Ivy was beginning to regret asking Xander for help.

Instead of requesting a massage, perhaps she should have simply pounced on him and kissed him until neither of them could catch their breath.

Who would’ve thought that Xander Emerson—the man who had never been with a woman his entire life—would turn out to be such a shameless flirt with the straightest face imaginable?

"Mmm..."

A soft moan escaped her lips as Xander’s fingers pressed a little more firmly against a sore knot in her back.

Goodness... he’s unbelievably good at this.

She couldn’t help praising him inwardly.

His hands moved with practiced patience, easing the tension from her stiff muscles. Every stroke made her feel lighter than before.

As he continued, his hands gradually traveled lower until they rested near the edge of her lace panties.

Ivy’s heartbeat quickened.

Is he...

Before she could finish the thought—

Smack.

She gasped and immediately turned her head to look at him, her eyes widening in surprise.

Xander merely chuckled at her stunned expression.

"Turn over."

His tone was calm, almost casual.

Ivy blinked.

The teasing amusement that had been in his eyes only a second ago had vanished, replaced by the composed seriousness she knew so well.

Without arguing, she obediently rolled onto her back.

Xander reached over and gently slipped the bra from her arms before tossing it onto the nearby chair.

His gaze settled on her for a brief moment before a faint smile tugged at his lips.

"You know..."

He leaned in slightly.

"There’s another way to help you feel better."

Ivy could only stare at him.

Her heart hammered wildly against her chest.

"...How?"

Her voice came out softer than she intended.

Instead of answering immediately, Xander pulled his shirt over his head and carelessly tossed it aside.

Before Ivy could gather her thoughts, he leaned over her, bracing one arm beside her head.

The sudden closeness stole her breath.

A playful smile appeared on his lips.

"Like this."

He closed the remaining distance between them and captured her lips in a slow, lingering kiss.

The kiss was gentle at first, almost as though he was asking for permission.

When she instinctively responded, his smile deepened against her lips.

He kissed her again, unhurried and affectionate, making her forget about the aching muscles that had bothered her only moments earlier.

When they finally broke apart, Ivy was left slightly breathless.

She looked up at him, unable to hide the blush spreading across her cheeks.

"I thought you were giving me a massage."

"I did."

His eyes gleamed with quiet amusement.

"But I figured my wife deserved a little extra care."

Ivy couldn’t help laughing.

"You really are impossible."

"So I’ve been told."

Yet despite the teasing in his voice, the tenderness in the way he looked at her never faded.

Xander smiled at the sight of the blush lingering on Ivy’s cheeks before brushing his thumb lightly across her forehead.

"There," he said softly. "You were supposed to be relaxing, not overthinking."

Ivy pouted.

"You’re the reason I can’t relax."

"Oh?"

"You keep saying things that make my heart race."

A quiet chuckle escaped him.

"I wasn’t aware compliments had that effect."

"They don’t."

She narrowed her eyes playfully.

"Your compliments do."

He laughed under his breath before lightly tapping the tip of her nose.

"I’ll try to be less distracting."

"You won’t."

"I probably won’t."

Her lips curved into a satisfied smile.

"I knew it."

Xander shook his head with a smile before adjusting the pillow beneath her.

"Turn over one last time."

She raised an eyebrow.

"More?"

"You asked me to help."

"I didn’t know you were this thorough."

"I don’t do things halfway."

With an exaggerated sigh, Ivy rolled back onto her stomach.

"Yes, Mr. Perfection."

"I prefer ’husband.’"

She buried her face in the pillow to hide another smile.

"You really enjoy having the last word."

"I do."

He warmed another drop of essential oil between his palms before placing his hands gently against her shoulders.

This time his movements were slower.

More deliberate.

His thumbs carefully worked around the knots near her shoulder blades before moving down the length of her back with steady, even pressure.

"Too hard?" he asked.

She hummed.

"No..."

"Too soft?"

Another hum.

"Perfect."

Satisfied, he continued.

The room gradually grew quieter.

Only the faint sound of rain tapping against the windows and the occasional rustle of the bedsheets filled the silence.

After a while, Ivy spoke again, though her voice had grown noticeably softer.

"I think..."

"Hm?"

"...you missed your calling."

He smiled.

"And what would that be?"

"A professional massage therapist."

"I doubt anyone would hire a CEO who only accepts one client."

She laughed weakly.

"Just one?"

"One is enough."

"And who would that be?"

He leaned closer, his voice warm with quiet certainty.

"My wife."

The corners of Ivy’s lips lifted.

"I like the sound of that."

"I noticed."

He continued easing the tension from her back, paying special attention to the areas that had tightened from hours under studio lights and repeated action scenes.

Little by little, he felt her muscles relaxing beneath his hands.

Her breathing became slower.

Steadier.

He glanced toward her face.

Her eyes were closed.

"Ivy?"

"Mmm..."

"You still awake?"

"Mhm..."

Her reply came a little too slowly.

He couldn’t help smiling.

"So you’re pretending to listen?"

"I’m listening..."

"What did I just say?"

A long pause followed.

"...You’re... very handsome?"

Xander let out a quiet laugh.

"I didn’t say that."

"Oh..."

Another sleepy pause.

"Then I was dreaming."

He shook his head in amusement.

"That tired, huh?"

She gave the faintest nod.

"Shooting started before sunrise..."

"And someone insisted she was perfectly fine."

"I was..."

A tiny yawn interrupted her sentence.

"...until I wasn’t."

Her words began to trail together.

"I’m just... resting my eyes..."

"I know."

Another minute passed.

The conversation faded completely.

Xander slowed his movements even more, careful not to wake her.

"Ivy?"

No answer.

Only the soft, rhythmic sound of her breathing.

He leaned forward slightly and smiled.

She had fallen asleep halfway through the massage, her cheek nestled against the pillow, the tension that had weighed on her all day finally gone.

"So much for staying awake," he murmured.

He gently pulled a blanket over her, making sure she stayed warm.

After capping the bottle of oil, he switched off the bedside lamp, leaving only the soft glow from the nightlight.

Before stepping away, he brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.

"You worked hard today," he whispered.

"Sleep well."

He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

For a moment, he simply watched her peaceful expression.

There was something deeply satisfying about knowing that, after a long and exhausting day, she felt safe enough to fall asleep while he was taking care of her.

Quietly, Xander slipped beneath the covers beside her.

Almost instinctively, even in her sleep, Ivy shifted closer until her head rested against his shoulder.

A smile tugged at his lips.

"Guess I’m not going anywhere tonight."

He wrapped an arm loosely around her, careful not to disturb her sleep.

Within minutes, the room fell silent once more, leaving only the gentle rhythm of two people finally finding peace in each other’s presence.