Chapter 5
CAMERON
The restlessness had been building all day, creeping under my skin like a fever I couldn't shake. My wolf stirred, restless and agitated, clawing at the edges of my control. It wasn't just the full moon, though that didn't help. It was her. Ivy.
Her scent haunted me, the faint traces of cherries and bergamot and something uniquely her that I couldn't place. My wolf clawed at my ribs, demanding that I track her down, then bury my nose in the curve of her neck and mark her until that scent was covered with mine. Her voice, her laughter, the way she'd defended her choices against my judgment in the kitchen. It all played on repeat in my head, driving me to the brink of distraction.
I paced the length of my penthouse, the city lights below blurring in the distance as I fought the tightness in my muscles. My senses were heightened, every sound amplified, every scent sharper. I could hear the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen, the distant echo of a car horn on the street below. I could smell the lingering traces of the coffee I'd abandoned hours ago, the faint musk of my own frustration, the trace of Ivy's scent mixed with the delicious meals she'd cooked. It was too much. I needed to run, to let my wolf take over and burn off this relentless energy.
Grabbing my phone, I shot off a quick text to Denver, my college roommate and best friend.
Me: "Full moon. Woods. You in?"
His reply came almost instantly.
Denver: "Always. Meet you there."
I didn't bother with a response. Shedding my suit, I stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air a relief against my overheated skin. Closing my eyes, I let the shift take me. The change was always unpleasant, bones cracking, muscles reshaping, fur sprouting where skin had been. It was painful and exhilarating all at once, a reminder of the primal force I carried within me. When I opened my eyes, the world was sharper, clearer. My wolf took over, and I leaped from the balcony, landing silently on the pavement below.
The woods were calling, and I answered.
I ran, my paws pounding against the ground, the wind whipping through my fur. It didn't take long before the pavement beneath my feet transitioned to dirt and dried twigs. The forest was alive around me, the scent of crushed pine needles and damp earth filling my nostrils. I could hear the rustle of leaves, the distant call of an owl, the heartbeat of a rabbit hiding in the underbrush. But even here, I couldn't escape her. Ivy's scent seemed to follow me, haunting me like a ghost I couldn't shake.
I snarled, raking my claws through the dirt.Pathetic.Even miles away, she owned me.
The sound of another wolf approaching snapped me out of my thoughts. Denver's wolf was larger than mine, his fur a deep, dark gray that blended into the shadows. He howled in greeting, a low, rumbling sound that echoed through the trees. I responded in kind, the sound carrying my frustration, my restlessness, my confusion.
We met in the clearing at the edge of the woods, circling each other, playing at dominance, testing each other's strength. Denver's wolf cocked its head, nostrils flaring.He knew. Then, with a snarl, Denver lunged, and we crashed together in a tangle of fur and teeth. We wrestled and sparred, the physical release a welcome distraction. For a while, there was nothing but the thrill of the fight, the burn of muscles, the snap of jaws, the gleam of sharp dagger-like teeth, the rush of adrenaline.
Eventually, we both shifted back, panting and laughing as we leaned against a tree. The night was quiet around us, the only sound was the rustle of leaves in the breeze.
"So," Denver said, breaking the silence. "What's got you so wound up? And don't tell me it's just the full moon. I know you better than that."
I hesitated, running a hand through my hair. "It's nothing."
Denver raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Bull. I've never seen you this antsy. Spill. Is it that new chef you hired, Violet, or whatever?"
I sighed, leaning my head back against the tree. "Her name's Ivy."
Denver's grin widened. "Ah, so that's her name. I was close with Violet."
I shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. "She's different. There's something about her."
"Different how?" he pressed, clearly enjoying himself.
I hesitated again, struggling to put it into words. "She doesn't back down. She's not afraid of me. And she's distracting with her brilliant ideas. I can't stop thinking about her. Her scent, her voice. It's like she's always here surrounding me, even when she's not."
Denver chuckled, shaking his head. "You're an idiot, you know that?"
I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest. "Care to elaborate?"
"Your wolf knows what it wants, Cam," he said, his tone more serious now. "And it's pretty clear what that is. Ivy. Question is, are you wolf enough to claim her? You're fighting it, but all you're doing is hurting yourself and her."
