"I’m already married."

The second the words left her lips, his hand caught her chin, gripping it firmly—but not harshly. His eyes, however, burned with something rough. Angry.

His eyes darkened.

"Even if you had five kids, I’d still make you mine."

And then—

His lips crashed onto hers, fierce and unrelenting.

His tongue slid into her mouth, claiming her with a hunger so intense it stole her breath. He tasted her like he’d been starving for this—like five years apart had only sharpened the craving, making it unbearable.

Her breaths grew ragged, her chest rising and falling as her senses spiraled under the weight of him—the heat of his body pressing into hers, the dark, masculine scent of his skin, the taste of him melting on her tongue. Raw need coiled low in her belly, tightening with every desperate flick of his tongue and the bruising press of his lips.

Her heart shuddered.

For a brief, terrifying moment, it whispered—

‘He’s come back to haunt me again.’

She shoved at his shoulders, breaking free. Their lips tore apart, but even then, he kept his lips on hers. He didn’t want to let go.

But he never forced her.

The second she pushed him away, he let her go, stumbling back. Her breath came fast, her chest rising and falling as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her glare sharp, furious.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" she snapped.

The damn man smiled.

"Five years," he mused. "And my sweet Ivy still hasn’t stopped cursing."

Her body shuddered the moment he called her that.

The same voice. The same affection laced in his words.

And she hated it. She didn’t want to feel this shudder. She didn’t want to feel anything for Christian Evans ever again.

He got closer again, his hands sliding into his pockets, his head lowering so he could look into her eyes.

"You should get some rest now. I’ll see you again. Soon." He said, his voice almost a threat.

Then, his hand moved, sliding to the back of her head. His fingers found the delicate spot behind her ear, his thumb rubbing slow, deliberate circles. His body was once again right against hers, close enough to leave no space for anything except him standing against her comfortably.

"Don’t try to hide, Ivy," he said quietly, his voice a low grumble. "You know I will find you."

He lowered his face, his parted lips reaching for hers, hunger burning in his eyes. But Ivy turned her head away at the last second, avoiding his kiss, refusing to give him even a glance.

Christian pulled back, his tongue swiping over his lips, restraining the hunger surging through his body. His restraint was thin, barely there. But instead of pressing her further, his fingers moved up to her bun. He found the ribbon tied around her hair and, with a slow tug, pulled it loose.

Her soft curls tumbled down her back, bouncing as they settled.

Christian took a step back, wrapping the ribbon around his hand like a possession, then turned away. Without another word, he walked to his car, got in, and disappeared into the night.

Ivy’s heart was thumping so loudly that she could hear it inside her ears. Her breaths were erratic, her pulse racing. Her knees finally buckled, and she sank down to the ground, her back against the wall.

Blinking rapidly, she struggled to take deeper breaths before pulling out her phone. She fumbled and pressed the call button.