Ivette’s eyes cracked open and she squinted at the ray of light penetrating through the blinds. Odd. She always kept the window blinds shut.
Without turning, she reached for her phone and work tablet where she always kept them by the bed stand before she went to bed. She stretched further when she couldn’t reach it and groaned in frustration before sitting up. She groaned again as a blinding pain shot through her head. She winced, running her fingers through her hair. She had taken been taking the medications for the migraines. It shouldn’t hurt so much. Massaging her scalp, she straightened again. The covers pulled down from her chest and she stared down at herself, blinking. What on earth. . . Why. . .where were her clothes? She pulled up the white duvet up to her chin to cover her bare chest and she looked around. Definitely not her room. Judging from the exaggerated décor and the towels lying on the tasteful armchair by the ceiling to the top window, she’d take a wild guess that she was at a suite. A hotel suite. Her heart started to sink. What. . .what did she do? Her ringtone blared, severing her dreadful thoughts and she slid off the bed, wrapping her very naked body with the duvet. Her clothes were in a neat pile on the white couch and she couldn’t keep the horrific look off her face when she saw her red thong spread out on top of the pile, like it had been an afterthought. Her phone was on the small table, beside the tray of apples and she grabbed her phone, along with an apple. “Yeah?” She breathed into the phone and sunk her teeth into the apple. “Where are you? Aaron’s been blowing up my phone. He knows you didn’t go home last night—so don’t bother with the lie. I covered for you—but you’re running late for work.” Ivette said nothing, only munched on the apple, even if it tasted like ash. Her gaze shot to the headboard and there was a crack on its surface, like she knew there would be. A disturbing image assaulted her and she recalled being flipped over and moaning loud as a horse. Ivette swallowed. Oh God. Oh no. “Ivy?” Ann said after several seconds of silence. “Yeah?” Ivette answered again. “What did you do?” Ivette choked on the apple and started to cough. “What? Nothing. What do you mean?” “Ivy, where are you?” Ivette sighed and dropped the half-eaten apple. “A hotel, okay? I think--Christ. I think I. . .I messed up, Ann.” As if on cue, another memory surfaced. A much more embarrassing one. She pulled down the male’s briefs with her teeth. Slowly and seductively, until his eyes had that fire in them. The fire hot enough to singe her. Her ache worsened and she gave up on using her teeth to pull it down. She yanked it down and she went still between his legs, marveling at the sheer size of him. Then she licked her lips and said, “Oh wow.” Ivette shut her eyes and wished the ground would fracture and consume her. Oh God. Just how much did she drink last night? “You need me to come pick you up?” Ann asked quietly. “Ah. . .yeah. My car—I think I left it at the club. I need fresh clothes too—I’m sorry for the inconvenience—“ Ann cut in sharply. “Send your location to me. I’ll be there shortly. . .” She paused and added quietly. “It’s never an inconvenience to help you. You need to realize you don’t always have to do it all alone.” Before Ivy could counter it, Ann hung up. Last night. . .she didn’t want to think of it but. . .she’d gotten engaged last night and had gotten herself knocked up as well. By someone, she didn’t even know. She had cheated on her fiance the very day of their engagement and to make matters worse, she hadn’t even remembered Aaron through all of it. Not a single thought of him had crossed her mind as she had moaned and pleaded—Christ. She was going crazy. **************** “I got you this, just in case,” Ann said, extending the small pack she’d grabbed from the top of her dashboard. Ivette took it and instantly knew what it was when she felt the pack. She murmured her thanks, not bothering to tell her friend she was already on birth control and didn’t need the morning-after pill. She shifted, adjusting the straps of Ann’s heels for the third time. It was a size bigger and it felt awkwardly free. They weren’t exactly her style—nor was the short purple gown that made her look more like a lost Disney princess than a woman on her way to sign a business deal that was technically her marriage and life— but she could hardly complain. At least, Ann had shown up, not only with the clothes, but also with the hideous hat and sunglasses that she’d left the hotel with, shielding her face from public eyes. Someone was always watching. Someone was always waiting for her to flop, and fail. She could only hope she had been just as discreet last night with her ‘escapade’. At least he had paid the bill for the room. She had asked his name