Billionaire's Bounty Cost Of Love And Revenge novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Ivy’s POV

“Hello, I’m Ivy,” I said nervously, tucking my hair behind my ear. My eyes searched those chocolate brown eyes staring at me,

He smiled – a beautiful smile, showing pearly white teeth. Clearing his throat, he lowered his gaze. “Hi, I’m Dexter. Nice to make your acquaintance.” He extended a hand toward me.

I looked at him hesitantly before taking his hand. His handshake was firm. Glancing behind him at Janine, he said, “Your friend, well, she’s persuasive, isn’t she?”

I nodded and chuckled.

He burst into taughter, and I joined in. We laughed for a while. “Yes, she is.” Janine caught my eye and gave me a thumbs–up. I smiled at her, grateful for her. Grateful that I was far away from Asher – all because of her. I needed the break.

Dexter gave me a long, curious stare. “You look really familiar. Trust me, this isn’t one of those corny lines guys always use with the ladies. You actually have a familiar face, and I think I may have seen you somewhere…”

I let out an exasperated sigh. For once, it would be nice to be unknown, to exist and enjoy a place without worrying about someone recognizing me.

I exhaled. “Ivy Whitfield. Does that ring any bells?” I raised a brow. “Maybe it doesn’t, Asher Sterling’s wife?”

His eyes widened in recognition. “Oh, I know who you are!”

I smiled sadly. “Asher Sterling’s wife,” I muttered under my breath.

“You’re the hot model!” he exclaimed excitedly, drowning out my voice. “Your friend wasn’t kidding! You’re a model! I could have bet I’d seen that face

somewhere – the magazines-” His eyes searched my face for any reaction.

A hint of a smile appeared on my lips.

“I promise, I’m not a creeper,” he said, raising his hands in surrender. Then he gestured toward the camera slung over his shoulder. “I’m just a man who likes to take really good pictures and needs references–uh, something to work with. Strictly for photography.”

My smile grew wider, and I touched his hand to stop him. “I get you, Dexter,” I said. It was really great to be recognized outside of Asher. It meant so much to me right now, especially while I was confused and dealing with the pain of his betrayal.

He glanced over at Janine, then back at me. “Does she know? Does she know you’re married? I mean, she did just try to set us up.”

I chuckled and nodded. “Well, yes. She’s Janine Sterling…”

It didn’t take him long to put two and two together. “Wow! Okay. There’s definitely a story there somewhere.” His gaze lingered on me. “Am I walking into

a trap here?”

I flashed him a smile. “I don’t know, are you?”

He broke into a wide grin. “Ivy Whitfield, is this a trap?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

I felt myself being drawn to the man sitting across from me. I didn’t know what it was that pulled me to him. Was it his beautiful smile and charm? He looked like someone you’d want to open up to. Deep inside, I knew it was more than that. I was hurting.

Asher had hurt me, and I wanted to get back at him somehow, to make him feel a fraction of the pain I felt when I saw those pictures. I also wanted to feel desired again, even if it was by a random man I’d met on vacation. I could pretend this was more and that my life was perfect.

I sucked in a deep breath. “The only trap you’re walking into is the trap of sitting with a model on vacation. I don’t see how it gets better man that.”

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Chapter 82

He grinned. “It’s a sweet offer.

1 hummed in response.

“And I’m really tempted to take it – assuming there’s a clause somewhere that says I’m allowed to click pictures of you, you know, for reference purposes…”

I blushed hard, but even in that moment, I couldn’t help thinking about Asher and how he made me feel. Howered my gaze, trying to push thoughts d him aside. “We could see how it goes…” I said in the sultriest voice I could muster. If Asher didn’t bat an eyelid when he took Taylor, of all people to bed. then I shouldn’t either.

Dexter stared at me curiously. “What’s it like being married to Asher Sterling?”

The question came out of the blue, but I found myself opening up to him. “It’s really scary…” I chuckled dryly. “Being in a relationship with a man like that, a man with so much power, so much access…” I lowered my gaze. “What can you possibly do for a guy like that? I don’t think I could ever be enough for someone like Asher.”

“Bullshit,” he muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes. “I don’t know what your husband is like, and frankly, I barely know you, but every human being is enough. I’m staring right at you, and you’re more than enough.”

I cheesed so hard my face turned flushed, and I lowered my gaze.

“Damn any man who can’t see it, and I mean it,” he retorted.

I smiled. Yeah, damn Asher.

He glanced at my hand. “Can I get you a drink?” he asked. Before I could answer, he extended a hand to me. I slipped my fingers into his, and then we took a walk.

We got drinks and strolled down the beach, chatting about everything and nothing. Dexter was an avid listener, making me laugh a couple of times. Occasionally, he would take pictures of me as we walked – when I smiled or when I wandered deep in thought. I was staring at one of the pictures he’d taken earlier, where I’d burst into laughter with the wind in my hair.

“Wow!” I exclaimed.

He raised the corner of his lips in a smile. “Yes, that was my exact reaction.”

“I look so…”

“Happy,” we said in unison.

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