Second Marriage, The Billionaire's Planned Love novel Chapter 64

Ivy’s POV

When Caleb and I found ourselves alone at the reserved VIP table in the underground club beneath his casino empire, my pulse quickened like I was back to being that naive girl who first st

o this dark world. The nervousness coursed through me as his predator and the

“List

he across the marble surface littered with empty glasses vening with his crew.

of your incredible body, and I other man in my own

ully, Ivy.” His voice dropped to that dangerous whisper that had en tremble in fear as he leaned closer, his breath warm against my nting of the exclusive venue. “You can rage against me all you want, change the fact that you belong to me and this family. I won’t stand by er men put their hands on what’s mine. You can leave our territory sinful dress that shows off ev my teeth and bear it. But da ment?” His ice–blue eyes d reputation. “That will nev

ged through my veins tslot machines an d through the belong to ar us, so do

le lethal intensity that had earned

without flinching, even as the sound of tions from the legitimate casino above ‘re completely delusional, Mr. Thorne. I ou and your bloody empire. And yes, I’m

to flash that devastatingly dangerous smile that nd intimidated rival family heads. His eyes gleamed n of a man who had never been denied anything he

een love and hate, sweetheart. You’re mine, Ivy, and everyone sit. It’s only a matter of time before you stop fighting it and this world.” He pressed a soft kiss to the tip of my nose, the gentle te odds with his possessive words that carried the weight of his

stration, hat

enforce

ouch even in this den of

something to focus

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64 Chapter 64 Just For Tonight

on other than his magnetic presence, I caught sight of a woman approaching our table through the haze of cigar smoke. She was practically spilling out of her barely–there sequined dress, her surgically enhanced chest threatening to escape her neckline entirely. Her hips swayed in an exaggerated motion as she strutted over in sky–high heels, her face caked with enough makeup to rival the showgirls who performed in the legitimate theaters Caleb owned as fronts.

“Hey there, gorgeous,” she purred, leaning over Caleb’s chair until her artificial assets were practically in his face, completely ignoring the armed bodyguards stationed discreetly around our section. “Dance with me. I’m sure your little sister won’t mind sharing such a powerful man.”

Sister? The audacity of this woman in Caleb’s own underground kingdom sent my blood pressure skyrocketing. I watched Caleb’s reaction, waiting for him to shut her down with the cold brutality he showed to anyone who disrespected his property. Instead, he remained perfectly still, his eyes slowly traveling up and down her body as if he was actually considering her proposition, his expression unreadable.

Something snapped inside me. Whether it was the expensive champagne coursing through my system or pure territorial instinct awakened by months in this violent world, I shot to my feet and leaned across the table until I was nose to nose with the plastic fantastic intruder.

“Sister?” I said, my voice dripping with venom that would have made any of Caleb’s lieutenants proud. “What exactly gave you that brilliant idea in this establishment? Why don’t you take your cheap performance somewhere else, because this man already has everything he needs right here.”

Caleb’s attention shifted from her to me, his eyebrows raising with interest as if he was enjoying watching me stake my claim in front of his crew and clientele. The woman looked me up and down with obvious disdain, then had the audacity to laugh in the face of the Thorne family’s authority.

“Seriously?” She gestured to her artificially enhanced figure with theatrical flair. “You honestly think he’d choose a boring little mouse like you over all of this in his own territory?” She leaned down to whisper in Caleb’s ear, her voice loud enough for me to hear every word. “I’m one hundred percent woman, baby. I can show you pleasures you’ve never imagined. Don’t waste your time with her when you could have me doing whatever you want, however you want it.”

White–hot rage exploded through every nerve in my body. This shameless woman was

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64 Chapter 64 Just For Tonight

propositioning my man right in front of me in his own underground empire, and Caleb was just sitting there like he was enjoying the deadly show.

“Listen carefully, you walking advertisement for poor life choices,” I snarled, my voice low and dangerous enough to silence nearby conversations. “Turn around and crawl

k to whatever dive you escaped from before I have you permanently removed from territory.”

leb burst into l xclusive dom head, which snaking

react

int

entertained by the entire spectacle unfolding in his

fueled

my anger, and I smacked him upside the en harder. But then he stood up abruptly, his arm pulling me flush against his hard chest. Before I could possessive kiss on my lips and turned to address the uthority of a man who ruled the underworld.

d be interested in your amateur performance when I have the

His smile was razor–sharp and

an in the city right here beside thing but a desperate wannal

ain.”

etheart,” I added with a sar maze of gambling tables

d back to me, his a gerous paradise

gainst my ear

and don’t show your face in

ching her storm away in defeat

nd my waist as I savored my victory short–lived when I heard his husky

no idea

are when you’re claiming your territory.”

at he held me tighter, and my legs turned to and presence. Ohe touch from this lethal man properly.

marked me as hers in front of my entire crew wouldn’t , would she?” Without waiting for an answer, he guided ce floor reserved for family members, and I found myself ravitational pull.

playing a slow, sensual melody, and I melted into Caleb’s arms as

t his body with the

who owned everything and

1. s. He moved

nd lethal

rained in both

e the seductive

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64 Chapter 64 Just For Tonight

rhythm pulsed through the exclusive space. His hands explored the curve of my waist as he sang the lyrics softly in my ear, his voice sending shivers down my spine. Being this close to him was pure torture when I was trying so hard to resist everything he

ted.

ren

seemed determined to test my resolve, playing one romantic song after s other couples from his inner circle joined us on the floor. We stayed together through several more dances, our bodies moving in perfect nization like we were made for this dangerous dance. I never wanted the nt to end.

on the music finally shifted to something more upbeat, Caleb kept his arm possessively around my waist as we returned to our VIP table. Our friends were all taring at us with knowing looks, and the women were practically fanning themselves. He pulled my chair closer to his and draped his arm across my shoulders, ignoring my warning glare.

“What?” he asked with mock innocence, pressing a soft kiss to my bare shoulder. “Don’t you want to keep that desperate woman you so eloquently dismissed away from what belongs to you?”

“Caleb, I need to tell you something,” I began, but he silenced me with a kiss that stole my breath and scrambled my thoughts completely.

The kiss was desperate and hungry, filled with months of longing and the dangerous tension that existed between us in this violent world. It was overwhelming and irresistible, making my head spin and my heart race against the backdrop of his criminal empire. I wound my arms around his neck and kissed him back with equal fervor, surrendering to the moment despite my better judgment.

When we finally broke apart, his eyes were blazing with satisfaction and possession. But I wasn’t ready to wave the white flag just yet. He hadn’t suffered nearly enough for what he put me through, and I wasn’t about to make this easy for the most powerful

man in the underworld.

“Don’t think this

features. “I’m

tonight in

but this

I pull

g” I said firmly, watching confusion flicker across his

efinitely not forgiven. But we’re here together

etend you don’t affect me. So we can have fun,

thing changes in this war between us.”

ss, pouring all my conflicted emotions into it.

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64 Chapter 64 Just For Tonight

“If that’s what you want tonight, then that’s what you’ll get,” he murmured against my lips with the dangerous promise of a man accustomed to getting everything he desired. “I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me, tesoro.”

“Perfect.” I drained my champagne and stood up, extending my hand to him. “Then let’s dance, handsome.”

As we returned to the dance floor, I spotted familiar faces through the crowd. Ruby appeared at m

th a knowing smirk, her deer dress perfectly suited for this high–en

“We

pered in my ear as we s ag she doesn’t want the

es but couldn’t suppress

The best things always are.” ation with some of Caleb’s mor fitting seamlessly into

en the song ended, we ma

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