Page 5 (1/2)

"Hi, Ivy," his perfect lips spread into a gorgeous smile that even I couldn’t be totally unaffected by But it was part of his charm, part of what made him who he was and even if physically I couldn’t stopattracted to his sexy-as-sin mouth, I could at least mentally remind myself of the price it caed one shoulder and then walked over to the couch just for soo check the account ere just talking about," Nix addressedfor a better reason to leave the room "We’ll leave as soon as you’re finished" Nix turned his reassuring smile on my mother and lifted his dark eyebrows expectantly

"Of course," she agreed, obeying him There had never been any doubt in my mind that she wouldn’t do exactly as she was told She lived a complete subservient life, in the utter will and command of Nix The saly into as well

Not happening

Eighteen Eighteen Eighteen Eighteen

Once she was gone, Nix walked over to the couch I fought the defensive surge to pull ive away the physical signs of needing to protect s instead Nix let his dark eyes float overhis gaze linger way too long on et when his eyes moved to my hands He couldn’t see the tattoo; I had checked it out enough to know that it was perfectly hidden Still there was a part of

He was just amore

"Hoas your first day back?" he asked, his deep, gravelly voice caressed each word and floated in the air around od-like in his immaculately tailored navy blue suit, with starched white oxford and red charcoal tie His tan skin was the exact color of caramel and because I was crazy I stopped to notice how delicious his large hands looked hanging casually at his sides

"Same as it always is," I answered, not fooled at all by the cocoon of safety he was trying to wrapbut absolutely dangerous

He sat down on the chic, mustard colored coffee table in front of me and rested his elbows on his knees so that he could lean forward and ers trail up my bare calf before he reached for one of oose bumps that covered ood goose bu desperately inside of me

"Ivy, I am happy you’re home," he ad up at h his thick, black eyelashes It was a practiced irl puddle at his every word I was not fooled, but I had to be somewhat sneaky about it "I was so worried about you You can’t do that to ht? I need to know that you will be Ok, here If you don’t think this is a good environment for you, or if you feel even a little bit like you could relapse I need you to tell me"

"Thank you, Nix," I answered in a barely controlled voice "But, I’ain She needs me"

He sat there pensively for a fewin my answer His eyes darkened suddenly and I couldn’t stop er I hoped anger, but flipping a coin would have givento read his expression

"But what about what I need?" Nix asked playfully His full lips tipped up into a s it seeularly happy person, that a smile was part of his constant facial expressions

I sed quickly,I buried whatever thoughts sounded like What about what I need?

"Nix, I’m only sixteen," I chastised playfully Where was my mother?

"No, that’s not what I meant," he backtracked e both knew that was exactly what he meant But I wasn’t his property Not yet "I onlyI understand that your ations I need to know that you’re safe, that you’re well taken care of and that you’re protected"

"I am," I assured him

"I know that you think you are, but let’s not forget what happened just six o I could have lost you Ivy Do you knohat that has done to me?" His expression seemed so sincere and if I were a weaker wos for me It didn’t matter how old he really was, he looked like he was h for my stupidity," I threw ic play I had to convince Nix, my mother… I had to convince everyone And I would do whatever it took to get out of here If Nix took me to live with him, I would never see freedoh the fear and vile hatred coiling inside of e of the couch and slipped my other hand in his I rubbed ently, aI wanted with ht I won’t ever let that happen again… I won’t ever behave like that again" I shrugged one ofattention to the curve of ainst hih h a thick voice "Proain and if you even think youyou’ll come to me ih sincerity that even I alood girl," Nixon asp, preparing for his touch One of his hands lifted to cup my chin and he tilted htly, gently, his lips never opening but lingering a little longer than I could stand

When razed over his wrist one ripped h he pulled away instead of deepening the kiss I knew it took all of his will power

"You’re exquisite," he whispered "And if I didn’t love your mother as ht now"

Well, at least I could thank ruffly as if he were trying to gain his composure and then stood up and moved away fro that would get me into trouble and slid back into the deep recesses of the couch

My ner coat over her designer dress and a beaded clutch in hand She gaveat Nix as if I had just won soame

I broke out in a cold sweat

"I’ll be in town for a while," Nix told"Do you already have a date for this weekend or will I be able to take you out one night?"

"I, uh, I," I stauy today; he gaveset up, but I’m positive he’ll ask me out this weekend"

"Good," Nix murmured and I could see the confliction in his eyes He was happy there was a boy but disappointed all the same "Maybe Sunday, then?"

"Maybe," I answered noncoht?" I turned to my mom

She looked to Nix for the answer, he shook his head negatively "I guess not," she giggled "Will you be Ok?"

"I’ll be fine, have a great tione