Chapter 7

Ivy

I walked into the room and shut the door behind me, dread pooling in the pit of my stomach. Why did I agree to this again?

Aidan lounged on the couch like a predator eyeing its prey, piercing blue eyes raking over my body in a way that made me shiver. A smirk curled his lips, revealing a flash of perfect white teeth.

My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed hard, clutching my purse in front of me like a shield.

"Well, don't just stand there. Come closer." His smooth baritone sent another wave of unease through me.

I forced myself to move, inching into the room. My gaze darted around, taking in the dim lighting, plush carpet, and king-sized bed draped in crimson sheets.

Everything about this room screamed danger. Or was that just my overactive imagination?

Aidan leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "Have a seat, Ivy. We have...business to discuss."

The gleam in his eyes made me hesitate. But I didn't have a choice, did I? Not if I wanted to keep my father safe.

Steeling myself, I perched on the edge of an armchair, ready to bolt at any moment. Aidan's presence filled the room, threatening and intoxicating all at once.

"There's no need to look so frightened." Amusement laced his tone. "I don't bite. Often."

A nervous laugh escaped me before I could stop it. Aidan's gaze darkened, pinning me in place. I froze as he rose and prowled towards me, every line of his body radiating power and grace.

He stopped mere inches away, close enough for me to see the varying shades of blue in his eyes. I held my breath, torn between leaning closer and running away.

One corner of his mouth quirked up. "You should relax, Ivy. This is going to be fun."

A whimper caught in my throat. Fun for whom?

I swallowed hard and summoned every ounce of courage I possessed. I am not going to be scared of this douche.

I am Ivy Williams and I am not afraid of anyone or anything, I said to myself, a mantra I practice in front of the mirror every morning.

Putting on my most dazzling smile, I gazed up at Aidan through lowered lashes. "I was hoping you'd say that."

My sultry tone seemed to catch him off guard. Good. Let him be the one off balance for once.

Aidan's eyes narrowed, searching my face. But he played along, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Were you now?" His voice dropped to a husky murmur as he leaned in closer. "I had no idea you were so...adventurous."

"There's a lot you don't know about me." I trailed a finger down his chest, pride surging through me at the involuntary shudder I elicited. Two could play at this game.

Aidan's breath quickened, his eyes darkening with desire. Yet they remained alert as if he suspected some kind of trick.

Well, he wasn't wrong.

I slid my hands up to his shoulders, gazing deep into his eyes. He started to lower his head, no doubt expecting a kiss. Instead, I shoved him away with all my strength.

Aidan stumbled backward, shock etched into his features. Before he could react, I balled my fist and punched him square in the nose.

Aidan clutched his nose as blood gushed between his fingers. "What the hell?!"

I crossed my arms, glaring at him. "Consider that payback for all the times you've hurt me in the past AND the present time!"

He gaped at me, stunned into silence. Then, unexpectedly, he threw back his head and laughed.

My brows knitted together in confusion. Why was he laughing? I'd just punched him in the face!

"I should have known," Aidan said, amusement lightening his tone. "You were too bold, too brazen. It didn't make sense." He shook his head, wiping the blood from his nose with the back of his hand. "I have to admit, you got me good."

"I'm glad my assault on you is so amusing," I said icily.

"Assault?" Aidan's lips twitched. "That was more like a love tap."

I bristled at his teasing, my face growing hot. "Get over yourself! I was just proving a point, not professing my undying love for you."

"If you say so." He regarded me with knowing eyes. "But we both felt the spark between us. You can deny it all you want, but I won't forget how eagerly you responded to me."

My mouth fell open, at a loss for words. How dare he insinuate I'd felt anything but disgust in his arms!

Aidan smirked, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Face it, Ivy. We're meant to be together. You're the light to my dark, the sun to my—ow!" He broke off, wincing as I stomped on his foot.

"The only thing we're meant to be is sworn enemies," I said through gritted teeth.

Rubbing his foot, Aidan gazed at me with something that looked suspiciously like affection. "If you don't stop trying to hurt me there will be serious consequences."

"Oooh, I am so scared," I scoffed.

This whole situation had gotten way out of hand. All I wanted was to get out of here and put as much distance between us as possible.

