At home, Noah waited for Ivy to arrive. He had ordered sushi and had lit the candles she likes just as she would do if she were waiting on him. He finished lighting the last candle, the sweet fragrance hit him and reminded him of Ivy. He stood and his lips curled slightly.

He gave a small scoff at himself, who would have thought that he would ever wait on someone to come home? To light candles and have their dinner ready for them. It was uncharacteristic of him but he didn't mind because it was for Ivy.

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All his warmth and love went to her, he didn't know he could act like this until she came into his life with her vibrance and love.

Noah decided to take a shower while he waits for Ivys arrival. He headed for their bedroom and stripped of his clothing once inside. As each piece of clothing was discarded it revealed more and more of his masculine body.

He was a powerhouse, he had pectoral muscles that could be carved by the gods themselves. Noah's sculpted and with his strong waist then lead to a toned mermaid line. His arms were toned and powerful. His body was firm and well trained.

After his shower, he put on his white robe and went to the living room. At the bar, he poured himself a tumbler of Whiskey. He swirled the dark amber liquid and waited at the sofa. He placed his arm on the armrest and thought of today's meetings, mergers and finally the meeting with Anna.

Click

The door opened and Ivy stepped inside, she took off her heels first and then her jacket. She sighed upon getting home and knowing that she could finally relax made her unbelievably content. She saw the warm glow from her candles and furrowed her brows as she approached the living room.

Noah sat back on the sofa wearing just his white robe. His pictorial muscles showing through the large gap between the fabric as he had tied it loosely. She felt her stomach flip in excitement and it made her mouth water.

Noah sat swirling his whiskey tumbler with a slight smile on his handsome face, his ebony locks fell slightly in front of one eye. He was pure temptation. Ivy approached him and smiled pretending that she was unaffected by just his smile or the way his strong hands held the whiskey in his hand.

"Hey, when did you get home?" She asked as she sat on the sofa beside Noah.

Noah pulled her legs so they were lying across his, "Not too long, how was your day?"

"Went okay... Told my father he said congratulations." Ivy replied trying to ignore his hands as he rubbed her bare legs with his elegant fingers. His hands always had a magic touch against her skin.

"Mmm." Noah didn't care for congratulations from anyone he had Ivy and that was enough. "Tomorrow Matteo will join you and Thomas from now on."

Noah felt that if he gave her another unknown guard by her side she would never agree but seeing as the stray she had picked up was trained he could be of help, she wouldn't say no to having Matteo follow her.

Ivy was confused, wasn't Thomas enough? Didn't Noah send Teo away so as they couldn't interact due to his jealousy? What changed?

"Why?" Ivy simply asked her curiosity peaked.

Noah downed the whiskey in one go, he knew she was too smart to hide things from her, "I thought you liked Matteo?"

"I do, don't change the subject... Why?" She didn't want him to ignore the question. Noah had a reason for everything he did.

"The new governor is Anna... I have known her for a long time. She is intelligent but can be difficult. I just want to make sure that you will be safe. Take Matteo with you, he's a friend anyway." Noah looked at Ivy as she sat in silence.

Ivy retracted her legs from his magical hands. She sensed more to the story and she didn't feel at ease at all. She never asked Noah questions she shouldn't and didn't pry but her heart was alerted to danger.

Noah tried to pull her legs back but she curled them under her body and sat up.

Noah saw her posture and her eyes scanning him for answers so he sighed, "Dont look at me like that."

"Who is she to you?" Ivy didn't fear the answer what she did fear was the unknown, the secrets.

"She is an old friend that is all," Noah explained clearly.

"Friend? Does she see it that way?" Ivy asked.

"I don't know what she thinks but I have made it clear before that I don't see her as a woman let alone want a romantic relationship with her. It is purely business, Aiden was with me all evening you can ask him." Noah wanted her close he didn't like her far away. Her eyes unsure didn't sit well with him, though her jealousy made his pride swell.

"You had to explain things to her so she obviously wants more and you were with her earlier that's why you said that you would be late. You showered?" Ivy rationality started to slip.

Not liking her lack of trust he pulled her on to his knee and lifted her head to look straight into his eyes, "The thought of her anywhere near me makes me feel physically sick don't mention it again. Yes, I had to explain to her before but that was over ten years ago. It's strictly business, but she is dangerous so I will feel better if you have another guard with you."

Ivy looked into his galaxy like eyes, they shone like stars. Noah never lied to her so she had to accept his answer. She realised she sounded like a jealous woman and shook her head. Now he explained she felt content. Just how dangerous was this woman?

"I suppose there is no harm in Teo accompany me and Thomas, he is a good driver too. Fine, I'm guessing he will start right away seeing as you are telling me tonight." She was sure of one thing, whatever they would face they would do it together.