Chapter 2123
While Ivy was grumbling under her breath, Balfour nodded in solemn agreement, “Then let’s skip the fragrance. The natural scent of you is just perfect.” She rolled her eyes and gave her shirt a strenuous tug, which seemed to catch Balfour off guard. He stumbled, and in a frantic bid to steady themselves, both collapsed onto the couch in a heap.
“Ouch-”
Balfour’s hands shot out, cradling Ivy’s head in a protective gesture while his own palm took the brunt of the fall against the armrest.
“Ivy’s back, but what in the world happened? You two could have given us a heads-up.”
Alyssa Howard’s voice suddenly floated in from the doorway, catching them off guard. Before they could react, the elderly ma’am pushed the door open with concern.
“Grandma?!” Ivy gasped. Pinned beneath Balfour, her attempt to stand stifled by his unmoving weight.
Their position was very amatory, not helped by the ripped fabric of her clothing.
Pushing against his chest, she hissed, “Get up, for heaven’s sake, Grandma is watching us!”
Balfour casually called out, “Grandma, eliciting an amused and knowing smile from Alyssa, who seemed quite pleased with the tableau before her.
“Oh, you lovebirds carry on. I’m not some old fuddy-duddy and I’ll come back after you’re finished to ask my questions.”
“Uh… Grandma, it’s not what it looks like, Balfour and I are not-”
Alyssa exited with a speed that outpaced her entrance, as if afraid of interrupting something significant.
“Huff-”
Resigned, Ivy lay still beneath Balfour and gave him a feeble shove, ‘This is all your fault. Now Grandma’s bound to get the wrong idea! She must think we were… you know. Her suspicions won’t come off no matter what.”
Ivy’s punch on Balfour’s body was more a tickle than anything else.
He enveloped her hand in his, “How can such a tiny hand pack any punch?”
Feeling her face flush, Ivy stammered, “Enough already. What, you going to tease me about not being able to fight my way out of a wet paper bag? You’re the champ, the strongest man in the world, happy now?”
But Balfour’s sudden laugh caught her off guard. He seldom smiled, and now, his rare display was stunningly attractive.
It turned out that the usually expressionless person could smile so charmingly. She was mesmerized.
After his laughter subsided, he lay down beside her, prompting Ivy to blink in confusion, “Why didn’t you move just now? Grandma’s got the wrong idea.” “So what if she does? Don’t forget we’re married now. If Grandma misunderstands, it’s only what a husband and wife might naturally do. The more she suspects, the better for us.”
Balfour’s insinuation was clear.
His hand, restless as if with a mind of its own, caressed her cheek constantly.
“Were you deliberately not moving just now?” Ivy clenched her fingers out of his view.
Did he stay on top of her on purpose when Grandma walked in, just to reinforce their marital status?
“Why else?”
His nonchalant response brought Ivy back to reality. Their relationship was nothing but a contract, nothing more!
She couldn’t afford to get lost in the illusion.
With that thought, the heat from her face receded rapidly. Turning her head slightly, she brushed Balfour’s hand away. “Alright! It’s getting late, and I’m tired. I need to freshen up.”
