Page 57 of Miss Trust

Tory

Ihadn’t slept much the previous night. I blamed my cheap vibrator for not putting out. Although I knew some women could masturbate without the assistance of a battery-operated friend, I’d never been able to get myself there. Hopefully, a fresh charge would do the trick for later.

Mona walked into the kitchen just as I was pouring myself a second cup of black coffee. “Good morning,” I greeted.

“Good morning.” She smiled at Penny, who was eating yogurt and granola.

“Hi, Mona. My mom says I can learn to swim again today.”

My annoyance with Chance had faded. At this point, Penny was enjoying the lessons, and I wouldn’t deny her any joy. Plus, swimming was easy on her joints, and it did make me feel safer to know she could tread water already.

Mona tsked at me. “You need a good breakfast, not just coffee to keep your health up. I’ll make you some eggs if you tell me how you like them.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to argue, but she was already taking the eggs out of the refrigerator.

“Scrambled is great. Thanks, Mona.”

By lunchtime, I was on edge. Once I put Penelope down for her nap, I immediately went to my top dresser drawer to dig for my vibrator. Stupid thing. If I had the money, the first thing I’d do is replace it.

Feeling around in my underwear drawer, my hands couldn’t find the familiar satin bag containing my toy. Instead, they discovered a package. What the hell? I drew it out to find a classy black rectangular box decorated with a red bow.

Anger coursed through me at the audacity of the only person who’d dare leave this for me. So now Chance was rifling through my stuff?

I tore through the packaging, rage in my motions. Sitting in the satin box was a pink and gold vibrator. It wasn’t just any old vibrator, it was the Cadillac of vibrators. Next to it was Chance’s business card with two words on the back.

“Call me.”

Who was I? Alice in Alice in Wonderland who blindly followed a note to drink the potion? No way. I wasn’t traveling down that rabbit hole. He had some nerve thinking I’d give him a call after such a violation of my privacy. And yet I was already getting turned on.

Dammit, body, get it together.

See, this was what happened when you broke a dry spell. It was a reawakening of a side of me that had long ago been repressed. But, he’d miscalculated if he thought I’d involve him. Nope. I was about to take my Cadillac for a spin. Solo.

But five minutes later, I was growing frustrated at my inability to turn it on. Nor could I find a charger or instructions. Bastard. Nothing like giving me a luxury ride without the keys to start it up.

I will not call him. I will not call him.

Screw it. I was already dialing.

But I wasn’t about to ask how to use the vibrator. Instead I was calling to give him a piece of my mind about the invasion of privacy. And maybe persuade him into telling me how to turn the damn thing on.

The moment the phone connected, I started speaking. “Listen, asshole, I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but you have some nerve going into my underwear drawer and replacing my vibrator.”

“Ah, you must be calling for Mr. Maxwell. Hold, please,” came Malik’s voice.

Mortification heated my face. I was about to hang up when Chance’s voice came on. “What on earth did you say to Malik? I dare say, I’ve never seen his face quite so pink.”

I’d never be able to look poor Malik in the eye again. “Something which should’ve been for your ears only.”

His chuckle was unnerving. “How was I supposed to guess you’d engage in a ménage à moi at noon time instead of waiting until nightfall?”

I would not let his teasing derail my legitimate complaint. “Care to explain why the hell you were going through my private things?”

“After last night’s frustrating attempt, I thought you might welcome a newer model.”

Time stopped. Or perhaps it was my breathing. Or my thought process. Or all three. “Wh-what did you say?”

“You heard me.”