Jamison smiled softly, lowered his head, and kissed his wife again.
This time, Ivy didn’t flinch or seem surprised. Instead, she shifted naturally, angling herself so their noses wouldn’t bump–making their kiss fit perfectly.
When they finally tumbled onto the bed, Jamison hovered above her, gently brushing her messy hair away from her face. He chuckled, “I love your bedhead. It’s adorable–makes you impossible to resist.”
Ivy grinned. “You’re ridiculous…”
“Yeah, I think so too. The moment I met you, I haven’t felt quite sane…”
He murmured as he slipped off his bathrobe, pressing another breath–stealing kiss against her lips.
Ivy closed her eyes, her lashes trembling.
Her therapist’s words echoed in her mind. She felt self–conscious, a bit hesitant.
But then she remembered all the ways this man had cared for her–how he loved her with an open heart, never holding back. That thought gave her courage.
“Um… can I… would you mind if I took the lead this time? Could I be on top?” she managed, summoning all her nerve.
Jamison stared at her, wide–eyed, instantly alert. “Are you sure about that?”
She bit her lip, cheeks flushed, her heart pounding as she explained softly, “The therapist said… maybe if I changed roles, took some control, it could help me move past things. Maybe it’ll make it easier.”
He looked even more surprised. “You’ve been seeing a therapist?”
“Yeah.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve gone with you.”
Jamison’s hospital had a counseling office, and he knew how much courage it took to seek help.
Therapy often meant digging up old pain so it could finally heal. No one should have to do that alone.
Ivy gave a small smile. “I’m not as fragile as you think. If I can handle something myself, I will. But if I need you, trust me, I won’t hesitate.”
1/4
14.06
She hadn’t told Jamison for a reason,
She worried that if he saw her confronting her pain, he’d only get anxious and distressed on her behalf. Better to spare him that.
But even as she tried to hide it, Jamison understood. “You didn’t want me to worry, did you?”
Ivy reached up and stroked his cheek, her gaze warm. “That doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m getting better.”
“Are you sure you’re ready… now?”
“I’m not sure, but I can try. The therapist had a point.”
Jamison smiled, though a faint crease appeared between his brows as he considered. “Alright, whatever you want. I’m happy to just relax and enjoy.”
With that, he rolled over, pulling Ivy with him so they switched places.
He lay back; she was on top.
The shift made Ivy instantly nervous.
Before doing anything else, she leaned over and turned off every light in the room.
In the pitch dark, Jamison’s voice came, tinged with concern.
“Ivy…”
“Yeah?”
“Are you sure you want it this dark?”
“What, are you afraid of the dark?”
“No, I just… I’m worried you won’t be able to… well, never mind. Guess you’ll have to figure things out.”
He couldn’t help thinking that letting a total beginner take charge might be a tall order.
But it turned out Dr. Ludwig’s worries were unnecessary.
Smart people can accomplish anything they set their minds to.
In the heat of passion, as the two of them became one, Jamison couldn’t help but, sit up and hold her tightly in his arms.
Ivy was trembling, a little lost, when he sat up, bringing his shoulder close to her
2/4
11.05
Chapter Su
mouth. Instinctively, she bit down, not holding back at all…
Night wrapped around them, heavy with longing.
Their love blazed bright, wild and intoxicating, filling the darkness with the scent of blooming flowers–heady, overwhelming, and impossible to escape.
And then, as dawn approached and that wild beauty faded, everything finally stilled.
Morning crept in, golden light peeking through the curtains, slipping between the cracks to fill the room with warmth.
Jamison’s phone buzzed. He quickly reached out and silenced it, but the movement woke the sleeping beauty in his arms.
“Hmm… what time is it?” Ivy mumbled, still half–asleep.
“Seven. It’s early.”
After last night–twice, exhausting every ounce of energy–he knew there was no way he’d make the morning rounds. He’d already arranged for his colleagues to
cover him.
But he’d forgotten to turn off his alarm.
“Go back to sleep. I’ll stay with you,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her hair, his voice impossibly gentle.
Ivy kept her eyes closed, still drowsy, but her mind was already ticking away.
She was quiet for five minutes. Just as Jamison thought she’d drifted off again, she raised her head, her voice deliciously lazy. “We should get up… I have class this
morning.”
Jamison frowned. “Class? Which period?”
“Second. It’s a core course–the first one of the semester. I can’t be late, definitely can’t skip.”
Before she even finished, she was already sitting up, yawning.
As she moved, her body stiffened suddenly.
Now she finally understood what people meant when they said their whole body ached after a wild night–the soreness in her waist, the feeling she might just fall
apart.
3/4
11:05
Chapter Su
Jamison caught the discomfort in her face, and instantly reached out, his warm palm gently soothing her lower back.
“What are you doing?” Ivy jumped, twisting around in surprise.