There had been a great deal of turmoil materializing in Ivory's brain these past days. She feared it had less to do with the absentee, Braylen, and more to do with a certain Devilish businessman. The words he'd spoken to her coupled with his shockingly compassionate mannerisms had her rearranging her neutral beliefs surrounding him. One thing was clear, her harsh views concerning Raiden De Ville had softened...considerably. Conversely, Ivory's fondness of Braylen was on a steady decline. She believed it had become easier to pass her days without the pleasure of his company and part of her could tell that their connection was waning.
She was fully aware that her assumptions could be wrong but she was attempting to put weight to Zoey's advice which involved Ivory hoping for the best while preparing for the worst. Ivory hugged her pillow closer to her chest, her eyes no longer capable of receiving the television images.
Who was she kidding?
Ivory
Ivory's level of concentration rested on nil. She hadn't been able to do much since she had received the news that she was to accompany Raiden to a business meeting. Her eyes went back and forth between Raiden and her computer screen. Perhaps her nerves were misplaced but she dared any woman not to be nervous in such close proximity to such a man.Raiden felt Ivory's eyes staring at him. A small smile eased across his lips. He knew she was nervous, the emotion easing out from every pore. He revealed in the fact that she was affected by him. He usually couldn't be bothered by female appreciation yet he found himself craving hers."Has Felix informed you of our evening schedule?" His voice traveled across the room and settled pleasurably in her ear.It took Ivory a good couple seconds to register what that bliss voice was saying to her. " Uh-huh." She nodded her head as an accompaniment."Good. You can take lunch an hour earlier and when your ba
What were the odds of it all being a dream? Ivory woke to the sound of her alarm, the night's events plaguing her very soul. She hadn't the heart to even respond to Braylen's text. Worse she didn't know how she was going to face Raiden. The only thought plaguing her mind was 'how was she going to face him?' She contemplated calling in sick, it was already Friday and that would give her two extra days to work up the courage to face him. This thought was quickly disregarded. She couldn't run from her problems, she knew that but how does one approach their employer after having kissed them? She felt utterly embarrassed, Raiden was probably finding her a great source of amusement. She placed her face in her palms and groaned. Better sooner than later, the faster they got the awkward meeting over with the sooner they can forget any of it ever happened.Ivory arrived at the office faster than she would have hoped, the little nerve she had dissipating with every step clo
Ivory could no longer bear the sound of her phone vibrating. Braylen had been texting and calling since the weekend and she ignored every attempt at communication. She had no desire to speak to him nor see him. He was now in a relationship and this was her respecting that. If she had answered and allowed him to continue his lie then where would that put her? It was time to cut her losses, she wasn't interested in being any man's play toy.She decided to place him on her block list. She didn't want to know if he called or messaged and she hoped that he would soon get the hint or at least stop trying. She inhaled and got back to work. Raiden had been distant this past week, it was as if the intimate moment and conversation had never happened. Ivory smiled as the kiss replayed in her mind. Two years with one man and she had never been kissed or touched. In hindsight she had been naive, she believed their relationship was pure, unburdened, and not blinded by lust.
There had been no time nor awareness of mind that allowed Ivory to think for just a second. She was inside of Raiden's office before she could form the thought or mentally command her limbs to do the same. She found herself behind her desk, her mind racing. Since she heard of Braylen's relationship she hadn't shed a single tear but now she could feel the familiar sting in her eyes accompanied by the blurry vision."Ivory?" Raiden was by her side now, ignoring the sound of his office phone ringing. He noticed the way in which she re-entered, hastily, and absentminded. He instantly worried about whether she was advantaged by Emery. She lowered her head further, raising a hand to block her from his view."Is there anything you need, Mr. De Ville?" her voice came of muffled and shaky. On instinct he reached over and pulled her face within his view, she resisted but he had abandoned any sense of propriety. Her eyes were red, avoiding his direct
Ivory fell head first down onto the sofa. She hadn't the mental energy to get dressed following her shower, she had slid on her robe and mindlessly flopped down, her left leg hanging off the sofa. It was at times like this that she was glad she lived alone, she wished no one ever had the misfortune to see her like this. Her hair was a messy pile at the top of her head and so it would remain until the morning. She let out an irritated groan as she dragged herself off the sofa, rolling on the floor and then picking herself back up at the sound of her doorbell. It could only be Zoey and her best friend had seen her in worst circumstances courtesy of them sharing an apartment while in college.She unlocked the door and dragged it open. "You could have used your key --" she paused mid-sentence."You haven't given one to me just yet." the domineering male presence rebutted casually."Mr. De Ville." the words a breathless whisper. She had momentarily
Sleep had dulled the senses and momentarily erased the previous night's memories. Ivory forced her eyes to pry open, her entire body aching. Her eyes widened, her body instantly shutting down at the sight of a male body sprawled on her bed next to her, his arm resting along her stomach. She blinked numerous times until recollection swarmed over her. She attempted to raise his arm slightly so that she could give herself some space between her, her bed, and the man in it. Ivory slid her body from under him, stumbling to the floor in the process, as a result of her legs getting tangled in the sheets."Damn it!" she mouthed, grasping her shin until the pain subsided and praying the thud wasn't enough to wake Raiden. She stumbled to her feet and limped the rest of the way to the shower. She finally felt herself breathe as the water cascaded over her body. She had no experience with 'just sex' relationships and while she could never regret the night she had with R
Felix laid back into his chair, plugged in his earphones, and closed his eyes for some well-deserved relaxation, notwithstanding the fact that he was at work. Yet he decided to take the risk and just lay back, after all for the past few days he noted Raiden's demanding temper had been taken down a notch or two for some unconfirmed reason, of which Felix had his suspicions.Felix instantly rotated forward as his earphones were ripped from his earlobes, his feet meeting the floor awkwardly, barely able to balance him. Annoyed golden orbs stared blatantly at him. He couldn't register the fact that this woman was angry at him, not when his entire body ceased to function. His eyes perused every inch of her, from her charcoal hair that was screaming to be re-united with her shoulders, although her neck would have no complaints to her bare fingers. He breathed a sigh of relief, no ring."Is it natural for you to be slacking off while at work?" she demanded, almost
"You're telling me Zoey, my Zoey, wanted me to give you her contact information?" Ivory questioned again. This had to be a hoax. Her friend wasn't the type to accept dates with complete strangers. It was very uncharacteristic."Why would I lie?" Felix was growing impatient, his tone bordering on whiny."I am not saying that you're lying, I just find it hard to believe. Also, if it isn't true she'd kill me for giving out her number." Ivory turned contemplative, could Zoey really find Felix attractive? This question plagued her. Felix was handsome, quick-witted, funny, and overall a catch, but she was worried about Zoey's temperament. Could her outwardly cold distant friend be finally ready for a romantic entanglement? Deciding to throw caution to the wind on account of her love for the two people in question and hoping that their characters complement each other, Ivory scribbled Zoey's contact details on a loose piece of paper and handed it to Felix.