Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

They didn’t get back until nine in the evening. Ivy Sherwood was a little sleepy, so she got ready for bed and went to rest.

Quentin Blackwood said he had work to do and went into Ivy Sherwood’s study.

In the study, Quentin made a call to Zane Linton.

The call connected quickly, and Zane’s voice came through. ”President Blackwood.”

”There’s an unfinished building in downtown Lustre. I want you to buy it.”

”Is that the one on Ridgeway Road?” Zane pulled it up instantly. ”But that property... the original developer went bankrupt and is trying to recoup their losses, so they’re selling it at a high price. It’s also incredibly difficult to develop, which is why many interested parties have already given up. A deal has never been closed. However, I’m seeing that the lot was actually bought by someone not too long ago.”

”Who bought it?” ’No matter who secured the deal, I’ll buy it from them,’ Quentin decided. ’Whatever the price.’

”It was... It was...” Zane began to stammer on the other end, as if he didn’t know how to break the news.

”Who?” Quentin pressed.

’Was there something he couldn’t say?’

”It was Mr. Hawthorne. Elijah Hawthorne.”

Quentin Blackwood: ”...”

’If it’s Elijah Hawthorne, then this is going to be difficult. After all, he and Elijah never saw eye to eye. The DG Group and the Hawthorne Group were direct competitors, constantly vying for the same projects.’

’If Elijah Hawthorne got his hands on it, there was no way Quentin could just take it from him.’

”What does the Hawthorne Group plan to do with it?”

”The word is they plan to redevelop it into housing. They’re supposedly going to build a luxury residential complex, positioning it as the most high-end property in Lustre.”

That meant the Hawthorne Group had undoubtedly invested a significant sum and wouldn’t let go of the property easily.

”Find a way to make the Hawthorne Group give up that land. Money is no object.”

”President Blackwood, are you also planning to build a residential complex?” Zane still didn’t understand Quentin’s objective.

’If they spend that much to wrest it away, they might not turn a profit. Even if a purchase is possible, there’s no telling what the premium would be... though President Blackwood probably doesn’t care about the cost.’

”No. We’re building a park.”

”A park?” Zane was astonished.

’This is a prime downtown location. An office building or a residential complex would be the best use for it. They could at least make a profit.’

’But building a park meant they wouldn’t make a single cent back. In fact, they’d have to pour a fortune into it. It was a complete loss-leader of a project. Potentially, hundreds of billions could just vanish.’

’Where on earth did President Blackwood get an idea like this? He was a businessman who never took a loss. Why the sudden philanthropy?’

”President Blackwood, the cost of building a park would be astronomical.”

”Yes. We’re building the park.” Quentin’s resolve never wavered.

’He wanted to recreate the scene Ivy Sherwood remembered from her childhood. It was a memory she shared with her mother.’

Quentin also told Zane to research what the area looked like before it became an abandoned construction site. He wanted to replicate it exactly, including all the details Ivy had mentioned.

’Of course, if he was going to do it, he would make it even better than the original.’

After hearing Quentin’s instructions, Zane knew this park was non-negotiable.

’President Blackwood must be doing this for Miss Sherwood.’

”Understood. I’ll get right on it.”

”Arrange my business trip as well. I don’t want to waste a single minute away from here.”

”Yes.”

”Assign more men in Lustre to protect Ivy Sherwood discreetly. Keep a tight watch on everyone, especially Jason Summers.”

’He had a feeling Jason Summers’ appearance wasn’t so simple.’

”Yes.”

”Where’s Elijah Hawthorne?” Quentin added.

”He hasn’t been in Lustre these last couple of days. It seems he’s in Aethelgard.”

”I see.” ’Truthfully, Quentin wasn’t entirely opposed to Elijah Hawthorne being in Lustre. He knew Elijah didn’t stand a chance.’

’He wasn’t the least bit jealous.’

’In any case, his only requirement was for Zane to arrange proper protection for Ivy.’

’Besides, Miles Mercer was also in Lustre. He trusted Miles would protect his sister as well.’

His eyelid twitched. He always felt uneasy whenever he had to leave Ivy’s side.

By the time Quentin finished handling everything, it was late into the night.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, then stood up and walked toward the bedroom.

A single, small lamp was lit in the bedroom. The woman on the bed was already fast asleep.

Ivy Sherwood’s eyes were closed, her lashes long and curled. Her black hair cascaded across the pillow like a waterfall, and her face was half-buried in its softness. The sight was serene and beautiful.

Quentin just watched quietly, not wanting to blink for even a moment.

’He’d never imagined a woman could ever have such a hold on him, making him want nothing more than to stay by her side.’

Quentin couldn’t resist reaching out to gently touch Ivy’s cheek. His fingers traced over her lips, feeling the soft, warm skin beneath his touch.

At the thought of having to be apart for a few days, Quentin couldn’t help but lean down and press his lips to hers.

’He didn’t mean to wake her. He just wanted a simple kiss.’

But Ivy wasn’t sleeping that deeply. She felt a soft, tickling sensation and her eyes slowly fluttered open.

Seeing the face so close to hers in the dim light, Ivy’s lips parted. ”Quentin...”

Her voice was a low murmur, like a kitten’s mewl. Hazy with sleep, she still called his name without a trace of doubt.

How could Quentin possibly hold back now? When Ivy said his name, her lips parted, giving him the perfect opening. He deepened the kiss, his masculine scent engulfing her.

Ivy reached up, her arms wrapping around his neck.

’She was being so forward.’ ’So forward that he wanted to do more, right now.’

He hadn’t planned on teasing her tonight. Especially since she was pregnant, Quentin had been reining himself in, never truly letting himself go.

’Just like now. No matter how much he wanted her, no matter how aroused he was, he didn’t dare do anything more.’

Quentin forced himself to pull away from the kiss. Otherwise, he really would lose control.

He placed his hand on her head, his fingers stroking her hair. ”Go back to sleep. I’ll stay with you.”

”What time is it? Aren’t you going to sleep?” Ivy watched him through half-lidded eyes, her long lashes fluttering.

’Those eyes... no matter when he saw them, they were so beautiful they made his heart race.’

”I need to take a shower. You go ahead and sleep,” he said, his voice low and hoarse.

Ivy’s gaze drifted downward, and she saw the distinct bulge in his trousers. She knew exactly why he needed a shower.

”So President Blackwood really is a perfect gentleman, hmm?” Ivy smiled. She was wide awake now, all traces of sleepiness gone.

She reached out a pale arm, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him down toward her. Then, her arms snaked around his neck.

Her lips parted slightly, her eyes glittering like brilliant stars. ”But I want you.”