Page 76 of Recovering Ivy

I slid into my ’66 Nova and turned her over. I took a moment to listen to the growl of the engine before I headed out of the parking garage. Fuck, but I loved this car; she was a beast. I was more than happy to give Ivy the Rover and have an excuse to drive this. The drive home was a blur as was much of my life now, Ivy consuming my every thought. By the time I arrived at the penthouse, my cock was throbbing from the memory of Ivy making Sunday breakfast in nothing but my tee. I’d taken her slow and sweet when we woke up and again in the shower, and I didn’t let her leave until she was screaming my name. That memory had me aching for more of her.

I had heard, but had no experience of, men complaining about sex life after their woman moved in. That was not my experience. The sex had gotten better, something I hadn’t thought possible. I made my way upstairs, pondering all the ways I could drive Ivy crazy before dinner when I walked in the door to an empty living room.

“Ivy?” I called out.

After a few beats with no answer I went in search of her. Nothing. She wasn’t home. I checked my phone; no missed text or call.

I dialed her number and after a few rings it went to voicemail. I discounted and called again – straight to voicemail.

What the fuck.

“Ivy, call me.”

Five minutes later, my impatience was through the roof. I’d reread Ivy’s last message, she was coming straight home. That was almost an hour ago. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed.

“Hey.”

“Where’s Ivy?”

“Nice to talk to you, too.” Jasmin chuckled.

“Where is Ivy?” I tried again, pacing the living room.

“How the hell should I know. She left here like over an hour ago.”

“Was she upset? Did someone say something to her?”

“Are you for real? No, she didn’t leave here upset.”

“What did you guys talk about?”

“Nothing.”

“Jesus Christ, Jasmin. What the fuck did you guys talk about?”

“The fuck is your problem, Z? We didn’t talk about anything. Jaxon and Violet setting a wedding date. Erin being a pain in the ass. We talked about babies and shit. Girl stuff I guess.”

“You guess?”

“Not like I have a lot of female friends. So, yes, I suppose that’s what women talk about when they convene with each other. What the fuck is your problem? You’re being extra dickish.”

“Ivy’s not here,” I told her.

“Okay?”

“She’s not fucking here, Jasmin. She said she was coming straight home. I called, it rang three times, and I was sent to voicemail. I called again and her phone is off.”

“Well, you big prick, why didn’t you start with that? I’ll send Linc over to your place and I’ll call the girls and see if they’ve heard from her. She was fine when she left. Smiling and happy, wanting to get home to you.” I heard noise in the background before Jasmin yelled. “Linc! Get to Z’s. Ivy’s gone.”

“Yo.” My brother’s voice came on the line. “I’ll call Jax and Leo. Jas will handle the girls - I’ll be to you in five.”

“Copy that.” I disconnected the call but continued to stare at my phone. In a moment of sheer terror I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do next. What if something had happened to Ivy? What the fuck would I do?

Tex.

I needed Tex.

I slid my thumb across the screen and found the number I needed.