"Of course!" Bobby nodded enthusiastically, unwilling to let go of such a valuable opportunity.

"Good," Christian said, pulling Ivy toward his car and opening the door for her. "Ivy and I will head there first. We’ll meet you at the restaurant."

Without waiting for Bobby’s response, Christian got in, shutting the door in Bobby’s face.

"Drive," he instructed the driver.

Ivy, on the other hand, was fuming.

Chapter 10 Mine

Not only had he barged into her office, but he had also interfered with her job, her boss, and twisted the situation to make it look like their relationship was far more intimate than it was. Now, Bobby was probably thinking all kinds of things.

She turned her sharp gaze on him, her fury clear. "When are you going to stop interfering in my business? I told you—we have nothing to do with each other."

Christian’s eyes remained on her, watching the anger on her face, the way her brows knitted, and her lips pressed into a thin line of displeasure. Without a word, he suddenly leaned in to kiss her.

Ivy pulled back instantly, glaring at him. "Are you even listening to me?"

Before she could react further, his hands moved. One slid behind her neck, the other under her legs. In the very next second, she was lifted off her seat and into his lap.

"Stop it!" she gritted out, struggling against his grip.

Instead of letting go, he tightened his arms around her, holding her in place. His eyes remained locked on her face. One hand secured her against his chest while the other reached up, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

He leaned in again. Before she could take a breath, his lips claimed hers.

She squirmed, her hands pushing against his chest, but the damn man didn’t budge. His lips moved over hers, his tongue sliding in, licking and kissing her deeply. One of his hands slid to the back of her head, fingers gripping gently, holding her still as he continued his slow, unrelenting licks.

Her stiff body gradually weakened, her resistance fading.

Sensing her surrender, Christian’s touch softened, his lips moving more gently, coaxing her. She breathed against him, her body melting into his embrace. A small smile played at his lips as he deepened the kiss, his fingers traced delicate strokes behind her ear, and she shuddered in his arms. He kept her enclosed in his lap as if she were a precious treasure.

The kiss continued the whole car ride, his lips licking hers, his tongue stroking. The car gradually came to a stop after a while.

"Sir, we’ve arrived," the driver announced before stepping out.

Christian finally pulled back, his face mere inches from hers. His breath brushed against her lips as his hand caressed her cheek with gentle strokes. His gaze, warm and unreadable, lingered on her face.

Then, without a word, he reached for her purse, unlocking it and pulling out her lipstick.

Removing the cap, he lifted it toward her lips, but she reached out to snatch it away.

He pulled his hand back, his eyes narrowing. "If you want to walk in with swollen lips, or spend the entire night in this car with me, go ahead—try that again."

Ivy’s fingers clenched into fists before dropping into her lap.

Christian lifted the lipstick once more. His thumb wiped away the dampness at the corners of her mouth left by his tongue before he traced the color onto her lips with delicate, even strokes. He smoothed it out with his finger, ensuring it was perfect. His touch was gentle, every motion filled with careful attention.

Once satisfied, he leaned in to kiss her again, but she turned her face away, pushing against his chest as she tried to get off his lap.

"You have no right to interfere with my job," she hissed. "That was such an asshole move! Why did you make it look like I know you and then invite yourself to dinner?"

He didn’t release her. His voice was calm but firm. "Ivy, don’t go around having dinner alone with men. It’s not safe."

"I can take care of myself," she snapped. "I have everything under control. Bobby is my boss. You shouldn’t interfere in my work anymore."

Christian’s brows knitted, tension thickening in the air. "He’s not a good man. You shouldn’t be alone with him."