Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 369

Ivy honestly felt like this thirty-something-year-old man was stealing her lines, leaving her absolutely speechless.

Was she supposed to grovel and coax him now?

She hadn't even done anything wrong.

Half the time, his ridiculous outbursts were entirely his own fault.

But then she remembered his hand hadn't been properly disinfected. What if it got infected?

Especially since it was his right hand. If it affected his ability to sign documents and manage his empire, that would be a disaster.

Ivy reached out and grabbed his arm. "Let me finish cleaning this up, then you can go back to ignoring me."

"I said leave me alone."

Alaric yanked his arm back, shoved his hand under the blanket, and resolutely turned his back to her again.

Noticing the blanket didn't fully cover his backside, an exasperated Ivy slapped his rear end with a sharp smack.

"Are you going to listen to me or not? Give me your hand."

The slap sent a violent jolt through Alaric. He instantly shot up into a sitting position, glaring at her with eyes full of deep, wounded grievance.

Ivy actually felt a flicker of genuine fear.

She had no idea why she was becoming increasingly reckless and brazen around him.

Not only was she constantly defying him, but she was doing it with unapologetic confidence.

It felt a bit like she was getting cocky, abusing the small amount of tolerance he had shown her.

This was bad. She was losing her self-awareness. She needed to remember her place in this transaction.

"Try hitting me again."

Although Alaric's face still looked thunderous, the terrifying chill had completely vanished from his voice.

It almost sounded like an open invitation for her to do it again.

Ivy immediately schooled her features into a serious expression. "Who told you to be so stubborn? This is exactly how I handle uncooperative patients at work. Now give me your hand."

Alaric's voice dropped into a dangerous, low register. "Do you routinely slap other men's asses?"

"Yep."

Ivy didn't look up, focusing entirely on organizing the medical supplies in the kit.

"Ivy Sawyer."

Alaric gritted his teeth, his breathing turning ragged.

"Who gave you permission to touch another man like that? Never do that again, do you hear me?"

Seeing his face practically flushed with anger, Ivy decided to soften her tone.

"If you cooperate, I'll cooperate. Give me your hand."

She held her hand out, waiting.

"Yes."

Alaric offered a calm, steady confirmation. "I can."

Ivy felt dazed, completely thrown off balance. For a fleeting second, she almost fell headfirst into his promise.

But thankfully, past experience had taught her better. A man's words were nothing but beautiful lies.

And promises made by a man in bed were the cheapest of all.

She could let the sweet words stroke her ego, but she absolutely could not take them to heart.

Finishing up with the bandage, Ivy stood up.

"Don't get this wet for the next two days. I'll help you wash up and get dressed."

Alaric agreed with surprising docility. "Alright."

After putting the first aid kit away, Ivy climbed into bed. The second she did, the massive man practically tackled her, wrapping her in his arms and nuzzling into her neck like an oversized, needy puppy.

She wrapped her arms around him in return, allowing herself to bask in the warm, blissful comfort of his embrace.

She just wouldn't let herself fantasize about their future anymore.

The next morning.

The moment Ivy arrived at the hospital, she found Xavier, Landon, and Hazel already hovering in Gemma's room.