Page 15 of Ivy

“I know, kid. You would have reached the moon if I didn’t stop you. But what do you say we go back to my house? We can get warm and watch a film. Any film you like.”

“Any?” He eyes me skeptically. I nod my head and he jumps down off the swing before screaming at Ivy while running towards her. Her head snaps in my direction and I wink at her. I walk over to them as the other woman calls her child over, and they leave, saying goodbye to us. The lady winks at Ivy, making her blush, and I chuckle.

“Come on, Peaches, let’s go to my place.”

“Your place?” she asks. I nod, but Carter cuts me off and explains.

“Luke said we can go to his place and I can watchwhateverfilm I want.”

“Any film?” she asks, and I nod. Her smile breaks out big time, and I can’t stop myself from smiling back at her. “God help you, Luke Baker. God help you. Come on, trouble,” she says to Carter, and takes his hand.

We walk around the building towards my car. As soon as we hit the car park, Carter slides his tiny hand into mine, and my heart stops. Bloody hell, this feels right. Fucking perfect actually.

****

Ivy’s words come back to haunt me as I silently pray to God for help. Carter decided he wanted to watch the Power Rangers movie and is now watching the TV series. The cringeworthy dialogue combined with mediocre action scenes have numbed my brain and made me want to get rid of my TV altogether.

I sigh again as Carter puts on the next episode, making Ivy chuckle. Wench. After the first five, I asked Carter about the show and he gave me a full lecture on all the Power Ranger series and their character and storylines. Needing a break from staring at the screen, I go and get a drink. It’s just after six, and I know Ivy will want to take Carter home soon, so I opt for pop instead of beer. I have never driven after drinking alcohol, not even one. My dad was hit by a drunk driver years ago, and it scared the shit outme and my family.

I lean against the kitchen counter and look into the living room, watching Carter absorb the fighting on the TV. Ivy looks at me over his head and smiles, before making her way to me. I take a drink, wetting my dry mouth. The sight of her in her tight blue jeans, with a black and white checked shirt over a white vest top, making my dick pay attention. She was wearing white Converse, but took them off when we arrived, so now I can see her grey socks with little white hearts. She’s cute, as well as sexy, but she doesn't know it.

“Hi,” she says when she stops in front of me. She bites the corner of her lip, and my cock takes notice. Greedy fucker.

“Hi. You okay?” I ask, like a dumb fuck.

“I am. Better than you can know. Thank you for dinner, Luke.”

“No problem, Peach. I’m always happy to take you guys out for dinner, or whatever we plan.”

She nods. “Thank you for my note.” She looks down and plays with the corner of her shirt, a cute blush settling over her face. I lift my hand and cup her jaw gently, lifting her face to mine.

“Love seeing that,” I state. She frowns, clearly not knowing what I mean. I move my thumb over her cheek, feeling her skin heat under my touch. I really fucking hope her whole body flushes pink when she’s aroused and coming on my cock, my fingers, and in my mouth.

Oh, hell yeah. I smirk at her.

“That blush. I’m gonna bet that you will blush all over when I’m taking you, Peaches.” She gasps and her blush deepens, and I laugh. I can't stop it.

Her face takes on a stern look, brows scrunched together, but I silence her before she can berate me.

I lean in and kiss her. Her lips are soft and warm, perfect for me.

She tastes of the candy floss we ate during the film—thank God I stock junk food for when the kids come over. I slant my head and deepen the kiss, and she sighs into my mouth, her body melting against me. This makes me fucking happy??to know that she’s enjoying this as much as me. Her kisses say it all.

Yeah, the beast has taken hold of his peach, and he can’t fucking wait to take a bite.

Chapter 8

Ivy

It’s been two weeks since Luke took Carter and me out for dinner after school and then took us back to his house for film time, or as Beast calls it, ‘braincell-killing time’. Since then, we have spent many afternoons together at his house and mine. Seeing him with Carter makes my heart melt, but it also still scares me a little. I know Luke would never hurt us, but I thought that about Tim when we first got together. However, we’re taking things slow—one day at a time.

After making sure Carter is sleeping, I head down to my living room and settle down on the sofa opposite Dex and Jay. They showed up at my door a few minutes ago, wanting to know what’s going on between me and Luke. They know we’re seeing each other, but not much else, and they refuse to believe me when I say we aren't that serious yet. Luke isn't helping the situation. He’s always telling them we’re a couple.

“So…” I leave the question hanging between us.

“You and Luke, for a start. Details, now,” Dex says. Jay sips his coffee, keeping a watchful eye on me.

“What about us?” I ask. Yeah, I’m playing dumb, but I can tell by the cocking of Dex’s eyebrow that he wants me to stop stalling, and talk.

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