Chapter 73: I’ve been thinking about you

Ivy’s pov

I was definitely dancing with the Devil.

The look on Gideon’s face while his question hung in the air told me that much. Every eye in the room was on me.

How did he even remember what I had said? What kind of brain was he packing under that glorious head of hair?

Did everything have to be big about him?

Big body, big dick, and now a big brain too?

I had to think fast.

I forced a nervous smile, my lips twitching.

"Oh, that. Well, I have a friend who works in the city planning department. We’ve talked about it a few times. I’ve always been interested in business, you know? If I could go back to college, I think I’d study business administration."

Roman’s arms tightened around me, his chin resting on my shoulder. "You didn’t go to college, Vivi?"

The question might look innocent, but it felt like another trap. My smile grew tighter. "I, uh, I dropped out," I lied, the words tumbling out in a rush. "Money was a little tight."

God, how many lies was that now? Could I even keep track anymore? It felt like I was building a house of cards, and Gideon Knight was holding a giant fan, about to blow it all away.

His piercing eyes were still on me, that glint of suspicion sharp in his blue eyes. I swallowed hard, trying to force down the panic that was rising in my throat. I couldn’t let him see how scared I was.

"Well, in that case," Kai broke the tense silence. He leaned forward, a slow, wicked grin spreading across his face.

"We can do what she suggested. Looks like I owe you a treat later, little Ivy."

"I’m not a dog you can reward with a treat," I snapped, scoffing at him.

Chase Wellsbury, who had been watching us, narrowed his eyes. I could only imagine what he was thinking, seeing as I was straddling Roman. "Working for the Knight brothers certainly seems... eventful."

Roman gasped dramatically, his arms flying up to hug me tighter against him.

"Eventful? She’s my princess! Of course, it’s not stressful!" He shot a playful glare at Chase.

"Are you trying to poach our housekeeper, Uncle Chase?"

I swatted at his arm, my face burning. "Stop it," I muttered before turning to give Chase a sheepish smile. "It’s not too stressful, really, sir."

Gideon stiffened at the head of the desk while Milo was glaring at me furiously all through. He could go eat shit.

"Not too stressful?" Kai quipped from across the table, leaning back against his chair to place his legs on the table. His arm was fully healed, and it was poking at the bandana on his head. "You make it sound like we make you break rocks all day."

"Have you tried cleaning the rooms in this house? Or the massive courtyard? Or the pool? It is like breaking rocks!"

"Oh, come on, talking like you don’t handle big things beautifully." He had the gall to wink at me! I blushed so hard, I was sure I was matching with a tomato right now. Why the hell would he say that?

"She’s a rock-breaking expert," Roman chimed in, nuzzling my neck. "My beautiful, strong Vivi."

"You two are impossible," I sighed, fighting the small smile playing on my lips. I could only imagine what mischief they had gotten up to when they were younger.

"She’s got you there," Chase grunted. "You two are a bit much."

"But she loves it," Roman insisted, his voice a low murmur against my skin.

While we were bickering, my eyes drifted to Gideon and Milo talking quietly in the corner. Their voices were too low for me to hear, but Milo glanced over at me; his expression was so cold, so full of contempt, that it sent a shiver down my spine. He flashed me a dirty look, and my blood ran cold.

I doubled down and gave him an identical glare.

Soon, the meeting was officially over. Gideon, Milo, and Chase were filing out of the room, and I wanted nothing more than to get off Roman’s lap. I started to, but his arms tightened around me like steel bands, refusing to let me go.

Kai raised a brow as he reached the door, his gaze flicking between me and his brother. "Still holding her hostage, Ro? Come on, don’t be barbaric."

"Move along, Kai. She’s mine right now."

Kai gasped dramatically, his hand flying to his chest. "In the conference room? Ro, you naughty, naughty boy."

My face flushed beet red. "Roman, stop it," I protested, trying to wiggle out of his grasp. "Let me go."

But he just tightened his grip, his lips brushing against my ear. "Shhh, Vivi," he whispered, his voice a low, seductive hum that sent a wave of heat through me. "Just stay with me for a minute."

His breath was warm against my skin, and I could feel the tension in my body start to melt away, replaced by a different kind of tension altogether.

He was so warm, so solid, and his scent was intoxicating. I could feel the hard muscles of his chest against my back, and the way his heart was beating against my shoulder blades.

"See?" he murmured, his lips tracing a path down my neck. "Isn’t this better?"

I couldn’t answer. I could only feel the heat of his body, the hot skimming of his lips down my neck while his hands were stroking my sides, his touch light and teasing.

My body clenched and throbbed, coming alive. God, why was I so putty when it came to these men?

"I’ve been thinking about you," he whispered, his voice thick with desire. "Thinking about this."

He turned my head to the side, and his lips claimed mine in a hungry, possessive kiss. His tongue swept into my mouth, tasting me, devouring me, and I moaned, my hands flying up to tangle in his hair.