Undressed By His Arrogance

Ivy cried out, clutching his arm as if he was the only thing keeping her tethered to reality. Her body trembled violently, pulsing around him, riding wave after wave of ecstasy that left her gasping. Winn could feel her clenching, squeezing him tighter, her heat radiating against him, the sweet release of her passion echoing in every nerve of his body.

He groaned feeling the pulse of her climax.

"Is that good, baby? You feel good, uhn?" Winn asked, not slowing down his pace.

Sweat slicked his skin, his muscles tight with restraint he was no longer interested in keeping. He watched her face closely, the way her brows pinched, the way her lips parted, the way her entire body seemed to open for him.

"Yes! Yes! God yes! I love you."

It shattered whatever control he had left. His hands tightened on her, his breath punched from his lungs, and the world narrowed to the woman above him and the words echoing in his head.

That tipped him over the edge. He pulled her down hard against his chest, one arm wrapped firmly around her back, the other cradling her head as he crushed his mouth to hers. His entire body went rigid as release tore through him, a deep, involuntary groan rumbling from his chest as he spilled inside her, claiming, giving, losing himself all at once.

His heart hammered violently. Every nerve ending thrummed, overstimulated and alive, his body still pulsing even after the wave crested. He held her there, breathing hard, eyes shut tight as if he could imprint the moment into his bones. And yet—even in the aftermath, even with satisfaction humming through him—it wasn’t enough.

It would never be enough. He wanted her always. In every version of his future.

"Marry me." Winn said.

The idea of losing her, of this moment being temporary, was unbearable.

Ivy chuckled softly, still breathless, still flushed, her hands resting against his chest. "Winn, I’m still engaged."

"Just say yes, babe," he said quickly, urgency creeping into his voice now. "It doesn’t have to be immediately. Maybe next week, maybe the next ten years... just say yes now." He was asking for hope. For a promise that no matter how ugly things got, she’d still choose him.

"Yes." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Winn smiled, but beneath it, a flicker of sadness lingered.

Ivy rose carefully to her feet, smoothing her dress down, adjusting her straps, even as evidence of their lovemaking slid shamelessly down her thighs.

"But this time," she added lightly, turning back to him with a grin that softened his chest, "I want a teeny, tiny wedding."

Winn slid his cock back into its confines, adjusting his belt. He exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. "Just the two of us," he said.

"Maybe with Gramps," Ivy replied. "I mean, he’ll kill you if we elope."

"Sam it is," Winn decided, nodding solemnly. He looked absurdly serious about it, which only made Ivy laugh. In his mind, the guest list didn’t matter; what mattered was her, standing there, choosing him even when the world was a minefield.

Ivy leaned down once more, pressing a kiss to his lips—soft, lingering, full of promise rather than urgency. "I love you," she said simply.

"Don’t make me keep you here," he smiled back, brushing his thumb along her jaw, reluctant even now to let go. "It’s hard to let you go."

Ivy chuckled, reaching for her purse and pulling out a thick stack of bills with exaggerated flair. She tossed it at him lightly, the money fluttering onto his lap. "There you go. Forty thousand dollars. Impressive lap dance," she teased, arching a brow. "Could use a bit more hip work."

Winn stared at the money, then up at her, disbelief giving way to a bark of laughter. "You’re a bitch," he said fondly, holding up the bills as if considering whether to frame them.

Ivy laughed, already turning to go. But halfway through her step, the color drained from her face. The world tilted suddenly, lights blurring, the floor shifting under her feet. She swayed, knees buckling as dizziness washed over her without warning.

Winn was on his feet instantly, reflexes sharp, catching her before she hit the ground. "Ivy? Ivy—come on, what’s going on?" He cradled her against him, one hand firm at her back, the other steadying her chin so he could look into her eyes.

"Nothing," she insisted weakly. "I haven’t been sleeping well. It’s all catching up to me."

"I’m taking you home," Winn said immediately, no room for argument. He wrapped an arm around her more securely. "And you are seeing that goddamned therapist."

Ivy huffed a small laugh, even as she leaned into him. "Bossy," she murmured.

"Terrified," he corrected softly.

"Winn, we cannot risk it. Just stay, please. I’ll be fine. I’ll go home and I will get some more rest," Ivy assured him, her palms pressed lightly to his chest. Her head still felt cotton-soft, but she straightened her shoulders, lifting her chin with stubborn resolve.

"The point is not you resting," he said quietly. "The point is the nightmares you’re having that keep you from sleeping properly. Ivy..." He trailed off.

"Hey...hey...hey..." Ivy interrupted gently, cupping his face, forcing him to look at her instead of spiraling into worst-case scenarios. "I’m okay. I’m perfect. I’m happy." She smiled. "The nightmares aren’t haunting anymore. They just come and go." She shrugged lightly.

Inside, she knew it wasn’t that simple—but she also knew Winn carried enough ghosts of his own.

Winn kissed her then. "You have to be okay, love," he murmured against her mouth, forehead resting against hers. "It’s imperative that you are okay. I can’t... I cannot function without you."

"Don’t worry," Ivy said, her smile turning mischievous as she brushed her nose against his. "I’ll outlive you. I’m sixteen years younger." She winked, the teasing a deliberate lifeline, pulling him back from the edge.

"Fine by me," Winn replied instantly, deadpan.

"You won’t be saying that when you’re old and dead and I spend all your money on a man half my age," she shot back.

(200 golden tickets!!! I’m dancing. I’m sure y’all already have a clue what’s wrong with Ivy. *wink* On to the next: 300 golden tickets)