CHAPTER 119: WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

His gaze softened — just a fraction. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Even after what he’s done, you’re going to worry about him."

"Of course," she said, eyes glistening. "Because that’s what decent people do, Winn. They care, even when it hurts."

Winn let out a long exhale, rubbing his temples. "And I’m not going to hear the end of it until I do something about it, will I?"

"No," she said stubbornly. "You won’t."

He stared at her, then laughed softly — a low, rumbling sound that carried both affection and defeat. "Great," he muttered. "What’s in it for me?"

Ivy tilted her head up, a teasing smile tugging her lips. "You mean apart from eternal peace and the knowledge that you didn’t get a man killed?"

Winn smirked. " I was thinking something more immediate."

"What?" Ivy blinked, half in disbelief, half in amusement.

"This," Winn said, "is against my character. I don’t pity people. You want me to talk to Commissioned’s owner then you gotta give me something, sweetheart."

Her pulse stuttered. "What do you want?"

He tilted his head, a slow smirk curving on his lips. "What are you hiding?"

Ivy hesitated, eyes darting away. "I can’t tell you that," she murmured. Then she drew a slow breath, her expression shifting from defensive to dangerous. "But what if I make you a counteroffer?"

Winn’s brows rose slightly, intrigued despite himself.

She took a step toward him, then another — her hips swaying. "How about I let you fuck me in the ass?"

Winn almost choked on air. His jaw went slack, eyes widening. "You— I... really?"

"Mhmm," she purred, stopping just in front of him. Her fingers trailed up his shirtfront, tracing the lines of his chest until they hooked at his collar. "You want leverage? I’m offering it."

He caught her wrist, but not to stop her — more to steady himself. "Christ, Ivy," he whispered, his breath hot against her cheek. "You can’t just throw that out there like it’s dessert."

Her lips brushed his jaw. "Then eat, Mr. Kane."

He didn’t need to be asked twice. Winn grabbed her waist and pulled her flush against him, his mouth claiming hers in a hungry kiss that made the air hum. She gasped when his tongue slid in, tasting, teasing, taking. His hand slipped down her back, gripping her ass through her sweatshirt until she moaned softly into his mouth.

The kiss deepened, and when she tugged him toward the hallway, he followed willingly — half dazed, half possessed. She led him into her bedroom, pushing the door closed with her heel.

"Ivy..." he started, but she silenced him with another kiss. Her hands were already at his belt, deft and impatient. "You’re really—"

"Yes," she cut him off, eyes flashing. "You said you wanted something. I’m giving it to you."

His mouth found her throat, kissing down the delicate curve of her neck as his hand slid between her thighs. She trembled against him.

He backed her onto the bed, lowering her onto the sheets. "You think you can distract me with sex," he said quietly, tracing his fingers along her thigh. "But what you’re hiding... that’s what I want. I am still going to fuck you in the ass though."

Her back arched when his fingers slipped between her folds. "Winn..." she gasped, her hands gripping the sheets.

He chuckled darkly. "You’re going to tell me, baby. I’ll make sure of it."

He pressed deeper, curling his fingers until she moaned — that needy, throaty sound that made him lose all sense of reason. He kissed her again, biting her bottom lip as he murmured, "Tell me what you’re hiding, Ivy."

Her head thrashed against the pillow. "No," she breathed.

He smiled against her neck. "Then I’ll keep going."

And he did — his rhythm slow, torturous, calculated. Every touch made her body tighten, every whisper dragged her closer to the edge. But every time she neared release, he stopped — pulling back just enough to make her whimper in frustration.

"Winn, please," she panted, her body trembling beneath him.

"Tell me."

"Winn—"

He withdrew his hand, making her gasp, then leaned in close, lips at her ear. "You think you can outlast me?"

Her laugh came out breathless. "You bastard."

"Guilty."

He brushed his lips across hers again. "Last chance, sweetheart."

She finally broke, moaning his name. "The wedding dress," she gasped. "I was hiding the dress."

Winn froze for a heartbeat, then slowly sat back, amusement flickering through his eyes. "The wedding dress," he repeated.

"Yes," she said, flushed and breathless, glaring at him. "I didn’t want you to see it before the wedding, you nosy maniac."

He grinned, that lazy, wolfish grin she both adored and wanted to smack off his face. "You mean all this time, I thought you were hiding some deep, scandalous secret... and it’s just fabric?"

"Designer fabric," she corrected. "And you’re still not allowed to see it."

Winn leaned down, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "Too late, sweetheart. I’m about to unwrap the real gift."

Ivy groaned. "That’s cheating."

"Maybe," he murmured.

His hands slid beneath her sweatshirt, palms gliding up her stomach until his fingers found the hem. He tugged it upward, slow at first, savoring the soft friction of fabric against her skin before pulling it clean off her body. The movement was unhurried but the heat in his eyes betrayed his restraint.

His gaze darkened the moment her chest was bare to him, pupils dilating.

Without a word, Winn bent his head and took one nipple into his mouth, his lips closing around her with a hunger that made Ivy gasp. The sound that escaped her throat was that of raw pleasure, her hands instinctively diving into his hair.

She gripped the strands, holding him there, urging him closer, deeper — her breath catching as he sucked harder, drawing the sensitive bud between his teeth before flicking his tongue over it in a rhythm that made her whimper.

He moved to the other breast, kissing his way across her chest, tasting her sweat, her perfume. His hand cupped one breast while his mouth devoured the other, switching between licking and biting, teasing her until she was trembling beneath him.