Ivy had felt bad for Jamison, knowing he’d been working late all week, so she’d thought one round in bed would be enough to ease his stress.
She never imagined he’d ambush her again in the middle of the night.
Half–asleep, groggy and annoyed, she tried to push him away, her hand landing on his shoulder in a feeble attempt at protest. But her gentle swat barely registered–on his firm, muscled back, it was little more than a tickle.
Jamison loved her most in these moments, when she was drowsy and defenseless, soft and sweet like a kitten–so different from the sharp, ambitious woman she was by day. Only when she was half–awake did she shed her cool, competitive edge and become someone so tender he could hardly resist.
When she started to get annoyed, Jamison leaned down and kissed her, his breath warm as he whispered, “Just relax–let me take care of everything. You sleep.”
That only made Ivy more exasperated.
Even if she were dead tired, there was no way she could fall asleep with him like
this!
So round two began, with Ivy protesting half–heartedly, which only seemed to drive Jamison wilder. By the time he finally collapsed beside her, they were both breathless and spent.
She lost track of how long they slept. When Ivy woke again, lips pressed against hers, she thought he was ready for a third round. Frowning, she was about to snap at him–was he ever going to let her sleep?
But the kiss ended quickly. Then she felt his fingers gently brush her hair, and his voice, low and affectionate, murmured in her ear, “Get some more rest. I have to
head to work.”
She couldn’t remember if she replied. All she knew was that, when she finally woke up for good, staring at the ceiling, she felt as if she were floating on air.
Her whole body was weightless, but her limbs ached, and she was exhausted.
Her mind was a blank, except for the flashes of last night that kept replaying.
It took her a while to summon the strength to get out of bed.
Catching sight of herself in the mirror, she frowned at the deep mark on her neck. Annoyed, she snatched up her phone and shot off a voice message to the culprit.
10:33
“Jamison! If you leave a mark on my neck again, you’ll be sorry!”
She knew exactly what he was up to.
Last night, he’d seen some guy flirting with her and gotten jealous, so he’d left that hickey on her neck–a not–so–subtle way of warning everyone: Hands off, she’s taken.
She figured he’d be busy, but his reply came almost instantly.
“Sorry. I lost control after a few days without you.”
Ivy’s cheeks flamed.
What a shameless guy.
Out in public, he was all cool detachment and icy silence, but behind closed doors, he was reckless, passionate–almost wild. She wondered how two such different sides could exist in the same man.
Thankfully, the weather had turned cold. She just pulled on a turtleneck and managed to hide the evidence.
With autumn settling in, the first chilly rains had arrived.
When the bell rang, Ivy walked out of the lecture hall to find rain pouring down, the wind biting and cold. Students hurried past, shivering and hunched against the
weather.
She’d left home that morning under clear skies–and hadn’t brought an umbrella. Judging by the downpour, she’d have to wait for it to let up.
Suddenly, a vaguely familiar voice called out.
“Where are you headed? I’ll walk you over.”
At first, Ivy didn’t realize it was meant for her. Not until someone tapped her arm with an umbrella did she turn around in surprise.
It was her old roommate, Roberta.
Roberta opened the umbrella wider and asked again, “Where are you going? I’ll walk you.”
Ivy was about to decline, but then thought it would seem petty to refuse someone being so kind. She smiled politely, “Thanks. I’m heading to the library.”
“That’s perfect. I’m on my way back to my dorm–it’s right by the library.”
So Ivy stepped under her umbrella.
As they walked through the rain, Ivy searched for something to say. “Did that woman ever bother you again?”
“No. I changed my number and moved off campus. She probably can’t find me now.”
“You moved out?” Ivy asked without thinking. “Are you living with your boyfriend?”
She realized the question was too personal the moment it left her mouth and quickly apologized. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have pried.”
“It’s fine. Yeah, I’m living with my boyfriend now. We’ve been together for two years, so it’s pretty normal.”
Ivy just smiled, not sure what else to say.
They reached the library steps. Roberta climbed with her, sheltering her all the way
to the door.
“Thanks,” Ivy said.
“No problem.” Roberta didn’t look back, just headed down the steps and disappeared into the rain.
Watching her go, Ivy couldn’t help but feel Roberta was bound to get her heart broken someday. If they’d been close friends, she might have tried to warn her. But given their history, even if she said something, Roberta wouldn’t appreciate it.
She turned and headed into the library. As soon as she swiped her student ID and walked through the gate, a tall figure rushed up to her.
“Ivy! I’ve been looking for you for days!”
Ivy jumped, then scowled as she recognized him.
Lamont. Again.
Why couldn’t he take a hint?
The last few times she’d seen him, he’d been in basketball gear, the picture of a cheerful, sporty guy. Today, he wore street clothes and looked unusually grim–she almost didn’t recognize him.
She had no interest in talking to him, so she turned away.
10:33
Chapter 507
But Lamont hurried after her, his tone sharp. “I just found out my sister was
transferred to another department–and I heard your husband had something to do with it. He forced her out, didn’t he?”
So that’s what this was about.
Ivy was taken aback for a second, but she didn’t slow down. “Your sister broke the hospital’s rules. My husband was just doing his job.”
“I don’t care. You two need to get her transferred back. She hates her new assignment.”