In League with Ivy Blog Tour Materials

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Blog Tour Schedule:

March 19
Nikki's Book Nook (Excerpt)
Taming Chaos (Excerpt)

March 20
Aj_books5 (Review)
Book Nook Nuts (Promo)

March 21
Adventures in Self-Publishing (Excerpt)
Deanna's World (Guest Post)

March 22
Rockchick Addiction Reviews and Blog/Always Loved Books (Excerpt)

March 23
But First, Let's Read (Excerpt)

March 24
Writing Cave Corner (Excerpt)
Jean Rabe (Excerpt)

March 25
Books to Curl Up With (Excerpt)

Twitter Post:

No one finds their true love on Tinder…right?
IN LEAGUE WITH IVY by JJ Sorel
A smart, sexy romantic comedy.
#Amazon: http://mybook.to/InLeaguewIvy
#romcom #booktwt #BookTwitter #romancenovel #NewReleases #BookBoost #bookstagram #booklover #KindleUnlimited #Kindle #Kindlebook #ian1

Instagram Post:

No one finds their true love on Tinder…right?
I’m a strong, independent woman. Or that’s what I want to be. And I could be…if not for one distraction…Chase Elliot.
My former friend with benefits and I have enough chemistry to keep a laboratory bubbling. But even after he proposes, I wonder if real romance between a girl like me and a billionaire’s son is even possible.
Also in the mix are multiple misunderstandings, family drama, and the ghosts of Tinder dates past.
Why didn’t anyone tell me the road to happily ever after could be so damn bumpy?
Chase
I never intended to get married. My father had other ideas.
If I didn’t settle down, he’d cut me off. And because fake marriages and marriages of convenience seemed torturous, I thought of Ivy.
She’s gorgeous, smart, and sexy. And she’s the only one I can imagine calling my own. That’s why I proposed.
I maybe should’ve told her about my father’s ultimatum first.
So…what’s a guy to do when he blows up the best thing that ever happened to him? Asking for a friend…
In League with Ivy is a Stand-alone friends-with-benefits Steamy Romantic Comedy. Available on Kindle Unlimited.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09S9XYK21
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 19, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
ISBN: 9798432951977
Print length ‏ : ‎ 425 pages

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Facebook Post:

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09S9XYK21
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 19, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
ISBN: 9798432951977
Print length ‏ : ‎ 425 pages

Blog Post:

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09S9XYK21
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 19, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
ISBN: 9798432951977
Print length ‏ : ‎ 425 pages

Find it on Amazon: http://mybook.to/InLeaguewIvy

Love In League with Ivy and want more? Check out the Up The Ladder, a novella by signing up for JJ Sorel's newsletter: https://jjsorel.com/free-gift/
And find more of her work on her website: www.jjsorel.com and on Amazon.

Praise for In League with Ivy:
The overall plot line is original and compelling with dialogue as snappy and fluid as ever. Sorel’s writing style is dramatic and striking, painting each scene with rich detail. The characters have been well developed and bring interest and complexity to the story—a feature that sets this book apart from others in its genre.

For readers interested in a compelling romance novel with unexpected twists and turns, this book is for you. - from Book Excellence

Rafflecopter:

<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9751c04265/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="9751c04265" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_i1uixnvq">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JJ Sorel whiles away her day writing Steamy Romance novels. She loves conjuring up slightly damaged, seductive men who fall madly in love with smart, quirky women. Her novels have been translated into four languages.
To find out more about her work, check out her website https://jjsorel.com/

HTML Post:

<img data-file-id="5950808" height="900" src="https://mcusercontent.com/db46d89a669bcc0564562defc/_compresseds/8e9f9308-afd5-f194-9cea-759ba98cb8c2.jpg" style="border: 0px ; width: 600px; height: 900px; margin: 0px;" width="600" /> 
 
No one finds their true love on Tinder…right? 
I’m a strong, independent woman. Or that’s what I want to be. And I could be…if not for one distraction…Chase Elliot. 
My former friend with benefits and I have enough chemistry to keep a laboratory bubbling. But even after he proposes, I wonder if real romance between a girl like me and a billionaire’s son is even possible. 
Also in the mix are multiple misunderstandings, family drama, and the ghosts of Tinder dates past. 
Why didn’t anyone tell me the road to happily ever after could be so damn bumpy? 
Chase 
I never intended to get married. My father had other ideas. 
If I didn’t settle down, he’d cut me off. And because fake marriages and marriages of convenience seemed torturous, I thought of Ivy. 
She’s gorgeous, smart, and sexy. And she’s the only one I can imagine calling my own. That’s why I proposed. 
I maybe should’ve told her about my father’s ultimatum first. 
So…what’s a guy to do when he blows up the best thing that ever happened to him? Asking for a friend… 
In League with Ivy is a Stand-alone friends-with-benefits Steamy Romantic Comedy. Available on Kindle Unlimited. 
 
 
 
<ul>
<li>ASIN &rlm; : &lrm; B09S9XYK21</li>
<li>Publication date &rlm; : &lrm; March 19, 2022</li>
<li>Language &rlm; : &lrm; English</li>
<li>ISBN: 9798432951977</li>
<li>Print length &rlm; : &lrm; 425 pages</li>
</ul>
 
Find it on Amazon: http://mybook.to/InLeaguewIvy 
 
Love In League with Ivy and want more? Check out the Up The Ladder, a novella by signing up for JJ Sorel's newsletter: https://jjsorel.com/free-gift/ 
And find more of her work on her website: www.jjsorel.com and on Amazon. 
 
