The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 1996

Ivy and Quinton had been in touch a lot lately and she'd even roped him into doing quite a few favors for her.

Ivy was well aware of Quinton's knack for getting things done, so having him teach Clara a lesson wouldn't have been a tall order for him.

But Ivy wanted to handle this herself.

She was determined to give as good as she got from anyone who had wronged her, convinced that it was the only way she'd ever grow stronger.

"I can take care of it myself. Besides, Quinton's been a huge help to me recently. He's your secretary, not my errand boy. I can't keep piling work on him." Ivy pressed her lips together, offering a faint smile.

For some reason, that smile, which revealed a hint of vulnerability, made him ache for her.

"Let's go," Balfour said as he stepped forward and casually took her hand, "I'm taking you out to eat."

Before Ivy could even process what was happening, she found herself being ushered out the door, "Uh, Balfour, wait a minute."

He strode forward with her in tow as if he didn’t hear her at all.

Ivy stopped resisting. Looking down at their intertwined hands, her cheeks were flushing and her mind was wandering.

When had she started to feel comfortable with Balfour's touch? Without realizing it, their relationship seemed to have shifted from what it once was.

When they reached the car, Balfour opened the passenger door for her. "Hop in," he claimed.

"Where are we going?" Ivy asked. She was suddenly conscious of her free hand and somehow she felt unsure where to bestow it.

Balfour let out an exasperated sigh as he gently nudged her into the seat, "Where else will we go? We will get some grub."