this at all. I need to be ready for when he gets here, distract him, and sweeten the pot, then tell him. Maybe he can come with me. We can definitely tackle this together.

Fuck. Why did this happen now? No man wants to deal with an ex.

I rush downstairs and into the shower. I choose the rose shower gel Ollie loves and lather my body in the matching lotion while still wet. I use fast and quick strokes, concentrating on him, putting my morning on the backburner. I let myself feel him, touching my body, stimulating and stroking, until I’m ready for him.

I want his hands to be the ones that roam and explore my body. I need my body soft and smelling like a bouquet as he sucks and kisses every inch of me like he promised me.

It’s only been two days, but I’m starving for his touch.

I choose the white set of undies I bought a few days ago. I got them for him. It’s the first time I got undies especially for him. I can’t wait to see his face when he sees me in them. Heat pools in my belly just imagining his eyes flaming over my body, making me ache deep in my pussy. I run my fingers over my nipples, needing contact and a little friction.

My phone pings, alerting me that someone is at the door. I run down the stairs just as it opens.

Ollie steps through the door in a cloud of tension that weighs down the air in the room. There’s no playfulness in his eyes, no flashing over my body or even acknowledgment of the white thong I put on specifically for him. He runs a hand over his face, evaporating all promises of a hot, sweaty morning.

I reach for the belt of my robe, securing it around me.

He stands in the middle of the room, like he doesn’t know where to go.