Chapter 11

Silas turned swiftly at lvy's sharp exclamation. Her face was red, and then he saw her black lacy pants.

Desire made him linger on her bare thighs-causing her blush to deepen. But common sense made him remove his black suit jacket and cover her legs.

"What happened?" There was concern in his voice.

"Oh my goodness!" Rosie exclaimed. "I'm so sorry, Ivy. I didn't see your gown."

Ivy was too embarrassed to speak. Silas could see the discomfort in her green eyes, and he pulled her into a tight hug. He felt her shiver when she realized his arousal.

"Why would you do such a thing?" he asked Rosie.

Rosie's eyes softened with guilt.

-I'm so sorry.

rry, I didn't I mean t

step on her gown."

Before Silas spoke, Thomas walked in. "What's going on here?"

Rosie pursed her lips as she turned to her husband. "I accidentally tore Ivy's gown."

Thomas glanced at Ivy and bowed slightly. "I apologize for Rosie's mistake. My wife can be so clumsy."

His apology seemed to make Ivy relaxed in Silas's hand. Oh what a gentleman.

"Rosie," Thomas continued. "I'm sure you have a nice outfit Ivy can wear." His voice was authoritative.

"Come, let's go," Rosie smiled at Ivy.

Ivy followed silently, clutching Silas's jacket to cover her thighs.

When the women left, Silas hugged his brother. “How're you doing?"

"I'm still alive," Thomas replied with a wry smile. "Kicking"

"Good," Silas said, taking a sear with his brother.

-She is beautiful," Thomas said. "I see why you wanted her

"Well, I acknowledge her beauty amongst others things," Silas confessed, a burst

of vulnerability in his chest. "But she's also Mason's ex-wife.

Thomas's forehead wrinkled. "Why? I asked you to get a wife, not to roll with my enemies."

-What better way to get under Mason's skin?" Silas countered. "She hates him, we hate him-It's a win-win."

Thomas stroked his chin. "I really don't like this approach, Si. What if she turns on us?"

"She won't" Silas's tone

He knew he could trust her-or maybe

hope you're right. Just take precautions. You can't be

her photography business since signing the contract. She wasn't materialistic

uncertainty in her eyes. Most women would jump at the opportunity-splurging on unnecessary luxuries. But Ivy? She'd shocked him by

he remembered what Bud said happened in the clothing store. "Sure, I'll take

"When will

announce the wedding?" Thomas asked. "My

soon as Ivy is ready," Silas

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10 15 AM

Chapter II

his understanding just as Andrew

Andrew exclaimed, pulling Thomas into a hug and rufliing Silas's hair. Andrew

his eyes at how much Andrew changed his women-never

hugged Thomas as she sat

date?"

boyfriend's car broke down," Andrew answered. "You know Aria, always picking up

better than you, inconsistent

+

at their banter.

"Are there no drinks here? I need some brandy. Where's your wife?"

called out to his servers just as Rosie

a sky-blue gown with no slit

loose, she carried herself with

took her seat near Silas, his eyes dropped to

with a wobbly

this is Ivy. My wife," Silas said, pride

"She's pretty!"

as a server poured

meet you, Ivy," Andrew said,

Ivy smiled,

to the family, Thomas said

Ivy nodded at him

closer to him so their legs could touch. "This

chimed in, making everyone

a social media

of brandy in her

home stray dogs," Andrew added, earning a grunt from

Andrew, our tech genius and his date.."

River," his blonde companion

honey,"

and Andrew are twins and our

alike," Aria added, downing

of town," Silas smiled, stroking

Everybody laughed.

glass

so nice to meet

the

10:15 AM

Chapter II

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