She let out a small huff, placing the box on the couch beside them. "Stop moving," she muttered, grabbing his hand again. Dipping a cotton ball into antiseptic, she began dabbing it on his wounds.

Christian leaned into her, resting his face against the curve of her neck, inhaling her soft scent. He watched as her small hands worked with the utmost care, her gentle strokes barely pressing against his skin.

He couldn’t stop smiling. The little furrow between her brows, the soft strokes of the cotton—she treated him so carefully, as if she feared she might scar him if she pressed any harder.

He pulled her closer into his embrace, letting her settle comfortably in his lap as she continued to treat him with utmost attention and care.

"How did you get hurt?" she asked, glancing up at him while still dabbing the wound.

"A dog scratched me when I was out," Christian replied nonchalantly. "I took care of him, though. Don’t worry, it’s just a scratch."

Ivy narrowed her eyes. He was clearly lying, making up excuses.

Pressing her lips into a tight line, she started dabbing harder on his wound with an annoyed grumble. "You lie so much. Thatwasn’t even a tough question." She huffed. "I don’t think these injuries are enough. You should have gotten scratched more."

"Ow!" Christian winced as she pressed harder on his already wounded skin.

She immediately stopped, her gaze flicking up to meet his.

He leaned in again, nuzzling against her neck. "That hurt, Ivy," he grumbled softly.

Ivy’s fingers trembled slightly before she dropped her gaze back to his hand. Her touch turned softer immediately, she continued treating his wounds more gently. Once done, she carefully placed band-aids over the visible scratches before putting the first-aid box away.

Just as she did, Christian tightened his grip around her waist, turning her fully to face him. He leaned in, kissing her cheek. Then, in one swift move, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom. There, he took a seat on the couch.

Before Ivy could adjust herself, Christian snatched her to the side, pulling her into his lap. His large hands gripped her thighs, spreading them apart over his as he settled back against the couch. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down her spine.

“What are you doing?” she murmured, worried about his injury.

“Want to feel you,” he muttered, his voice a low, rough growl as he pulled her flush against his chest.

His hand slid up her bare thigh, his palm gliding over her soft, heated skin as his lips descended on hers. He claimed her mouth in a deep, consuming kiss, his tongue sweeping past her parted lips to taste her. He devoured her, his mouth hotand demanding, his tongue teasing her lower lip before slipping inside, stroking and tangling with hers.

Christian’s other hand roamed over her smooth legs, his fingertips gliding up her calf to the sensitive skin of her inner thigh in slow, lingering strokes. His touch was slow and teasing, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. Her thin robe did nothing to shield her from the rough warmth of his touch. His mouth remained on hers, his hand tightening in her hair as he deepened the kiss, swallowing the little moans escaping her throat.

Christian’s mouth left hers and trailed down her neck, biting and licking at the delicate skin until she whimpered. His hand slid beneath her robe, fingers brushing over her thigh before creeping toward her core.

“You smell so good,” he rasped, his nose grazing her throat as he inhaled deeply.

His other hand moved up, cupping her breast through the thin fabric. His thumb brushed over her nipple, teasing it to a hardened peak. Ivy gasped, her back arching instinctively, her thighs clenching around his hand.

"Christian..." she moaned, breathless.

“So fucking soft,” he murmured, lips grazing her ear, teeth teasing the sensitive flesh.

His hand slid lower, fingers finding the slick heat between her thighs. His fingertips brushed over her swollen clit, making her body jolt against him. He tugged her closer until her ass pressed firmly against the thick, hard ridge straining beneath his pants.His lips trailed down her throat, sucking and biting, leaving faint bruises on her sensitive skin.

“God… I just want to eat you whole,” he muttered, his voice dark with hunger. “Every inch of you is so damn delicious.”

Ivy’s breath stuttered as he flicked her clit with quick, light strokes. His other hand tightened around her throat, tilting her head back as he crushed his lips to hers again. His kiss was rough, consuming, leaving no room for breath.

Her lips parted, but no sound came out as his thumb circled her clit, pressing down with just enough pressure to make her legs tremble. He kissed her hard, swallowing her moans as her hips rocked instinctively against his hand.

Ivy’s heart pounded. Desperation burned through her veins, making her head spin. She pushed at his chest, gasping for air, trying to put some distance between them.

“Do you want dinner?” she blurted breathlessly. “How about I co—”

Christian’s hand snapped around her waist, yanking her back down into his lap. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as he flipped her onto the bed, pinning her beneath him. His broad frame caged her in, his weight pressing her into the mattress, his presence suffocating in the most intoxicating way.