Ivy shook her head. “Don’t.” She took a step toward him and grabbed his hand, the one that held the device. He could only stare down at her as she took the mobile from him and placed it back on the table. “I asked her to bring me to you.” When he frowned, she said, “I’m not marrying Michael.”
It was something he had hoped for. Damn, he tried to convince her not to go through with the marriage many times, before he accepted she would go ahead and do it. She would marry that man regardless of whether she loved him. And he’d got used to the idea, no matter how it killed him. So much so, that now she told him otherwise, he did not believe her.
He pulled his hand from her, his voice gruff. “What game are you playing now?”
“This is no game. I’ve come to you, Junaid.” Her eyes glistened with emotion. “I’ve finished with the Association. We can be together.”
He snarled, and she stepped back. Better she kept a distance from him. Better for him, with less temptation…and better for her, because he had no idea of what he might do in this situation. “The Association has sent you here, hasn’t it? This is some game.”
And now tears came to her eyes. “You really think I’d do that? To you?”
“You love that organization. You’d do anything for its members, including marrying the Manhattan leader’s son. I’m done with you.”
“Junaid, listen to me. I’m telling the truth. I’m not marrying Michael—”
His lion urged him to believe her, but there was a part of him that wouldn’t allow itself to open to any more hurt. “Too late. You can see yourself out.”
And with that, he left the room, slamming the door behind him.
He went straight to the bathroom and locked the door—not that he expected her to follow; he just needed to be inside his own space. He turned on the rainfall shower, hitting the temperature to freezing cold, and stood underneath it…
Had she really changed her mind about marrying Michael?
The part of him that had been hurt by her refused to believe it. But if not, why would she be here? The ceremony was supposed to be taking place now, and instead, she was in his apartment.
A mixture of joy and grief surged through his system. He didn’t understand his own emotions anymore, and he was done with the confusion…yet, this was what he’d wanted. If she’d walked out of her wedding and come to him, why was he running from her? What the fuck was wrong with him?
When he left the bathroom, he glanced down the corridor to see the door to his training room still closed, but his shifter instinct picked up her presence. For a moment, he wondered what she thought of the room. She was used to luxury, but his living room—the largest room in the apartment—was converted into a training area where he usually practiced after getting out of bed each day. Opening the door opposite the bathroom, he entered his spacious bedroom, with its king-size bed unmade and dark red curtains still drawn. He’d really had no intention of getting out of bed today.
He pulled on some jeans. Time to tell her to get the hell out of here. Sudden anger burst through him. Everything would have been perfect if she hadn’t bloody rejected him for someone else. He took a towel and rubbed it through his thick hair, not caring when it tugged, causing pain. He needed pain.
When his mobile rang, it was Blade. “I’ve had a call from the Phoenix reception,” said the demon. “The guests are there, but there’s no ceremony going on. Any idea what’s happening at that wedding?”
“Ivy’s here,” said Junaid. “She’s with me in my apartment and is refusing to leave.”
To his surprise, the demon roared out in laughter. “I don’t know what the hell’s going on with us guys these days, but what the hell…I never liked the idea of having an Association ceremony on my premises, anyway.”
And before Junaid could explain the situation, his boss hung up.
There was a knock at the door. “I said get out of here!” Still, she opened the door and then stood there, looking like a little mouse in that white dress. She stared at him, slowly running her eyes down his chest, following the trail of dark hair down to the waistband of his jeans. He turned his back to her. Fuck, just her looking at him like that made him hard. She entered the room, closing the door behind her. “You need to leave, Ivy.”
“I’m not going to leave you. I love you.”
Those three words rushed through his head, dispersing the rage that had made a home there. He turned to stare at her and again, the need to protect himself from more pain took over. “You don’t mean that.”
She stepped closer. “I mean it, Junaid. I love you.”
WHEN SHE REPEATED THE WORDS, the shifter’s face tightened. “I don’t believe you, Ivy.”
“Isn’t this unexpected? I used to be the one running away, and now it’s you.”
“I should never have come near you in the first place.”
“I’m glad you did.” When he moved back, “What is it? Why are you behaving like you’re scared of me?”
He ran his eyes over her. “Scared of a little thing like you? I don’t think so.”
When she stepped toward him, he didn’t move away. She held her hands out, resting them against his chest, the contact bringing comfort.
How did she think she could be without him? To think she’d nearly given him up for Michael’s cold affections.
He swallowed, and when she shifted even closer, so she could place her arms around his neck, he didn’t resist. “I’m sorry, Junaid,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry it took me so long to realize how I feel about you. I love you…want to be with you…you believe me, don’t you?”
His jaw tensed, brown eyes flashing. “Ivy…I don’t want you to regret this decision later. I couldn’t bear it if you walked out on me again—”
She placed a finger against his lips. “I won’t walk out on you...never again.” And then she went to her toes to kiss him.
His arms went around her as he murmured against her lips. “You promise?”
“Yes.”
