Page 72 of Moonlight & Matrimony
Evelyn helps Rylin finish dressing, fixing the pants that never made it to her waist. She gives me a quick wave as they head out the door, Rylin’s hand already reaching for the handle, barely able to contain herself.
“Hey,” Ivy sighs, stepping into my space. Her proximity sets my body on fire; I missed her more than I realized. “How was she?” she asks.
“Rylin? She was an angel, as always.”
Ivy cocks a brow at me, and I know exactly what she’s thinking. “Ok, not an angel,” I concede, chuckling softly. “Wild and rambunctious as always. And perfectly well behaved, regardless. If you’re not too worn out, I have something I wanted to show you.”
“Ooook.” She eyes me warily, skepticism lacing her tone.
“Don’t sound so concerned. It’s a good thing. Promise.” I reach out a hand, and after a brief hesitation, Ivy takes it. Tugging her down the hallway, I glance back over my shoulder, looking for any sign that she’s piecing things together. But all I see is a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.Fuck, I missed her.
It’s not just her overall presence, but the little things, too — the way her glasses slip down her nose when she’s painting, the soft expression on her face when she listens to Rylin’s stories, and the way she picks at her thumb or bites her bottom lip whenshe’s nervous. Then there’s the breathy way she says my name when she’s about to come, or the bossy tone she takes on when she’s not getting what she wants. But all of it amounts to nothing in the end. Despite all the reasons I’m drawn to her, I can’t let myself fall.
We reach the door to the studio, pausing with my hand on the knob. I stare for a minute, admiring the quiet beauty in the curve of her lips, the smattering of freckles dotting her face, and the flecks of gold in her eyes that are so achingly familiar. There’s something in the way she watches me; it’s as though she’s seeing me for the first time again.
“Alright, are you ready?” I ask, my body thrumming with anticipation. Ivy glares at me with a furrowed brow and something like amusement on her face.
“Ready,” she says.
I slowly push the door open, revealing the newly transformed space. The room is awash with the golden light of the setting sun, casting its glow along the pristine surfaces of the custom table and shelves. Ivy sucks in a sharp breath, her hands cupping her mouth as she takes in her new studio.
Custom-built shelves line the walls, each one meticulously organized, with neat rows of art supplies, and carefully arranged canvases. The centerpiece is the new, oversized work table that dominates the back wall. It’s made of smooth, natural wood, the surface reflecting the soft light, and it’s spacious enough to accommodate all of her projects at once without feeling cramped. A cozy chair sits in the corner, upholstered in a deep maroon velvet fabric, perfect for the late-night sketches she’s always working on.
“Luca, you didn’t…”
“I did. Well, we did. I had lots of help.”
“Paige was right. There was something fishy going on!”
I laugh. “I never could get anything past my sister. How Cade ever pulled it off is a mystery to me.”
“Baby,” she whispers, a smile tugging at her lips as she uses the word only ever uttered in the deepest throes of passion. “It’s amazing. This is… wow.”
“I’m glad you like it.” My voice is husky as I strain to keep my arousal at bay.
She walks over to the table, trailing her fingers along the surface, then glancing up at the shelves, fully stocked with the same paints, brushes, and canvases I found tucked away in her box of art supplies. Liam made a special trip to Willow Valley for extra supplies at my request. I had to promise I’d build Aiden a bunk bed, but it was well worth it to see the awestruck look on her face.
Her brows draw together, irises lined with unshed tears as her attention drifts to Rylin’s painting in its place of honor above her drafting table. “Rylin helped?” she asks.
“I couldn’t keep her away if I wanted to. She was the best little helper.” I hold out my phone, letting her scroll through photos of Rylin suited up with a tiny pink hammer in hand, helping Miles and Cade as they secured one of the shelves. Ivy laughs and the sound goes straight to my cock.
“Thank you, Luca. This is amazing. You didn’t have to do all of this.”
“I didn’thaveto. I wanted to.”
“I don’t know how to repay you.”
“I can think of a few ways.” I cock a brow at her, my gaze dipping to her lips as her face flushes. “Paint something for me.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks flush, and she quickly glances down. For a fleeting moment, I regret my decision, until her eyes light up with a spark I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. She quickly throws her hair up in a haphazard knot and begins fluttering about the room, gathering up her supplies and setting themdown on the table next to her easel, already perfectly positioned with a canvas at the ready.
I take a seat on a nearby stool, watching every movement as she sets up the palette, mixing and preparing each color with care. “What should I paint?” she asks, glancing over her shoulder at me.
“Anything you want,” I tell her.
Ivy
I’ve always let my emotions guide me when I’m painting, but right now, there are too many to analyze.How do you feel right now, Ivy Jo? Elated. Overwhelmed. Loved.
