VICTOR Tendrils of smoke curled languidly each wisp bearing a whisper of my growing annoyance. I reclined in my absurdly large custom-made leather chair which was more expensive than some peoples whole yearly salary. My lavish office was usually a haven of calm a hallowed place where plans were conceived and empires were gently prodded. It was heavy today. Almost choked by the utter foolishness of it all. The whispers of course I had heard. Information spread like wildfire in this gilded cage particularly when it concerned Sloan that brash idiot and his most recent entanglement. Ivy. The name itself was as gratingly generic as her presence in the Orders mansion was offensive. I grasped the cigar more tightly. My teeth tightened at the thought. “Bloody imbeciles” I mutteredas I took another long drag. Similar to the raging fire in my stomach the cherry glowed a fiery red. A wild card a loose cannon and now a huge hole in our meticulously crafted secrecy—this was exactly what I had
IVY. Together Sophia and I whirled around, the effortless laughter fading from our throats. Alissa was a fiery-haired immaculately styled figure standing behind us. Her red hair was styled in a sleek severe bun that matched the acerbic tone of her eyes. My stomach turned slightly. The universe decided it was time for more drama just as things were beginning to feel normal. Sophia continued to grasp my hand and gave it a firm squeeze. Both of us braced ourselves for the typical sarcastic jab or vague threat. Alissa had a way of piercing the atmosphere like a poisoned dart. Rather a strange almost pitying smile appeared on her lips. “Well well.” She said, her voice silky smooth but with a hint of coolness that raised the hair on my arms. “I can see that someone is feeling better.” Her eyes moved over me and then back to Sophia's hand which was still in mine. “Alissa” I said attempting to sound neutral despite a sudden wave of defensive protectiveness toward Sophia. Alissa went on
IVY. I decided it was time for a shower after having the most eerie delicious breakfast of my life. Not just any shower though one that would ideally remove any remaining ambiguity and replace it with something close to peace. I tried to unravel the disordered jumble of my feelings as the warm water sluiced over me. Sophia, Sloan and the entire hectic past twenty-four hours. For a brain that still felt like it was running on half power it was a lot to process. When I finally came out a little calmer, I picked out a plain cozy dress from the emergency closet . I inhaled deeply and moved slowly downstairs. In the opulent living room I found Sophia uneasily seated on one of the big armchairs, her frame nearly encased in the luxurious upholstery. She fidgeted with the hem of her dress while bending her head. Any residual fear I had about confronting her was instantly dispelled by the sight. She was just trapped in a situation that was completely unfathomable to her. She looked up the
IVY.My eyes were still obstinately closed when I woke up but the faintest light was coming in through what I thought were thick curtains. I briefly drifted in that blissful transitional state between sleep and wakefulness feeling a strange yet reassuring warmth spread throughout me. Memories from the last night then rushed forward like a dam breaking. Sloan. Kissing. His eyes were full of unvarnished honesty. The irresolute desire that had engulfed me. My eyes opened slowly absorbing the opulent space. It was definitely not the sterile hotel room I had been preparing to escape to nor was it my tiny apartment. It was my room here in the mansion. I bit my lips. There had been no dream. Not a single bit of it thrilling or terrifying. The silken sheets gathered around my waist as I slowly sat up. I was still naked. The events of the night were evident in my attire—or lack thereof. My neck started to flush but it wasn't from embarrassment. Indeed it was. Something else. A glimmer of s
IVY. He fixed me with his wide inquisitive eyes. Please stay. Less than a whisper the words hovered between us like a flimsy bridge across the abyss of deceit and treachery. He just stared at me for a while a wide range of emotions churning in his eyes: relief, surprise and something so incredibly vulnerable that it made me gasp. Then slowly and deliberately he looked down at my hand that was still on his wrist. His powerful and warm fingers softly touched mine. A familiar unsettling current that had always existed between us despite my best efforts to resist it gave me a shock when I made contact with it. He moved closer and closer until there was no more room between us. His thumb lightly caressed my skin as his free hand extended to cup my cheek. My knees felt weak because of the feather-light touch which also carried an unspoken promise and a gentle reassurance. As I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch the warmth of his palm stood in sharp contrast to the cold that had t
IVY. The shock of his lips against mine sent a shockwave through every nerve ending. As the shock subsided, my gasp became a gentle sigh and then I felt a confusing rush of something like surrender. He intensified the kiss, applying a slow forceful pressure that forced air out of my lungs and for a brief moment kept me from thinking clearly. My body betrayed me despite my rational brains insistence that this was a bad idea and the loud ringing of alarm bells in my head. I gave him a kiss in return. With all the rage bewilderment and unadulterated unquestionable attraction that had simmered between us since the day I entered this mansion, it was a passionate desperate kiss. Until there was no more room between us his hands tightened around my waist and drew me in. Traitorous, my own hands reached into his hair and gripped the silky strands at the back of his neck. The world shrank to the sensation of his lips, the scent of his skin and the hammering heartbeat of my own. Before he f