I opened my mouth to argue, but Denver cut me off.
"Deny it all you want, but we both know the truth. Your wolf has chosen her. You can keep pushing her away, but it's only going to make things harder for both of you. You're not just resisting her, Cam. You're resisting yourself. And trust me, that's a battle you're not going to win."
I clenched my jaw, his words hitting harder than I wanted to admit. Denver had always been the one to call me out on my bullshit, and this time was no different. Plus, as he had recently become mated himself, he would know better than anybody else the struggle I was going through. Still, I wasn't ready to face the truth. Not yet.
"It's not that simple," I said finally, my voice low. "The company's in trouble, Denver. I can't afford distractions right now. And Ivy, she's a risk I'm not sure I'm ready to take."
Denver sighed, leaning back against the tree. "Yeah, I get it. The whole recall mess has everyone on edge. But you're not going to fix anything by shutting people out, especially not someone who could actually help. Ivy's not just a distraction, Cam. She's talented, and she's got fresh ideas that could salvage the company's reputation. You said it yourself. Maybe she's exactly what you need, both for the company and for you."
I stared at him, his words sinking in. He was right, as much as I hated to admit it. Ivy wasn't just a complication. She was an opportunity. But that didn't make the knot in my chest loosen any. The thought of letting someone in, of risking that kind of vulnerability, was terrifying.
Denver must have seen the conflict on my face because he clapped a hand on my shoulder, his grin returning. "Look, I'm not saying you have to marry the woman tomorrow. Just give her a chance. Let her in a little. See where it goes. Your wolf already knows what it wants. Maybe it's time you start listening to it."
I shook my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "Since when did you become such a sage?"
He laughed, throwing his head back. "Hey, someone's got to knock some sense into you. Might as well be me."
I chuckled despite myself, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little. Denver always had a way of cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of things. Still, the idea of letting Ivy in, of giving her even an inch of space in my carefully controlled world, felt like stepping off a cliff without a safety net.
"I'll think about it," I said finally, my tone grudging.
Denver grinned, clearly taking that as a win. "Good. Now, come on. Let's run some more before the sun comes up. You're not getting out of this that easy."
We shifted again, the familiar transformation grounding me in a way nothing else could. For a while, we just ran, the rhythm of our paws against the earth a welcome distraction. But even as we raced through the trees, Ivy's face lingered in my mind, her scent still teasing my senses.
Denver was right. My wolf had chosen her. The question was, was I brave enough to follow its lead?
Sleep eluded me for the rest of the night. Despite Denver's words, my mind remained restless. The sun wasn't even up yet, and I was already seated at my dining table, the glow of my tablet illuminating the dark room.
I flipped through the meal kit proposals she'd submitted, each one a testament to her creativity and skill. The Thai curry, the Tuscan Sunset, the Hearty Harvest. She'd breathed new life into my company's offerings. It was impressive, unnerving even, how she'd managed to disrupt the carefully curated balance of Cam's Comfy Cuisine.
My fingers tapped impatiently on the table as I scrolled through the reports. The numbers from the sales team were good, better than good. Sales projections for the new kits were promising, and the marketing team was already drafting campaigns to capitalize on the buzz.
The thought of Ivy, her boldness, her optimism, her undeniable talent, gnawed at me. She was a wildcard, an unpredictable force that I couldn't control. And control was everything.
I tossed the tablet aside and stood, pacing the length of the room. The city skyline stretched out before me, a reminder of all I'd built. But even the view couldn't quiet the storm brewing in my mind.
The trip to FoodieCon loomed ahead, and I was dreading it. Not the conference itself, I thrived in that environment, but the thought of spending days in close quarters with Ivy. Everything about her unsettled me, I didn't know if I could survive multiple days in close proximity to her without caving into my wolf's primal desires.
By the time the car arrived to take me to the office, I'd already rehearsed the day's agenda in my head. Meetings, calls, preparation for the conference. It was a tight schedule, and I welcomed the distraction.
But when I stepped into the office, the first thing I saw was Ivy, standing in the lobby with Brody. Her laughter filled the space, bright and like a tinkling melody. For a moment, I froze.