 
 
Praise for In League with Ivy:

The overall plot line is original and compelling with dialogue as snappy and fluid as ever. Sorel’s writing style is dramatic and striking, painting each scene with rich detail. The characters have been well developed and bring interest and complexity to the story—a feature that sets this book apart from others in its genre.

For readers interested in a compelling romance novel with unexpected twists and turns, this book is for you. - from Book Excellence
 
 
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9751c04265/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="9751c04265" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_i1uixnvq">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
 
 
<img data-file-id="5950812" height="529" src="https://mcusercontent.com/db46d89a669bcc0564562defc/images/fdd526d1-ca08-e38c-5bf2-d0e2c6153d9d.jpg" style="border: 0px ; width: 450px; height: 529px; margin: 0px;" width="450" /> 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
JJ Sorel whiles away her day writing Steamy Romance novels. She loves conjuring up slightly damaged, seductive men who fall madly in love with smart, quirky women. Her novels have been translated into four languages. 
To find out more about her work, check out her website https://jjsorel.com/

Info Quick Find:

Blogger Run Giveaway:

For those that selected giveaway on the form, you're authorized to giveaway one e-copy of In League with Ivy by JJ Sorel to one of your blog readers. This is a giveaway outside of the Rafflecopter, just for your readers.

Buy Links:

In League with Ivy on Amazon: http://mybook.to/InLeaguewIvy
Follow JJ Sorel on Amazon: http://author.to/JJSorel

Rafflecopter:

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<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9751c04265/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="9751c04265" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_i1uixnvq">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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URL: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9751c04265/?

Book Blurb:

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09S9XYK21
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 19, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
ISBN: 9798432951977
Print length ‏ : ‎ 425 pages

Author Bio:

JJ Sorel whiles away her day writing Steamy Romance novels. She loves conjuring up slightly damaged, seductive men who fall madly in love with smart, quirky women. Her novels have been translated into four languages.
To find out more about her work, check out her website https://jjsorel.com/

Excerpts:

Excerpt One
IVY
After graduating with a major in English lit, I’d started working at Mad Love mainly because I didn’t want to work for free in an internship.

Two years later, I was still there. I loved clothes. And my mother was a good boss. She paid me well, and she allowed me time off to work on my blog, The Young and Reckless, about entitled Manhattan millennials and their fad diets, clothing faux pas, and juicy gossip.
So far, I’d only designed a pretty heading and a promising mission statement on the “About” page.
Yep. Short attention span, that was me.
I just had to kick this Chase Elliot habit.
How else was I to become that independent, successful woman I’d dreamed of being? As a teenager, I’d been inspired by kick-ass heroines like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Xena the Warrior Princess.
My phone buzzed, and Chase’s playful smile appeared, making my lips curl.
“I’m free tonight,” he texted.
I stared down at the screen as though he’d sent me one of those inane pick-the-rabbit’s head-among-the-crowd puzzles or some other stupid thing he’d found on the net.
Chase had a ton of time to waste— one of the many advantages of being filthy rich
My mood thawed a little. I almost forgot that I’d just seen my mother with my ex.
But then jealousy pricked at my chest again.
Chase was on Tinder chasing skirt. Other skirts. Not mine. Even though I rarely wore skirts.
Instead of sending him a photo of myself in lacy lingerie, I ignored his text, which took the strength of The Rock.
I just wanted to wrap myself around Chase’s buff body like an octopus and suck on every part of him.
He was definitely an addiction.
Maybe I need rehab to help wean me off Chase Elliot.
After Ben Parsons cheated on me with my best friend, who no longer owned that title, I’d clammed up where feelings were concerned.
Screaming through an orgasm or even ripping a little flesh while in the throes of pleasure was one thing, but opening up my heart was another.
That was why I’d pushed Chase away that first time we’d met, a year ago. That hadn’t been easy. At all. Along with stamina, Chase also possessed heaps of bone-melting charm.
But from the word go, everywhere we went, there was some girl who knew him, rolling her tongue over her lips or whispering in his ear while practically sucking on his lobe.
So I’d ended it, cried my eyes out for a week, then moved on. Eight months later, Chase had snuck back into my life following one crappy date after another.
While I was weak and needy, I’d run into him at his favorite bar, Absinthe. And when he’d asked me why I kept ignoring his texts, I’d told him I didn’t want to be his fuck buddy.
Twenty minutes later, that was exactly what I became.
All it took was his expert tongue, and I went to liquid.
My mother said my chakras needed balancing, but then she would. New Age mumbo jumbo motivated her every waking moment. At least she didn’t drink or take heavy drugs, apart from the odd trip here and there when she celebrated the solstice.