I turned on my heel and strode towards the door, my hand closing around the brass knob—only to find it stuck. I jiggled and pulled with all my might, panic rising in my chest as the door remained firmly shut.

I turned to him and looked at him with fire in my eyes. "Open the door, asshole!"

"Not until I get what I came here for," Aidan said.

"I'd rather get shot than sleep with you," I hissed. I stood with my chin raised, a portrait of righteous fury.

Aidan shook his head, amusement warring with disbelief. "You really hate me that much, don't you?"

"With every fiber of my being," I said without missing a beat.

"Well then," he said, inclining his head. "Message received."

"Open the door, or the next thing I will kick is your precious family jewels," I declared as I waved my fingers.

"You are quite the feisty one, Aidan said. "But you have my attention now."

"I will pay my father's debt. But with a credit card, not my body," I growled.

Aidan shook his head. "I am not interested in money, but there is another way you can pay me back."

"And what would that be?" I demanded, my voice steady despite the rapid pounding of my heart. I was prepared for another fight, if necessary.

Aidan studied me for a moment, his expression inscrutable. Then, as if coming to a decision, he straightened up and the playful glint in his eyes dimmed. "I need a partner for a... let's call it a business venture."

My mind raced. This was unexpected. "You want me to help you with a business deal?" I was incredulous. The idea was absurd, and yet, here he was, proposing it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Aidan nodded, his piercing blue eyes fixed on me. "I have an important meeting coming up that requires...finesse. Your family's reputation precedes you. I think you could be useful." 

I hesitated, suspicion and curiosity warring within me. Knowing Aidan now, it was probably something illegal and dangerous. While I wanted nothing to do with his shady dealings, this could be my chance to pay off my father's debt and get Aidan off my back for good.

"What exactly does this 'meeting' entail?" I asked cautiously.

Aidan smiled, sensing my interest. "Just a business transaction. Transporting some merchandise across borders."

"But why would you need me for that? Don't you have men for those kinds of things?" I asked.

"I need you there with me because I need you to pretend to be my wife. We will be newlyweds who are going on there honeymoon, nothing else." He smirked.

The absurdity of the situation struck me like a thunderbolt. "Pretend to be your wife?" I sputtered. "Why on earth would I agree to that?"

Aidan's smirk widened, and he crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back against the wall as if he had all the time in the world. "Because, Ivy, it's the perfect cover. And because I know you're desperate to get your father out of his predicament. This...partnership could wipe his debt clean."

The room felt unbearably hot all of a sudden, or perhaps it was just the flush of anger and frustration heating my cheeks. The idea of playing Aidan's wife, even if just for show, made my skin crawl. Yet, the weight of my father's situation bore down on me, a relentless reminder of the stakes at hand.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me. "And what's in it for you? Why can't you just hire an actress or something? Why me?"

"Because, my dear Ivy," Aidan said, pushing off the wall to take a step closer, his tone dripping with confidence that irked me to no end, "you and I have something that no actress can replicate—we know each other very well, don't we? Besides, your social standing and your family's reputation lend credibility to our plan."

I gritted my teeth, hating the fact that he had a point.

"Fine," I ground out, the word tasting like bile on my tongue. "I'll do it. But on two conditions."

Aidan raised an eyebrow, a gesture that was infuriatingly attractive. "And those would be?"

"First, the moment this deal is over, the debt is cleared. Completely. I want it in writing," I said, holding his gaze, challenging him to argue.

"And the second?" Aidan asked, his voice smooth as silk, yet with an undercurrent of something that sounded almost like respect.

"The second," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me, "is that you never, ever pull a stunt like this again. Once this is over, you stay out of my life. For good."

Aidan considered me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. Finally, he nodded. "Agreed. You have my word, Ivy. I'll have the papers drawn up."

I nodded. "One more thing," I added. "No funny business. This is strictly professional. I'm not one of your hookers."

The corners of Aidan's mouth quirked up in a half-smile that sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. "Of course, Ivy. Strictly professional. Although," he paused, a playful glint returning to his eyes, "I can't promise not to enjoy our little charade."

I rolled my eyes, turning away to hide the flush I felt creeping up my cheeks. "Just open the door, Aidan.."

As he moved to unlock the door, I couldn't help but wonder what I had just agreed to.

This was either going to be the solution to all my problems or the biggest mistake of my life. Only time will tell.