Ivy felt Ss''s grip tighten around her waist. Throughout the journey, he''d kept his distance, but here with the blue-eyed stranger, his possessiveness was unmistakable.


    "I figured it was you, the stranger said casually, though his piercing stare remained on Ivy.


    "Yes," Ss replied, his voice sharp.


    "It''s been a while, the stranger continued. His gaze roamed over Ivy, making her cheeks flush "And who might this beautiful woman be?


    "None of your business, Dn, Ss snapped


    Why hadn''t he introduced her to Dn? Ivy wondered. Was he ashamed of her?


    "Ah, I see," Dn said, a glint of mischief shing in his blue eyes. "Well, it was lovely to see you-and you too, ma''am. He bowed to Ivy and winked


    Ss took her hand. "Wish I could say the same," he said, leading Ivy into the restaurant.


    "One of these days, we''ll settle our differences," Dn called after them, his voice tinged with mockery,


    "Who was that?" Ivy asked as they entered the restaurant.


    "Nobody important," Ss said.


    Ivy frowned at his vague response but she didn''t press. They entered a private section of the restaurant. It was empty andvishly decorated, with fruit spread across the table.


    "There are reporters taking pictures." Ss said, pulling out a seat for her.


    "That''s the only reason I agreed to this," Ivy replied as she sat.


    His face darkened as if he wanted to argue, but he shook his head and sat opposite her.


    The waiter arrived, pouring their drinks with practicedfort. It was obvious he was putting on a show.


    Ss raised his ss. "To us


    "Yeah," Ivy replied.


    "Smile," he whispered


    Ivy forced a smile. "Am I supposed to turn?"


    "No. Don''t worry; they''re at every angle," Ss said.


    Ivy nodded, sipping her drink before setting it back on the table.


    Ss picked up a raspberry, holding it to her lips. "Eat," he said. "For the cameras," he added.


    Ivy obeyed, taking the berry into her mouth-then his finger brushed her tongue, and she licked it.


    "So sweet," he teased.


    Her cheeks reddened as steamy memories rushed back. She turned away, her body shuddering in reminder. Her blush deepened with shame.


    She couldn''t believe she had encouraged him to touch her like that. God, she''d ridden his fingers, releasing all over his hand. She nced at him and saw the smirk on his face-he was clearly pleased with her reaction.


    "It''s not happening again," she said firmly, refusing to meet his eyes.


    "Oh,e on, Ivy. His smirk deepened. "You enjoyed it."


    "I didn''t," she shot back, though her blush betrayed her.


    "You''re adorable when you lie." he said, leaning closer. "And I''ll have you again, sooner orter."


    His honesty both angered and moved her.


    Why was she reacting to his tone?


    "It''s not happening again," she repeated, this time less convincingly.


    "Come on," he chuckled. "I pleasured you. It''s only fair I expect the same."


    Her jaw tightened. "Not in a million years."


    Ss chuckled, straightening up. "Feisty, I see.”


    She looked away, desperate to change the subject. "How long are we doing this for?"


    "Already bored?" he asked, amused.


    "I''m just asking, she replied tly,


    "Let''s eat then, and get to their food.


    o know each o


    other better." Without waiting for her response, he signaled the waiter, who arrived shortly with


    "For appetizers, we have Beluga Caviar on Blinis, served with crème fraiche, and paired with a vintage Champagne.


    "Thank you," Ivy smiled as the food was ced before them.


    When the waiter left, Ss asked, "So tell me, what are your hobbies? What do


    you


    "Not much," she said vaguely.


    Ss raised an eyebrow, "Like?"


    "Things," she shrugged.


    like doing?"


    He dropped his spoon. "Fine. I''m sorry I shouted at you earlier. It''s just that I got pissed about Rosie-


    "And you choose her side," she interrupted, her tone sharp but not raised.


    "I overreacted," he admitted, his voice low. "I thought... Never mind. I apologize."


    Ss sighed. "Will you forgive me!"


    "No," she replied, digging into her food.


    "Don''t be stubborn, Ivy," he pleaded.


    "I''m not angry. I''m just disappointed. And I know your reaction had a lot to d


    He gripped his spoon like he was about to break it. "Who told you?"


    Ivy swallowed, not wanting to implicate Sally. "It was gossip."


    do with the red gown-I had no idea then."


    He sighed. "I thought you did that on purpose, and you attacked Rosie because


    she didn''t want you to wear it."


    Ivy pouted her mouth, remembering Rosie''s act. "I shoved Rosie because she was disrespectful. I''m not asking you to pick a side, but next time I deserve to be heard too." She waited for him to object.


    "I''m sorry," he said sofily.


    His tone melted her annoyance, and she reached for her drink.


    "Is that why you left the sapphire ne?" he probed.


    "Yes," she admitted.


    "Well," he chuckled, "at least you like this one. His gaze dropped to her neck.


    When she''d seen the red diamond ne, she hadn''t had the heart to refuse


    it. It was elegant, pairing perfectly with her ck gown She had to hand it to Ss-his taste was impable.


    10:16AM


    "Thank you," she nodded.


    "My pleasure," he smiled, and they returned to their food.


    After a moment of silence, he spoke again. "Since you know about the gown. The person she cheated on me with was Dn the guy we met outside. He was my best friend,"


    Ivy''s heart dropped at the pain in his voice. That exined a lot. No wonder he''d understood her pain when she''d told him about Chernd Mason.


    "I''m sorry," she said, her voice soft. "I see why you were angry.


    He knew what it felt like to be betrayed by the two people you loved most


    "Thank you," he smiled. "But I don''t want us dwelling on our pains. Let''s just enjoy


    the night."


    Despite the reporters lurking nearby, Ivy gave him a genuine smile.


    "After all the publicity, we''ll have a meeting with Thomas to begin your photography processes," Ss added.


    At the mention of Thomas, her smile faltered, and she tried to keep it in ce. Her suspicions about Thomas involvement in her mother''s death crept. The guilt of being with Ss of surrendering to him again-overwhelmed her.


    "Are you okay?" Ss asked. He seemed to have noticed her change.


    "Yes," she said quickly, forcing a smile.


    "So," he whispered, leaning in, "do you have any ideas on how to take revenge on


    Mason!"


    The change of subject stunned her. "No... not yet"


    "Should we brainstorm?" He winked.


    She hesitated. As much as she wanted to, she didn''t trust herself not to react if Thomas''s name came up in connection to Mason.


    -To us."


    "No," she smiled. "Let''s just enjoy ourselves." Raising her ss, she added, "To us."


    Ss was surprised but he quickly masked it. "To us."


    The dinner ended with an exotic soup, a savory main course, and a decadent chocte dessert. Soon, they


    ey were ready to leave.


    Outside the restaurant, Ss pulled Ivy close and kissed her. "A perfect way to


    end the night."


    She blushed deeply, her heart pounding at his tone. But her excitement was Short-lived


    "So it''s true. You''re an escort now.


    Ivy froze, turning toward the voice. It was Cheryl and she was with Mason.