Chapter 296: Responsibility

"Ivy, this is not fair." Joshua groaned in despair. He was being tortured with the way he was being denied a release and he did not know how long he could control. He was just an inch away from the peak and now he was helpless. His body was on fire and he was sweating profusely as he tried to control his desire. But the woman remained unfazed by his begging. She stared at her with an innocent expression. But he could still detect that she was mocking him right now.

"Everything is fair in love and war." She deadpanned and for a second, Joshua was rendered speechless. But the next second, he smiled widely, his eyes gleaming in mischief. Ivy could see the sudden changes in his emotions and she was sure that his mind was planning something, something very evil. If she was not wrong, she would be one to be attacked by him. So, before he could put his plan into action, Ivy nimbly jumped out of his bed and sprinted towards the door.

But Ivy had underestimated Joshua. Who was he? He was a man quite famous in the Underworld. Would he allow his woman to escape this quickly without getting back at her? No way. He would take revenge from her with interest and she could not blame him either. She had clearly told him that everything was fair.

Ivy was just short of opening the door and escaping from the wolf's den when the wolfish man pulled her towards him by her waist. Her back hit his front and even though she was fully clothed, she could still feel the man's hardness pressing on her butt. The man behind her was completely naked and she did not have to guess what he would do to her next. She had provoked the lion and the lion had come to eat her. How foolish was she to think that she could escape from him unscathed? 

"Where do you think you are running off to? Do you think I would allow you to leave this room today? Umm?" Without waiting for her response, Joshua turned Ivy to face him with a woosh. All Ivy could remember was facing the door as she was listening to Joshua's words with his hot breath hitting her neck and ears when the next moment, she was twirled around and now she was facing him.

"Sweetheart, do you think you can escape from me?"

Ivy was speechless. Her brain had gone haywire since the time the man had held her by her waist and all her thinking and speaking capability had escaped from the window. Joshua noticed her dumb expression and chuckled lightly. He never knew that the woman, who was bold and stubborn when it came to her work, was actually this dumb in his presence. But he was wrong in this matter. Ivy was dumb, but she had the capability to come out of it immediately.

Seeing him chuckle, she pinched his waist harshly making him howl in pain. "Woman, it pains. Control yourself."

"Oh, do you even know the meaning of pain? I was wondering that you might have forgotten the word in your brain."

"Woman, I am a human too. What did you think me to be, a statue?"

"Maybe. Who knows?"

"Oh is it? Let me show you what this statue can do now."

With that, Joshua pushed her head towards him and kissed her hard. He did not allow her to move even an inch and dived his tongue into her hot mouth as soon as opened a little space to take a deep breath. Her mouth tasted as sweet as he had expected. He loved kissing her and every time he felt it to be more delicious than the previous time. Her lips were very addictive and every time he saw her, he had the urge to kiss her long and hard.

Ivy too kissed him back forgetting her thoughts completely. She too liked kissing him, his thin lips were very attractive. Since it was the first time Ivy was in a serious relationship, she loved everything they did together. Those experiences were very thrilling and she was eagerly waiting for what the future held for her.

Ivy was so lost in the kiss that she did not even realize when they were back on the bed and Joshua was lying on top of her. He broke the kiss suddenly and he pushed her fringes off her forehead. She blinked as she stared back at the man who was looking at her eagerly, with some unknown emotion flashing through his eyes. She did not know what it was but whatever it was seemed to be quite strong. For a second, she assumed it to be love. However, the next second, she cleared her ridiculous thoughts. It was quite soon for them to fall in love.

Ivy glanced at Joshua who was smiling at her softly. Though he wanted to do things to her right now, he saw the dark circles under her eyes. She looked tired and her eyes were droopy though they were shining brightly. Joshua kissed her forehead and left her side. Ivy looked at him in confusion while the man put on his clothes. She had assumed him to take things to the next level, but he didn't.

When he was fully clothed, he came back to lie down beside her. He pulled her close and hugged her before he pecked her lightly on her lips. "Ivy, is everything alright?" Joshua asked her when they were lying beside her.

His question startled her and for a second Ivy was scared that he knew what was going to do after three days. She was worried that he might have known her plans to go on a very dangerous mission and now, he was testing her slowly. 

"Yes, why do you ask?" She feigned ignorance and stared at the ceiling even though she knew he was drilling holes on the side of her face.

"Where are you going after three days?"

That was it. Ivy's brain short-circuited and this time she turned to face him. His words were like a thunderbolt and it struck her hard. How did this man know about her plans? Not even her sister or her colleagues knew about it. "How?"

"What do you think? Did you think I would not know?"

Ivy gaped at him with shock clearly taking over her beautiful face. "How?"

"I know everything about my girlfriend. Do you think I would ignore her, especially when she has a knack for adventure and attracting danger?"

Ivy did not say a thing and lowered her gaze, trying to stay as meek as possible and avoid his gaze. She did not know how to face him now that he knew what she was up to. What if the man asked her not to go? Would she be able to quit doing what she wanted to do? 

"Ivy, don't worry. I will not stop you from doing what you want to do."

This time, again Ivy turned to look at him, her eyes flashing in admiration and surprise. She had not expected him to say such a thing. It was completely contradictory to what she had thought him to do. "What?"

"Yes, Ivy. I will not stop you from doing what you like. You have your own identity and that is was makes you different. I'll never stop you at anything. You are independent and you can do anything you like."

Ivy was about to thank him for his awesome thinking. She was very touched by his thoughts and her heart was filled with warmth. But before she could speak a word, Joshua interrupted her. "But.."

Ivy gave him one look waiting for him to continue. "But?"

"But, you will have to take a guard with you."

"What?"

"Take Kaito with you."

"But.."

"Please Ivy. I know how dangerous your mission is and even though I cannot give you company, he will keep you safe. Please, Ivy. Agree to it for my sake. He will not stop you from doing your work. He will just keep an eye on you. Please."

Ivy thought for some time. She knew Joshua was worried about her and all he had in mind was her safety. She could understand his feelings and warmth filled her heart. The man was worried about her and if he wanted Kaito to keep her safe, she could as well entertain his thoughts. Kaito was however not going to be a hindrance to her job.

"Fine." Ivy agreed after a lot of thinking, much to the man's happiness. Joshua smiled hearing her answer and pecked her again on her lips.

"Thank you very much, Ivy. You have no idea how happy your answer has made me. It is just to keep you safe and secure. I will not have to worry much about you. Thanks a lot, sweetheart."

"How did you find out?" Ivy asked the question she wanted to for a long time.

"I have my sources. It is my responsibility to keep my girlfriend safe. If I do not know what she up to and what dangerous missions she is taking, it is a waste of me being here."

Joshua's words made Ivy to smile widely. For the last three years, other than her sister nobody had cared about her safety and now that this man had taken it upon his shoulders to keep her safe, she was so happy and ecstatic. She was so exhilarant that she could help but kiss him. This man was a gem and he was all hers.