Excerpt Two
IVY

Liam and his husband, Ambrose, lived in a gorgeous Art Deco apartment on Park Avenue. I loved visiting that marble lobby with its beveled-glass fixtures and black-and-white images of historic Manhattan.
As I rode the elevator, smiling at the uniformed operator wearing a cute pillbox hat, I imagined slinky women in silk puffing on superlong cigarette holders.
As soon as I stepped out, I found Liam at his door, waiting for me. His big smile, followed by a hug, calmed my shakes.
He stepped away and looked at me, tilting his face to study me. “You look like you need a coffee.”
“Oh God, yeah.”
I followed him into his pink-tiled kitchen with its wooden benchtops, marble sink, and stained-glass French doors opening out to a small balcony. It was such a sunny, welcoming space that we often ended up there.
“What happened?” he asked, passing me a cup.
I sipped first, waited for the warm liquid to clear the tightness in my throat, and released a breath. “I found my mother with Mitchell.”
His eyes widened. “Tantric Mitchell?”
I nodded slowly. My frown deepened the more I thought about it.
Liam shook his head. “Holy crapiola.”
“You’re not kidding.”
“So were they just cuddling? Or more?”
“Oh, there was more.” I sighed. “He was going down on her.”
Liam grimaced. “Ew.”
“I felt like chucking up,” I said, resting my head in my hands.
He touched my arm. “You weren’t that into him, though. Really. Not like Chase.”
“No one compares to Chase.” I puffed. “But Mitchell dumped me—before I had a chance to dump him. That hurt. And he was my rebound too. I was already raw.”
“Oh, Ives.” He pulled a sad face. “A rebound after only two months with Chase?”
“But it was love at first fight.”
Liam laughed. “You’ve always gone for the bad boys.”
“You too. Remember all the Mr. Hard-to-Get guys?”
“Yeah. There were quite a few of those.” He looked wistful. “But Chase seemed more than interested. Every time I looked, his eyes were all over you. And he chased you like crazy.”
“Yeah, me and all the other babes. We went out one night, and girls came from everywhere, hovering around shamelessly. One even threw a drink at him, and another one offered a threesome.”
He pulled a sympathetic smile. “I would have killed to have been there.”
“You’re just addicted to scandal.”
“Well, since becoming happily married, I need to get my dose of romantic drama vicariously through you, lovey.”
“It’s better to watch than to experience, though,” I said with a sigh.
“So here we are, eight months later, and you’re with Chase again. I mean, he hasn’t stopped texting you all year. That makes you special.”
I nodded slowly. “He said something like that to me. And he’s the best fuck I’ve ever had. All the other guys were…”
“Mr. Rights,” he said, finishing my sentence. “Remember Julian? He asked you to marry him on your second date.”
“Oh God, Julian Waterhouse. Flowers. Doves. Chocolates and perfume. That’s after we slept together, and he lasted barely sixty seconds.” I puffed. “I mean, it wasn’t just that. But he was another clean freak. I seem to attract them.”
“You thrive on tension, Ives.”
“What’s love without tension? We need friction.”
Liam giggled. “We sure do. Nine inches of it.”
I laughed. “It’s not just his dick, though. Chase gets me. We’re actually quite alike in many ways. And he’s a respectful listener. That’s what infuriates me so much. He’s Mr. Right, but also Mr. Wrong.”
Liam busied himself emptying his dishwasher. “Only because he doesn’t want to commit. But hey, you could change that. Maybe play hard to get.”
“I’m tired of playing games. They’re so exhausting. And my date for tonight is hot. You never know, he could be the one.”
“The one? A date tonight? You don’t waste time.”

Excerpt Three:
CHASE

He set down my crystal tumbler, which glistened in the sunlight spilling through the wall of windows looking out to other walls of windows reflecting fragments of blue sky and spiky towers.
“Normally, I’m the one waiting. This is a good sign, Chase,” he said, sitting down.
I removed my feet from the table and took to my drink like a thirsty camel.
“So, you needed to speak to me about something?” I asked.
He stood up and headed to the window—a bad sign.
“I’ve been speaking to your mother and have decided it’s time we retired. I want to take that trip to Europe. Your mother wants to hang out in Milan with her family.” He turned to look at me. His tired eyes spoke of a man who’d worked day and night chasing big deals, emulating my workaholic grandfather.
“I don’t want to sell. You know me. I’m a man of tradition. Your grandfather would never forgive me. So I want you to take over.”
I sat up. My spine creaked. I’d just aged ten years.
He studied me closely. “You have to stop partying, and you have to settle down. It’s either that or I’ll cut you off.”
“Okay.” I gulped. “So you want me to take over the company. I can do that.”
“More than that. I want you married and settled. All this partying and the endless stream of women has to stop. I’ve never seen you with the same girl twice. God dammit. I don’t want you to become my brother, James. Look at what happened to him.”
My womanizing uncle James had married so often he was bankrupt by the time he was forty. And I sure as hell didn’t want to become him either. To avoid uttering that spine-chilling word “alimony,” I’d decided never to marry. That solved that little problem.
Okay, so he wanted to see me with a girl. Ivy fit that profile well. At least she wasn’t trying to marry me. But she wasn’t returning my calls, which I found rather mystifying.
I couldn’t work out what I’d done wrong. Maybe she resented my asking her to remove her panties at that burlesque bar we’d stumbled into the other night. But the playful sparkle in her eyes at the time contradicted that. And she hadn’t seemed to mind when my hand crept under her dress.
Try as I might, I’d always found women difficult to read.
“I’ve got a girl I’ve been seeing for a while.”
A while? Two months? A record, nevertheless.
“Then bring her to your mother’s charity function on Saturday so we can meet her. Hunter’s married, and little Dylan’s showing signs of a true Elliot.”
“How can you see that? He’s a crawling poop machine.”
He rolled his tired-looking eyes.
My dad, like most workaholics, assumed everyone could do with four hours of sleep every night. I had no idea how he would retire.
Spooning into soft, feminine curves was the only thing that ate into my beauty sleep.
“You’ve changed your tune, Dad. You hated that Hunter left the firm and is running a bookshop, being all hipster in Brooklyn.”
“At least he hasn’t grown a beard and started wearing mismatching socks.” He pulled a cynical smirk. “But you’re right—he’s the bright one. I had high hopes for him. If he’d stayed on, I wouldn’t have put so much pressure on you. I would have let you party yourself to an early grave.”
Ouch. I wasn’t that bad, was I?
“You have little faith in me, Dad. I’m creative. I got a high distinction for drawing. Remember that?” I asked, resentment gripping at my chest. I hated being seen as the loser of the family. And I hated being compared to my twin.
Although we looked identical and actually got on, our personalities and traits diverged at Brooklyn Bridge.
“Yes, you take after your mother. You’re the creative one in the family. And so is that brother of yours. He put that creativity to great use. Some of Hunter’s campaigns are still kicking ass for the firm.”
Yeah, yeah… heard it all before.

