Chapter 24: Collecting the Prize
Garrett
"You cheated."
Ivy wrung out the ends of her damp hair and glared at me. As fierce as the look was, its effect was probably not what she intended, and the longer I watched her pout, the wider my grin grew. I knew it wasn't just the mock irritation glimmering in her deep brown eyes that made me smile. It was the rosy spots in the apples of her cheeks, the curls forming in her hair, and the little dent in her bottom lip where she pressed her top teeth when she got nervous.
"How did I cheat?"
Her shoulders went to her ears as she shrugged. "You had to have cheated. Unless bobbing for apples is something you practice regularly. It took you less than ten seconds after he said go."
I pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. The slight touch earned a sharp intake of breath. "I was highly motivated to win."
Ivy cleared her throat and tightened her coat around her as we resumed our walk along the path through the festival. "The prize was the same."
"Only because I was hedging my bets. I planned on winning either way." Moving in front of her, I continued to walk backwards, crossing my arms over my chest and arching a brow. "Don't tell me you're the kind of girl who wants someone to let her win."
Fire flashed gold in her eyes. "Absolutely not. I'm just the kind of girl who likes to win."
She stumbled into my chest when I abruptly stopped walking. I put a hand on her lower back, drawing her against me to steady her, and I cupped the base of her head with my other hand, pulling gently on the hairs there to force her to tip her head back.
Lowering my mouth to her ear, I whispered, "There are no losers in this game."
She gripped the edges of my jacket, her lashes fluttering over her cheekbones as I scraped my teeth over the smooth shell of her ear. If we weren't in the middle of a park, this interaction would end differently. I considered kissing her as I stepped back, but that would just be torture, spending the rest of the day with her taste on my tongue and being able to do nothing about it.
We stood across from each other; the crowd breaking around us as they passed. Some mumbled irritably, but I didn't care. This woman consumed me, ready to do whatever she asked me to do, though right now I prayed she would take my hand and drag me back to the hotel room.
Instead, she drew in a deep breath and asked, "How's your eye?"
Reflexively, I raised my hand and touched the tender skin behind my glasses. The slight pressure stung, but I withheld my wince, well aware Ivy was watching for any sign of pain. Adjusting my frames, I winked at her.
"It's fine. Makes me look like a sexy bad boy."
She snorted and shook her head. "Definitely proof that looks are deceptive."
Shoving my hands in my pockets, I walked alongside her, insecurities tugging my smile down. "I bet you're used to someone a little smoother in the bedroom than that."
Ivy dodged a child chasing after an escaped balloon, then she raised her eyes to mine, blaring incredulity twisting her features. "You think you're the one who wasn't smooth? I gave you the black eye, not the other way around."
"Is that why you've been avoiding me? You're embarrassed? Or is it because—"
Because you realized what we were doing was a terrible idea?
I swallowed the question. Somehow, it was easier thinking that was the truth than knowing for certain that was the truth. I'd spent too long convincing myself I could go after what I wanted, only to have her pull away, but... My chest swelled with a ragged inhale. If she didn't want me, there was nothing I could do.
"What do you think?" She muttered, pushing her palm between her eyes. "I've done nothing right this entire trip. I don't even know why you want to be around me."
We reached the pavilion, where musicians were setting up for an evening performance. Someone tuned a banjo, the twangy strings letting loose a few jarring notes before settling into smooth perfection. Ivy watched them, her nose wrinkled and shoulders sagging.
"Why would you even think that?" I grabbed her chin and made her look at me. "We've worked together for years, but I never really knew you. In the last week, I've learned you're kind, exceptionally bright, and..."
"And?" she pressed, her fingers curling around my wrist.
"You're so fucking beautiful it makes me ache. Every day I've told myself I shouldn't touch you. That I should keep it professional. But every second I've spent with you has made that impossible."
"I could break your nose next time," she said, and behind the joking tone, there was a trembling note of vulnerability. Like she was truly terrified she would make a mess of things.
Which made little sense. Everything I'd heard about Ivy from others suggested she was a woman who was very comfortable in the bedroom. A man-eater. A seductress. But then, hadn't already learned that my previous impression of her was wrong. Why couldn't the rumors be wrong too?
Or maybe... Hope bloomed in my gut. Maybe she was scared because she felt what I felt. That there was a chance for something deeper than just lust between us, and it was that thought that told me this was a risk worth taking.
"Just don't break my heart," I whispered, lowering my mouth to hers.
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