Chapter 794
Defend the bottom, and the top is left unguarded.
In just a few minutes, her clothes had landed, one by one, outside the shower stall.
Even though the bathroom was warm, Ivy instinctively drew herself in, trying to cover up.
Jamison had been living in monk-like restraint for so long that his self-control was practically nonexistent by now. With temptation right in front of him, all his cool composure, pride, and so-called masculine dignity vanished into thin air.
He gazed at her with utter devotion, completely captivated, which only made Ivy more embarrassed. She reached up, covering his eyes.
“Stop staring. It’s not like you haven’t seen it before…” she muttered shyly, wishing they could just hurry up and finish showering so she could escape.
Jamison pulled her hand away, pressed a kiss to her fingers, then guided her arms around his waist, drawing them perfectly together.
“Ivy…” His voice was husky, full of longing. A thousand words of praise swirled in his mind, but in the end, he simply tipped her chin up and poured all his love and yearning into a deep, heated kiss.
“Jamison… No, you can’t–wait, just a few more days-”
“I don’t want to wait. Not another second…”
Panic flickered in Ivy’s eyes.
They’d been careful for so long–it couldn’t all be for nothing, not when there was still risk. At the very least, she wanted to wait until tomorrow, go to the hospital for another round of tests. If everything came back clear again, then maybe it would really be okay.
Even though her body ached for him just as much, Ivy forced herself to stay calm. She cupped his face in her hands, making him pause.
“Not tonight. Tomorrow–tomorrow’s Saturday, I’m off work. We’ll go to the hospital and get checked again.” She stared into her husband’s dark, intense eyes, seeing all the struggle and longing he held back. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
Jamison’s breathing was ragged, but he understood. “And if the results are clear?”
“Then… then whatever you want.”
Jamison’s gaze sharpened, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes. “I thought you’d insist on waiting until six months.”
“I wanted to,” Ivy admitted, cheeks flushed. “But I’m afraid you’ll go crazy if we wait that long…”
He let out a wry laugh. “Like I’m the only one suffering here. Don’t pretend you don’t want it too.” Dr. Ludwig shot her a mischievous look, full of wicked charm.
Ivy glared at him, exasperated. “Just hurry up and shower. I’m tired–work was exhausting.”
“You chose this job. You can handle the exhaustion.” Dr. Ludwig’s words were sharp, but his hands were gentle as ever.
Ivy knew there was no stopping him, so she let him wash her, deciding she’d let him have this small comfort.
The next day.
It was Saturday, but Jamison still had to work.
After the rumors died down, his reputation had made a stunning comeback, and there were more patients than ever booking appointments with him.
They went to the hospital together so Ivy could get tested for HIV.
Once there, Ivy knew Jamison would be busy, so she shooed him away.
Jamison had already let the infectious disease staff know she was coming. They took her for a battery of tests–nucleic acid, antigen–antibody combo–the works, just to be sure.
He’d also made it clear to the lab: results needed to be rushed.
When Ivy overheard the nurses talking about it, she ducked her head, not wanting anyone to guess Jamison’s intentions.
After her samples were collected, Ivy actually felt calm. Maybe, deep down, she believed she wasn’t infected. She just couldn’t bear to take even the slightest risk, which was why she’d refused intimacy with Jamison all this time.
When the samples were sent off, she called Jamison. He didn’t pick up, so she left him a message on WhatsApp, saying she was heading out.
The bodyguard came to get her. As she debated whether to swing by the university or just go straight home, her phone rang–Baillie was calling.
For work reasons, she’d taken Baillie off her blocked list.
But it was Saturday, and she had no desire to talk about work, so she silenced the call.
Moments later, the phone rang again.
Ivy frowned, annoyed, and picked up. “Baillie, it’s Saturday. I’m off–I don’t want to talk about work.”
Baillie didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Dad’s critical. He’s being rushed to the hospital. Whether you come or not is up to you.”
The words hit Ivy like a punch.
Baillie hung up before she could respond.
It took Ivy two seconds to process.
Adkins was critical…
If they couldn’t save him, she’d never see him again.
For a split second, Ivy thought about going to say goodbye, but the notion passed as quickly as it came.
Just then, her phone rang again.
Boyd.
Funny–she’d just been about to call him for help.
“Ivy, it’s about that biker gang from last night… After hours of questioning, one of them finally talked. Turns out, Hawley did approach them yesterday–said he might need their help soon. They don’t know where Hawley is, but tonight he called and gave them an address. He told them to go there, wait for your uncle’s car, then swarm in and provoke him. I’m guessing Hawley must’ve tailed you guys. Once you reached the Ludwig estate, he bailed and left those punks there to stir up trouble.”