Page 44 of Unwrapped

“Why don’t you run home, shower and change while I get ready here?” I say through broken giggles as he pretends to gently bite my breast. “Then, we’ll head out to the suburbs.”

“Deal,” he says standing up, his cock still mostly rigid, even after our marathon session. He quickly pulls on his clothes, planting a long, wet kiss on my lips that has me wanting to tell him to forget what I said and take me back to bed. “I’ll be back in an hour or so.”

He bounds out of my apartment like a kid on Christmas morning, which is ironic because that’s actually what I feel likeright now. I dance into the bathroom, blaring Christmas tunes and singing along through my shower.

I'm finishing getting ready in my bedroom a little later, my phone buzzing with a text alert.

Zane

Hey, it’s Zane. I know this is short notice and it’s Christmas morning so no worries if you can’t make it, but any chance you could meet for a quick chat? I’m in your neighborhood.

I chew my bottom lip nervously, glancing at the time. In my excitement, I got ready in almost record time, leaving me enough time to meet with him. I type out a quick response, hitting send and grabbing my coat to head downstairs.

Ivy

Sure thing. Meet me at the coffee shop on the corner of 114th in 5.

Zane is already there when I arrive, two cups of coffee waiting on the table. His expression is serious as I slide into the seat across from him.

“You really were in my neighborhood.” I laugh nervously.

"I was outside your building actually," he says, pushing one of the cups toward me.

"Thanks,” I gesture with a nod toward the coffee. “Outside my building?” I crook a brow, “and how’d you get my number by the way?”

“Uh,” his eyes shift from mine with a nervous laugh, “I took it from your file. I could have asked Asher for it, same with your address but I had hoped,” he lifts his gaze up to meet mine again, “that we could keep this between us?” I don’t respond, lettinghis pause linger between us for a few uncomfortable seconds. “I have to be honest, I wasn't sure you'd come,

“Because of our last conversation?" I ask, wrapping my cold hands around the warm cup. "When you warned me about Asher?" I don’t mean for it to sound passive aggressive but there’s a sting to my words.

He winces slightly. "Look, Ivy, about that...I know it probably seemed out of line, maybe it was but I’m not sorry I said it. That’s not what this is about.” His gruff tone is back. “I need to know if you're serious about him. Because he's serious about you—more than I've ever seen him with anyone."

"I am," I say firmly. "I know you were trying to protect me when you told me to be careful with him, but Zane, I think I understand him better than you realize."

He studies me for a moment, a strange mix of emotions crossing his face. "You know, it's funny how life works out sometimes. The right people have a way of finding each other, even if the timing isn't what you'd expect."

"What do you mean?"

He takes a sip of his coffee, seeming to choose his words carefully. "Let's just say I've watched Asher go through relationships that were never quite right. Always something missing, always... settling. But with you—" He pauses, a knowing look in his eyes. "It's like watching someone finally find what they've been looking for all along."

"It's not just him," I admit softly. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."

"I can tell." He leans back in his chair, his expression softening. "It's not just you I was trying to protect," he admits, running a hand through his hair—a gesture so similar to Asher's it makes me smile. "After seeing him stupidly fall head over ass for different women over the years, thinking they actually loved him and not his money…” he shakes his head. “I couldn't bear tosee him get hurt again. But the way he looks at you..." He pauses, a small smile finally breaking through his serious demeanor. "Actually, I've only seen him look like that back in the day, before all of this actually," he gestures with his hand aimlessly.

My curiosity piques. "Oh?"

He just shakes his head, that knowing smile still playing on his lips. "That's his story to tell. But let's just say some things are worth waiting for."

"I love him," I say simply, surprising myself with how easily the words come.

Zane's smile widens. "I know. That's why I wanted to see you before you headed out today. I wanted to apologize for being so... protective before. And to tell you that I'm glad it's you. You're exactly what he needs—what he's always needed."

I feel my eyes getting misty at the weight of his words, sensing there's more meaning behind them than I fully understand. "Thank you, Zane. That means a lot."

He reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. "Just promise me one thing?"

"What's that?"

"Make him happy. He deserves it. You both do." He pauses, then adds with a gentler tone, "And Ivy? Don’t you fucking dare tell Tessa I have a heart.” And with that, he tosses me a wink, “Merry Christmas” and walks out.

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