Chapter 60: It’s An Honor

Chapter 60: It's An Honor

Leo

I hurt Ivy. Again.

The realization sat like lead in my gut as I watched her pick at her food.

I didn’t know how it happened. One second she was answering my question honestly, the next my vision went red and my hand was wrapped around her arm like a vise.

The worst decision I’d made all month. Maybe all year. And now she wouldn’t stop looking at me like I was a loaded gun with the safety off.

She wouldn’t meet my eyes for more than a second. Her shoulders stayed tense, her body language screaming careful.

Even as I lifted another spoonful of the warmed casserole toward her mouth, she turned her head away, fingers twisting nervously in the hem of my t-shirt that barely covered her thighs.

“Eat,” I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady.

She shook her head. “No. I’m full.”

I sighed and set the plate down on the bedside table with a quiet clink. “You’re scared of me.”

Her head snapped up quickly, eyes wide. “No. I’m not. I really don’t have an appetite, so I can’t eat any more.”

I chuckled, but there was no humor in it. The sound came out hollow. “You don’t have to lie to me. Or pretend.” I picked up the plate and headed toward the door, each step feeling heavier than the last.

At the doorway, I paused and glanced over my shoulder. She looked so small sitting there in my shirt, bruise already forming on her arm like a brand I’d left on her.

“You can leave if you want to, Ivy. I’m not holding you hostage here. I want you. But not like this. Not this version of you.”

I walked out before she could respond. Before I could see the relief in her eyes.

Each step down the hallway felt like wading through concrete. Letting her go would probably be the kindest thing I’d ever done for her.

She was right to be scared. I was a ticking time bomb. A boxer with a hair-trigger temper and hands that knew how to destroy.

Any smart girl would run. Ivy was smart. She had told me to my face that she wouldn’t marry me. She had told me I needed help. She was doing the right thing.

But I had never been one to do what was right.

I washed the dishes mechanically, the hot water scalding my hands as I scrubbed harder than necessary. The burn felt good. Deserved. I wanted pain. I wanted to punch something until my knuckles split.

I would definitely train later, after I dropped her off. That would help. It always did.

When I returned to the bedroom, she was still there. Sitting in the exact same spot on the edge of the bed, hands folded in her lap, staring at the floor.

My heart clenched so hard it hurt.

“Still here?” I asked, keeping my voice calm and even. “I’ll drive you anywhere you want to go. Let me have a shower first. I’ll be quick.”

I didn’t wait for her answer. I couldn’t bear to hear it.

I walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind me, twisting the lock out of habit even though I knew she wouldn’t follow.

The shower roared to life, hot water beating down on my shoulders like punishment. Steam filled the glass enclosure as I stood there, head bowed, letting the heat punish my skin.

My mind replayed the moment I’d grabbed her, the fear in her eyes, the small sound of pain she’d made. I slammed my fist against the tiled wall once, hard enough to sting.

The door opened.

Ivy stepped inside. Naked.

My treacherous body reacted instantly, cock hardening painfully against my will. Shit. I turned away quickly, facing the spray. I didn't want to scare her again. She'd probably think I was a freak for getting aroused in a situation like this.

“Give me a moment. I’ll be done soon—”

She didn’t let me finish. She crossed the distance and wrapped her arms around me from behind, pressing her soft breasts and hardened nipples against my back.

The contact sent electricity shooting down my spine. Her cheek rested between my shoulder blades, warm and trusting.

I cursed under my breath, gripping the shower wall. “Your nipples are literally pressed against my back.” I released a harsh breath, fighting every instinct to spin around and take her right there. “Ivy, I’m a man. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m not exactly known for my self-control.”

She laughed softly, the sound vibrating against my skin. “Don’t leave.” Her arms tightened. “Stay with me.”

I spun in her embrace, pressing her back against the cool tiled wall. Water cascaded over both of us, soaking her hair until it clung to her shoulders and breasts. “You don’t want me to leave?” I asked, voice rough. “You want me to stay?”

She nodded shyly, a small smile breaking through. “I’m not leaving anymore.”

“Why the change of mind?” I searched her face, water dripping from my lashes. “I hurt you. You were mad at me. Scared of me. Planning to leave—”

“Relax.” She placed a gentle finger on my lips, silencing me. Her touch was feather-light, forgiving. “I’m staying with you for the next two weeks. There’s no one else here. I’m keeping you company, Leo. I’m not going anywhere.”

A real smile broke across my face — surprised, relieved, almost disbelieving. She was choosing to stay. With me. After everything.

I kissed her then, pressing my body into hers, the evidence of how much I wanted her hard and insistent against her stomach. “Thank you,” I whispered against her lips. “Thank you for not leaving me.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer under the spray. “I don’t want you to be alone. I don’t want you to hate yourself.” Her eyes met mine, earnest and vulnerable. “If I leave, I fear you’ll hurt yourself. There’s no one here. Mrs. Kathy is gone. Your dad is out of the country. I won’t leave you, Leo.”

I smiled against her neck, nuzzling the wet skin there, inhaling the sweet scent of her mixed with the steam. “Is that the only reason you’re staying?” I asked, half-teasing, half-terrified of the answer. “Because you’re worried about me?”

She shook her head slowly. Then she rose on her toes and kissed me — soft at first, then deeper, bolder. When she pulled back, her cheeks were flushed.

“I want you, Leo. I want all of you. Now.”

My blood roared in my veins. I lifted her effortlessly, bracing her back against the wall as her legs wrapped around my waist. Water poured over us like a curtain. “Do you know what you’re asking?”

“Yes. I'm ready.” Her voice was quiet but steady, eyes locked on mine. “I want to have sex with you, Leo.”

“Christ.”

She smiled, running her fingers through my wet hair before pecking my lips again. “Fuck me, Leo. Take me. Make me yours. I'm inviting you in.”

“Jesus Christ, Ivy…”

She reached down between us and wrapped her hand around my cock, stroking tentatively. “Fuck me now. Fuck me here, Leo.”

“Right here?” I kissed her again, hungry. “Against the wall?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Why?” I asked, genuinely curious even as need clawed at me. “That’s oddly specific.”

“In case I bleed,” she admitted, blushing furiously and looking away. “I don’t want to ruin your bed.”

I chuckled, low and warm, then lifted her higher in my arms. “Nonsense. If you’re bleeding, you’re doing it in my bed.” I carried her out of the shower, water dripping everywhere, not caring about the mess. “I’m not taking your virginity against the wall.”

“What if it—”

“Save your breath,” I cut in gently, kissing her forehead as I lowered her onto the bed. The sheets immediately soaked beneath us. “Consider me old-fashioned. Stain my bed. I want to know you bled on my sheets. It’s an honor.”

She laughed softly, the sound breaking through the lingering tension, and pulled me down on top of her.

For the first time since I’d hurt her, she looked at me without fear in her eyes. Just trust. Want. And something deeper that made my chest ache.

I would spend the rest of these two weeks proving I was worthy of it.