at the counter but the receptionist had stared at her flatly and said, “The room was booked under the name; Crazy Lass.” Ivette had been mortified, and Ann had choked on the coffee she had been sipping. “So, care to tell me what the fuck happened?” Ann said and Ivette flinched at the harshness in her tone. She knew Ann was worried about her. Knew Ann was more bothered about her mental health than what her activities would do to her reputation. Already, Ivette could feel the guilt clawing at her. Burrowing deep into her and tearing at the little bit of self-respect she had left for herself. Her confidence too. How was she going to face Ron again, knowing that she had spent the night in the arms of another and enjoyed it too? Ivette’s eyes shuttered and she squeezed her fists. “I—I don’t know. I was drunk. . .and he was hot.” “Must’ve been hot enough to make Ivette King break a solid wooden headboard,” Ann joked. “Oh, stop it,” Ivette hissed, earning a hearty chuckle from Ann. Ann took the next turn and while she waited for the traffic lights to turn green, she said, “What happened last night, Ivy? I saw you. You turned white as sheet. ” Ivette sucked in a rush of air and brought her hand to the base of her throat. “He never would have proposed if the merger wasn’t mentioned.” “You don’t know that,” Annet murmured, not taking her eyes off the road. “Yes. Yes, I do, and you know it too.” Ann’s lips formed a grim line but she said nothing to deny that fact. Ann didn’t like Aaron. Ivette knew it. Hell, everyone knew it. Since they’d met at the fun fair four years ago, Ann had never bothered hiding her utmost dislike for the man. Ann perceived Aaron as shallow, self-absorbed. . .and a couple of other things Ivette had once told her to get out of her apartment for saying. Now, the truth was in her face, laughing and squeaking, “I fucking told you so!” “Why say yes, then?” Ivette blew out a breath and leaned back in her seat as she watched the still-crossing pedestrians. “Because no wasn’t an option. I love Aaron and I want to marry him. I had no reason to speak otherwise.” Ann snorted. “Say that to a blind man. . .or write that on paper to a deaf man and he might just believe you. Emphasis greatly on ‘might’.” Ivette had no reply for Ann, so she kept her eyes on the road as the car moved again, speeding through the lines. The moment the words left her lips, she had known they were a lie. Though she wasn’t sure what part of it was. As they rounded the corner of the Third Main Street, nearing the towering walls of King Corp that nearly touched the clouded sky, her phone buzzed and she glanced down at it. Aaron. She closed the screen and forced deep breaths into her lungs, raising her walls again and fortifying whatever armor had weakened last night. She’d need all of the strength she could muster today. ************ “No.” Ivette let the anger rise to the surface as she stared her father down. She had attended the meeting, zoned out through half of it while thinking about that man’s tongue in places that had made her dance wildly for him—and she had been shaken out of her reverie when she heard the third clause of the agreement. She was to hand over all of her responsibilities to Aaron the moment the merger was finalized. She had been too shocked to speak. Years of unending work and effort, all forgotten, tossed aside, and for what? To be used as a figurehead while Aaron took over everything? Everything that rightfully belonged to her? The details of the merger would be finalized after her marriage to Aaron, which had been set to be in a month. Another decision that had been taken without her consent. They were hell-bent on driving her crazy and like hell would she let them back her to a corner again. Like they had done those many years ago. Her father’s face remained impassive. “You will do well to remember who owns the very floor on which you stand, demonstrating this height of insolence.” “I am King too. I own this company, and these floors as much as you do, and I say no! You can’t do this to me!” Her father waved his hand dismissively and looked at the merger papers in front of him. “It has been finalized. You will get married to Mr. Maxwell and he will handle all of your responsibilities as CEO. You will be his COO and—“ “I refuse,” Ivette said, surprised at the steel in her voice. Her father’s dark stare leveled hers and his lips curled in disdain—or disgust. . .she couldn’t tell which it was. “This is the only way you can be of use to the King family line. Clearly, your mother hasn’t taught you well—“ “Do not bring mom into this. You would give my inheritance away? Because I am a woman? Not the boy child you always wanted, eh? Fucking adopt Aaron then!” Ivette didn’t care that the employees passing by could hear them, or that Aaron was right outside, frowning