The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 1931

Ivy felt like she was tainted, seething with rage, and all she wanted to do was escape and confront Finn and Tessa about their intentions.

She had barely made it to the doorway when the bathroom door swung open. "What's the rush? Planning to bolt as soon as you wake up?"

The familiar voice halted Ivy's steps. She spun around to see Balfour, bare-chested and dripping from the shower.

"Oh!" She yelped, covering her eyes awkwardly. "You... What are you doing here?"

"And who exactly was you expecting?" Balfour's gaze drifted down to her slim legs peeking out from under his oversized white shirt.

Balfour frowned slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing unconsciously.

Feeling his eyes on her, Ivy shifted uncomfortably, grabbing a nearby blanket to cover her legs. "I... I couldn't find my clothes, so I just grabbed something to wear. This is your shirt, isn't it?"

"Who else did you think the shirt belonged to?" Balfour settled onto the couch casually. "Vincent, maybe?"

At the mention of Vincent, Ivy felt a spark of surprise. "How do you know about Vincent?"

"Ivy, I don't ask for much, but during the term of our agreement, you absolutely cannot disgrace the Howard family."

Ivy looked down. "I'm sorry, it was a momentary lapse that almost got me into trouble. It won't happen again. Um... Was it you who saved me last night? So that means we..."

Her mind raced back to the drink she had the night before, which she was sure had been tampered with. If Balfour had saved her, could it be that they had...

The thought made Ivy hang her head, unable to meet Balfour's gaze.

Though she dreaded the thought of anything happening between them, she infinitely preferred Balfour over the slimy, repulsive Vincent.