Chapter Nineteen

IVY’S POV

I couldn’t believe I was doing this. After my conversation with Doctor Rachel, it took me two days to gather the courage to do this. She would be visiting tomorrow, so I had to make a move. I stood up and left my room, heading for his office upstairs.

It’s now or never. What’s the worst that can happen? I thought.

Standing outside the dark wooden door of his study, I took a long, deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to quiet the wild fluttering in my chest. When I opened them again, I forced myself to feel a surge of pure determination. I was tired of being afraid. Doctor Rachel was right, if I was ever going to stand beside him, I needed to take the first step.

I raised my hand, knocked softly, and pushed the heavy door open.

The moment I stepped into his office, I was hit with the thick, rich scent of his pheromones. It filled my nose, so sweet and intoxicating that my mouth instantly watered. My heart skipped a beat, but for the first time, my body didn't freeze up in terror.

Leo looked up from his desk, setting down his pen as his eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Ivy?" he asked, his deep voice rich with concern. "Is anything the matter?"

I clutched the fabric of my dress, holding my chin up. "I need you to help me with something."

He immediately stood up, resting his broad hands on the dark wood of his desk. "Okay. Sure. What do you need?"

"Follow me. I'll show you," I said, turning on my heel before my courage could fail me.

I led him down the quiet hallway and into my room.

My heart pounded against my ribs as he crossed the threshold. Having him in my private sanctuary made the space feel suddenly small, swallowed whole by his towering presence. I gestured toward the far corner near my balcony doors, where a heavy, hand-carved mahogany wardrobe sat slightly crooked, blocking the light. I had intentionally unlatched its rear hook earlier, making it look as though it had shifted out of balance.

"The... the decorative mirror frame behind the wardrobe fell," I stammered, pointing toward the tight space between the solid wood and the wall. "I can't reach it, and it's too heavy for me to move."

I kept a safe distance away from him, standing near the edge of the bed as I watched him work. Leo stepped forward effortlessly. He unbuttoned the cuffs of his dark shirt, slowly rolling the fabric up his forearms, revealing strong muscle and faint traces of veins that pulsed under his sun-kissed skin.

My breath caught in my throat as he leaned over the heavy furniture. The subtle strain of his broad shoulders stretched the fine fabric of his shirt taut across his back, outlining every ridge of his intimidating physique. He was power in person. Raw, masculine, and gorgeously handsome. I found myself staring, mesmerized by the sharp line of his jawline, the soft sweep of dark hair over his brow, and the sheer, effortless grace with which he handled a frame that three men would struggle to tilt.

A dangerous heat bloomed deep in my lower abdomen. Something dangerous stirred within me, every instinct inside me screamed to close the gap, to press my palm against the warm broadness of his back, to feel the heat radiating off him. My heart hammered so loudly I was certain he could hear it.

With one smooth, controlled motion, Leo shifted the heavy mahogany wardrobe back into its exact position, setting the fallen glass frame securely onto the wall mount.

He wiped his hands together and turned back toward me, offering a gentle smile. "I'm done."

"Oh. Thank you," I said softly, my chest tightening as he rolled his sleeves back down, wiping his hands and preparing to step back out into the hall.

"No problem," he replied, his tone smooth and respectful. "If you need anything else, just let me know."

He turned to leave, but as I saw his broad shoulders moving away from me, panic seized my chest. I didn't want him to go yet. The distance between us suddenly felt too wide, and I unconsciously stopped him.

"Wait..." I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Leo paused instantly, turning around to look at me with curiosity. "Hmm?"

My face burned hot, and I looked down at my slippers, stumbling over my words as my cheeks turned bright red. "I... um... can you release your pheromones? I... the baby needs it."

The moment the words left my mouth, the air in my room shifted dramatically.

A thick, luxurious wave of scent flooded the small space…an intoxicating blend of rich spices, fresh strawberries, and a lingering hint of dark chocolate. My eyes closed on their own as I gasped softly, feeling a sudden, soothing warmth bloom deep in my belly and spread all the way to my fingertips. I stood there, drinking in every drop of his royal aura as it wrapped around my body like a heated silk blanket.

When I slowly opened my eyes, I caught him looking at me.

Leo hadn't moved closer, but his dark eyes were burning with an intensity that made my breath hitch. His pupils were blown wide and glowing. His gaze was hungry, filled with raw desire, intense tenderness, and an undeniable, fierce possessiveness that made my knees feel weak. We stayed trapped in each other's gaze for what felt like hours, the silence between us heavy with unspoken longing and electric tension.

Then, taking a slow, deep breath to control his inner beast, he gently broke the spell. He gave me one last lingering look, turned around, and walked out of the room, leaving me breathless in the middle of his sweet, lingering scent.