Page 29 of Raising Love
I must’ve gotten lost in my stare because I didn’t realize Ivy had closed the distance between us until she pressed a finger to my forehead, forcing my gaze back up to her face.
“What the fuck are you looking at?” she whispered, her brows raised in mock annoyance.
I let out a scoffing laugh as she pushed me back and out of the nursery.
She turned to close the door, slowly and carefully, so the lock wouldn’t click.
My eyes wandered again, tracing the strands of her hair to her ass, and then settling back on her legs.
“Did you just get in?” she asked, flicking on the hallway light and turning to face me.
“Yeah,” I said, forcing myself to focus on her face. Not that it helped. Under the light, her features looked even softer.
She stared at me for a moment before asking, “What?”
“Huh?”
“Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked, her voice low. “What’s going on with you?”
My gaze drifted off again before she snapped her fingers in front of my face, pulling me back.
When I refocused, I saw the furrow in her brows and the faint smirk tugging at her lips.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I said, a small smile forming. “You just… you look nice.”
Her brows knitted further in confusion.
“Your hair,” I said, reaching out to take a strand between my fingers. “And this whole look—dressed down. I’ve never seen you this dressed down before. And so… relaxed.”
She giggled softly. “What are you talking about, LV? I look a mess. Please.”
That made me smile wider. “LV. Feels like it’s been forever since you’ve called me that.”
She dropped her gaze to her feet, then glanced toward her bedroom. “I’m going to put something on.”
I wish she wouldn’t.
“You’re good,” I insisted. “I brought food. We should head down and eat.”
She scanned my face for a moment, a smirk still tugging at her lips.
I nodded toward the stairs. “Come on. I got your favorite, too.”
She studied me for another beat before nodding. “Okay, cool.”
I gestured for her to go first. “Ladies first.”
She laughed quietly, obliging as she headed downstairs.
Little did she know, I didn’t insist she go in front of me just to be polite. I just needed another look.
How had I not realized how fine she was?
EIGHT
ivy
