YOU’RE FIRED

IVY’S POV

I gently pulled the fluffy blanket over Ava’s shoulders, being careful not to wake her. She let out a soft sigh and her eyelashes fluttered a bit before her chest rose and fell as she kept on sleeping.

The two hours I spent taking care of her had been a perfect escape from the sad reality that I knew was waiting for me afterwards.

I had wiped her tears, given her a warm bath, and fed her the food Greta prepared, which she really enjoyed. The moment she was done eating, I sang her a nursery rhyme, rocking her back and forth until her eyes grew heavy.

She was an angel. Too bad her father was an absolute monster.

I stepped away from the crib, my heart sinking down the pit of my stomach as those words echoed in my ears. “Fine. Feed her and put her to sleep but I want you gone immediately after that”.

Tears filled my eyes but my defiance remained. I couldn’t lose this job. I absolutely could not. I needed the money, and more than that, I already felt a deep connection to Ava. Also, after moving out of my apartment, if I walked out of this house today, I had nowhere to go.

Letting out a shaky breath, I quietly stepped out of the nursery. I knew I wasn’t supposed to go anywhere near Mr. Blackwood’s private study as Mrs. Reynolds had explicitly declared it strictly off-limits. But I didn't have any choice right now. I was willing to do whatever it took to keep this job, even if it meant breaking the rules.

I walked down the corridor and didn’t stop until I got in front of the oak door of his study. The doors were shut but I could tell he was inside from the rustle of papers coming through the door.

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath before I raised my hand and knocked on the door twice.

"Samuel? I wasn’t expecting you. Come in though," his deep, gravelly voice commanded from the other side.

I didn’t know who Samuel was but I could tell that was the only person allowed to come near this place.

I didn’t bother saying I wasn’t Samuel because I knew he would order me to get out of his house and I wouldn't have the chance to talk to him.

Without saying a word, I twisted the doorknob and stepped inside. The study was lined with tall bookshelves, a large leather couch, a bed in the corner and a shiny mahogany desk. Standing behind that desk with papers scattered around him was Mrs. Blackwood.

I already knew he was strikingly handsome because I had memorized his features the night before just seconds before I kissed him.

Yet, the sight of him now still made my breath hitch, my throat going dry.

His suit jacket was gone, the top two buttons of his crisp shirt were undone, and his sleeves were rolled up his forearms. His hair was messy, likely from running his fingers through it, and a pair of reading glasses sat perched on the bridge of his nose.

Damn, he was hot as fuck.

Since I hadn’t said a word since I entered, he looked up from his tablet and his piercing eyes locked onto mine. The moment he saw it was me, a grim expression masked his face.

I knew I should be worried about how angry he was right now but it was hard to do so as my eyes had drifted down to his firm and perfectly shaped lips now pressed into a straight line.

Instantly, the memory of last night rushed back to consume me. The intoxicating heat that radiated from his body as it pressed against mine. The way he had also kissed me as if I were water and he was a man dying of thirst.

Just like that, I felt my cheeks burn as a searing wave of heat moved straight to my core, making my pulse race.

I knew my panties were going to be just as soaked as it had been last night.

"I thought Mrs. Reynolds also told you to stay away from here," his voice was threatening, pulling me from my sexual thoughts. “Are you asking for trouble, Ivy? What the fuck are you doing in here? I want to believe you came here to tell me you were leaving which you shouldn’t even have. I don’t give two fucks”.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing myself to ignore how I liked the sound of my name on his lips and pressed my palms together in front of me. "Mr. Blackwood, please. I came to beg you. Please don't fire me."

He rolled his eyes and rounded the desk, leaning back against the edge as his gaze bored relentlessly into mine. I envied how he didn’t struggle to maintain eye contact with me. It was obvious he hadn’t been as affected by our kiss as I was. Which wasn’t surprising as I knew he probably had a lot of girls flocking around him with that beautiful face of his.

"Beg me? You assaulted me in a club while reeking of alcohol..” I pressed my lips together forcing myself not to scream that I didn’t assault him. I was here to beg and I needed to be on my best behavior. “….broke the rules of not entering the master's bedroom and now my study and even tricked my daughter into calling you her mother. You did all of this and you don’t want to be fired? You have a lot of nerve."

"I didn't trick Ava". I protested as tears started to sting the corners of my eyes due to my frustration. "And last night...last night was a mistake. I was being assaulted and so lied that you were my boyfriend so the guy would leave me alone and it worked. It was not my intention to disrespect you. Please, I need this job."

"I don't care what you need," Mr. Blackwood snapped, pushing off his desk, totally unmoved by my sob story. He stopped just a few feet away from me and folded his hands over his chest, making me fight to ignore the scent of sandalwood that filled my nose. "Ava needs to be taken care of by a responsible person, not a wild club girl who lies to get what she wants. Pack your things and get out of my house." He spat and turned to move back to his seat.

My sadness turned into anger and I didn’t even know I was crying until I felt something salty hit my lips. Ethan was right. This man was an asshole. How dare he keep making assumptions of me and still insist on them even after I’ve explained myself?

"Are you always this heartless?" The words were out of my lips before I could stop myself.

He turned his head to me sharply, narrowing his eyes. "What did you just say to me?"