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“You didn’t,” Ivy assured her before she was plucked from her aunt’s embrace and wrapped in Frank’s arms.

“You are wearing the hell outta that dress, Cuz,” Frank praised.

Just as the big man released her. Darkness descended as something obstructed her view. Her heart rate escalated for a moment until she felt the comfort of Manny’s hand on the small of her back. He would never allow anyone to do her harm. Ivy smelt a familiar floral scent she wasn’t able to place.

“Guess who?” The person queried as their hand slipped from covering her eyes.

“Amber!” Ivy squealed, turning around to embrace her cousin. “I can’t believe you are here.”

“Of course. I couldn’t miss your big night.” Amber was deceptively strong. She gave an extra squeeze before releasing her hold. It was so good to see her cousin. The two had both grown up in Nova Scotia, but when Ivy had left for university, she never made it back home.

“Oh, my goodness, when was the last time the three of us were in the same place at once? Karissa, come take a photo with Ivs and me,” Amber requested as she handed her clutch to her husband.

The Burton genes were strong. Although their mothers and father were cousins, they could easily pass as siblings. All were statuesque, with bone structures that the camera absolutely adored. The three ladies posed as Amber’s husband, Azul Samson, snapped the photos.

“Look at the three of them. Absolutely stunning and not one of them would model for me,” Aunt Cynthia groused. Her Aunt opened a modelling agency, and this was a complaint they had all heard before.

“You can’t leave out the most handsome Burton,” Frank added as he joined the photo, making way for himself in the middle. The family spent time taking photos together. With every moment that slipped by Ivy became more at ease.

Her golden-headed in-laws were also in attendance. Neither would miss such an opulent event. Especially when a Scott was being recognised. Grace was the embodiment of elegance. The two women shared a warm relationship. Ivy was welcomed into the family the first time they met. The welcome by Larson had been more frigid. However, faced with Manny’s warnings, he buckled.

“Mom, Dad,” she greeted the pair. They both gushed over Ivy’s accomplishments. With her man and family surrounding her, Ivy was ready for what the night had in store.

Until Maksim Vashchenko burst her bubble of serenity. Right before they were seated for dinner, he approached Ivy. “Your advancements in research have meant so much to the network. I have decided that I should be the one to introduce your award.”

Despite his smile of encouragement, the man was intimidating. Her social interactions with him through Karissa and Nicco did little to lessen the feeling. Maksim was indirectly her boss as he sat on the board of the hospital she worked for. So, she should take it as a great honour that he wanted to present her with this award. Ivy would have been much more at ease with the medical director, bestowing the award as it had been discussed.

While dinner was served Manny, held her hand under the table. His thumb worked soothing magic as he drew circles on her hand. By the time Maksim got up on the podium to introduce her, she was as ready as she was going to be.

“Dr. Ivy Burton Scott is a pioneer in the medical field of genetics. Her breakthrough with the discovery of the gene predominant in children experiencing autism has been revolutionary…” Maksim extolled her life’s work so eloquently and with so much passion, Ivy walked to the Dias with the knowledge that her achievement could only bring about good things for her field.

By the time Ivy had given her speech, she was ready to kick back, have a few drinks, and dance. In her youth, she was known for her two left feet, so she avoided dancing. However, early in their relationship, Manny had taken it upon himself to teach her to dance. She couldn’t win any dancing competitions, but she enjoyed it and managed not to do herself or those around her any bodily harm. For the remainder of the evening, Manny expertly twirled her around the dance floor. In between songs, she hydrated with H2O and a few adult beverages.

The couple were children free for the night. Oliver was away at a game and wouldn’t be returning until the morning. Benjamin and Sage were underage, so they could not attend the Gala. Both made plans to spend the night with friends. The Scott family planned a celebratory brunch at Fusion in the morning. They celebrated family milestones there.

While Roy walked around to the driver’s seat, a tipsy Ivy expressed that although they had the house to themselves, forty-five minutes was entirely too long to wait to return the favour Emmanuel had given earlier.

Ivy leaned closer to her husband, lowered her voice and in a tone boarding on shy, she asked, “Baby, can you ask Roy to put the partition up?”

Manny had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes as his voice was filled with laughter. “Why? You speak with Roy all the time. Ask him yourself.”

“I can. Or you can and I can take care of you.” Ivy placed her hand in his lap, letting the weight of it be felt. His length responded. His smile immediately disappeared. The moment the driver was behind the wheel, Manny made his request.

“Hey Roy, please take the scenic route home. Also, it would be appreciated if you put the partition up.” After a quick response, the barrier was erected.

The way he slowly turned his head and speared her with a positively sinful look had moisture pooling in her core. Ivy gripped his package before releasing it.

“Where are you going, Doc?” He sounded unaffected, but his pupil betrayed him. Whenever his emotions intensified, his eyes would darken. The blue shade would lose the battle as the onyx took over. No matter what his voice said, his eyes told the truth. He was excited, and she knew exactly how to heighten his excitement. Without breaking eye contact, she found the zipper on his trousers. With patience that she wasn’t feeling, she slowly unzipped him. Ivy’s movement was even slower as she unbuckled his belt. Their breathing synced as the anticipation mounted. God, she was eager for the taste of him.

Her delicate fingers worked to free him of his confines. Manny assisted by adjusting in his seat, allowing her unfettered access. Their eyes remained locked. With a firm grip, she stroked his veined length from the base to the tip. She loved the feel of his velvet rod in her hands. Once, twice, her tempo increased until his head wept in response. It was only then that she broke eye contact. She was mesmerized by the clear pearl bead dripping from his head. Like a siren’s call, it compelled her to taste him. She couldn’t resist. Didn’t want to.

Ivy had meant it to be just a quick swipe. But she couldn’t resist greedily engulfing his length. She moaned in contentment as her hands and mouth worked in rhythmic tandem. The taste of this man. A hint of saltiness with a hint of fruitiness. Her slurps filled the air. Manny groaned as he gently grasped her nape. He was already so close.

It gave her a feeling of power to drive him to the brink. Especially so quickly. She kept her pace steady. His body was an extension of her own. Since he worked to control himself, she did the same. When he began to gently pump his hips up to meet her suckling, she allowed her actions to become erratic. God, he was deep in her throat.

“Shit, Doc!” he called right before his release. The taste of him flooded her mouth. She savoured the taste before she swallowed. She hummed in contentment.

Ivy looked up to catch his satisfied smile. “Hey, Mrs. Scott.” He winked at her.

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