Excerpt Four:
CHASE
Apart from dying to see Ivy naked and rub against her soft curvy body, I really needed to invite her to the family ball and make it seem natural—which it was. She was the only girl I wanted to invite. But I was on thin ice, so I had to tread lightly.
Inviting her to a family party was simple enough. Proposing marriage, however, wasn’t going to be easy.
Just thinking of the word marriage made me shudder. Forever to have and to hold. An eternity was a long time.
“Are you okay, really?” I asked. “You don’t seem like yourself.”
“I’m just over the whole Tinder bullshit, I suppose. Especially after what happened back there with… shit, I’ve already forgotten his name.”
“Why do it then?” I showed my palms. “I mean, you’re beautiful. You don’t need a dating app.”
“Says Player of the Year. Girls jump out of nowhere. They’re always throwing themselves at you. Like Tiffany a minute ago.”
“She’s not my type.”
“Really? What is your type?” she asked.
“You’re my type. You’re a fox. A goddess. And you’re smarter than me. I like that.”
“A fox?” Her blue eyes glistened with curiosity.
“Sexy. Sneaky. And surprising.”
“Surprising?” She tilted her head.
“You do and say things I don’t expect.”
“Like what?”
I grinned. “Dancing provocatively on stage at the burlesque bar.”
She brushed a thick golden strand away from her shoulder, while my eyes rested on her hint of cleavage.
Her floral scent slithered my way and massaged my senses.
I stroked the top of her hand and held her gaze.
“I like performing,” she said.
“You’re good at it. I love watching you.” I walked my fingers up her arm.
She pulled it away gently. “I can’t concentrate when you touch me.”
“Good. Maybe we’ve done enough talking for one night,” I said, arching my brow.
A tiny smile grew on her pretty face, and her eyes glowed that shade of sultry that registered straight to my dick.
I finished my drink and wiped my lips. “Should we go?”
“Sure.” She rose, ironing out her button-down dress printed with a variety of hats.
“You look lovely, by the way,” I said. “You always do. You’ve got great fashion sense.”
Ivy’s face brightened. “That’s nice of you to say.”
Holding the door open, I stretched out my arm. “After you, madam.”
She giggled and stepped out onto the cobbled alleyway stamped with a flashing blue light.
Off we went into the night, arm in arm, chatting and laughing as though we’d known each other forever. Strangely, it felt like that.

Excerpt Five:
IVY

I headed over to the cheval mirror and studied my hair. The dark roots of my waist-length blond hair needed touching up. My blue eyes had a sparkle about them. My mother was right—a night with Chase beat yoga, green booster juices, and a good night’s sleep combined.
“It might be a construct, but what happens when you’re much older? After you’ve given your heart and soul to the guy and people start confusing you for his mother?”
She grabbed a brush from her handbag under the counter and stood behind me to brush my hair. A comforting habit of hers.
“Time does strange things. We can’t predict who will be there in the end. All we can do is be strong in ourselves. Stay healthy. And make sure our bank accounts are nice and full so that we can be independent.”
I couldn’t argue with that. I thought about Chase. Would he be around in ten years? Would he be around next month? The guy, by his own admission, found it hard to stand still, let alone settle down. And I wasn’t ready to settle down either. I had to somehow become that strong, independent woman my mother described.
That didn’t mean I wished to emulate her life. There was no way I would embrace that exhausting open-door policy where men were concerned. Tinder had taught me that.
“But Mitch?” I asked, stepping away from her.
“We just clicked. You must have seen that? He spent so much time at our place.”
“Are you telling me you hooked up while I dated him?”
She shook her head emphatically. “No way. I’d never do that. But, darling, I noticed his lingering stares. I thought you might have too.”
I thought about my three months with Mitch. I’d met him three months after Chase and I split up.
I’d warmed to Mitch’s Ryan Reynolds looks, and we’d hooked up.
“I guess you both liked cooking vegan meals together,” I said. “You shared that in common. And I was too weak to notice much during my Mitch phase because I was borderline anemic.”
My mother had never eaten meat while pregnant, and when I was growing up, my dad would sneak me off to McDonalds or make me bacon and eggs. That always made me feel stronger. Since taking control of my diet, I’d become an unapologetic carnivore.
“We were seriously incompatible,” I admitted. “I should have bolted after he refused to kiss me because I’d eaten chicken.” I laughed at how ridiculous Mitch could be.
“Well, darling, a vegan is sensitive to animal products, especially during intimacy.”
I was relieved Chase was a carnivore—and a me-ivore. He liked devouring every square inch of me. My heart picked up pace when I thought of us eating a juicy steak then fucking like tigers.
Tantric Tom, as Liam had called Mitch, was all soft in that slow, touchy-feely way. Feathery touches were nice for starters, but I preferred the hungry rip-and-grope approach. And Chase always came across as ravenous and impatient for the first course, followed by the slow-burn approach, which left me squealing all kinds of obscenities. He was the greatest lover I’d ever had.
“I can see you’re both compatible,” I said. “You both go for overly processed soy products and cleansed Druidism.”
“Cleansed Druidism?” She shook her head.
“Druids were into blood sacrifice, and I’m sure they didn’t pass up on the chance of chomping on the juicy loins of an animal by opting for tofu instead.”
“Where does all that cynicism come from?”
“It’s called a college degree, Mom. And Dad wasn’t exactly into wearing a wizard’s robe and clean living.”

