Chapter 90: You’ll Pay For That
For one delicious second, the SUV swerved. Winn jerked the wheel, his hand tightening as though the steering column was suddenly her throat. His head whipped to her, eyes dark, jaw clenched, his cock twitching violently in his slacks as the words painted every vivid detail in his mind.
He hadn’t been prepared for that. Not from her. Not with that voice.
When his gaze snapped back to the road, his heart was still thundering. And then he noticed the sparkle in her eyes, the wicked humor trembling in her lips, the way she was fighting not to burst out laughing.
"Oh you wicked..." He couldn’t decide whether to pull the car over and drag her across his lap, or laugh with her. "Oh... you’ll pay for that!" he finally threatened.
That broke her restraint—she tipped her head back and burst into a full belly laugh. "You should see your face," she gasped between giggles, clutching her stomach. Her laughter was contagious, dangerous.
Winn tried to stay stone-faced, but his lips twitched. "We’ll see who’ll be laughing in a bit."
"I can talk dirty," Ivy defended, rolling her eyes and brushing hair from her cheeks. "It’s not that hard. I just—" she gestured at him with both hands, "you are kind of rigid. Intimidating. Like you’re about to fire me if I use the wrong word."
Winn chuckled, shaking his head slowly. He let one hand leave the wheel and trail down her thigh. "That’s how everyone else should see me." He glanced at her again, softer this time. "But not you, Ivy. Never you."
Ivy’s eyes softened, betraying her heart even when she didn’t mean to. This man—this impossible, infuriating man—really needed to make up his mind. Did he love her, or didn’t he? His mouth could be cruel, his rules suffocating, and then suddenly, without warning, he said things that carved deep into her.
He handed her his affection in careful fragments. And Ivy... Ivy was already overwhelmed by the little he’d given her. She could feel herself drowning in it, grasping at those crumbs of warmth as though they were lifelines, even while her brain screamed at her to keep her distance.
Her fingers twisted against her lap, distracted, lost in the chaos of her own thoughts, so much so that she didn’t notice when the SUV slowed, when the hum of the engine grew quieter, when the vehicle rolled to a gentle stop. It was only when Winn cut the ignition that Ivy blinked and lifted her gaze.
She looked out the window, and her breath caught. They were at the nursing home. Her mother’s nursing home.
Her throat went dry. She turned wide, surprised eyes to him, panic and confusion tangling in her chest. "What... what is this?" she whispered.
Winn leaned back, utterly calm, his eyes unreadable. "I think it’s time your husband-to-be met your mum, don’t you think?"
Her lips parted, searching for an objection, for air, for anything that might slow the pounding of her pulse. "I don’t know," she admitted, her voice breaking. "I told her I was getting married, but—" her throat tightened, "I’m not even sure she’ll remember that conversation."
This was not how she’d imagined Winn stepping into that part of her life. She was waiting until the wedding.
"It will be fine." He reached across and brushed his thumb along her jaw. Then he smirked. "Come on. Women love me."
"You cocky bastard."
He smiled and pushed his door open.
Ivy sat frozen for a second, her stomach twisting into knots.
Still, she followed. She got out of the SUV and together they entered the lobby.
At the desk, Ivy signed them in, her hand trembling slightly as she scrawled her name. Winn stood beside her, radiating power even in this quiet, fragile place. She could feel the receptionist’s eyes on him. Of course he drew attention.
They were informed her mother was in the lounge area, and Ivy’s stomach twisted tighter. Her steps felt heavier as she walked toward it, Winn just behind her.
When she finally reached the lounge, Ivy froze for half a second at the doorway. Her mother was seated in her usual wheelchair, a tartan blanket draped neatly over her knees, in the middle of what looked like a small tea party with the other residents.
A plate of tea biscuits sat before her, and she was nibbling one carefully while a nurse poured tea into mismatched china cups. Her silent prayer rose instantly: God, let this be a good day. Please, just let this be one of the good days.
"Mom?" Ivy called softly, afraid to break whatever fragile thread of peace was holding the moment together.
For a beat, her mother’s eyes turned toward her in confusion. The pause made Ivy’s lungs seize, her body tense. But then, suddenly, her mother’s expression cleared, light bursting through the fog. Her eyes lit up with recognition so pure it nearly knocked Ivy to her knees. "Ivy! Ivy, baby!"
Ivy let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, her entire body sagging with relief. She rushed forward, and dropped to her knees to hug her mother tightly in her wheelchair. "Hey, Mum," she whispered, trying to hold back the thickness in her throat.
Her mother pulled back enough to cradle Ivy’s face in her frail hands. "Ivy, sweetie. You’re all grown."
A bittersweet smile curved Ivy’s lips, even as her eyes stung. "You say that all the time, Ma." She kissed the back of her mother’s hand. "How are you?"
But Mary’s gaze dropped, landing squarely on the engagement ring gleaming on Ivy’s finger. Her hands darted for it. "Oh my world! What is this?" Mary gasped, holding up her daughter’s hand.
The other women in the lounge leaned forward instantly, curious, eyes widening with delight as they saw the rock. They crowded closer, cooing and admiring.
"Ma?" Ivy chuckled nervously, her cheeks warming as she let her hand be pulled this way and that. "Remember I told you I was getting married?"
(My day job is a bit hectic for now. So, during the weekends we will be getting mass updates...but on weekdays, just one Chapter daily.)