Page 57 of Raising Love
So, not discussing the hookup and simply pretending it never happened felt like the best decision in my eyes.
After changing Baby Love, I reached for him, lifting him into my arms and holding him in the way Marta, his baby nurse, taught me. The position allowed him to drink his milk while minimizing the gas he’d have later.
As I fed him, Ivy moved around the room, picking up a few items scattered on the floor. She left for a moment and returned with a newly filled bottle, placing it in the warmer on his baby table for the next feeding.
I tracked her with my eyes as she moved, curious if her thoughts mirrored mine.
When Baby Love fell asleep during his bottle, Ivy draped a burp cloth over my shoulder. Her hand brushed against my neck, sending an instant jolt through my body. The simple touch ignited memories of her hands against me, holding tight while her body responded to everything I gave her that night.
I cleared my throat, adjusting Baby Love’s position as I patted his back until he gave me the satisfying burp I was working for.
“Thanks,” I said, meeting her eyes.
A small smile started to pull at her lips. I could see it trying to take shape, but she stopped it. “You’re welcome.”
Baby Love burped again, then nestled into me as I held him for a few more minutes, ensuring he was fully asleep before laying him down in his bassinet. Ivy leaned in, positioning his head carefully so he’d be comfortable.
Once we were sure he was settled, she and I stepped out of the nursery one at a time, her first.
I was closing the door behind us when she said, “Leo.”
I turned to face her in the dimly lit hallway. Her eyes sparkled, the natural glow of her cheeks catching the light effortlessly and drawing my attention.
She ran a hand through her hair when she noticed me staring. The movement shifted her robe, hinting at the fact that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath.
She focused back on me, licking her lips slowly. “You know we need to talk, right?”
Her voice wasn’t her usual we-need-to-talk tone, the one full of irritation or exhaustion. This time, it was heavy with something else. Something familiar. Something I’d convinced myself I wouldn’t pursue after that night.
But now, standing here, looking at her—beautiful as ever—all that resolve evaporated.
I closed the space between us in one swift move, watching her eyes widen when I slid my hand past her jaw and into her hair. The moment my lips pressed against hers, those same eyes closed.
I half-expected her to push me away. Maybe even slap me for daring to kiss her after how strained things had been. But she didn’t. She kissed me back just as fiercely, melting into me and eliminating any remaining distance between us.
Ivy was a phenomenal kisser. She understood the give-and-take, how to submit without losing control, and how to take charge when the moment called for it.
Her soft moan was all the encouragement I needed. I wrapped my arms around her, lifting her by her thighs. All my previous thoughts about why this was a bad idea, why we shouldn’t hook up again, or why I wanted to pretend it never happened, vanished.
We went from the hallway to my bedroom, shedding what little clothing we had along the way. By the time she straddled me, one leg on either side, I was already guiding her down onto me.
Greene Gardens had more streetlamps than necessary, illuminating our neighborhood with a steady glow. While we didn’t have many neighbors and nothing much to worry about, the streetlights made it unnecessary to use our house lights at night.
That soft glow spilled into my bedroom, casting a warm light over Ivy.
She found her rhythm quickly, rocking and rolling her hips with the confidence of a seasoned rider.
“Shit, woman,” I groaned, pushing my head back into the pillow and gripping her ass. “Why is your pussy so fucking tight like this? My God.”
I closed my eyes, letting myself drift into the thoughtless bliss she created. My hands slid from her waist to her lower back as I followed her rhythm, each glide pulling me deeper into her.
I bit my bottom lip, completely immersed in the moment, not caring about the fight we’d had days ago or what might come after this.
Just… reckless as fuck.
I opened my eyes to find hers already locked on mine.
That look. The focused, detailed-oriented woman I knew was still there, working in perfect harmony with the spell we’d cast over each other.
