Epilogue
I trace my thumb over the scar on her leg that’s almost identical to mine, the scar that, thanks to Ivy, I’ve now grown to love.
I don’t know why I’m so anxious. This night isn’t about me; it’s all Ivy.
She looks so fucking gorgeous tonight. She’s wearing a floor-length fitted red gown with a deep slit that reveals her shapely legs… which is why I’m struggling to keep my hands to myself.
Fuck, this woman is incredible, and with every day that passes, I find myself falling more and more in love with her. I’ve never met someone with so much spunk, like her soul is a fragment of the actual sun. It’s an addictive, magnetic energy that warms even the coldest hearts, and no one can resist her charm.
It’s why she’s being recognized tonight as the youngest recipient of Glint Magazine’s 30 Under 30 Most Impactful Entrepreneurs award, and I don’t think anyone who knows her is the least bit surprised.
It turns out, Ivy has quite the knack for planning and organizing events despite her chaotic mannerisms and impulsivity—or maybe because of it. It’s like she sees every possibility where most people can only see a few. She isn’t afraid to dream big or take chances. She isn’t afraid of looking dumb or failing for that matter, and she certainly isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and take on the job that everyone else thinks they’re too good to do.
I fell in love with her all over again, watching her grow into herself in Romania. My headstrong, hardworking girl started out at the bottom—she was literally the designated dog-shit cleaner—and despite my begging, she refused to let me make a call to get her a better placement. She insisted she needed to do her time and learn everything she could. She worked every entry-level position she was assigned with a sense of pride and respect and inspired everyone around her to do the same.
After she fulfilled her one-year contract in Romania, we moved back to the states, and I’m happy to say we now both call Ashford Falls home. I paid off her mother’s medical bills, and–with Ivy’s permission–had her transferred to the next town over, to the finest inpatient living facility in the state. Their relationship is still pretty rocky, but the time and space Ivy’s had to chase her dreams has helped relieve some of the tension between them.
Now her dad’s a whole other story.
As soon as word got out to the media about our whirlwind relationship, Mr. Lane didn’t hesitate to reach out… or should I say, hold his hand out… I stood by my strong, heart-of-gold girlfriend when she declined his every request to reach her, and I supported her when she ultimately told him not to contact her anymore. I had to refrain from the urge to tell him that I’m her daddy now… There are some people who deserve our forgiveness, and some that don’t. I’m proud of Ivy for respecting herself and knowing when to draw those boundaries.
It’s why she’s here tonight, why she’s been honored with such a prestigious award, and only one of the countless things I love about her.
Her ability to connect with everyone she meets with curiosity and a desire to really see them is her secret weapon—that and her dedication to doing a good job. It’s as if she has the Midas touch, transforming every project she’s worked on into gold, with her warmth and showstopping smile.
It only took six months before she was promoted to middle management, and she just kept moving up from there. By the time her contract was up, she had permanent job offers from four different tourism companies, just from word of mouth alone.
But as much as she loved the tourism industry, her heart was in event planning, and she finally felt ready to start her own event planning company—with a focus in eco-friendly and sustainable materials. We even collaborated and are set to carry her brand’s one hundred percent compostable party supplies in a few of our larger stores next year. It’s something that’s never been done, and she’s filling a hole in the market that nobody realized existed.
She’s a trailblazer with a heart of gold, and I still can’t believe I get to call her mine.
I shift in my seat as a bead of sweat drips down my temple, feeling a fresh wave of nerves like a flock of pigeons in my stomach.
Ivy places a calming hand on my thigh to still my shaking. “How is it that you’re more nervous than I am? Do you want to sneak off to the restroom for a quickie? Because you know I chose this wrinkle resistant dress for that very reason.”
I suck in a hiss as her hand brushes over my balls, and I quickly swat her away. “Jesus, woman, we don’t have time for your games. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if we missed the award entirely because we were fucking in the bathroom.”
She bites her plump, red-stained lip as her eyes drift down my chest before moving her hand back to my now fully erect cock. What can I say? I’ve been fighting the urge to pull her away and do just that all fucking night, which makes me feel like an asshole for being so distracted. But that sliver of mesh between her tits has been taunting me, along with the way I’m so fucking tempted to slide my hand beneath the silky fabric … to slide my tongue along her collarbone, to hike up her gown and fuck her until she’s a whimpering mess, just to test how wrinkle resistant her dress really is …
I close my eyes as her soft touch caresses over my cock beneath the table, and it’s as if she knows exactly how to calm my nerves. My family fills in the seats beside us, all turned to face the stage as someone goes on about another award. It really is an incredible experience that I should be paying attention to, but when my girl strokes me like the fucking brat she is, I can hardly keep myself from losing it right there.
