Chapter 20
Ivy’s POV
I sat upright, scrolling through the news feed. “What did it say, Marsha?” I asked, biting my fingernails anxiously.
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Marsha, my personal assistant for years, replied, “It’s been generally positive. I think fans are truly fascinated with the ideal of you two being a couple…”
I looked up from my phone to her. Marsha was a fiery redhead with striking green eyes.
“I can’t tell if you’re serious right now or just pulling my leg…” I said skeptically.
She smiled at me. “I am serious…”
We had announced our marriage. Well, technically Asher had–without my input. I knew it was bound to happen at some point, but I was still unprepared. Not him, though. He showed up at an event wearing his ring, making sure to flash it for the cameras. It didn’t take long for the media to piece it all together, with pictures of us in public flying around.
“You and Asher are loved by the fans. They think it’s beautiful that you’re married, though some also think it’s kind of crazy…”
“Finally! You’ve spoken the truth!” I exclaimed.
Marsha smoothed her hair. “I don’t know, Ivy. I’m just a bit shocked. I can’t come to terms with the fact that you got married!” she said aloud, looking at me with wide eyes. “I was away for a month, and you got married to a hot billionaire. But that’s beside the point- how?”
“I don’t even…”
A knock on the door interrupted me. A security man stepped in. “You have guests, ma’am,” he uttered.
I sat upright. I was in my private condo out of town, and not many people knew about this place. “Who is it?” I asked.
The words had barely left my mouth when Asher walked in, accompanied by a tall, dark man. Asher strolled in casually, hands in his pockets, wearing sunglasses. He pulled them off as he approached. “I thought I heard my wife’s voice.”
Marsha’s eyes widened, and she waved. “Hi.”
He extended a hand to her, flashing his boyish grin. “Hello…”
“Marsha,” she responded.
“Hello, Marsha. I’m…”
“Asher. Ivy’s husband,” she blurted out.
He grinned wider. “Ivy’s husband,” he echoed. “I like the sound of that. This is Miles,” he gestured to the man behind him. “He’s my assistant.”
Marsha waved at Miles.
I stared at Asher, perplexed, a hundred questions running through my mind at once. Then it hit me. I was only wearing a large pajama top. His eyes followed my gaze, and he didn’t bother hiding his appreciation. “Wow…”
My cheeks flushed, and I folded my arms across my chest. “What are you doing here? How did you find my…”
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Chapter 20
“Asher,” I began, but he cut me off smoothly.
“Now, Ivy. Usually, when people get married, they move into the same house,” he said, closing the distance between us.
I wasn’t ready to. And I didn’t have a good reason why. “That doesn’t answer my question at all,” I muttered, sucking in a breath as he came closer.
“Your parents really love me. They’ll tell me anything at this point.”
I groaned, rolling my eyes.
“Ivy, save that for later, when we’re alone.”
I didn’t immediately catch his meaning, but when I did, I bit down on my lip, trying to suppress the blush creeping up my neck. “Why are you here?”
He looked around, surveying the room. “While this place looks cozy, and I can see why you’d come here to unwind, we are now a couple. It’s as official as it gets. Everyone knows.”
“Yes, because you flashed your ring in their faces…”
He ignored my jab. “They all think we’re a perfect match–except, of course, my own wife,” he said with a teasing glance at me. “What do you think, Marsha?”
“Um…” Marsha hesitated.
“Are we a suitable couple?” he prompted her.
She nodded quickly. “Yes, of course you are!”
He turned back to me with a triumphant look. “See?” He moved closer, brushing his fingers lightly across my cheek. “You’re going to pack for our honeymoon, Ivy. After that, you’ll move back into the apartment. Your side of the bed is getting cold…”
“You’re not…”
“Remember, you readily signed the contract yourself,” he cut in smoothly. “It clearly said we are to live under one roof and share a room.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing came out. He was right. I had signed the marriage contract, fully aware of the terms. I knew I was supposed to live with him, yet here I was, hiding away. The truth was, I was putting distance between us because, even as I stood there looking at him, I knew how hard it would be to resist him. Especially when he looked at me like he was ready to devour me.
I tucked my hair behind my ear, averting my gaze. “I was going to come ho… to your house. I just had a few things to handle on my end,” I mumbled.
He held my gaze for a long moment. “I missed you,” he whispered.
I bit down on my lip again, and his eyes darkened, trailing my movements. I looked away, unable to hold his intense gaze any longer.
“Our honeymoon is in a few days. We have a trip to the Maldives planned…” He turned to Marsha. “Marsha, I need you to help me pack a bag for her. Pack plenty of hot bikinis…”
My face flushed with heat. “You’re joking.”
“I’ve been away from my wife, and I’ve missed her,” he continued smoothly. “Lingerie too. You know the drill, Marsha. I’m
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Chapter 20
trying to consummate our marriage.”
Marsha nodded, her cheeks matching mine in color.
I shook my head in disbelief. “You’re delusional if you think anything is going to happen between us…”
He leaned in, whispering in my ear, “You’re delusional if you think you can resist me for that long.”
