Familiarity

When Axel Kingston touched her, it felt like something inside her shifted.

Like she was falling into something she would not be able to escape.

Ivy exhaled audibly, running a hand down her face. Last night she had dreamed about him again.

No, not a dream. A feverish, sinful nightmare every single freaking time. And it had been going on for days.

She had felt his breath against her neck, his lips brushing the sensitive area there. His strong hands gripping her hips, sliding under her shirt, pulling her against his body… but then the screams, the fire… the blood and crimson skies!!!

Ivy's eyes flew open as heat rushed up her spine. Smoldering heat!

She was losing it!

The worst part? She had woken up wanting more despite the overbearing terror. Woken up with the taste of his name on her lips, her body flushed and aching for his touch,despite the dread that came along with it every single time. The more she dreamt the more she was losing control of herself.

God, she needed to get a grip.

A knock at the door shattered Ivy's thoughts.

She barely had time to shake off the lingering sensation of her dream before her mother pushed inside.

“Ivy, you are still in bed?” She smiled with a frown, striding across the room in her silk robe, her new luxurious perfume trailing behind her. "You should be getting ready. We have a big day ahead.”

Ivy groaned, rubbing her temples. "Big day? What are you talking about?”

Her mother perched on the edge of the bed, smoothing out an invisible crease on the sheets. "I was just talking to Charles about this. You need to make an effort, sweetheart.I know this transition is hard, but you have to try and get along with Axel and Charles."

Ivy gritted her teeth. "Try how?"

"You have barely spoken to them since we moved in. And it's been almost a week.”

"Because I don't belong here," Ivy shot back. “ I haven't been able to get proper sleep since the day I came. Do you care? Obviously not! ”

Her mother's expression softened, but it did nothing to soothe Ivy's irritation. "This is our home now, Ivy. You need to start seeing it that way. And speaking of new beginnings…" she clasped her hands together, smiling like she was about to announce something wonderful.

Ivy instantly knew she wasn't going to like it.

"...I took care of your school transfer. You will be starting at Blackthorn Academy next week.But they need you to visit today to get done with some formalities."

Silence.

Ivy blinked. "What?”

Carolina smiled as if she hadn't just dropped a bomb on her. "It is the best private school in the city, and it is where Axel goes. You will be in good hands."

Ivy stared at her mother, waiting for her to say she was joking.

She never did.

"You transferred me?" Ivy's voice rose. "Without telling me?”

Her mother sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You would have fought me on it, and I didn't want the drama. It's already done, Ivy. And honestly, it's for the best."

"The best?" Ivy swung her legs out of bed, her pulse spiking with frustration. "I was supposed to finish my old school online! You promised me!”

"Plans change." Carolina stood up too, placing a warm but firm hand on Ivy's shoulder. "You will thank me later. Now, get dressed and come down for breakfast.”

Ivy clenched her jaw. She felt like she was being shoved into a life that didn't fit her, into a cage she never asked for.

Her mother kissed her temple, oblivious to the storm raging inside her. "Come down soon, okay?"

And then she was gone.

Ivy sat there for a long moment, breathing heavily, her fists tightening around the sheets.She wanted to scream. Blackthorn Academy. With Axel?

This was not going to be easy.

Still fuming, she yanked herself out of bed, threw on some jeans and a sweater, and stomped downstairs, ready to argue, ready to let them all know how much she hated this decision…

But the moment she stepped into the dining room, she froze.

She hadn't seen Axel much over the past few days but there he was already .

Sitting at the long, polished table, one hand resting lazily on the wood, the other gripping a fork. But he wasn't eating!

He was staring at her.

And the way he was looking at her…his silver gaze burned through her, trailing over her body in a way that sent heat rushing straight to her cheeks.

Starting from the messy waves of her dark brown hair, down to the curve of her lips…lingering there like he could still hear her moaning his name, lost in her dreams in her room.

His gaze trailed lower, over the soft fabric of her sweater, past where it dipped slightly at her collarbone. She swore his fingers twitched around the fork, tightening just slightly as his stare continued downward.

His stare darkened, jaw flexing as his gaze dropped lower, over the curve of her waist, down to where her jeans hugged her hips.

This wasn't just him being his usual smug, cocky self.

This was hunger.

And for a fleeting, reckless second, Ivy wondered…was she imagining it? Or was he struggling just as much as she was?

Axel exhaled, a slow breath slipping,measured. His tongue flicked against his bottom lip like he was trying to taste something.

Like he was trying to hold back.

The realization sent another sharp jolt of something hot and forbidden through her body.

Her breath hitched.

And he noticed.

And she saw color in his pale cheeks for the first time.

But as she sat down, pretending she didn't feel his stare searing into her skin,she heard Axel almost wheeze.

Maybe she was losing it. But she had a terrible delusional feeling she wasn't the only one.

“Axel, sweetheart, why don't you take Ivy to school today?”

Ivy nearly choked on her orange juice as her mother blurted out of nowhere.

Axel's hand stilled around his coffee cup, his jaw tightening. Slowly, he lifted his head, his silver eyes narrowing. "What?”

Carolina smiled, sipping delicately at her tea. "I think it would be nice.’Your sister'is new. You already know Blackthorn, and you can introduce her to some people."

Axel exhaled through his nostrils, his fingers tapping once against the table before he muttered, "She can take the driver.”

Carolina's pleasant expression did not waver. "I would rather you take her."

A muscle ticked in his jaw.

Ivy braced herself for him to refuse outright,but after a long, simmering silence, he grumbled, "Fine.”