Chapter 4 The Night I Fell

The gala ended hours ago, but Ivy's heart hadn't stopped racing since she stepped into Adrian Blackwood's world.

She sat in the backseat of his sleek black car, her fingers nervously curled around the hem of her dress. The lights of the city blurred past the window, but her attention was fixed on the man beside her-the billionaire who had just kissed her like he meant every second of it.

Adrian didn't speak much on the ride back. His silence wasn't cold, though. It was thick. Charged. Like he was holding something back.

Maybe she was, too.

When the car stopped, she blinked.

"This... isn't my place," she said softly, staring up at the elegant high-rise building ahead.

"No," Adrian replied, stepping out and offering his hand. "It's mine."

---

The penthouse was breathtaking.

Glass walls, rich hardwood floors, and a view of the city that made Ivy feel like she was floating above it all.

She stood in the center of the living room, uncertain.

"I... didn't expect to come here," she said, barely above a whisper.

Adrian closed the door behind them and loosened his tie.

"I didn't plan it either," he said. "But I didn't want the night to end yet."

He walked toward her-slow, calm, confident.

Every step made her pulse pound harder.

"Ivy," he said, stopping inches away. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. If you want to leave, I'll call the car."

She looked up into his eyes-those cold blue eyes that always felt too unreadable, too distant. But not tonight. Tonight, they burned. Not with lust. With hunger. For her.

"I'm not leaving," she said, her voice trembling. "I don't want to."

Adrian's breath hitched. His hand reached up, brushing her hair gently behind her ear. His thumb grazed her cheek, then her jaw, tracing it softly.

"You drive me insane," he whispered. "You walk into my world like you don't belong... and now I can't stop wanting you."

He leaned down.

And this time, when their lips met, there was no hesitation.

---

The kiss was fire.

Adrian's mouth moved over hers-slow at first, tasting her, learning her. His hand slid into her hair, gripping it just enough to make her gasp. She pressed closer, her hands against his chest, feeling the heat through his shirt.

His tongue brushed against hers, and she whimpered into his mouth.

That sound lit something in him.

In one swift motion, Adrian lifted her off the ground. Ivy let out a soft gasp as he carried her down the hall and into his bedroom-dark, clean, luxurious.

He placed her gently on the bed, standing over her, his breathing uneven.

"You're sure?" he asked again, his voice rough.

Ivy nodded, chest rising. "I want you."

That was all he needed.

---

Adrian climbed over her, kissing her again-deeper, harder. His hands moved down her sides, exploring her curves through the fabric of her dress.

Ivy's hands trembled as they reached for his shirt buttons. He helped her, pulling it off and tossing it aside. Her eyes widened.

His body was sculpted-broad shoulders, firm chest, a light trail of hair leading down his abdomen. He was perfection. Raw, real, masculine perfection.

He leaned down, kissing her neck, then lower-trailing his lips down her collarbone, slowly unzipping her dress.

It slipped off her shoulders and pooled around her waist, revealing her bare skin beneath.

She wasn't wearing a bra.

Adrian groaned softly, eyes darkening.

"You're beautiful," he murmured.

His hands cupped her breasts gently, thumbs brushing over her nipples, teasing them into hardened peaks. Ivy arched her back, a moan slipping from her lips.

He lowered his mouth to her chest, kissing, sucking softly-drawing gasps from her throat.

Her hips lifted on instinct, pressing against his thigh.

"Please..." she whispered, aching, desperate.

Adrian grinned slightly against her skin. "So eager," he said, teasing.

He slid her dress the rest of the way off, leaving her in nothing but her panties.

Then he hooked his fingers under the waistband and pulled them down-slow, sensual, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You're shaking," he said, voice husky.

"It's my first time," she admitted.

He paused, looking into her eyes. "We don't have to rush. We can stop."

She reached up, cupped his face.

"I trust you."

Adrian kissed her again-slowly, deeply-then began to explore her body with patient, loving hands. His fingers traced her thighs, parted them gently, and slid between them.

Ivy gasped, hips jerking as he touched her-softly at first, then more firmly, finding the spot that made her cry out.

He kissed her neck, her jaw, whispering things between every kiss.

"You're so wet for me."

"You taste like heaven."

"You're everything I didn't know I needed."

She was trembling by the time he slipped a finger inside her-slow, careful, gentle. Then another. His thumb continued to rub her clit in perfect rhythm, coaxing sounds from her she didn't know she could make.

"Adrian," she moaned. "I'm gonna..."

"Let go," he whispered. "Come for me, Ivy."

And she did.

Her body arched, mouth open in a silent scream as waves of pleasure crashed over her. He held her through it, murmuring soft praise against her lips.

Then, slowly, he pulled back.

"I want you," he said, voice hoarse.

She nodded.

He stood, unbuckling his pants, eyes locked on hers. She watched as he slid them off, followed by his briefs.

He was... huge.

Her breath caught.

Adrian climbed over her again, kissing her gently, reassuring her.

"I'll go slow," he promised.

He reached into the drawer, grabbed protection, and rolled it on.

Then he positioned himself between her thighs, pressing slowly into her.

Ivy gasped-his size stretching her, filling her inch by inch.

"Tell me if it hurts," he whispered, kissing her forehead.

It did, a little. But not enough to stop.

She nodded, and he continued-slow, patient, until he was fully inside her.

He paused, letting her adjust, kissing her lips.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Better than okay," she whispered.

He moved-slow, steady strokes that built a fire inside her all over again.

Their bodies moved together-skin to skin, breath to breath.

He kissed her lips, her neck, her chest.

She dug her nails into his back, moaning his name like a prayer.

"Faster," she begged.

And he did-thrusting harder, deeper, making her cry out.

Pleasure built again, faster this time, like lightning coiled in her belly.

"Ivy," he groaned. "You feel so good... so tight..."

Their eyes locked. He reached between them, circling her clit with his fingers.

She shattered.

Her second orgasm ripped through her, clenching around him, making him groan loudly as he followed-thrusting once, twice more before spilling into her with a deep, rough growl.

---

Afterward, he collapsed beside her, pulling her into his arms.

The room was quiet except for their breathing.

Her head rested on his chest, her fingers tracing small circles against his skin.

"I can't believe that just happened," she whispered.

Adrian kissed the top of her head. "I've never done that before," he said.

She blinked. "What?"

"Brought someone here. Let them see this side of me."

She smiled softly. "You're more than I thought."

"So are you," he replied. "And I'm not letting you go."