3. Ivy
3
IVY
A s I hear the bartender set it down, I turn to swipe my drink off the bar, trying to ignore the looming presence behind me. I down it while I try to gather myself. The bar's festive lights cast dancing shadows across the polished wood, but they do nothing to distract from the man who radiates danger like a furnace radiates heat.
Why he is right behind me, staring at me when I've never seen this guy - when I barely know Xander himself - I don't know. But he won't take his eyes off of me. I can feel it.
But it doesn't bother me. In fact…he's really hot. Someone that might be able to make me forget my shitty night after all.
Sophie's voice cuts through my thoughts, high and excited, and I turn to look at her. The man next to me hasn't moved. "Oh my God, this is perfect!" She claps her hands together, her diamond bracelet catching the light. "Since you two are both surprise attendees, you'll have to be each other's Secret Santa."
My stomach drops. I dare a glance up at the man who does not look like the kind of guy who plays Secret Santa. His ice-blue eyes lock onto mine, and something electric shoots down my spine. The kind of feeling that warns prey they're being hunted - but it also has my clit throbbing.
"I mean, everyone else brought presents because they actually said they were coming," Sophie continues, waving her champagne glass. Ouch, Sophie. "But this works out so well. The universe totally planned this."
If this is what I get for what Travis did to me, I'll fucking take it. Because holy fuck this man…
He hasn't moved an inch, still standing close enough that his expensive suit jacket brushes against my arm. He smells like winter air and something darker, more complex.
But I don't know about Secret Santa. Maybe I can just get him to buy me a drink.
"Sophie-" I start, but she's already turning to the rest of the group.
"Everyone! I've got our final Secret Santa pair!" She gestures between us with her perfectly manicured hands. "Ivy and Julian are matched up. Isn't that just perfect?"
The bar's usual noise seems to fade as Julian shifts slightly closer. His presence fills my personal space like a shadow, and I have to resist the urge to lean into him. I want to touch him, to give into whatever he says.
There is something about this man that is so confident. I know that he always gets what he wants, and if he wants me, I'll let him take it.
"Perfect," he says, his voice low and controlled. The word sounds like a promise - or a threat.
Either way, it has heat pooling low in my stomach.
The group disperses into their gift-giving pairs, leaving me alone with this dangerous stranger. Julian slides onto the stool next to me, the movement fluid and controlled. His cologne wraps around me - something expensive and masculine that makes my head spin. Or maybe that's the vodka cranberries.
"Let me get you another." His eyes drop to my nearly empty glass. The smirk playing at his lips says he knows exactly what he's doing.
I try to summon my usual sparkle, the event planner charm that never fails me, but it feels hollow tonight. "That would be..." I swallow hard, my throat tight. "That would be nice."
He signals the bartender with a slight gesture. They lock eyes and somehow the man knows exactly what Julian wants. Must be nice to command that kind of attention.
"Two fingers of Macallan 25, neat. And whatever the lady was drinking." His voice carries that same quiet authority.
"Vodka cranberry," I manage, though my voice comes out smaller than intended. I clear my throat. "With lime."
Julian turns those ice-blue eyes on me fully. "Rough night?"
A laugh bubbles up, but it sounds more like a sob. I press my lips together. Come on, Ivy. "That obvious?"
"You're trying very hard to hide it." He leans in slightly, and my skin prickles with awareness. "But yes."
The drinks arrive and I take a too-large sip of mine, welcoming the burn. If the first four - and three shots - haven't livened me up, maybe this fifth will.
"Usually I'm better at..." I wave my hand vaguely. "All of this. The social thing. The smiling thing."
"And tonight?"
"Tonight I'm a mess." The honesty surprises me. Maybe it's the alcohol. Maybe it's those eyes that seem to see right through me. "But hey, at least I showed up, right? That's what they say - showing up is half the battle."
"Is that what they say?" His smirk deepens, and something warm unfurls in my chest. Despite everything, I find myself wanting to lean closer, to see if I can make that smirk turn into a real smile.
I refuse to let Travis ruin more of my night.
"That dress..." Julian's gaze travels down my body, lingering on the places where the red silk clings. "It's wasted on a friend's Christmas party at a bar."
My breath catches. The way he says it - like he's imagining exactly where the dress should be worn - sends electricity dancing across my skin.
"Really?" I take another sip of my drink, letting the ice clink against my teeth. "Where should I wear it then?"
"Somewhere private." His voice drops lower, rougher. "Somewhere the lighting does it justice."
The tension between us crackles. I should be scared of the hunger in his eyes, but instead I find myself leaning closer. "The lighting here isn't doing it justice?"
"The lighting here..." He reaches out, running one finger along my strapless shoulder right above the fur trim. "Is hiding all the best parts in the shadows."
A shiver runs through me at his touch. God, when was the last time Travis made me feel like this? Like I was something precious and desired?
"Maybe that's intentional." I match his tone, letting my own voice drop. "Maybe the shadows are part of the appeal."
His answering chuckle is dark velvet against my ears. "I think you are all the appeal."
Heat spreads across my cheeks. "Yeah?" I should have a better answer but it's so hard for me to handle a compliment, it's embarrassing.
"Something tells me you know that." His eyes slide along me again, and I find myself relaxing, letting him see more of me. "Why else would you buy it?"
The compliment slides over my skin like a caress. I find myself relaxing into our verbal dance, enjoying the way he makes me feel seen. Wanted.
"To be interesting?" I offer, making my voice dip a little. More flirty. More like myself.
His eyes land on my lips and he tilts his head forward, stealing my breath. "Very interesting."
"Interesting enough for another drink?" I ask, letting my smile turn playful.
"Interesting enough for anything you want." The promise in his voice makes heat pool low in my stomach.
"Anything?" I raise a brow. "I should apologize," I say, running my finger along the rim of my glass. "I didn't exactly come prepared with a gift for Secret Santa. So if you can give me anything, what am I to give you in return?"
Julian shifts closer, his thigh brushing against mine. The contact sends sparks through my body, and my skin tingles where we touch. The alcohol has mellowed my edges, but my mind remains sharp - just relaxed enough to let myself enjoy this dangerous attraction.
To ignore what happened tonight.
And maybe… Maybe it's helping numb the pain enough for me to find someone who can give me what I was after. The outfit did have an intended desire.
"We'll have to improvise then." His voice drops to a whisper that cuts through the bar's noise like a blade.
He reaches up, and my breath catches as his fingers brush against my temple. With deliberate slowness, he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch lingering against my skin. The calluses on his fingertips catch slightly on my cheek.
I lean into his touch before I can stop myself. His hand is warm, strong - everything about him radiates that quiet power that makes my heart race. His thumb traces along my jawline, and I fight back a shiver.
"Cold?" The corner of his mouth quirks up.
"No." I meet his gaze. "Definitely not cold."
His eyes darken, and his hand slides to cup the back of my neck. The gesture is possessive, commanding, and it makes my pulse jump. Every point of contact between us feels electric, charged with possibility.
"Good." His thumb brushes the sensitive spot behind my ear. "Because I have some ideas about that improvisation."