Ivy’s POV: My hands found her waist, fingers digging into the soft curves of her hips as I yanked her flush against me. The softness of her body sent a jolt through my veins—*God, she felt good* Keisha’s breath hitched, lips parting in silent invitation. But I didn’t kiss her. Not yet. Instead, I dragged my tongue along the column of her neck, slow and deliberate, letting the smudge of chocolate from my mouth stain her skin. Her pulse leapt beneath my lips, wild and frantic. “—Ugh—“ A soft, broken moan escaped her. I nipped at her throat—hard—just to hear that gasp again. Then I sucked, biting down until her skin flushed red, until her fingers twisted in my hair, tugging. “Ivy—“ Her voice was a whisper, a plea. “You started this,” I growled against her heated skin, my hands sliding down her back , beneath her shirt . One deft flick, and her bra came undone with a *click*. Her breasts spilled free, warm and perfect in my palms. I shoved her shirt up, wasting no tim
Ivy’s POV: The second shot burned just as much, but this time, I didn’t flinch—just hissed through my teeth as liquid fire pooled in my chest. Keisha smirked, already tipping the bottle for another. “Slow down,” I muttered, but she just laughed, tossing her braids over her shoulder. “You’re cute when you’re trying to be responsible.” She smirked, squinting her eyes. I rolled my eyes but didn’t stop her when she slid the next shot toward me. The liquor was doing its job—my limbs loosened, the tight coil in my shoulders unwinding. *Maybe Keisha had a point.* The gnawing worry from earlier had dulled to a whisper. By the fourth shot, the room glowed with a hazy warmth, and I was giggling at nothing—or maybe everything. Keisha leaned against the bar, bottle still in hand, her dark eyes glittering as she watched me. She was definitely halfway gone. “You’re blushing,” she announced, jabbing a finger at me with a grin too wide to be sober. “No, I’m not.” The de
Ivy’s POV I shoved my books into my bag and stood with a faint smirk. “Same time tomorrow?” Lucas leaned back in his chair, watching me. “Same time, same place.” “Yeah, whatever,” I said, rolling my eyes—though I almost smiled as I pushed open the café door. My first tutoring session with Lucas was actually tolerable. Barely. Not as bad as I had imagined. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Although..right now, I had better plans. My girlfriend lived across the city, and I’d promised to visit as soon as I got back to campus. Maybe even stay the weekend if she didn’t kick me out first. The bus stop was quiet, just the hum of distant traffic and the occasional rustle of leaves. I leaned against the pole,scanning the area until— *Beep. Beep.* Probably my girlfriend. I smirked, ignoring it. Surprising her was half the fun. But then my phone kept going off. *Beep. Beep. Beep.* Annoyed, I yanked it from my bag, ready to send some vague, teas
While Ivy was dealing with her shady tutor, Aria found herself locked in a silent battle—her thoughts relentlessly circling back to Kade.. Aria’s POV: The moment Kade left the doorway, I slammed the door shut, pressing my back against it, my pulse hammering in my throat. Slowly, I slid to the floor, the broken plate fragment clutched tight against my chest. I lifted it, turning the jagged edges between my fingers. *Why did he even give me this?* I thought. But deep down, I knew. I knew he gave me so I’d never forget, so I’d keep on reliving what had happened earlier. And *fuck* it was working. The memory hit me like a fever—his hand gripping mine, guiding it down the hard planes of his chest, lower, *lower*..before letting go. Leaving me burning. “Next time, I won’t stop.” That voice—dark, teasing, *dangerous*—curled around my thoughts like smoke. The way he’d looked at me.. like he knew exactly what he was doing. Like he *wanted* me to break. And God, I wan
Ivy’s POV Professor Vance dropped the bomb like it was nothing. “Ivy, meet your new tutor.” *Hell no.* I didn’t need some calculus babysitter hovering over me, judging my every wrong answer. I could figure this out on my own. “Professor Vance,” I said, my voice tight as I glared at Lucas—*the tutor*—leaning against the wall like this was all some big joke. “I’m not interested.” Vance didn’t even blink. “Unfortunately that’s not one of the options.” He leaned forward, palms flat on his desk. “Either Lucas tutors you, or I call your father.” My throat closed up. *Damn it.* If my father found out I’d failed another exam, he’d be breathing down my neck—or worse, locking me in my room with a stack of textbooks until graduation. I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. Vance just stared, unimpressed, while Lucas watched me like I was some fascinating experiment. “Ivy.” Vance snapped his fingers in front of my face. “We’re waiting.” He tapped
**Meanwhile, back at Lancaster’s House…** Ivy’s POV: Sleep was a luxury in this house. Especially when my father was on a warpath. I jolted awake to the sound of his voice cracking through the hallway like a whip. “Tear this City apart if you have to. Find her!” *Ugh.* I dragged a pillow over my head, muffling the chaos downstairs. Maybe if I pressed hard enough, I could drown him out and steal another hour of sleep. My sister had been gone less than forty eight hours, and already, the house felt like a fucking crime scene—tense, airless like the walls were holding their breath. Just as my body relaxed back into the mattress— *Knock. Knock.* *For the love of Christ, what’s the matter this time?* I didn’t bother moving the pillow. “Go away.” “M-Miss Ivy?” A whisper. One of the staff—Maria? Marta?—hovering like a startled bird. “Your father wants you downstairs.” I lifted a corner of the pillow. The sky outside was still pitch black. “For what