Excerpt Six:
IVY

“You do look gorgeous, Ives,” Liam said, playing with a silk layer of my dress.
“I’m starting to regret not sexing it up a bit. I mean, there’s so much fabric. Look at the girls here.” I subtly pointed toward a group of beautiful female guests who could have been supermodels. “There’s more skin than fabric.”
“It’s so C-lister,” Liam said. “C as in crass.” He chuckled.
Just as I laughed, Hunter and Chase joined us.
My date’s shoulder rubbed against mine, and his cologne played havoc with my hormones.
It was our first ever formal affair together, and my heart hadn’t stopped racing since Chase picked me up with the family chauffeur-driven limousine.
I’d nearly melted on the sidewalk. Chase looked hot in a black tux that molded into his manly shoulders, leaving me tongue-tied. His dark hair was styled away from his gorgeous face. Normally, he favored the tousled bedroom look, but he looked like a man about to take over the world and take over my heart. He’d already done that.
Chase put his arm around my shoulders, and I cast a side glance at Liam, whose eyebrow did a subtle lift.
Like Liam, I was still coming to terms with Chase’s public display of affection.
Chase kissed my cheek. “Have I told you how beautiful you look?”
My mouth slid up at one end. “Yep. A few times already.”
“Thanks.” His eyes glowed with sincerity.
I turned sharply to face him. “Huh?”
“Thanks for making me proud.”
“Proud?” My eyebrows squeezed together. “What have you done with Chase Elliot?”
“I know it doesn’t sound like me. Since I’ve started working full time for the family firm, I’ve had to grow up. And…” His lips twitched into a crooked smile. “I like us being together.”
A waiter carrying a tray of sparkling champagne came our way, and I nearly pushed a guest out of the way to dive at it. Instead of taking one, I took two glasses.
Staring at my full hands, Chase chuckled. “You’re planning on a big night?”
“No. But you’re kinda freaking me out,” I admitted.
“Why?” He held open his hands.
“For one, you never remember the names of girls you’ve dated.”
“I remembered your name.”
“We met here, and then you whisked me away into the study and seduced me. You didn’t have time to forget my name because we were together every night for two months.”
“And then you dumped me.” The corners of his mouth turned down.
I knitted my fingers. “You didn’t try to win me back.”
“I kept calling. All year.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and drew me in close and kissed me on the cheek. “I’ve missed you.” His warm breath traveled down my neck and made my nipples tighten.
“It’s only been two nights.”
We stared into each other’s eyes. His soft chocolate eyes put a smile on my face. I couldn’t tell if he was caking it on to impress me or whether he meant everything he said.
“You’re just too irresistible, Ivy. You’re libido juice.”
“Libido juice?” I laughed.
“I’m not sure where that came from. But hey, it’s a compliment,” he said with a big stupid grin.
I rolled my eyes. “Your dick’s impaling your brain again.”
“I’d prefer it to impale you,” he whispered. His scent wafted through me and made my skin ripple.
With those smiling bedroom eyes, Chase was my libido juice also.
He hugged me for another bewildering display of affection. “Careful,” I whispered. “People might start getting ideas.”
“Let me introduce you to my parents,” he said.
I unwound from his arms and took a deep breath. Are we really doing this?

Excerpt Seven:
IVY

The tune “Fever” blared from the speakers as we pranced coquettishly around our designated poles. Sara kept giggling. It was her first class. She’d mentioned needing to join a fitness class, and I’d raved about how pole dancing worked up a sweat. Liam had joined up too. As the only boy in the class, he was getting off on the fuss the teacher made.
“I love this song.” He held his hand by the side of his mouth.
“Treat the pole as though it’s your lover, someone you want to tease. Show it you’re the boss,” Kitty, the teacher, instructed.
Sara kept pulling silly faces as we strutted about like sex kittens.
It was nice having them there to share a laugh, because unlike me, most of the other students intended to make a career out of pole dancing.
Kitty jumped onto the pole, dangled upside down, and opened her legs into a wide split. I assumed she was around sixty since she’d started stripping in the mid-seventies. Unless she’d stripped as an eight-year-old, she looked much younger than her age.
She then spun around the pole and landed in the splits. Her skyscraper heels were no hindrance to her balance.
“She’s amazing,” Liam whispered.
After she demonstrated each move slowly by showing us how to clutch the pole correctly, we all executed the maneuver, which I’d already learned and practiced. Sara and Liam crashed into an ungraceful heap onto the padded floor, and we laughed our heads off.
After sweating it out for an hour, we showered then headed for a drink.
Liam wiped his brow. “That was a really good workout. Thanks for suggesting it. I loved it. Although I’m not too flexible. Not like you, Ives. You’re the natural.”
Sara nodded. “I think you missed your calling.”
I smiled at her compliment. Was it a compliment? Is that what I should really be doing?
Apart from performing for my horny boyfriend, I also loved strutting the stage for amateur burlesque nights. Although I didn’t swing around on a pole, I enjoyed prancing about, switching from purring like a sex kitten to sashaying about like some empowered vixen.
Pumped with endorphins, we entered a trendy Soho bar—a favorite among artists, tech millionaires, and tourists. The sound of laughter, chatter, and clinking glasses hit us as we stepped through the doors, greeted by the smell of garlic, perfume, and smoky breaths. Resembling a hipster’s lounge room, the bar oozed familiarity and comfort with worn leather couches, books, hanging lampshades, and flamboyant art splashed all over the walls.
We propped ourselves on barstools and ordered drinks.
“That was a hoot,” Liam said. “I’ll have to install a pole to practice.”
Sara’s head jerked back. “That’s a bit extreme, having a pole in your living space.”
“Apparently, Chase has installed one in his bedroom,” he said.
Sara’s head whipped around to me. “You’re kidding?”
I laughed. “Nope. Soon as I told him I was doing classes, he had one installed.”
“That seems like a pretty permanent fixture,” she said.
My phone buzzed. “Speak of the devil,” I said, amused by the devil’s head lighting up on my phone.
“He strikes me as eager,” Liam said. “And I saw how he stayed glued to your hip at the party.”
A smile grew on my face as I read his message: Where are you?
I typed: Just having a drink with Sara and Liam. A bit sweaty after class.
That sounds exciting, he wrote.
Which part? Drinking or sweating? I asked.
Sweating. I like you hot and wet.
So you keep telling me, I wrote.
Can we catch up? he asked.
Sure. I’ll pop in after this drink. I’ll show you some of my new moves.
Can’t wait.
I closed the message, my face aching from smiling.
“A booty call?” Liam asked.
“It’s becoming more than that. We’re having a weekend together at Mitch’s new spa.”
“That sounds healthy.” Sara sipped her martini.
“I guess it will be. They’ll have to strap me down for a colonic, though.”
Liam giggled. “I had one once. It made me feel lighter.”
“No thanks. I don’t like the idea of anything up my ass,” I said.
“Ew. I’m there with you,” Sara said.
“Speak for yourself, darling.” Liam laughed.

