chapter 5

POV: IVY STERLING

As I walked through the halls of the law school toward Killian’s office, my fingers trembled, barely brushing the fabric of my skirt. The memory of the night before hit me in waves.

Shit! I could still feel the weight of his massive, powerful body over mine, the scorching heat of his skin, and the way my moans escaped over and over, as if I were a bitch in heat.

How was it possible that I had given my virginity to this man? A few hours ago we were complete strangers and now, my future depended on him.

It was obvious I had made a mistake; my mind screamed yes, but my body… my body held onto the sinful memories of his thrusts like a damned craving.

I had no idea why he had summoned me. I wondered if it was to discuss "that," to ask for my discretion or, even worse, if he was going to humiliate me by saying that last night was a mistake.

With that in my head, I stopped in front of the imposing dark wood door. "Killian Blackwood," I whispered as I read the gold lettering. Taking a deep breath, I gave a couple of light knocks.

“Professor Killian, it’s…”

“Come in,” his voice cut through the wood before I could finish speaking.

A shiver ran down my spine. “Come on Ivy, you just go in, talk, and leave,” I told myself over and over, trying to regain my sanity. I pushed the door open and, immediately, the air escaped my lungs.

What the hell! It wasn't a typical professor's office. It was a sanctuary of glass and black steel located at the highest point of the faculty. It didn't take long before the delicious scent of this man flooded my nostrils.

I lightly scanned the office until my eyes stopped on Killian. He was standing in front of the window, his back to me, with a posture that radiated a latent danger.

Without saying a word, he walked to my side, so close that the heat of his body made the hair on my arms stand up. I lifted my face expecting him to draw closer, but he only veered toward the door behind me and turned the key.

Click.

That small metallic sound echoed in the room, making the air grow tense.

“Why… why did you summon me here?” I asked, feeling how each word burned my throat.

He didn't respond immediately; he only began to walk around me. In that instant, I felt my inner wolf clawing at my chest with savage desperation. It was madness. He wasn't my mate; Mark was. But as Killian closed the distance, the hidden mark on the back of my neck began to throb with a searing fire.

“Sit down, Ivy,” he ordered, stopping behind my back. I felt his hot breath near my ear.

“I prefer to stand. Tell me what you want. If it’s about last night…” I tried to say.

But my words were cut off by his voice:

“About last night?” Killian let out a dry laugh as he stepped in front of me. “Don't be so egocentric, Miss Sterling. Do you really think I woould call you to my office to discuss a slip-up in a bar? Do you value yourself that highly?”

Those simple words humiliated me more forcefully than any slap. I froze, feeling my cheeks turn red with shame. But when I thought it was enough, he spoke again:

“Tell me something, Ivy… Do you usually sleep with strangers often, or do you only do it with your professors to ensure a perfect grade?”

What the hell? Fury wrapped around my body and I crossed my arms over my chest.

“How dare you?” I shouted at him, my eyes burning. “You know perfectly well it wasn't like that.”

He kept that smile, but this time, he took a step back and lit a cigarette.

“Oh, yeah? And how was it? A girl, alone in a bar, throws herself at a stranger who happens to be her professor. What does that make you, Ivy Sterling?”

I clenched my fists tightly and took a step toward him.

“You have no right! Besides, I never told you my name… How did you know it? Who are you, really?” My questions came out like an uncontrolled torrent.

Killian remained silent, letting my accusation float in the air without importance. There was no trace of regret in his eyes, only a frigid arrogance that made me feel minuscule.

“Answer! That encounter in the bar wasn't a coincidence, was it? You knew who I was!”

I needed answers. I wanted to know what this man wanted with me and why my wolf felt so attracted to him, to the point of giving him our virginity and not wanting to leave this office filled with his electrifying aura. In the middle of my shouting, a roar resonated, making my whole body tremble.

“Enough! Your questions are irrelevant now,” he said, ignoring my fury.

“They aren't irrelevant, it’s disgusting!” I shouted at him, losing my composure. “I demand answers!”

He let out a sigh of boredom and headed to his luxurious desk. Without taking his eyes off me, he opened a drawer and slid a black leather folder across the polished surface.

“Open the folder, Ivy. Stop screamming like a child and behave like the woman you claim to be.”

I wanted to retort, but with my hands trembling, I approached and opened the document. My eyes scanned the figures and, for a moment, the world stopped.

“But… how?” I asked in a whisper full of intrigue.

The folder contained my father's financial statements. Foreclosures, loans with usurious interest rates, debts amounting to millions of dollars. Much more than I ever imagined.

“I knew my father had problems… but this can't be real. He said the scholarship was secured, that the loans were minor…”

Killian listened to my words and, instead of giving me a word of encouragement, he let out a mocking snort. With his imposing figure, he settled into his seat and crossed his arms, while his eyes looked at me with a coldness that knew no mercy.

“Your father is a liar and a coward, Ivy. He borrowed money to save a company that was already dead. And he borrowed it from the wrong people.”

It was impossible. The debt was much larger than I could imagine. I couldn't remain as the daughter of a debtor; that would ruin my career.

“I'll pay you,” I said suddenly, with desperate determination. “I'll get two or three jobs. I'll talk to the bank, I'll ask for an extension. I don't need you getting into my family matters.”

Killian scoffed, a cruel smile curving his lips. He stood up and leaned over the desk, invading my personal space. Shit, his mere presence made my panties wet, but seeing those dangerous eyes, I knew my hell was about to begin.

“So many jobs to pay off ten million dolars?” He laughed in my face. “Don't be stupid. Look at the signature of the bank that bought the mortgage on your house and the primary Sterling debt.”

I lowered my gaze slowly until my eyes fixed on a watermark I hadn't noticed: ‘Subsidiary of Blackwood Industries.’

“You… you bought his debt,” I asked, stunned. “But, why? I don't understand…”

For a second, a wave of hope crossed my body, but it disappeared in seconds upon hearing his voice.

“Help you? Oh, no, Ivy. I bought you,” he clarified, straightening up.