Chapter 19

Braylen detected movement in the background of Raiden. Ivory made her way across the room, she was scantily clad in an oversized white designer shirt, one he was certain didn't belong to her. Noting Braylen's line of sight, Raiden stepped all the way out of the apartment and into the corridor, pulling the door shut behind him.

"I see you maintain your professionalism." Braylen spat bitterly. Every inch of him fuming with rage. He had never expected these turn in events.

"I think you should leave," Raiden responded calmly. He wasn't interested in any confrontation. He wasn't into dealing with jealous exes and he made no exception here.

Braylen stared blankly at Raiden for a few seconds, second-guessing any rash actions that his subconscious urged him to commit. He had to remember that Raiden wasn't a random man that could be intimidated or reasoned with. They shared a place of work, he had to tread carefully. Braylen shook his head, turned around, and left. He needed time to wrap his mind around this new piece of information.
Raiden looked on as Braylen entered the elevator and descended. He re-entered Ivory's apartment, she had finished her shower and was now sitting on the sofa, television remote in hand as she flipped through the channels.

"Where'd you go?" she questioned, grabbing a fist full of popcorn in her free hand and bringing it to her lips. Raiden grinned at the very picture of her that feeling of
*contentment* whenever he was around her resurfaced. There was that word again circling around in his brain seeking a permanent residence.

"Helllloooooo?" she waved the popcorn filled palm in his line of sight to acquire his attention. He smiled, adoring the sight of her face being devoid of expression as his fingers tightened their grip on the remote.
He considered telling her about Braylen's intrusion but decided against it. She had seemed so carefree and happy that he didn't want to risk it. He promised himself that would be tomorrow's problem.

"I had to deal with something important." He responded, coming to sit next to her.

"Anything I can help with?" she questioned.

"I'll tell you about it tomorrow." he gave her another smile as he removed the remote and popcorn from her hands. He leaned forward placing a candid kiss on her lips, his intentions, and desires no secret as he pulled her body on his.

***
Ivory awoke to intense eyes staring back at her. "Morning." he smiled at her. Ivory instantly shot up into a sitting position. She always had to remind herself that she wasn't dreaming. Thankfully, Raiden never seemed to mind her startled morning syndrome.

"What time is it?" she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, raising her arms above her head in a stretch. The sheets around her dropping to her waist, her upper body completely bare. Ivory grabbed the sheets instantly, drawing them over her chest. She felt Raiden's eyes on her but she didn't dare meet his eyes.

"It's a marvel that after everything we have done, you still feel embarrassed in my presence." he had moved his hands to cover hers. "Astonishingly" he continued, feeling the rise and fall of her chest. "your shyness makes me want you even more." He pulled her hands down, dragging the bedding down, as a result, revealing her bare breasts.

Ivory could do nothing but stare at him as his hands cupped her breasts, soon being replaced by his mouth. Her head rocked back in pleasure. His tongue moving wickedly against her flesh. Ivory slid her fingers through his hair, her fingering sinking into fists while her heart rate climbed and her body screamed for his touch. Every inch of her flesh sensitized and ready for him.
She was faintly aware of him groaning in annoyance or of him leaving the bed. Ivory blinked back the stars that obstructed her vision and noticed that he'd answered his phone. She marvelled at the fact that she hadn't even heard it ring.

"Fine. I'll be there in twenty minutes," he growled.
Ivory's mental function was returning slowly. "Is everything alright?" she questioned.

Raiden shook his head. " I have to leave. The client asked the meeting to be held somewhere other than the company." He gazed longingly at her. He didn't want to leave, especially when she was so wantonly seducing him, of course, the irony being that, she had no idea how tempting she really was.

"Oh." the disappointment in her voice somewhat comforting him.

"I'll see you at the office later today," he said, brushing a rogue strand of hair behind her ear while she leaned into his touch.

"Okay," she said as he made his way to the shower.

***
Ivory checked her watch, it was almost lunch and Raiden had yet to return to the office. She didn't expect to miss his presence this much. She hadn't realized that she had grown accustomed to sharing a space with him.