at her outburst. She didn’t care about any of that. She’d had enough. She’d given up on her dreams of a simple life to take on the position of CEO that had basically been shoved down her throat when the company had been on the verge of bankruptcy and she had singlehandedly made the deal that saved it. It was that feat that won her her very first award in the business world. CEO of the year. Whilst she had fought tooth and nail for the company, Alden King had confined himself to his study for weeks, abandoning his job, her mother, and herself. Amelia King had taken it upon herself to teach Ivette what she knew of the business, of spinning words to one’s advantage and how body language could very well affect one’s decision-making. Ivette would never admit it but her mother’s teachings had helped her every step of the way. At least, her mother had done something. “You will do as I say. Your opinion is of no use in the matter. As you can see,” Her father paused, flipping through the pages so she could see the required signatures for the merger, and surely enough, her name wasn’t included, however, Aaron’s was. “these papers do not require your approval.” Just how long had this been going on? For how long had they planned this? Had the proposal been the final piece in the puzzle? All those meetings Aaron had been oddly vague and secretive about—was this what it had been about? She shot Aaron a death glare and the tight disapproval in his gaze caused her fuse to spark. “Then I will not marry Aaron.” Aaron’s eyes widened but she’d already turned to meet her father’s icy gaze. “What did you say?” She squared her shoulder and leaned back on her heels. “I will not marry Aaron. I will not play a part in your game. I am no pawn.” Her father dropped the papers and smiled faintly, brushing his dark curls away from his forehead. It was the scariest expression she had seen on him. “But you will.” Her blood went cold. “No. You can’t force me to do that.” He angled his head to the left, observing her. It was something she took from her father. That weird motion of observing people like they were opponents that needed to be taken down. “Breaking the engagement earn a severe backlash. Except you want the very company you fought to save in peril, you will marry Aaron Maxwell.” She slammed her hands on the desk, glaring at him with nothing but hate. “I do not accept this, father!” He looked at her hands, then her face, and said blandly, “Get out. I’m busy.” Ivette’s lips parted to release a string of words that would fill up the swear jar in her old bedroom at the family house, but she thought better of it and stormed out of his office, slamming the door hard enough to rattle its frame. Mere words didn’t work with Alden King. Facts. Proofs. Actions. She needed those things to ensure her place in the company, even after the merger. She’d have to show him she was irreplaceable. Other than that, she knew her father wouldn’t budge. Aaron awaited her when she walked into her office, and he spun on her executive chair, turning away from the stunning view of the Seattle bathed in the golden glow of the evening. She hadn't even noticed him leave her father's door. He grinned up at her, patting the armrest. “This is unbelievably comfortable.” Ivette almost forgave him. Almost. It was that damned smile that disarmed her every time. The light seeping into his twin pools of blue, the slight crinkle around each eye that made him seem younger, untried, and unbothered by life or problems. It was that very thought that had Ivette strutting for him. A naughty smile teased his lips as she leaned in, no doubt expecting something else. Instead, Ivette gave him a sour smile and whispered, “Get off my chair.”A month later..."Definitely not!" Riley squealed and Amelia glanced up from her phone. The downturn of her lips showed her disapproval and Ivette growled, stepping out of the gown.Cian was in Seattle for the weekend and she finally had a day off work. A perfect day for a date, but she had no idea what to wear.No matter that she had nearly ordered the entire boutique. She just couldn't find the right dress. For the first time they were meeting in the past month, she wanted to look hot enough to have him unable to take his eyes off her.It had been frustrating on all levels. He had called everyday, and they'd had enough video calls to last for a lifetime, but it hadn't been enough. She had missed him so much, she had cried on some nights.After signing the contract with him, he had left for some work and got stuck with loads of it. Having also had quite a lot of work load due to the near fail of the company, she couldn't afford to leave. Or take a trip.Heavens. She missed him."Thi
