CHAPTER 26: EARTH TO IVY

"Earth to Ivy!" Reuben teased, snapping his fingers in front of her face. "You’re up. Try not to embarrass us this time."

Ivy grinned, rolling her eyes.

"I’m sure I will!" Ivy laughed. She swayed from the force of her own laughter, her balance teetering in those wicked heels. Reuben quickly reached out, an arm wrapping around her waist to steady her.

"Oh my God...I think I’m drunk!" Ivy confessed, dissolving into another fit of giggles, clinging to Reuben’s arm.

"I’ll take you home."

Her laughter stopped cold at the sound of that voice. Impossible to ignore. For a heartbeat, Ivy thought Reuben had spoken, but then she turned her head and saw her boss. He’d seen the way Reuben had touched her. And now, Winn Kane, was inserting himself into her chaos without caring that half the company was watching.

Ivy cleared her throat, fighting to pull her professional mask back into place.

He held her and led her outside, his touch anchoring her through the haze of alcohol and dizzying attraction. Ivy tried to shake herself sober, but the warmth of his body against hers wasn’t helping.

They didn’t make it three steps before they found Sylvia and Sharona waiting near the exit. Sylvia’s mischievous grin spread wide as her eyes darted from her brother to Ivy.

"I’ll meet you at home, Sylvia," Winn said, already pivoting with Ivy tucked securely in his arms, heading straight for his car.

But Sharona stepped forward. "You promised to drive me home, remember? Or are you the kind of man who doesn’t keep his promises?"

"Right. Forgot you won the bet."

He tilted his head, assessing her with narrowed eyes. "Did you come with a car?"

"Yes." Sharona responded smoothly, her smile perfectly measured.

"Give me a minute then." He led Ivy to his car parked at the edge of the courtyard. Reese was already waiting. Winn lowered Ivy carefully into the backseat, her lashes fluttering against flushed cheeks.

"She’s not to be left until she’s inside her apartment. Understand?" Winn instructed. Reese gave a curt nod.

Winn closed the door softly, fingers lingering on the frame longer than necessary, before he turned and walked back toward Sharona. She was waiting with her car keys pinched between her fingers.

"The driver will take me home," Sylvia chimed in with a knowing grin. "You two have fun." Her teasing lilt made Winn grind his teeth.

"So, which one is yours?" Winn asked, trying not to betray that his thoughts were still back in the car with Ivy.

Sharona extended a slender hand toward the curb where a gleaming cherry-red Lamborghini sat. Winn paused, momentarily impressed. "What do you do again?"

She merely smiled, sliding gracefully into the passenger seat.

Winn shook his head, unlocking the car and sliding behind the wheel.

*****

Meanwhile, Ivy staggered into her tiny living room, kicking off her heels with little coordination before collapsing onto her battered sofa. She let out a groan, her head lolling to one side. She shouldn’t have drunk so much. She knew she couldn’t handle wine. It always went straight to her head, and tonight had been no exception.

Thank heavens tomorrow was Sunday. Her eyelids grew heavier with every thought until, within minutes, she was off like a light, body curled into the sofa’s embrace.

Sometime later, through the fog of sleep, she felt a pair of strong arms sliding beneath her. They lifted her effortlessly, cradling her. Her lashes fluttered open, a sliver of awareness piercing the haze. Her lips parted.

"Mr. Kane?"

"Don’t panic. I came to check on you. Just moving you to the bedroom." He shifted her carefully against his chest.

He walked deeper into the house, his sharp eyes flicking across family photos on the walls and a stack of unopened mail on a side table. A door to the right caught his attention, he nudged it open with his shoulder. The room inside was small but warm, a bed neatly made with a comforter that looked soft. Winn didn’t care if it was her room or a guest’s; it had a bed, and that was all that mattered.

"You have beautiful eyes," Ivy murmured.

"I’m still your boss, drunk or not."

"But you kissed me," she whispered, a lazy smile tugging at her lips.

"I was thanking you," Winn countered immediately, the lie smooth on his tongue.

Ivy gave a snort. "Pish posh."

He lowered her gently onto the bed, her hair spilling across the pillow. For a moment he hovered, tugging at the blanket at the foot of the bed, intending to wrap her in it and leave before temptation sank its claws in. But then her fingers, delicate but surprisingly firm, curled around his wrist. She pulled him down, and suddenly his face was only inches from hers. He could feel her breath ghosting over his lips.

"Kiss me again," she whispered.

"You’re drunk."

"I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it," she admitted, her eyes wide, vulnerable in a way that cut through his iron will. "Please... kiss me again."

He lowered his head, giving her the smallest of kisses. It was meant to appease her, to prove he could control himself. But then Ivy moved. Her arms slid around his neck, pulling him closer, her lips pressing harder. She deepened the kiss with a soft moan, and Winn felt his carefully constructed world tilt dangerously on its axis.

"Ivy..." Winn ground out. His self-control was hanging by the thinnest of threads. He lingered there, lips still tingling from the kiss, but then he forced himself back, peeling away. "I have to go."

Her glassy eyes blinked up at him, her lips wet and swollen from their stolen heat. "Stay. Touch me." She whispered, catching his hand and guiding it boldly to her breast. Her curves pushed up against his palm. Winn shut his eyes, summoning every ounce of control in his iron-hard will. His body roared with need, blood surging in directions that made it physically painful to pull back.