He pulled his mouth away from hers. “Step back,” he said, “I want to look at you.” Although her body protested, she stepped away from him. She pulled that jacket down her shoulders and threw it to the side, smiling as his gaze ran over her, sending a slow heat through her system. “You look beautiful as a bride.”
“You’ve got no idea of how uncomfortable this gown is. I might need to get out of it.”
His lips finally curled up in a smile, and she rushed toward him. Now, when she kissed him, there was no resistance from him. Passion seared through her as his hand swept to the back of her bodice, tugging at the lace. His movements were clumsy, and there was the sound of something ripping, but she didn’t care. This dress was going to a charity shop, because she was done with it.
His mouth went to the curves above the bodice, and he pulled the stiff material with his teeth until her nipples poked above it. He closed his mouth over one, making her body jolt. And then he moved to the other, sucking and teasing.
Damn, she didn’t want slow today. She tugged at the waistband of his jeans, and as she opened the fly, his hands went to the back of her bodice to pull until it came away.
He brought her up against him so her naked chest grazed his. As he kissed her, he pulled at the roses and pins in her hair, tugging until her tresses fell free. And then he wrapped her hair around his fingers and drew her head back so he could kiss her deeper. His mouth was hot as she thrust her tongue inside it. When he palmed her breast, teasing her nipple between his fingers and thumb, she whispered, “Fuck me. Now.”
As he lifted his head, his eyes flashed, and something pierced her scalp. He quickly pulled his hand away from her head. “I’m sorry,” he said, giving her a flash of his fangs.
“Don’t be sorry,” she said. “I love this side of you, too.”
He trailed a claw across her lips, and she gently kissed it. “You don’t think of me as an abomination?”
She tugged at his jeans until his erect cock sprang
free. “I told you; I’m done with my old life. From now, I do what I want.” She grinned. “And right now, I want to do you.”
He also grinned as he stepped out of his jeans. He picked her up and lay her on the bed, staring at her for a moment before his hands went to her skirt. She lifted her hips as he pulled the material down with her panties.
He paused for a few moments, staring down at her, before he came to her. He cupped her breast in his palm, flicking his claw over her nipple. She bit her bottom lip to hold back the cry of pleasure. As he took his lips to her other breast, sucking and licking the erect bud, she arched her back, offering herself up to him. When he gently scraped the sensitive bud with his fang, she moaned loud. She reached for him, her fingers tugging at his hair, pressing him against her flesh. Her nipples were tight, crying out for his attention, and he gave it passionately, growling against her skin.
The pressure inside her wound tight, begging for release. She spread her thighs, reaching between them to push the tip of his cock inside herself. He lifted his face to look at her, his eyes flashing fire and fangs elongated as he pushed into her.
As he thrust inside her with long strokes, the sight of his beast turned her on even more, his wild side driving her desperation. She arched underneath him, moaning loud as he shattered her control. He shifted his body, grabbed her thighs and lifting her so her knees rested against his shoulders. The angle meant he went further, increasing the pleasure as he shoved deep, stretching her wide. But it still wasn’t enough. “Junaid…” she whimpered. “More.”
“Fuck, Ivy. I can’t get enough of you, either.”
He lowered her legs, covering her body with his again as he took both her wrists in his hand, holding them over her head as he drove into her, loud grunts leaving his mouth. Her head thrashed from side to side as he pounded into her, hard, a primitive need taking her. He lowered his head and rested his mouth against her neck. Just the anticipation of him sinking his fangs into her nearly made her come, but he buried his face in the pillow instead as he continued to plow into her.
“Junaid!” she gasped. “Do it.”
“No.” His voice was muffled against the pillow. “You don’t want this.”
“But I do. I want you to mark me.”
He lifted his face, both an expression of longing and an effort to keep control on it. “Are you sure?”
Just the prospect sent heat surging through her, and she pushed her core against him to show him how much she wanted it.
He brought his mouth down, and as he thrust inside her, he bit through her skin. The initial pain was followed by a pleasure more intense than anything she’d experienced as, with his fangs inside her, he pounded between her legs. After pulling his fangs out of her, he let go of her hands, his eyes on her face and jaw clenched as he grabbed her hips and pulled her up against him. She clawed at his back with her fingernails, the pressure inside her mounting…and just when she thought she couldn’t bear it anymore, her orgasm rushed through her. As he released inside her, she wrapped her legs around him, drawing him closer as she panted and regained her breath.
Once he was calmer, he pulled out of her and went to his back, his chest still heaving with effort. She stretched out alongside him, her body limp but satiated. When she snuggled against him, his arm came around her, protective.
As she lay against his warm body, for the first time, there was only bliss after being with him. No fear or guilt. It was a peace unmarred by tension or the threat of them parting.
Junaid leaned on his elbow and gave her a soft kiss on the lips before staring down at her. “So, seeing as we’re in love and you’re not marrying that idiot, does this mean we’re officially together?”
Happiness surged through her. “Yes.” She didn’t need to ask him, not after he’d marked her. She trailed her palm across his beard. “We’re together, and you’re stuck with me.”
