Page 11 of Ivy

“And what, exactly, is going to happen, Captain Cocky?” Addy says with a smirk on her face.

“Finally, huh?” I smile at her.

“Yep. So, what’s the plan?”

“I’m going to tell Dex and Jay that I want Ivy. Simple.” I shrug and open the front door for them to walk through.

“Simple?” Cassie says.

“Yep. I’m done messing around. Peaches will be mine. But I know I have to go slow, so I will. For now.” I say the words and wait for the panic to start, but it doesn’t come. I am so fucking ready to start this.

Chapter 6

Ivy

I walk into Castle Ink and set my bag under the front counter. A paper aeroplane lands at my feet, and I smile at it. I pick it up and lean my hip against the counter, looking around for Luke, but he isn’t in sight. He always draws intricate designs on the wings of the planes. Today, it’s stars and flowers entwining.

I slowly unfold the model and see what he has written today. I’ve been getting three or four of these a day since Luke came back to work a week ago. It’s crazy how much I missed him after that night. I wasn’t scared of him at the pub; I was scared he would get hurt. I had been frozen with fear when that a stranger put his hands on me, but unfortunately, Jay took it the wrong way. He thought I was scared of Luke. I could never fear him; I know in my heart he would never hurt me. I smile at the words that are written in neat handwriting. He sometimes sends me weird fruit quotes, calling me ‘Peaches’, which is weird and cute.

‘Sometimes I’m an arse, but as sweet as a peach.’

I chuckle and place the aeroplane in the basket I bought to keep these special notes under the counter. Seeing a new side to Luke has been refreshing, but it still worries me that his lifestyle will come between us. I hate all the women he’s sleeping with. Even though he’s been super sweet to me and Carter, sending me the little notes, the women haven’t stopped, and each time I see it, I take an emotional step backwards, not forward like my heart wants. The bell above the door rings and a pretty, older woman steps in and smiles at me.

“Hi, can I help you?”

“Yes. I have a booking with Luke. Is he ready for me?” My stomach churns at the look on her face. She clearly knows about Luke’s exploits here at the studio. I plaster a fake smile on my face and reply to her.

“I’ll let him know you’re here. Take a seat.” I point to the couch against the wall, before walking around the counter and towards Luke’s room. I gently push open the door and see him sitting in his chair, playing on his phone with a smile on his face. My heart sinks straight into my stomach as I question who could be making him smile. Is it a girl he’s already had sex with? Is he sexting someone? Maybe it’s a tit-pic or something.

“Luke, your one-thirty is here, and she’s ready for you,” I say sarcastically. Luke lifts his head, and his beautiful smile disappears. He stands and places his phone on the worktop, before moving closer to me. I step back, and he frowns at me.

“Why?”

“Why what?” I reply.

“You moved away from me. Why? I thought we were over this fear of me,” he says, confusion lacing his voice.

“I’m not afraid of you, Luke. God, how many times do I need to say this.”

“So why won’t you let me touch you?” I chuckle humourlessly. I can’t believe his question. Doesn’t he see that what he’s doing is wrong? Being sweet and flirting with me but sleeping with a shitload of other women. How can he expect me to let him touch me when he gives his touch so easily to every other woman who shows interest in him?

“Do you want me to be honest, Luke?” I see his small wince at me using his birth name.

“Always, Peaches,” he insists.

“Fine. I hate that you’re sweet and flirty with me, and then turn around and sleep with a bus load of other women. I’m sorry, Luke, but I don’t share very well. Call it being an only child; I don’t care, but when something is mine, it belongs to me and only me.” I take a deep breath after my mini rant. It feels good to get it off my chest.

Luke stares at me, no emotion showing on his face. I shake my head and leave the room. I don’t get far before Luke comes charging out behind me. He takes a gentle hold of my wrist, stopping my steps. I love the way the heat seeps from his touch into my skin. He is always so warm, like a patio heater.

I turn my head around to face him and he grins the typical Beast smile at me. It always takes my breath away when his eyes brighten and his smile fills his face. Those damn lips of his look even more kissable when they turn up. It makes it harder to be pissed at him.

“Baby, things aren’t always what they seem. I—”

“Dammit, that’s what Jay says. What the hell does it mean, Beast?”

“You see me with all these women and you think the worst of me, but have you actually seen me kiss them?” I shake my head. “Cop a feel?” I go to speak, but he stops me. “Okay, I did with that one girl, but that was your fault.”

“My fault?” I ask in disbelief.

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