Shadows of Guilt

Asher’s POV

I looked into the mirror as Ivy adjusted my tie, her fingers brushing against my collar. She had this focused, gentle touch, and her lips were pulled into a serious pout. I could barely look at her—her perfume filled the air between us, making it hard to think.

“You know,” she said, giving my tie a final pat, “you actually clean up really well.” She smiled at me, and I felt that familiar warmth building in my chest.

“If dressing up like this is what it takes to get a compliment from you, I’ll do it every single day,” I declared.

She stifled a blush. “It doesn’t have to take so much,” her voice was barely above a whisper.

A smirk tugged at my lips. Was Ivy flirting with me? Was it just the magic of the night, or were her defenses slowly stripping away? I caressed her cheek and stared as she leaned into my touch, her eyelids fluttering shut. A small gasp escaped her lips.

I slipped my hand around her waist. “You’re going to make it hard for me to let go of you, Ivy…” I glanc