He smiled before his expression turned serious. “I got a message from Shaun. Have you spoken to him?” When she nodded, “You’re quite the wealthy lady.” He glanced around the room. “I don’t have much to my name, but I have money to invest—”
She placed a finger on his lips. “I don’t want money or status. I need you.” She pushed him back on the bed and then rested her head on his shoulders, playing with the dark hairs on his chest. “But I’ve got the feeling the Association won’t take this insult lying down. And they’ve got some powerful associates.”
He kissed the top of her head. “So have I. We can protect you.”
She smiled against his shoulder. “Thank you, but I don’t want anyone to look after me anymore. I’ll arrange for security. You understand, don’t you?”
“Completely. But if you need help with organizing anything…well…let’s say I’ve got great contacts in the security business.”
“And I wouldn’t mind some martial arts lessons,” she said.
He grinned. “That’s a great idea. You should be able to look after yourself.”
She trailed her thumb against his lower lip. “The only thing is, Junaid, my mother’s a big part of my life, and she always will be. And now we’ve left the Association, she has no one but me.”
“You’re wrong there,” said Junaid, “She has me, too. We’ll work something out.”
And her heart surged with love and gratitude. She kissed him again. “Thank you…oh yes, and there’s also our maid Fareeda. She’s like an auntie—”
“Bring whoever you like into the bargain. I don’t care, as long as you’re included.”
She laughed as he flipped her so she was on her back. He was instantly on top of her. In between his kisses, he whispered. “I want to be with you, always…if you’ll have a shifter.”
She couldn’t think of anything she wanted more…
~ Three months later ~
IVY SAT BACK IN THE chair and stretched her arms out above her, yawning. It was nearly time to leave the main office building, which she’d taken over after kicking Michael out. It had been a long day but one of the most satisfying ones so far. She’d just clinched a five-year consultancy contract with a big global player. A day well spent. She still found it difficult to believe she’d wasted years sitting at home, doing nothing but wait to get married and bear children.
The first couple of weeks had been difficult here, as she’d adjusted to understanding her company and other financial assets. She’d also had to develop a new routine of being at work every day, and telling other people what to do did not come easily at first. Junaid had supported her through the transition, and his experience as a manager helped no end.
And a few weeks ago, mother and she moved from that area brimming with Association members, and they now lived in two apartments in the same block, giving both of them independence. Fareeda stayed in mother’s apartment but found time to hustle her way into Ivy’s place, convinced she could not even manage a meal without her. The arrangement worked well, and although it took some adjustment, Ivy enjoyed her newfound freedom.
The door opened and mother walked in, dressed in a knee-length black dress and matching jacket. She had just had her hair colored dark brown, and that stoop was gone. It as if the last three months had taken years off her. And she’d managed to stop taking those sleeping pills, too. She frowned at Ivy’s laptop, still open. “You’re not spending more time in here, are you?”
“No. Junaid’s picking me up in a bit. We’re going out.”
Mother was initially wary of meeting Junaid, but they got on now, and she sometimes even forgot he was a shifter. As for her friends, they got along with him like nobody’s business. Whereas they’d wanted to stay away from Michael after first meeting him, they were always keen to join Junaid and her whenever they could for a night out. And of course, Ivy got to spend more time with her friends these days. Just today, she’d been out with the girls for lunch.
My life finally belongs to me.
“I’ve emailed you some information,” mother said. “Account balances and de
tails of more investments we should be looking at. But don’t look at them now. Leave it until the morning.”
Ivy smiled. Who the hell was this woman before her? “I will. Did you hear anything from the lawyer?”
“The Association wants an out of court settlement.”
Ivy bet it did. She met with Ann a few weeks ago and suggested she register a complaint against John, but the other woman was unwilling to take on the Manhattan leader. But mother had filed a statement with the police, and when she went public, three more women from the Manhattan branch made complaints against John. Ivy hoped more would come forward.
A small smile crept across mother’s face. “When I mentioned the offer of an out of court settlement to the other women, they said they want to take this to court. They want to make the Association and him pay. In public.”
“Fantastic news.”
The case against John was ongoing, but there had been pressure, through phone calls and anonymous letters, to withdraw the case. Ivy had even been threatened with dire consequences if she did not denounce Junaid and return to the organization. But she was no longer scared.
Pearl leaned over and took her hand. “Thank you, Ivy. For everything.” She waved away her mother’s words, not knowing what to do with them. And then her mobile rang. Junaid. As she answered, her mother winked. “I’ll leave you to it. Have a good night.” And with that, she left the office.
When Junaid spoke over the phone, as always, his voice made her stomach flip. “I’m in the car park, Ivy. Can’t wait to see you.”
She rushed downstairs. No need to worry about her own vehicle, because they were spending tonight together, and Junaid would drop her here in the morning. She opened the door and got inside his car. He leaned in to give her a kiss before moving back to stare at her as if he’d never seen her before. “Your place or mine?”
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