She turned, catching sight of me, and her smile widened. "Mr. Fitzgerald, good morning!"
I nodded curtly, my expression neutral. "Ms. St. Clair. Brody." Brody gave me a knowing look, one I chose to ignore. "Morning, boss. We were just going over the final details for the conference. Ivy's got some great ideas for the presentation."
"I'm sure she does," I said, my tone clipped. "Let's not waste time. Ms. St. Clair, my office. Now."
I didn't wait for a response, striding past them toward the elevator. The doors slid shut behind us, the silence settling over us heavily. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ivy straighten her jacket, her usual cheerful demeanor faltering for a moment. Good. She needed to understand this was serious.
Once we were in my office, I closed the door and turned to face her. "The conference is our chance to prove we're still the leader in this industry. I expect nothing less than perfection. Are we clear?"
Ivy met my gaze, her expression steady. "We're ready. The kits are solid, and I've been practicing the presentation. I won't let you down."
Her confidence was admirable, but it didn't quell the unease in my chest. "See that you don't."
The rest of the week passed by as we prepared for the conference. By the time we boarded the private jet to Paradise Peaks, I was exhausted. Ivy, on the other hand, seemed energized.
But her excitement wasn't what caught my attention. She wore a white silk blouse and a black knee-length skirt that hugged her generous curves and showed off her delectable legs. It was a far cry from her usual chef's whites and the effect she had on me was devastating. How was I supposed to concentrate on presenting at the conference when she looked like a walking pinup? Her ass looked as delectable as a ripe summer peach as she bent over to store her overnight bag. I could spend the rest of my life sliding my dick between those cheeks. She was a temptation come to life, and I wanted to do nothing but rip off her blouse and bend her over my seat.
I let out a growl before I could stop it. It was a sound too deep to be human. Ivy froze. Shit. I coughed as she turned around and met my gaze with those sweet curious eyes. My heart pounded as I pulled out the table from the side of my seat to cover my growing erection. If she knew the dirty thoughts in my mind, it would send her running for the hills. I had to get a grip on my lust, there was no way I could risk losing Ivy.
"The air at high altitude is so dry." I quickly pulled out a bottle of water from the cubby next to my seat and took a gulp.
Her brows furrowed. "It feels fine to me."
"Ms. St. Clair." My voice cracked. It was a warning. A plea.
"Have you ever been to Paradise Peaks before?" I asked. That's it. Banal small talk was the perfect distraction.
Ivy shook her head, filling the air with the scent of cherries. "No, it's my first time. I'm so excited." She tilted her head, exposing that long elegant unblemished neck of hers. Her pulse fluttered under her delicate skin. God, I wanted to bite it. I wrenched my gaze away.
This hour-long plane ride was going to be the end of me. Maybe we should have flown commercial, then I would have had the company of other passengers to distract me. This wasn't going to do at all.
"Well, you're in for a treat." Clearing my throat, I pulled out my tablet, putting an end to our conversation. Think about the business, future strategies, and sales projections. There was nothing like numbers and boring reports to dampen my need to claim her.
The flight was quiet, the hum of the engines the only sound. I busied myself with my tablet, reviewing the conference schedule, but I couldn't shake the awareness of Ivy sitting just a few feet away.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her glance at me, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her skirt. "Nervous?" I asked, not looking up.
"A little," she admitted. "This is a big opportunity. I just want to do well."
"You will," I said, surprising myself. She looked at me, her eyes wide, and I quickly added, "You've prepared thoroughly. Just stick to the plan."
She nodded, her lips curving into a small smile that made my heart skip a beat. "Thanks. I will."
I stabbed at my tablet, but the numbers blurred. All I could see washer, the way her skirt clung when she bent over, the scent of her arousal when I'd growled.She wanted me too.
Or maybe I imagined that last part. In any case, it was a dangerous thought.
The plane hit a bump, and she let out a yelp before her hand flew to my arm, her nails digging into my flesh.
Mine. Mine. MINE.
I clenched my jaw so hard my teeth groaned.
Two days. Just two days.
Then I could lock myself in my penthouse and jerk off to the thought of her until I worked her out of my system.