Ivy’s soft strokes grow deeper, her fingertips alternating to caress my sensitive head and cup my balls. I try to mask a moan with a cough, and my stomach tenses, the threat of my release dangerously close.
“Baby, stop. Fuck, you’re so good at that.” I try to swat her hand away, but it only seems to encourage her more.
I’ve never been more thankful to be sitting in the corner in a dark ballroom as everyone’s attention is trained on the ceremony.
I grit my teeth as I try to muster the strength to brush her off, but it’s like my arms have gone completely weak, and I’m moving in slow motion, like when you try to fight someone in a dream.
“What’s wrong, Daddy? You seem distracted. Aren’t you enjoying the ceremony?” she whispers as she quickens her pace, masterfully jacking me off beneath the table, and, fuck, it’s hot.
I can’t help but wonder how long she’s been planning this payback. Knowing Ivy, it was probably the moment I did this very same thing to torment her. It’s just like my little brat to play the long game.
“Thank you all so much for joining us tonight and helping us honor these incredible world changers. We have one final award to give, as there’s been one standout duo who’s transformed the party industry as we know it, which has trickled down to an entire movement that is only just beginning.”
My eyes roll back in my head, and I clench my jaw, trying like hell to hold on to the last bit of resolve I can muster. I can’t give her a reaction; I can’t let her see me struggling.
“Ivy,” I growl under my breath. It was intended as a threat, but thanks to her talented hand, it comes out more like a plea.
“With their partnership, they’ve started a fresh brand of sustainable party planning supplies and merged their companies in a way that is creative, innovative, and sustainable, and we at Glint Magazine couldn’t let the night pass without paying tribute for their efforts.”
What?she mouths, feigning innocence as she dips her finger over my balls, brushing my taint.
My head falls back as I stare up at the ceiling, my impending release only moments away. Fuck, I can’t hold off any longer, and I can’t fight the images flooding my memory. I have entirely too much material to work with. I try to push down the images of Ivy’s naked body, strapped down as I taunt and tease her, punishing her just the way she likes. Fuck, I can’t stop thinking of all the things I’m going to do to her as soon as I get her home, how I’m going to torture her so damn good …
Ivy bites her lip playfully and gives me a wink, then leans in and whispers, “I want to climb underneath this table and suck you off with my mouth… until my lipstick is smeared all over my face and my eyes are watering from gagging on your massive cock.”
Holy fuck. That’ll do it.
I swallow a gulp just as she gives me one last stroke, the image she just painted pushing me right over the edge. There’s no holding myself back. My ears ring, and my vision goes blurry as I come in an explosive rush, and liquid heat shoots into my boxer briefs and down my leg.
Ivy sits back with a satisfied smirk, looking so damn proud of herself, as everyone around us is distracted by the man speaking onstage, and I take a deep inhale to calm my racing heart.
“So, without further ado, I’d like to present the first Glint Innovation and Excellence Award to none other than Ivy Lane and Leo Kingsley!”
Ivy’s spine goes rigid, and her look of shock is quickly replaced with delight. It takes me several moments to register what I heard.
My parents both cheer in surprise, taking turns to hug her, as my brothers clap and smile, whispering their congratulations.
“What are you waiting on, Leo? Get up there and get your award!” my mom says.
My head snaps to Ivy, who looks equal parts worried and proud.
Fucking hell, this brat is going to pay for this stunt. She won’t be able to walk for a week after I get through with her.
She tries to bite back her smile as she holds out her hand. “Come on, Daddy. Let’s go accept our award.”
I let out a grunt as I shrug on my suit jacket. Taking her small hand in mine, I try my best to look unaffected despite the warm jizz that’s now dripping down my thigh. I’ve never been so thankful to be wearing black … or for dim lighting.
The hard ring case I’ve been carrying around for weeks shifts inside my pocket. I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to ask her to marry me, but somehow, it’s never exactly right, and Ivy deserves the perfect proposal. I thought it’d be tonight at the ceremony, but now, I’m not so sure …
I take her hand, carefully leading her up the stairs to accept our surprise award. Ivy makes a little speech that’s absolutely perfect, and I tag on a few thank-yous of my own as cameras flash. The weight of the moment finally hits me. All of this is only the beginning, and I can hardly contain my excitement for the future.
This woman has completely infiltrated my life in all the best ways, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to keep up with her.
My plans for the evening might have taken a turn in ways I never expected, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.
Only Ivy could manage to get a thirty-eight-year-old grump on stage in front of hundreds of people to accept an award … with warm jizz dripping down his leg …
See what I mean? The woman can do anything…
She flashes me a knowing, devilish grin as she holds up our award. And then, I know exactly how I’ll do it.
I think we’re both going to thoroughly enjoy her punishment tonight…