Page 28 of Unwrapped

Ivy

Good to know I have such an effect on the infamous Asher Mercer. I guess I’ll have to take full advantage of that.

Her words linger in my mind, the innuendo clear. My body tightens at the thought of “full advantage,” and I find myself shifting again in my chair, trying to get comfortable. This woman has no idea what she’s doing to me—or maybe she does, and that’s exactly the problem.

My assistant’s voice crackles through the intercom, pulling me back into the moment. “Mr. Mercer, your meeting with the marketing team is in fifteen minutes.”

I reply with a quick, “Thanks, Keri,” but my head is still full of Ivy—how she felt beneath me, how her eyes had softened as she traced lazy patterns on my chest afterward, her lips swollenfrom our kisses. The way her body felt so natural against mine. Suddenly a pang of regret hits my ribs.

Why didn’t I make an effort in high school? We could be ten years in the future right now.

I glance down at my phone, hesitating before sending one more message, my thumb moving across the screen deliberately.

Asher

I can’t stop thinking about last night.

You’re dangerous, Ivy Calloway. You’ve got me thinking about things I shouldn’t be thinking about while I’m sitting in my office. Making me wish you were spread out on my desk right now so I could take my lunch early.

There. Let her chew on that while I try to get through this meeting without completely losing my head.

I don’t even bother to look up when I hear a knock at the door. Zane’s unmistakable presence fills the room as he steps in, leaning against the doorframe with that same damn smirk he always wears when he’s about to get on my case.

“I know, I know, I’m late for the marketing meeting.”

“You’ve been staring out that window for a good twenty minutes. Want to tell me what’s going on, little brother?” His eyes gleam with amusement, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what—or who—he thinks is responsible for my distraction.

I shrug, trying to play it cool, but there’s no hiding the fact that Ivy’s still on my mind. “Just thinking about some things,” I say, leaning back in my chair, trying to suppress the grin that threatens to spread, “nothing important.”

Zane raises an eyebrow, stepping inside and closing the door behind him with a soft click. “Yeah, right. I heard you’ve beenspending time with Ivy Calloway. Interesting choice, Asher. She’s not like the usual girls you entertain.”

The way he says “entertain” makes my jaw clench. Zane has always had a knack for seeing through me. I shoot him a look, trying to keep things casual. “I’m working with her and Tessa on that new business. I’m just giving them some advice.”

He snorts. “Advice, huh? And that’s why you took her to the Christmas market? And why you look like you’re seconds away from spacing out again right now and clearly didn’t get an ounce of sleep last night.”

I can’t help but shift in my chair, the taste of Ivy—of her skin, her lips, her breathless moans—still fresh on my tongue and lips. “It’s… not what you think,” I lie, but even I don’t believe it.

Zane arches an eyebrow, his skeptical expression cutting right through me. “Sure, it’s not. Look, I get it. Ivy’s smart, driven, not like the usual women you’ve been involved with. But that’s exactly why you need to tread carefully.”

I roll my eyes, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the desk. “Why do you care, Zane? Since when do you care about who I spend time with?”

His expression softens, and for a moment, I see that brotherly concern in his eyes, something I don’t see often. “Because I know how you get when someone catches your interest. You dive in, you play with fire, and when it burns out, you walk away without looking back.”

I narrow my eyes at him, even though I know he’s right. I’ve never let anyone get close enough to burn me. But Ivy? She’s different. She’s already so far under my skin, I don’t know if I could walk away even if I wanted to.

“I’m not trying to screw anything up,” I mutter, more to myself than to him. “She’s not like anyone else.”

Zane looks at me for a long moment, then sighs, standing up and patting my shoulder. “Just be careful, Asher. Don’t drag her into your world if you’re not ready for what comes with that.”

As he heads for the door, my phone buzzes again. I glance down, my heart skipping a beat when I see Ivy’s reply.

Ivy

I can’t stop thinking about last night either.

Maybe we should do something about that. Tonight?

A slow smile spreads across my face as I type my reply.

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