Elevator Pitch

by Evelyn Leigh

I’ve read a few romances she’s recommended, and I think this is what they call a slow burn. I can wait. The fire will be rewarding.

I created the illusion that no one lives there by hiding all the unsightly crap in closets and under the beds like normal people do.

“Are you hittin’ that?” “No, mama.” I chuckle and keep walking. “Shit. Well, you should be. He smells really good, too,”

“Mama, say something. Did I break you?” She exhales deeply and palms her face. “Listen, baby. We both need to get second jobs.” “Why?” “So that we can afford to hire Audrey whenever you marry this guy.” “Mama, please.”

“How about this? Whenever you find out just how good of a neighbor he is, give me a call and say ‘pinochle.’ Repeat it three times if he’s good and once if he’s not. Then hang up and I’ll call you back for the dirty details.” I snort out loud. I’ve never seen her act like this. “Mama, you can’t be serious.” She pins me with a stare, so I know she is. “We got a deal?” “Deal.”

Now we wait. Should be any minute now. I tap my feet in anticipation. My phone dings twice. Two separate threads from them both. Elena Elena Um, Grey? You there? Alex Alex You motherfucker. Looks like they’ve matched. Have fun, kids.

I’m going to find out exactly what Selah wants from me and give it to her.

He removed his shoes AND washed his hands upon settling in. Pro: He may be the perfect houseguest. Con: I think he’s trying to steal my heart. Alert the proper authorities.

The list. Shit! He’s reading it. WWAD? She’d own it. I’ll own it now and throw up later.

Relax. He’s just a man. Tell that to my body.

It’s safe to say the golden retriever has left the building.

He whispers, “I’m going to tease you before I give you what you want. I’ll need to hear you beg for it. Do you understand?” I nod. “I need to hear you say it, Selah.” “Yes.” “Good girl.”

“I’m going to strip you bare and grant your body the attention it deserves. I’m going to worship you, because it’s what you deserve, Princess.”

I fear that Greyson may have ruined me for other men and he hasn’t even touched me yet.

“It’s a shame you haven’t behaved enough to taste me. Now if you don’t mind, I haven’t finished adoring you.”

“Quiet, baby. I’ll tell you when you can be loud.”

The word baby on his lips sounds illegal. I hope to hear it again.

If I crumble beneath his touch, I can’t imagine what a mess I’ll be when he’s inside me.

“You’ve been a good girl, but you didn’t earn it.” I frown. “But I begged like you asked me to.” “You still refuse to call me Grey and until you admit that you’re a dirty fucking girl. My dirty fucking girl, you won’t.”

“You look so fucking good when you’re at my mercy,” he growls.

Wait. Did I see a dance pole in her living room, or was I imagining that? Fuck. Now is not the time.

Her panties. I forgot that I took these. Surely, she won’t mind.

Me I needed to borrow a toothbrush. Sunflower You are a little shit. Get out of there. I can’t believe you had her bully me into texting you. Me Are you bothered, or is that a part of your charm? Sunflower Both. :) Me I missed you too. Keep talking shit, and I will be leaving with that toothbrush. :) Sunflower You wouldn’t dare. Me I would dare.

Sunflower Cat got your tongue now? Now I know how to respond to this. Let’s play, Princess. Me I know a cat that has my tongue. ;) Sunflower SIR. Me Good girl.

Sunflower Greyson “I don’t know your middle name” Park! Me It’s Dae-Hyun, after my dad. Sunflower Greyson Dae-Hyun Park! Me I love it when you call out my name. :)

I’m a pleasure dom. I focus on my partner’s pleasure, often to the point of exhaustion. That gets me off.”

“Selah, are you calling me a book boyfriend? That’s a hell of a compliment.” “Well, I won’t be saying it now. I’d hate to make you even more annoying.”

Here she goes with that again. I don’t know how to feel about being called a good boy. I usually am the praiser, but I don’t hate it?

“Call me ‘Daddy’ again and I’ll make sure you scream it all night.”

Our last attempt at a ‘date’ ended with him dining between my legs. His fingers and tongue explored me. He praised me in ways I never knew I craved.

She took her panties off in my car and put them in my lap. Fuck. This woman drives me wild.

“You’re so fucking beautiful when you come. Ready to do that again?”

I’ve never cared much for kissing before, and I’m convinced that’s because it wasn’t with her.

“Yes, Daddy.” “Good fucking girl.”

“You listened so well and kept your eyes on me. That’s my good girl. You want to come again?”

“You called me Grey. It was a matter of time, nasty girl.”

He’s a fucking menace.

“You have plans tomorrow, Selah?” I shake my head, unsure of why he’s asking that now. “Good. ‘Cause you’re about to be up all night.”

“Same rule applies. Eyes on me, or I’ll stop. Do you understand?” I look up at him and gulp. “Yes, Daddy.”

“That’s it, Princess. Rub that pretty pussy until you come.”

Women get fucked like this in books, and men only talk like that in them. What woman wrote Grey? I’d like to thank her for her service.

Last night was the best night I’ve had in a long time, but I learned that I have a jealous streak when it comes to Selah. I don’t like the idea of her entertaining other people. I’d like a shot at giving her what she needs and I need to figure out how to have this conversation. I haven’t had a crush since college, and I don’t remember feeling this way. Shit, I’ve been married and it didn’t feel this way.

I just had the best night in years, and there’s an incredible woman in my bed I’d love to get back to.

Thinking about how I’m about to ask her to stop going on dates AND exclusively sleep with me, I’d very well like to think it’s somewhat serious. I mean, she’s in my bed cuddling my dog right now.

Everything is going to be fine. I’ve asked a woman to flat out marry me once, surely, I can ask Selah to be my date to a wedding.

I have asked women out before, and I don’t know what it is about Selah that makes me second-guess myself, but shit. I psych myself up until I hear her footsteps approaching.

“Good morning, Sunflower.” “Breaking and entering with a side of breakfast? You’re so good to me.”

“There’s a bug going around that prevents you from lifting a finger. It’s serious, and I’m afraid there’s no cure.” He shakes his head in concern. “You’ve been showing symptoms, so I’m just going to have to take care of you.”

“You know what I think? I think you like me. Might even be obsessed with me,” I tease. His eyes carry the hunger of a man starved and I can’t look away. “I thought that was obvious. What are you going to do about it?”

“You know what I think? I think you like me too. And if I took off your panties right now, your pussy would be dripping for me.”