Fuck. Ivy couldn't believe she was so wrapped up in thoughts of Xavier. It didn't matter how much she tried to distract herself; his piercing gaze and intoxicating charm kept creeping into her every waking thought, making her wish that Damien had warned her about Xavier's allure.
As if he'd summoned her with his thoughts, her phone buzzed in her hand. Glancing down, she saw the caller ID flashing with Damien's name. "Speak of the devil," she muttered under her breath as she answered the call. "Damien."Damien's voice came through the phone, clear and direct. "How's the mission going?"
Ivy exhaled, her shoulders relaxing a fraction. "It's going well. Xavier's taken an interest in me, which is exactly what we wanted." She smiled, thinking of their heated exchange. "He's quite the charmer, isn't he?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and when Damien spoke again, his tone was icy. "Focus on your job, Ivy. That's what you're being paid for."
Ivy gritted her teeth in frustration as Damien's voice faded away, leaving only the dial tone in its wake. She dropped her phone on the table, annoyance coursing through her veins like molten lava.
"Focus on your job," she muttered, imitating Damien's stern tone. "As if I wasn't already doing that." She sighed and sank back into her chair, trying to push her frustration aside.
But it wasn't just the mission that was occupying her thoughts. It was Xavier, his magnetic presence and disarming charm. He was quickly becomingThe sight of the cigarette pack on the table caught Ivy's eye, and she frowned, a flicker of annoyance passing over her face. She'd been trying to kick the habit for years, ever since her father had died of lung cancer when she was still in high school. She knew it was a foolish risk to take, but she'd always found herself turning to cigarettes in times of stress, and this mission was certainly no exception.
She snatched the pack off the table, a sense of defiance coursing through her veins.
With a defiant glint in her eye, Ivy marched to the trash can and unceremoniously dumped the pack of cigarettes inside. She watched as the box disappeared from view, feeling a wave of satisfaction sweep over her.
"That's one less bad habit I need to break," she muttered to herself, crossing her arms across her chest. "If Xavier thinks he's a challenge, he's got another thing coming. He might be charming, but he won't be able to charm his way out of this one."
Ivy was still basking in the triumph of disposing of her cigarettes when her phone started to ring. The caller ID read "Unknown" and she hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should even answer it. But curiosity got the better of her and she tapped the screen to answer the call.
A velvety, deep voice filled her ear. "Ivy Silverman?"
Ivy's pulse skipped a beat as she recognized Xavier's voice. Her face broke into a slow, knowing smile as she realized that he'd managed to track her down.
"Xavier," Ivy murmured in response, her voice laced with amusement and surprise. "How did you get my number?"
On the other end of the line, she could practically hear Xavier's grin. "Well, Ivy," he drawled, "when a man wants something, he usually finds a way to get it."
She rolled her eyes, although she couldn't deny that his words sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. "Really? And what is it that you want, Xavier?" she asked, feigning disinterest.
"Oh, you know," Xavier replied playfully, his tone teasing and seductive. "I just wanted to hear the sound of your voice."
Ivy bit back a laugh, knowing that he was trying to charm her, and she couldn't help but be a little impressed. "Well, you got what you wanted," she said, her voice dripping with humor. "Anything else?"
Xavier let out a low chuckle, and Ivy could almost picture the mischievous glint in his eye. "There is one thing," he said, his voice lowering to a husky whisper.
"I'd like to see you again," Xavier said, his voice rich with intent. "In person."
Ivy hesitated for a moment, the practical part of her brain reminding her that she was on a mission, but the reckless part of her was already picturing herself in his arms. "And what if I said no?" she asked, a challenge lacing her tone.
"Then I'd have to find a way to change your mind," Xavier replied, his words a promise and a threat all at once.
"And how would you do that?" Ivy challenged, her heart racing as the thought of seeing Xavier again sent a thrill through her body.
"I'd have to show you how much fun we could have together," Xavier murmured, his voice a velvet caress. "I can promise you that you wouldn't regret it."
Ivy found herself leaning closer to the phone, as if she could physically feel his presence through the device. "And how do you plan to do that?" she asked, her voice breathless.
"Well, that's for me to know and you to find out," Xavier said, his voice playful and suggestive. "But I can tell you that I have some ideas that would make your head spin."
Ivy felt herself being drawn in by his words, unable to resist the temptation that he represented. "What kind of ideas?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Ideas that would make your pulse race," Xavier replied, his voice a low purr. "Ideas that would make you forget about everything else in the world."
Xavier's words sent a wave of desire through Ivy's body, and she found herself imagining all the ways he might make good on his promise. "And what would I have to do to make those ideas a reality?" she asked, her voice thick with anticipation.
"Just agree to meet me," Xavier replied, his voice seductive and persuasive. "Meet me at my club tonight, and I'll show you what I mean."
Ivy hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she tried to think of a reason to say no.
The silence stretched out between them, and Xavier sensed Ivy's hesitation. "I know you're hesitating, Ivy," he said, his voice gentle and persuasive. "But just imagine the possibilities. You could be having the night of your life."
Ivy bit her lip, the battle between her head and her heart raging inside her. "And what if I said yes?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Then I'd make sure that you never forget it," Xavier said, his words a tantalizing promise. "You'd never want to leave my side."
"Okay, Xavier," Ivy said, her voice a mix of excitement and trepidation. "I'll meet you at your club tonight."
Xavier's response was immediate and triumphant. "I knew you'd see things my way," he said, a smile evident in his voice. "And trust me, you won't regret it."
Ivy swallowed hard, already feeling the thrill of anticipation coursing through her veins. "And where should I meet you?" she asked, excitement bubbling in her voice.
"Come to the back entrance of the club," Xavier replied, his voice oozing with intent. "There's a door marked 'Private.' I'll have someone waiting for you."
Ivy's pulse quickened at the thought of what lay behind that door. "Okay," she said, her voice breathless. "I'll be there."
The call ended with a finality that left Ivy gasping, her heart racing and her body aching with desire. She felt like a woman possessed, possessed by the very thought of Xavier, the dangerous, irresistible man who had managed to turn her world upside down.
Ivy moaned softly, her breath coming in short gasps as she stumbled into her room. She could feel the wetness between her legs, and it took every ounce of willpower not to give in to the urge to touch herself right there and then.
Desperate for some relief, Ivy yanked open her wardrobe and began to rummage through it. She was looking for something, anything, that might help her quell the fire that Xavier had ignited within her. And then she found it, nestled among her clothes like a hidden treasure: her dildo.
Ivy moaned again, a low, animalistic sound that betrayed her need. She gripped the toy tightly in her hand, her fingers curling around its smooth surface. She knew that it was no substitute for the real thing, but it would have to do for now.