At her words, Jamison glanced back at the floor-to-ceiling window behind them. Rain was streaming down the glass, turning the world outside into a blurred watercolor.

“It’s coming down hard.”

“So what?”

Their eyes met, and Jamison knew she understood exactly what he was thinking. He reached out, drawing her gently into his arms.

“Do you really have to go?”

“Katrina’s flying back early tomorrow—what do you think?”

“She’s an adult. She’ll understand.”

“That’s not the point…”

“Alright.” Jamison sounded resigned, sighing softly. “I’ve been running around all day. Let me hold you for a bit, recharge, and then I’ll have the energy to drive.”

He sounded almost childishly pleading, and Ivy couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

They held each other in quiet stillness. Jamison lowered his gaze, taking in the beauty of the woman in his arms. His eyes darkened with longing. Gently, he tipped Ivy’s chin up, guiding her face toward his.

She said nothing, but the heat of his fingertips sent her heart racing. She knew exactly what he was about to do.

“Ivy…” His voice was a low, rough whisper, thick with desire.

Ivy swallowed, still silent, but she closed her eyes anyway, lashes fluttering like trembling wings.

Jamison’s breath, warm and unsteady, drew closer. He finally pressed his lips, tenderly, to hers.

Knowing how she shied away from intimacy, Jamison was careful and gentle, his touch full of patience and care. At first, the kiss was feather-light, tentative, almost as if he was both asking permission and offering comfort.

Without thinking, Ivy’s hands clutched at his shirt, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. Maybe her response gave him courage, because Jamison’s kiss deepened, growing more insistent, a little possessive—yet still so gentle she felt herself sinking further with every second.

They held each other tighter, breaths mingling, the air thick with unspoken longing. After a long while, Jamison finally let her go, resting his forehead against hers, breathless and flushed.

Ivy’s cheeks were aflame, eyes shining with emotion, lips parted and rosy.

“Was that your plan all along?” she teased softly, her voice a little hoarse, her gaze shy and playful.

“Hm?” Jamison seemed distracted, his eyes fixed on her lips, clearly not satisfied with just one kiss.

Ivy rolled her eyes. Was he really so far gone he couldn’t even hear her?

“I’m asking if you’re trying to seduce me into staying,” she clarified.

Jamison’s lips curled in a mischievous smile as he traced her lips with his thumb, raising an eyebrow. “And if I am, are you still planning to leave?”

His reluctance made Ivy hesitate too. But things were moving so fast between them, she couldn’t help feeling a little overwhelmed.

So she wrapped her arms around his neck, softening her tone. “Didn’t you say there’s plenty of time ahead of us? What’s the rush? Once we’re official, I’ll come over and keep you company whenever you want.”

Jamison hadn’t expected her to promise him anything, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You mean it?”

She nodded. “I do.”

He grinned. “Alright then. How about I take you out to dinner and drive you home after?”

“Sounds good.”

On the way to the restaurant, Jamison’s phone rang. With the phone connected to the car’s Bluetooth, Ivy saw the caller ID light up on the dashboard screen: Mrs. Ludwig.

Jamison’s brow creased slightly—maybe he already guessed why his mother was calling. Still, he answered, “Hey, Mom.”

“Jamison, why didn’t you come home for dinner this weekend?” Mrs. Ludwig’s familiar voice came through, gently chiding her youngest son. The family knew how busy Jamison was with work, so they rarely pressed him when he didn’t make it home.