Excerpt Eight:
CHASE
After a colorful lunch consisting of beans, rice, and salad, and greeting couples with names like: Forest Child, Kundalini, and Shakti, we decided on a hike through the lush forest.
Apart from a desire to breathe fresh air while appreciating natural beauty—and by that, I wasn’t just referring to ogling Ivy—the hike was my way of avoiding the aura-cleansing session. I feigned color blindness for not attending. Ridiculous as that sounded, my bullshit excuse didn’t mute softly spoken Aadhar from explaining the enlightening virtues of prismatic observation.
Ivy stood behind him, wearing a perplexed cross-eyed frown. I had to suck back laughter while mumbling something about nature being a great way to balance my chakras. Then, with Ivy’s hand in mine, I made a dash for the door.
When we were outside, I said, “Why do I feel so guilty?”
Ivy shrugged. “Like all religious types, they’re out to convert.”
“The only religion I subscribe to is that of beauty and nature.”
She squinted in the sun and shook her head. “You’re full of shit.”
“Just like you are,” I said, pinching her ass.
Two miles into our walk, we both sat slumped on a log.
“We should have had a big breakfast.” I regretted not ordering a fried breakfast at the diner we’d stopped at for a coffee before arriving.
Ivy nodded with a sigh as she rummaged in her backpack. “Look what I found.”
“Unless it’s a hot dog or a hamburger, count me out.”
She brought out a block of chocolate. “Even this?”
“Go on then. Even though I could kill for some greasy, artery-clogging food, a sugar hit will do.”
“I always carry some around for moments like this.” Her delightful smile made her so pretty, I wanted to squeeze her cheek.
I loved how we laughed at life and at ourselves. If I pointed out her lipstick had smudged or her top was stained, she would giggle instead of acting horrified, like most of the girls I knew. Pretty women were sometimes too caught up with their looks. Ivy, the most beautiful girl I’d ever dated, didn’t fuss about how she looked in the morning, which was when I found her the most ravishing. Make-up free, her beauty blew me away, especially her wide blue eyes that seemed to be filled with either wonder or mischief.
“Let’s get back for dinner.”
“I think there’s a chakra dance. And later on, Tantra.” She raised an eyebrow.
“What happens in a Tantra session?”
“It’s all about touching and staring into each other’s eyes and delayed gratification.”
“More of that,” I said dryly.
Ivy laughed. “My God, what would you do shipwrecked on an island?”
“I’d go fishing and wait for the fruit to rot.”
“Huh?” she asked.
“That’s how alcohol is produced. Fermented fruit. Which, I guess, is delayed gratification too.”
“You’re a lush. That’s one thing that this weekend has revealed.”
I nodded slowly. “I am. But…” I held up a finger. “I’m willing to change. But slowly. Not so quickly. And I’m not giving up meat. Or coffee. Or alcohol. And definitely not sex.”
“Then what’s left to change?”
I held my chin. “Mm… let me get back to you on that.”
She laughed.
“So, would you like to try Tantra?” She wore a seductive smile.
“If it means I can fondle your breasts, then yeah, count me in.”
“You’ve been fondling my breasts all morning.”
“So?” I asked. “They’re nice to look at. Touch. And nibble on. My dick doesn’t mind nuzzling in either.”
She tapped my arm. “You’re making me hot.”
“That makes two of us.” I stood. “Let’s get back.”
We made it back, dragging our underfed asses into the spa and bowing our heads at the various guests we passed, too tired to strike up a conversation. Much to our delight, the buffet was open for dinner.
We ate in comfortable silence. That was another thing I liked about Ivy—she didn’t need to keep chatting for the sake of it.
“I’m not sure what this is, but it’s quite nice.” I chomped into a burger that tasted almost like the real thing. “All this fresh air is making me hungry.”
“Me too,” Ivy said.
Later that evening, we bumped into Summer and Mitchell, who had just arrived, and they talked us into going to a session of chakra dance.
Ivy, being the consummate dancer, made it look easy with her graceful and imaginative moves. Whereas in my case, according to our instructor, Kavisha, I was too base chakra.
Ivy giggled and whispered. “All that pelvic thrusting.”
When it came to the heart chakra, I didn’t have a clue. I pushed out my chest and pretended to be a rooster. Kavisha said not to take it too literal.
Ivy’s mom tried to talk us into joining their chanting group, but by that stage, we were beat. Instead, we went out for a walk and ended up on the pier downing a few shots from my secret stash and taking a midnight dip in the lake.

