Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“Stop looking at me like that,” she chastises as I follow her down the hallway to her room. It’s dark in here; three computer screens giving off the only light.
“Like what?” I ask, raising a brow.
“Like you want to eat me,” she says with her back to me as she removes her shirt. The fucking tease. She throws another top on.
“Well, I haven’t had dessert,” I say matter-of-factly, basically salivating at the sight of her curves.
“Gosh, you’re annoying.” She goes to remove her shorts, but then looks over her shoulder at me. “Do you mind?”
“You love it,” I smirk as I turn my back, still awkwardly holding the bouquet of flowers. I once bought flowers for my mother on her birthday. She looked at me like I’d grown a second head, unsure of what she was supposed to do with them and forgetting the fact it was her birthday. As far as Anya Ivanov is concerned, she doesn’t age. To be fair, she doesn’t look like she’s aged since she first adopted us.
“My dad’s going to be pissed if I bring you,” she says as I stare at the wall.
“As if you’re not excited by that,” I reply, imagining that she’s smiling right now.
I wanted to make sure she was okay after Friday night. I know Ivy is a strong woman, but the fact that she hasn’t yet told anyone else about what happened, at least not that I’m aware of, doesn’t sit right with me. I want to be here if she does need to talk about it.
But I’m not so wholesome. I’m also a completely selfish asshole. Sleeping beside Ivy for only those few hours was the first time in months I hadn’t been haunted by nightmares. It was a fucking miracle, and I wonder if somehow this little viper is my cure.
I’m desperate for peace, and I can’t deny the fact that she’s one of the people I have fun with the most. She’ll eventually push me away once she gets fed up with me, but if I can have some fun until then, then why wouldn’t I put on one of my best-collared shirts and bring flowers to her mother? Especially if I get free food out of it.
She walks past me, her hips swaying in a flowing skirt, and I admire her ass as she does. I like Ivy’s fashion sense because she doesn’t have only one style. Every time I see her, she’s wearing something different. It very much matches her playful nature.
“You’re driving, then,” she says, grabbing her phone off the counter. I look around her home. It’s emptier now that Billie has moved out. Two bowls and spoons are sitting on the coffee table alongside an empty bag of chips. I never noticed it before, but she’s a bit of a chaotic mess.
She’s waiting for me at the door. “You just going to gawk, or do you actually want to be fed?”
“Just checking things out,” I say as I step through the door. She has to move to the side, as do most people when I’m often the width of the door.
I like her apartment; it’s not too flashy or oversized, unlike my own home. I wanted to get the biggest house when I had enough money to buy a place outright. Anya then helped me fill it up with furniture because… well, besides my gym and bedroom, I didn’t think that far.
“I’m telling you, this is going to be a disaster,” Ivy singsongs as we head to the elevator. We turn to one another with matching mischievous expressions.
“Just make sure your dad doesn’t shoot me.”
“No promises, Mr. Ivanov. I don’t know what you did to piss him off, but he really can’t stand you. I can’t wait. But that’s the only reason I’m letting you come with me.” She’s quick to add, “Don’t tell anyone I was nice to you, or it’ll ruin my reputation.”
I pretend to zip my lips and lock them. “Your secret is safe with me, Ivy Walker.”
CHAPTER 20
Ivy
Hawke has balls. I’ll give him that much. Although my father is easygoing with most people, he’s always made it obvious how much he can’t stand the louder of the younger set of Ivanov twins, even going so far as to warn me off of him. He doesn’t seem to have an issue with Ford, though. Maybe it’s his father’s intuition. I think tonight will be hilarious, though, and I’m sure my mother will enjoy it just as much.
Besides, it’s nice to know he came to check up on me. I’m far from a damsel in distress, but it’s nice to know he cares.
He stands on my parents’ porch, adjusting his collar, looking like a complete dick. Don’t get me wrong, he cleans up nicely, especially in a suit. But it looks like he’s about to announce his intention of marrying their daughter, which I’m pretty sure isn’t something Hawke even wants.