You've Got Fail(37)

She seemed to turn the idea over in her mind, then nodded. “Okay, that could work.”

“It will.” I flipped through the rest of the sheets. “These are just more generic questions and answers, as well as some quotes from blog entries on various topics.”

“Analyzing Anal, huh?” She arched a brow.

“It’s legit.”

“Anal or your writing?”

“Both.”

She smiled, amusement lighting her eyes and making my heart expand like the Grinch’s at Christmas. “Homework. That’s what you’ve given me here.” She folded the papers and stuffed them into her handbag.

“Yeah, but it’s the fun kind. At least I think it is.”

She leaned back into the cushion and waved her hand around the room. “I’ve never gotten a close look. You’ve got a nice place.”

“Thanks.” I relaxed next to her and ignored the itch in my elbow telling me to sling my arm around her shoulders like we were teens at a movie.

“I’m guessing blogging pays well, huh?”

“The ads do, yeah. I have a lot of specialty content that brings in—”

A stout knock at the door startled both of us.

“The hell?” I rose and went to the door.

A man wearing a “Courteous Courier” cap stood outside holding a small brown box.

“Oh.” I’d forgotten all about Elias sending the SquickyLube over. This wouldn’t be awkward or anything.

“Who is it?” Scarlet called.

“Delivery.” I’d just take the box and not mention it to her. Easy.

I opened the door for the guy who looked barely old enough to drive. “Hey, man.”

“Just sign here.” He passed me an iPad and gave me a wide grin, then tapped the box. “When I picked this up, the guy showed me the prototype version. The built-in lube and the vibration…”

Oh fuuuuuuck. I glanced back at a wide-eyed Scarlet.

The courier seemed to take my silence as agreement. “Damn, son. That’s choice! All in one, you don’t even need to get extra lube. It’ll slide right up your a—”

I shoved the tablet back to him and snatched the box before slamming the door in his face.

Scarlet still sat on the couch, but she shook with laughter as she stared at the box clutched in my hands.





14





Scarlet





“Let me see it.” I stood and approached a decidedly red Willis.

“No way.” He backed toward his bedroom.

“What’s in the box?”

“Nothing.” He feigned nonchalance, but kept backing away.

“Sounded to me like there was something extra special in there.”

“Nope.” He made it to the door of his bedroom, the box behind his back.

“Oh, come on. At least let me see it before you shove it up your—”

“Hey!” He gritted his teeth.

I followed him, enjoying our game. Though, honestly, I was more than a little interested to see just what had the delivery guy so excited. “I’m not judging.”

He shook his head, his glasses going charmingly askew again. “It’s not for me.”

A sliver of jealousy shot through me. “Then who’s it for?”

The backs of his knees hit the foot of his bed, and I walked right up to him. I was playing the aggressor, but there was no denying he was far bigger and, from what he’d shown me the last time we met, totally cool with taking charge. Maybe I wanted him to do it again. Kissing him was no hardship.

“Just forget about it.”

“Not a chance.” I pushed him so he sat on the bed, then straddled his lap. Because I’d always had a problem with impulse control. “Who’s it for?”

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You’re pushy when it comes to sex toys.”

I nibbled my bottom lip. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

He sighed. “I could give a longer explanation. But I’ll just say that my best friend works for Jizzlywinks—”

A laugh burst out of me. “I’m sorry. I must have had a stroke or something right then. Did you say Jizzlywinks?”

He cleared his throat and placed one hand on my hip. His palm was warm, the heat seeping through the thin fabric of my dress. “Yes. They’re one of the top sex toy manufacturers in the country. My friend does advertising for them as well as some research and development.”

“That still doesn’t explain what’s in the box.” I clasped my hands together behind his head. Hello Fire. I’m Scarlet. I’d like to play with you for a while. Not like anyone could get burned, right?

“What’s in the box is the newest product he’s come up with. It’s called”— he flinched, but continued—“the SquickyLube.”

My laughter returned, bubbling out of me like I was Old Faithful and it was time to blow. He deadpanned as my giggles subsided, but he rubbed his thumb back and forth across my hip. Tingles, so many tingles.

“Okay.” I cleared my throat. “Okay, so why did he send it to you?”

“He didn’t. Not really.” He pulled the box from behind his back and slid it open. “He sent it to you.”