Excerpt Nine:
IVY

I devoured my rare steak like someone who hadn’t eaten for a week. Chase, likewise, ate like it was his first meal in days.
We looked up at each other and shared a smile.
“Good. Eh?” he asked.
I nodded. “It is. And this is such a nice place. Thanks for inviting me.”
“You’re welcome. It’s made all that much nicer with you here.”
What had gotten into Chase? All these sugary compliments and… I liked them.
“It’s been such a long time,” I joked. He’d only dropped me off at home around noon.
I was even surprised that he wanted to see me so soon as that same night, considering we’d spent two days at the spa together.
He smiled. “We’re good together, aren’t we?”
“We are. Only…” I paused for a sip of the excellent red wine.
“Only what?” he asked.
“Isn’t it getting a bit too much for you? Seeing me so often.”
He shook his head slowly. “I was wondering the same about you.”
“No. I like it. I like seeing you. I like us fooling around.”
“Fooling around? Like in bed?” he asked, with a flirtatious twinkle.
I nodded. “You’re nice to fuck.”
He coughed. “Only that? What about this? Us hanging out. Talking. Sharing a meal. Goofing about.”
“That’s cute too. I actually enjoyed our time at the spa,” I confessed.
“I did too. There’s something to this holistic approach. I mean, I couldn’t become a vegan or spend hours chanting while on one leg.”
I laughed at that ridiculous image. “Then I hope it’s given you something to work on for your campaign.”
“I’ve already come up with a storyboard.”
“Can I see it?” I asked.
“It’s still pretty rough.”
A couple of women dressed to the nines entered. Of course, they knew Chase. Didn’t they all?
His brow shifted slightly.
“You know them?” I asked.
He nodded. “That’s Esme. You met her at my mom’s birthday.”
“Oh. So it is. I didn’t recognize her with her clothes on.”
Chase chuckled.
The pair approached our table, and with an excitable shrill, chatted and giggled with Chase, treating him like a famous rock star. I almost expected Esme to run her fingers through his hair.
They finally left us alone, and all that remained was a thick veil of perfume. “What just happened?”
He laughed. “They’ve probably had some blow.”
“That was exhausting,” I said.
“Wasn’t it? Coked out people have got that tiring tendency to overshare. I think I’ll stick to vodka and beer.”
“Mm… me too. I saw what it did to my dad.”
“He died young I recall you telling me.”
“You remember?” I asked.
“Of course I remember. I’m not that mentally challenged.”
I smiled. “I know that.”
“Did he die from a coke overdose?” he asked.
I shook my head. “A heart attack. But I’m sure coke, cigarettes, and hard living were responsible.”
He took my hand and stared lovingly into my eyes. Strangely, it felt deep, like when we stopped giggling in Tantra and allowed our gazes to penetrate deeply.
“There’s something I want to ask you…” He took a long sip of wine, then wiped his lips with a napkin.
“Oh? What’s that?” I asked, wondering if he was about to invite me to the weekend family gathering in the Hamptons that Sara and Liam had mentioned.
“Hey, I know it hasn’t been long or anything, but I was wondering…” He took another swallow of wine and went from gazing into my eyes to staring at his hands.
I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to finish his sentence.
How hard can an invite to a beach house be?

Excerpt Ten:
CHASE

At least I was in the good books with my father. When I showed him my plans on paper for my new venture, he wrote me a nice big check. That was after reassuring him I could also run the agency. Suddenly whatever leisure time I might have had for the next ten years had been appropriated.
I’d partied hard enough anyway. At least my brain cells would be spared.
Since Ivy wasn’t answering my calls, I decided to visit her at the boutique, where I found Summer and Mitch drinking their murky green juice and chatting.
“Ah, just the man I want to see,” Mitch said as I walked into the boutique, which smelled like a field of flowers. After giving me a hug, Mitch explained, “We’re launching the new cruise next week, and we’d love for you to create our campaign.”
I nodded. “Cassandra mentioned something along those lines.”
“Do you have your sunscreen packed?” Summer asked, while hanging dresses.
“Excuse me?” I jerked my head back.
“The cruise takes off next Saturday. Have you booked your flight?”
“I wasn’t aware I was going anywhere,” I said.
Summer raised a brow. “Ivy will be there.”
Then ship ahoy!
I nodded slowly. “Is she here now?”
“No. But it might be a nice way to catch up with her on the cruise,” she said, virtually winking at me. Was she trying to bring us together? If so, good. I could use an ally.
“Ivy might not be pleased about that,” I said.
“I won’t tell her if you don’t.” She chuckled. “In any case, won’t your being there help with your campaign?”
“It would.” I thought about that for a moment. “How many days?”
“Five.”
Five days without meat? “No alcohol, I take it?”
“No.” She smiled. “But there will be some special teas for anyone who wants a mind-altering experience.”
“That could be dangerous on a ship.” I visualized someone jumping over the edge to swim with imaginary dolphins.
“Let me get back to you,” I said just as Ivy entered with Jack Whitman close behind.
He virtually snarled at me, and as my eyes made contact with Ivy’s, she winced as though I were a gorilla on the loose.
“Hey.” I smiled, acting like we were the best of buddies.
“Hey,” she responded coldly and walked past me.
“Did you come together?” Summer asked, looking from me to Ivy and to Jack.
Ivy shook her head, which came as some relief.
Had they spent the night together? Had an extended breakfast and now were hanging out at work? What next? Matching T-shirts?
“I just ran into Ivy,” Jack said.
Ivy didn’t strike me as besotted. Her cheeks didn’t have that streak of red that she got around me. Whether that was me embarrassing her or turning her on, I couldn’t say. But I liked seeing her all flushed. It reminded me of how she looked screaming my name while coming.