Heels clicked, and heads turned. It was an effort not to cringe from the eyes that followed as she crossed the parking lot. It was expected. She was the talk of the town—maybe even the world.Leaving Scotland had been hard, but Ivette had been left with no choice. She had already begun to miss everything. Cian’s family. Cian’s home. She hadn’t enough time to say goodbye to them but she had consoled herself with the knowledge that she would be returning soon. After she had fixed the mess she had started by running in the first place.Falling into step by her side was Cian. Cian had blatantly refused to let her come out in public alone. He had stuck to her side since they got off the flight like she was honey and he were a bee. She hadn’t pushed any further. She didn’t think she could face it alone either.She didn’t have a plan yet.Her fingers grew sweaty as they reached the sliding doors of the company. This was it. The moment she had chewed off her nails for. Anxiety drummed within
The sound of the door creaking had Ivette stirring from her sleep, but what had her eyes snapping open was when someone cussed softly. “Hell Cian, learn to lock the door!”“Knock before entering, Fio,” Cian said softly as his hands tightened around Ivette. She hid her face in his chest and drew up the covers to hide her nakedness after murmuring a quick, “Morning, Fiona.”“Breakfast in fifteen. Da is waiting. Doona make me come back here to drag both your asses downstairs!” she squealed before slipping out the door.“Morning lass,” Cian purred and she shivered at silky caress of it against her sin. She smiled against his chest and darted out a tongue to lick the slick pane of it, giggling. He tasted like salt, citrus and man. It was erotic and intoxicating.He groaned and in a split second, he was stretched atop her, nuzzling her neck. Laughing, she threw her hands about him, bringing his head to her bare chest. “We should go down for breakfast soon.”“Hmm,” he murmured and the vibrat
Somehow, they made it through the large double doors and past the confusing hallways of the Cian's home.Somehow they made it through the door amidst wild kisses and harsh breaths. She were a little drunk, but Ivette had enough presence to cup Cian's groin and rub her fingers against the length of it because she knew he liked it when she did that.Ivette's breath whooshed out of her lungs when her back hit his door. He reached around her and twisted the door knob.She sucked on his tongue and he groaned as he blindly walked them into his room and pushed her back on the bed roughly.She might have minded if she was in the mood for gentle touches and caresses. But she wasn't. She wanted rough. She wanted wild. She wanted hard.Ivette inched upward, motioning to unlace the gown but Cian caught her hand, growling. The words were heavy and thick with lust and it made the Scottish burr all the more beguiling. "You look stunning in that dress. I want to see it on you while I fuck you."Th
"Lovely!" Fiona squealed as she pinned the last lock in place and Ivette smiled, turning around to look in the mirror.She was dressed in a stunning floor-length gown that hugged her figure in all the right places. The gown was made of a soft, flowing fabric, perhaps silk or chiffon, in a deep shade of green that brings out the color of her eyes.It's plunging neckline revealing her elegant collarbone and enough cleavage to hold a man's attention. The sleeves were off-the-shoulder, adding an alluring touch to her ensemble, and on her neck sat a simple golden masterpiece.The dress was adorned with intricate beading and embroidery that sparkled in the light, drawing attention to her every movement. The beading was carefully crafted to accentuate the curves of her body, adding a touch of elegance to her appearance.Cian had sent it earlier as a gift with the note, "I want to see you in this, lass."And he'd chosen well.Fiona had braided her hair intricately in an updo with small br
"Shit!" Ivette said, twisting to look at him. "Do not sneak up on me like that!"Where was Fiona? Where did he come from?Cian smiled, reaching around her to grab a cookie from the tray. "You're cooking. Why?"Her cheeks flamed and she bit on her lower lip nervously. "I...uh...got hungry."He shot her a knowing look that said he knew she was lying but she didn't mind, not as he took a bite out of the cookie and her eyes dropped to his lips as he chewed.Hell.He could even make chewing seem hot.His gaze met hers and held. He regarded her with burning intensity and her body instantly reacted, even if he hadn't yet touched her."Doona be looking at me like that, lass. I might just kiss you."She sucked in her lower lip, wetting it and she looked at him beneath thick, long lashes. "And if I want you to?"Eyes dark, he leaned in subtly and whispered against her cheek, scent of shortbread teasing her nostrils, "Tell it to me. Tell me what you want."But words were hardly her forte. "I do