Chapter 11

****Damien****

I walked into my hotel room, i was tired and i seriously do not like long trips especially if my wife isn't here with me.  The moment I sat down on the bed, I let out a deep sigh. My body ached from the long flight, and all I wanted was a hot shower.

As I reached for the buttons of my shirt, a sudden thought crossed my mind—I needed to call Scarlett. She was probably mad at me, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t let her know I had arrived in Los Angeles.

Instinctively, I reached into my trouser pocket for my phone. My fingers brushed against nothing.

Frowning, I checked the other pocket. Still nothing.

I sat up straighter, my exhaustion momentarily forgotten. I checked my bags, rummaging through them, but my phone was nowhere to be found.

"Where did I put it?" I muttered to no one in particular, frustration creeping in.

Had I left it somewhere? My mind raced as I tried to recall the last time I had it.

Then it hit me.

I had given it to Ivy.

Damn.

Thankfully, Ivy’s hotel room was close to mine. As I walked up to her door, I knocked lightly.

"Ivy, it's me," I called out. "I kinda need my phone back."

Silence.

Frowning, I reached for the door handle and realized it wasn’t locked. Hesitating for a second, I pushed it open and stepped inside.

I froze.

Ivy stood with her back to me, her damp hair dripping down her bare shoulders. She was wearing only a bra and a pair of pants, her toned skin glistening from what I assumed was a recent shower.

I should have looked away. I knew that.

But for a moment, I couldn’t.

Her curves were undeniable, and her smooth skin looked almost ethereal under the dim lighting. It had been over ten years since I’d laid eyes on another woman like this, and the realization made my chest tighten.

Then, Ivy turned around.

A loud scream escaped her lips. "Oh shit!"

I snapped out of my daze. "I—I'm so sorry! The door was open," I stammered, quickly averting my gaze.

Ivy's eyes widened as she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself.

"It's okay, don’t worry about it," she muttered, her cheeks flushed.

I rubbed the back of my neck, guilt gnawing at me. "I swear it wasn’t my intention to barge in like that."

She let out a small breath, offering a reassuring smile. "Seriously, it's fine, Mr. Cross. It was just an innocent accident."

I nodded, but my heart was still racing for reasons I refused to acknowledge.

"I came for my phone. I forgot to ask for it back after you used it," I said, keeping my gaze averted.

"Oh! Right, sorry about that," Ivy replied, walking over to the bed where her bag lay. "I totally forgot."

She rummaged through it for a second before pulling out my phone and handing it to me. "Here you go."

"Thanks," I muttered, still feeling the awkwardness hanging in the air.

"If anyone should be sorry, it’s me," I added, shifting uncomfortably.

"It's no big deal," Ivy giggled. "It's not like you've never seen a woman like that before."

I was silent for a moment. I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I simply nodded. "Well, I should probably let you get back to... whatever you were doing."

"See you tonight at the bar?" she asked with a small smile.

"Of course."

As I walked to the door, I could feel her gaze on my back. The moment I stepped out and closed it behind me, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

No wife. No sex for an entire week...

What the hell was I even thinking? Did Ivy’s body actually turn me on?

I shook my head, running a hand through my hair. Focus on work, Damien.

"This is going to be a rough stay," I mumbled to myself.

After finally taking the shower my body desperately needed, I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist.

I sighed, running a hand through my damp hair. The guilt sat heavy on my chest, even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.

But my mind wouldn’t let it go.

No matter how much I tried to push it away, the image of her body Occupied in my mind—etched into my vision, refusing to fade.

I exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling inside me.

I needed to clear my head tonight.

Fuck this.

****Ivy****

The weather was cool and calm. I could hear birds chirping in the distance as I stood outside, breathing in the fresh air and admiring the clear sky. It was beautiful.

I had decided to step out of my hotel room and explore a little—just to give myself a private tour and clear my mind. No doubt, this was a five-star hotel; it had everything you could imagine.

I needed to lighten the mood after what had happened earlier… Damien seeing me half-naked. I sighed. The awkwardness still lingered in my chest.

But more than that, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. He always looked so distant—so lost in thought. There was a sadness in his eyes that he tried to hide, but I saw it.

And honestly, his wife should be here with him. Not me.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on in his home. What had broken the perfect image I used to imagine about him?

But it’s none of my business, right? I shouldn't get caught up in my boss's life.

“Ivy,” a voice called out, snapping me from my thoughts.

I recognized it instantly.

Turning around, I saw him—the wealthiest man I’d ever met. He was the reason we were here, the one Mr. Cross had come to meet for this business deal.

He looked as polished as ever, but behind those expensive clothes and fake smile, his eyes were filled with something else.

Lust.

The last time I saw him, the way he looked at me made my skin crawl. Something about him wasn't adding up, and my gut told me he was bad news.

I could tell he was in his early fifties… Yes, I remembered now—it was Mr. Lockwood.

He stepped closer, and instinctively, I shifted back. The atmosphere thickened with discomfort. There was something about him that made my skin crawl.

He seemed like the kind of man who slept with his employees to satisfy his own desires, and by the way he looked at me—with that strange affection—I had no doubt he thought I’d be next.

“Oh, Mr. Lockwood. I didn’t realize you were here,” I said, forcing a fake smile. He grinned in response.

“Ivy, right?” he asked. I nodded.

“I’ve been really curious about you,” he said, eyes never leaving mine. “There’s just something about you that draws me in.”

His words made my stomach turn.

If I wanted a man, it wouldn’t be some old hag with a power complex.

“I… I don’t know what to say, sir,” I muttered, trying to stay composed.

“But if you’re thinking anything inappropriate, I’d appreciate it if you stopped. I’m here strictly for business.”

“Oh, Ivy,” he chuckled. “You’ve got it all wrong. If you think I’m only interested in your body, you’re mistaken. I really like you. I could take care of you… give you anything you desire. I’m not after sex—I want something more.”

His words stunned me. What the hell did he see in me? I didn’t believe a single thing he said.

“It’s nice to see you, Mr. Lockwood,” I said politely, cutting the conversation short. “I’ll be on my way now.”

"Please wait" he said walking very close to me as he removed something from his suit. It was his call card.

"Incase you want to get to me" he sad. Why on earth will i decide to make him a part of my life.

I collected the call card even tho i knew i was never going to call him.

Without waiting for a reply, I turned and walked away, heading back to my room. I needed to clear my head—and get ready.