Excerpt Eleven:
IVY
I’d suddenly discovered the joy of lounging about in a deck chair, staring at nothing but the deep blue sea. The clean air.
The warm breeze. It was bliss and just what my jaded spirit craved. After a day and night at sea, life felt great. A cocktail would have made it that much better, like that dollop of cream on an already-delicious dessert. But there was none of that. Just juices made from some prehistoric berry and wheatgrass purified by a Himalayan holy man.
Swaggering toward me, Chase carried a book under his arm. Sunglasses hid those teasing eyes. One small mercy. I went to butter around him. I wished I could control my bodily responses to this man.
He pulled up a deck chair next to mine and I glared back as though he had some virulent disease that required massive social distancing. Only in this case, symptoms ranged from a burning face to a swollen clit.
He splayed his hands. “What?”
“You’re sitting there?” I asked.
“Why not?” He shrugged. “It’s a nice spot. The breeze is gentler on this side.”
I couldn’t resist checking out his book: Lee Child’s Killing Floor.
“I didn’t know you read.”
“Amazing, isn’t it?” He smirked. “I’ve been able to from the age of five, I believe.”
“Ha ha ha.” I slanted my head. “You told me you didn’t read books.”
He shrugged. “Well, a person can change, can’t they?”
“I guess.”
“Have you had your special brew concocted?” he asked.
“I had a meeting with a shaman. But I’m probably not going to take it.”
“So did he sprinkle holy water on you and stare deeply into your eyes?” he asked, with his tongue digging into his cheek. Mockery to Chase was what naked gowns were to red carpet princesses. Provocative and sure to catch one’s attention.
“Remind me why you’re here again?” I asked.
“Because I was invited. I’m working on a campaign.” He removed his shades and stared into my eyes. His smirk had faded. “The only real reason, however, is to beg for your forgiveness.”
“Beg?” I tilted my head.
“Begging’s not my favorite pastime. But you’re worth it. Even if it means me acting like some simpering baboon. I’ll do what you ask. I’ll sit through hundreds of rewatches of Notting Hill or The Notebook.”
“The Notebook is deep,” I argued.
“Star Wars is deep.”
“You’re such a boy.” I narrowed my eyes. “You’re serious?”
“You bet. I wanted to join the Jedi movement.”
I laughed. “I don’t even know what that is?”
“It’s like the introverted love child of Scientology. Only it doesn’t proselytize or invite you to network with Hollywood stars.”
I shook my head and laughed. I’d missed this.
I missed us.
“Perhaps you can give a workshop on it here?” I suggested, realizing how stupid our conversation was getting.
“I’ll keep that in mind. If I do, will you let me sleep with you again?” he asked.
I searched his eyes for humor, but they shone with sincerity. Lost for a response, I had to look away.

Excerpt Twelve

CHASE
I paced about in the bathroom like a madman before realizing Summer might think I’d fallen into the toilet, so I took a deep, calming breath and headed back out.
Summer was serving a customer, and Ivy had just arrived.
Her eyes lit up when she saw me, and smiling sweetly, she came over and gave me a kiss. I almost forgot she was pregnant as I soaked in her fragrant hair and her soft cheek warm against my lips.
“Hey, I thought I’d drop in.” I maintained a chill vibe, like it was any other day, even though it was anything but.
Ivy giggled at a poodle pouncing past in a sequined coat and a tiara. Pointing, she said, “How cute. The dog looks just like its owner.”
I nodded in agreement as I watched an elderly lady with white curly hair, just like her beloved canine, and yep, she was crowned with a tiara.
Any other day, I would have thanked the lord that not everyone around that neighborhood wore designer and spoke aggressively into their cell phones.
Ivy seemed her natural buoyant self, and by now, I would have whisked her into the back for some fondling and dirty talk summarizing what I planned to do to her that night. But sex was the last thing on my mind.
Summer turned to her daughter. “Can you look after things in here for a moment? I need to do something.”
“Sure, Mom.”
When Ivy had finished serving a customer, I asked, “Is there something wrong?”
She shook her head. “I’m good.”
“Your mom was in a strange mood,” I said.
“I noticed. Maybe she’s fighting with Mitch.”
“I didn’t think she did fights like normal couples.”
“Oh, she has her moments.” Ivy smiled.
I kept studying her, my eyebrows knitting in the process.
Ivy opened her hands. “What?”
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Why would you ask that?” She tilted her head.
Shuffling from leg to leg, I stared down at my feet. “Um… I don’t know. You look a little pale. That’s all.”
Ivy headed to the mirror and pinched her cheeks. In reality, she looked great. Rosy cheeks. Beautiful as always. She never failed to take my breath away. Even in the mornings when everyone normally looked like shit, Ivy resembled a flower.
I’d read somewhere that love removed any flaws and had us wearing rose-colored glasses.
I was in love. That much, I knew.

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