Matchmaker (Empire High #4) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,122
spend the holidays with you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for drawing you a bath.”
“Nigel, I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving.”
He stopped. “What do you mean you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving? It’s a treasured American tradition.”
“I just…don’t.” I hadn’t since Brooklyn died. I always spent the day alone. I didn’t want a traditional or modern thanksgiving. My stomach churned. But what would Kennedy think about that? I took a deep breath. “Actually, put me down for two for a modern Thanksgiving meal.”
“You’re inviting a friend, Mr. Caldwell?”
“Yup.”
Nigel stared at me. “I’ll see what I can do. The guest list is already extensive. And there’s only so much room at the table.”
“You mean that huge dining room table?”
“It’s smaller today. I removed some leaves.”
“Then you can add them back.”
He lifted up his notebook. “Not until January. I’ll go draw your bath. Do you want another ice pack?”
“I’m good.”
He bowed and ran away.
So strange. I pulled out my phone as I made my way back to my room. There was a text from Kennedy: “What’s the dress code for tomorrow? I don’t want to embarrass myself on our first official date.”
I smiled and texted her back. “Business casual.”
“Are you taking me to an office event?”
“I’m kidding. Casual. Super casual. But not slippers casual.”
“You needed me. I didn’t have time to change. And my slippers are adorable.”
I laughed. “They really are.”
“Good. I’ll wear them then.”
“Are you wearing them right now?”
She didn’t write me back right away. Fuck. Why had I asked her that? She was going to think I was a pervert. I shifted the ice pack on my boner. It wasn’t my fault that I was drugged. But right before I set my phone down on my nightstand, another text came through.
“Are you asking me if I’m wearing lingerie and sitting on a bed seductively all alone?”
“Yes.”
“I hate to break it to you, Matt, but that is not how I dress when I’m alone. Think more along the lines of a baggy t-shirt.”
“No bra?”
“You’re a terrible boyfriend.”
“I’m a great boyfriend.”
“That’s yet to be seen. We haven’t even been on one date yet and you’re asking me the ‘what are you wearing’ question.”
“I’m taking that as a yes to the no bra.”
“Good guess.”
I sat down on the edge of my bed. “I like picturing you like that.” Honestly, her in an old t-shirt waiting for me in bed sounded pretty great to me.
“Oh, do messy updos turn you on?” she asked.
“Well, I’m definitely turned on.” I swallowed hard as another text didn’t come through. Fuck. Too much. Sexting wasn’t exactly a Disney prince kind of move. But I was so fucking hard.
Another text came through: “Is that so?”
I couldn’t take it anymore. I unzipped my pants and wrapped my hand around my cock. It was cold from the ice and my hand felt amazingly warm. I could imagine it being Kennedy’s mouth around me. “I wish I was with you right now,” I said.
“Me too.”
I closed my eyes and ran my hand down my shaft. I imagined Kennedy on her knees looking up at me. Her nipples hard against the fabric of her shirt. I pictured her leaning forward, running her tongue along my tip.
Someone cleared their throat.
I opened my eyes to see Nigel staring at me. “Nigel, what the fuck?” I pulled up my pants.
“I was drawing you a bath.”
“You’ve been in here this whole time? Get out!”
“But…”
“Nigel, get out of my room.”
“Yes, Mr. Caldwell. Enjoy your…bath. The water is the perfect temperature. I’ll be back in a minute to check on you.” He bowed and left.
The image of Kennedy on her knees had disappeared as quickly as it had come. But the good news was that my boner was finally receding. Apparently seeing Nigel watching me stroke myself was the key to making my dick soft. I should have known.
This was for the best. I’d been masturbating to a ghost for years. I didn’t need to imagine this with Kennedy. I could have the real thing.
I just needed to wait until she was ready. Although if her flirting was any indication, I wouldn’t have to wait that long. But we couldn’t go back to her mom’s place to do it. And I didn’t really feel comfortable bringing her here. I’d figure it out.
I texted her. “What do you think about getting a hotel room for tomorrow night?” I pressed send before I could talk myself out of it. I always took women to hotels. Kennedy was different. I would have taken her