"Ivory."
Startled would be an understatement if used to describe Ivory's reaction. Somehow she had managed to skate a very hefty stack of papers off her desk at the uninvited visitor.

"Damn it!" she breathed, instantly gathering the documents. Braylen lowered himself to the floor and attempted to lend a hand.

"I've got it," she said, drawing some of the loose papers out of his grasp. He relinquished them without comment.

"Can we talk?" He questioned, although he was already seated at her desk. Ivory inhaled deeply and seated herself. She reconciled with his wish, after all she knew she couldn't hide forever, however she knew she would be on the receiving end of ridiculous excuses.

"Speak your mind," she said, not at all meaning it.

"I know what you *think* you saw can be considered damning on my part, but I assure you it wasn't what it looked like," he said, every word filled with conviction.
Ivory wondered if he even felt any guilt.

"What I *think* I saw?" she questioned incredulously, a silly smile creeping onto her features. "So what? Was it an accident? Were you looking for something by burying your head into her neck?" Ivory felt her pulse quickening and she instantly reminded herself that it was of no use. Braylen would never take any responsibility.

"I am trying to apologize." his voice lowered, Ivory sensed there was a catch. She swallowed past the lump in her throat.

"I probably didn't handle the situation with the grace and maturity that I should have either. So maybe we can put this behind us." She offered amnesty. She didn't appreciate the thought of cutting off someone she had invested a lot of time with. She hadn't realized it but somewhere along the way she had been relieved of her romantic feelings for Braylen, she now felt that she had finally been disillusioned. She saw him now for what he was.

"I would like that," he said, placing a kiss on her lips. Ivory instantly recoiled, pushing back on her seat and coming to a stand. She was outraged.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she questioned. He found his footing as well.

"You just said we can put this behind us." he seemed perplexed.

"Jesus! I meant this entire situation, not that I am willing to be in a one-sided relationship with you again."

"We had a good thing going." He responded.

"It was good for you because you were doing whatever or whoever you desired. We were never in a relationship, you just kept stringing me along," she responded hotly.

"I was never stringing you along." he turned serious.
Ivory scoffed in disbelief.

"So what? Now that you are screwing the boss you somehow think you're better than me?" he turned venomous now.
Ivory did a double-take. "What?"

"I made a pass at your apartment last night, guess who I ran into?" he taunted.

"What's your point?" she questioned, unconcerned about his opinions.

"Just because you're opening your legs for him, doesn't mean you can keep him. Women like you aren't interesting or attractive enough to keep around." he spat, his lips raising in a snarl. Ivory's arm came across his face making stinging contact with his skin.

"Whatever I do is none of your business. What you say has no relevance, especially as a person I have never shared a bed with." Ivory growled, her throat burning.

"Get out."

Ivory and Braylen were interrupted by a booming voice echoing throughout the office menacingly. They turned their attention to the office's entrance and noticed Raiden. His expression was livid. They both weren't sure how long he'd been standing there or of how much he'd heard.

"Do I really need to repeat myself?" Raiden directed his attention to Braylen who gave Ivory one last lingering look before heading to the door.

"Your behaviour is bordering on harassment. I never want to see you in my office or harassing my staff." Raiden spoke the words as Braylen passed by him.
After he left, Ivory sank down into her seat. She found that she was exhausted. "Are you alright?" Raiden questioned. She nodded.

"The problem you were dealing with last night...was it Braylen? Did he show up at my apartment?"
Raiden nodded. "He did. I didn't want to spoil your mood last night." He explained.

"Thank you," she said, appreciating his concern. She was happy she hadn't heard it last night there was no need to have ruined her night.

***

"Where's Ivory?" Felix entered the office at a quarter to six.

"At home," Raiden responded absent-mindedly.

"So only I had to do overtime." Felix felt disappointed. If Ivory were here he would have a better company and get to pick her brain about Zoey before their date.

"Is there something you want?" Raiden questioned impatiently.

"Actually, I have news." he placed the email on Raiden's desk, Raiden gazed up at him, signalling that he wanted the brief version.

"Naomi Bradford has inherited her late husband's fortune." Felix expressed.

"Late husband?" Raiden questioned.

"Yeah, Mr. Bradford passed away a couple of hours ago."