chapter 7

Ivy and Dario approached the exquisite restaurant, the doors swung open, and a smartly dressed host welcomed them with a smile.

"Mr Dario, your reservation has been made. Right this way, please," the host gestured for them to follow.

Ivy was taken aback. "How did you know I was going to come? Did you book these reservations for me?" she asked Dario, her tone filled with surprise and curiosity.

Dario chuckled. "I had a feeling," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "And I wanted to ensure we had the best table in the house."

They made their way to the table, and as they sat down, Dario took Ivy's hand in his and gazed into her eyes. "You look beautiful tonight, Ivy," he said, his voice soft and sincere.

Ivy felt her heart skip a beat. She had thought a lot about their night of passion and the fact that Dario had a girlfriend. She decided to confront him about it.

"Dario, I need to know something," she said, her voice firm. "Why didn't you tell me you had a girlfriend?"

Dario's expression turned serious. "I should have told you, Ivy. I was wrong for not being upfront about it. And for that, I'm truly sorry."

Ivy nodded, her eyes fixed on Dario's. "Do you love her?" she asked, holding her breath for his answer.

Dario let out a heavy sigh. "That's a complicated question, Ivy," he said, looking down at their intertwined hands. "But I do know that I care for her deeply, and I want to make things right between us."

Ivy's eyes were still fixed on Dario as she asked again. "Do you love your girlfriend?"

Dario shifted in his seat, avoiding Ivy's gaze. As he was about to respond, the waiter approached their table, breaking the tension. "Good evening; what can I get for you two tonight?" offering them a menu.

Dario quickly jumped at the opportunity to change the subject. "Ivy, why don't you order anything you want? It's on me." He smiled, trying to ease the tension.

Ivy glanced at the menu, trying to decide what to get. She heard someone call out Dario's name from across the room as she did. She turned to see a man waving at Dario.

Max walked towards the table where Dario and Ivy were sitting. Ivy, sitting nearby, noticed Max walking towards them and wondered who he was. As Max approached, he greeted Dario and turned towards Ivy.

"I remember you! We met at TechNovation," Max said with a smile, recognizing her from the office.

Kim looked confused for a moment before the memory came back to her. "Oh, yes." She fidgeted in her seat, feeling embarrassed. "I'm sorry for being rude when we bumped into each other. I wasn't in a good mood that day," she apologized.

"it's fine, I noticed." Max responded with a smile on his face.

Dario sat there as he watched Max and Ivy catch up. Ivy stretched out her hand towards Max. "I'm Ivy," she introduced herself.

Max shook her hand and introduced himself. "I'm Max. Nice to meet you."

Just as they were getting to know each other, Dario interrupted. "Max, I guess you've met my new secretary," he said with a grin.

Max's eyes widened in surprise. "Your new secretary?" he repeated.

Ivy nodded. "Yes, I just started working for Dario."

Max, whose eyes were still fixed on Ivy, couldn't help but compliment her outfit, "You look stunning tonight, Ivy."

She blushed at the compliment, and Max then addressed Dario, "I'll be leaving now; I'll see you both in the office tomorrow." Max bid Ivy goodbye with a smile, "Bye, Ivy."

As Max walked away, Dario cleared his throat, and Ivy turned her attention to him. "Are you flirting with him?" Dario questioned Ivy.

She noticed a hint of jealousy in his eyes and was surprised. "Flirting?" she asked Dario.

Ivy couldn't help but laugh, "Wow, I sense jealousy from a man who has a girlfriend." She said, "Excuse me, I'm going to the restroom." As she walked away, she couldn't help but wonder about Dario's reaction.

Ivy walked down the restaurant aisle, her heels clicking against the hard floor as she made her way towards the restroom. As she rounded the corner, she glanced back at Dario, who sat alone at their table, his eyes following her every move.

As she entered the bathroom, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Suddenly, the door burst open, and Dario rushed inside, his eyes wild with desire. Ivy spun around, shock written all over her face.

"Dario, what are you doing here?" she asked, trembling slightly.

Dario closed the distance between them, grabbing her waist as he pulled her close. His breath came in short gasps as he leaned in, his lips moving closer to hers.

"I can't stop thinking about you," he whispered, his eyes locked onto hers.

Ivy's heart raced as she felt his hot breath on her skin. She couldn't deny the pull she felt towards him, but at the same time, she was scared. She didn't know what would happen if she gave in to her feelings.

The tension between them was palpable, and they could feel their breaths quickening with anticipation.

Ivy's heart raced as she looked up at him, and before she could even think, he leaned in for a kiss. Their lips met passionately, and Dario's hands roamed over her dress as their bodies pressed together. The kiss was rough and needy, full of the pent-up desire they had been feeling for each other.

Their tongues tangled together as they explored each other's mouths, and their hands exploring each other's bodies. Ivy moaned softly as Dario's hands found the hem of her dress, pushing it up to feel the bare skin of her thighs. The kiss was all-consuming, drowning out everything else as they gave in to the moment.

Finally, they broke apart, both of them breathless. Ivy's dress was still hitched up, and Dario's hands were still on her waist, holding her close. They looked at each other, smiling in the afterglow of the intense, passionate kiss they had just shared.

Ivy pushed away from Dario, her breath heavy as she tried to gather her thoughts. "We can't do this," she said, trying to sound firm despite the desire still pulsing through her veins. "It's not right."

But Dario wasn't about to give up so easily. He reached out, rubbing his hands through her hair as he leaned in to kiss her neck. "Let's go to my penthouse," he whispered in her ear. "I need you."

His words sent shivers down Ivy's spine, and she wanted to give in to the temptation. But she knew it was wrong. They had to resist. "No," she said, pulling away. "We can't keep doing this. It's not fair to either of us."

Dario looked at her, frustration evident in his eyes. "Why not?" he asked. "Why can't we just enjoy this moment?"

"Because it's not real," Ivy said, tears filling her eyes. "And it's not fair to either of us. We have to stop."

But Dario wasn't ready to give up just yet. He moved closer to her, his hand reaching up to grab a handful of her hair. He pulled her towards him roughly, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.

Ivy didn't resist, her heart pounding faster with each passing moment. Dario's hands moved down her back, pulling her closer to him as his kiss deepened.

"I know you want me," he whispered against her lips, his voice rough and low. Ivy didn't respond, but her heart kept beating faster and faster. She felt a thrill run through her as his hands explored her body, pulling her closer.

Dario's lips moved to her neck, kissing and nipping at her delicate skin. Ivy let out a soft sigh, her hands clutching at his shirt as her knees grew weak. She felt powerless against the desire inside her, and she couldn't deny that she wanted Dario just as much as he wanted her.