Shattered by Love (7 page)

He’s smiling in this photo, a genuine smile and I wonder who took the photo. Maybe he’s with someone, although this isn’t the most recent. I can’t find anything more about him so I shut down my computer and push away from my desk. Heading into the cafeteria, I grab a mug and fill it with hot water.

“Ivy, how are you darling?” I turn to find one of the models we’ve worked with on a previous shoot.

“Good. You know, working hard.” I offer a small smile. “What are you up to?”

“I finished a shoot for Verán Publishers.” My body stiffens.

“Oh? What was it for?” I question, hoping my voice sounds calm and even. My gaze flits over to her. She doesn’t seem to notice my reaction to the name Verán.

“It was for a summer calendar. The photographer was incredible. And hot. He had all the girls hitting on him.” A girly giggle escapes her lips and twists the knot of jealousy in my gut.

“Did he now? I’m sure he’s a playboy.”

“He went to the hotel with one girl. I wish it was me, God I could give him the ride of his life.” Her laugh is loud, but my mind stopped listening when she said that Jayce went with a model. He’s single. He can do what he wants, but it still cuts me painfully. It should be me with him. Me in his bed. In his arms. “You okay, Ivy?” Her concerned words break through my thoughts.

“Yeah, sorry. I think I’m just tired. I will see you later.” With a small smile, I walk back to my office, and grab my phone, hitting call on Bryce’s number.

“Baby girl, what’s up?”

“I want to find Jayce after the wedding. Will you help me?”

“Fuck yes! Of course.” He’s more excited than I am. Fear curls a knot in my stomach, but I know I need to see him. “What made you change your mind?”

“Jayce Alexander fucking another girl.”

“Huh?” I explain my conversation with the model and I hear his exhale. “Well if that’s all it took I would have told you a long time ago.”

“You’re kidding right?” Questioning my best friend suspiciously.

“Nope.” He replies with a pop on the p. “He’s been photographed with a brunette, no reports on him actually dating her, but she’s been around for little over eight months now.” My heart constricts at the news Bryce is giving me. He’s got a girlfriend. I can’t get involved.
Can I? Do I fight for him?
“Ivy?”

“Yeah?” Insecurity laces my tone.

“Do not doubt this. He’s not been in a serious relationship for years and he hasn’t started with her. Also she’s brunette, he prefers blondes. He is trying to forget you by seeing someone completely opposite to you. He still loves you.” His logic is way off, it doesn’t make an ounce of sense, but it doesn’t stop him.

“You can’t be sure about that. He’s probably over me by now.”

“Baby girl, don’t do this to yourself. You’re not giving up. Not until that man tells you to leave
and
actually means it. Till then you keep fighting.” We chat for a few more minutes and when I hang up I feel better. There was nothing that would stand in my way. I needed Jayce.

I
am seated
in first class, settling in for the four-hour flight. I pull out my phone and send a quick message to Luke to let him know we’re taking off soon. From the email I received this morning, I am supposed to meet Cole at the airport and then travel directly to the venue for me to scope out. I haven’t been to New Orleans before and I am looking forward to it. The only thing that’s playing on my mind is that I will see Ivy. It’s her sister’s wedding, she will be there.

As the plane takes off, I wait till we reach cruising altitude to pull out my laptop and get some work done. The flight attendant’s bright smile focusses on me as she stops at my seat. “Can I get you a drink?”

“A coke, no glass, just the can.” She nods and pulls one out from the trolley. As she hands it to me, she holds on a moment too long and the glint in her eyes gives me the distinct impression of what she wants. “Thanks.”

Pulling the can away from her grip, I turn to my screen and carry on working. I have no time for this shit. I need my head screwed on straight to see the woman who is about to crack open my heart and break down my walls.

I can try to stop it, to reinforce the barriers, but I know there isn’t anything that will stop Ivy from getting lodged inside my heart and find the feelings I have tried to bury for five years.

Hours later, a smooth touchdown lands us in New Orleans. Grabbing my hand luggage, I head into the airport terminal to collect my suitcase. Luckily it’s the first one on the carousel.

Cole Ashford isn’t what I am expecting, I thought he’d be polished, like the kids I remember from school, since his family is one of the richest in New York, but the man who meets me at the airport is nothing like that. Dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a black button-up shirt, his messy dark hair looks like he’s just stepped out of a windstorm.

“Mr. Alexander.” He offers me a hand and a grin.

“Call me, Jayce,” Gripping his hand in a firm handshake, he nods.

“Jayce, I am Cole. It’s good to meet you and I am so happy you’ve accepted our offer to do this. My fiancée loves your photography.” His statement catches my attention and I glance at him, frowning in confusion.

“Your fiancée recommended me?” He nods as I follow him to the waiting car. New Orleans is incredible, the atmosphere alone has a vibrant energy to it.

“Yes, she asked for you after having seen your work in… What’s it called, Fire & Ice?”

“That’s the magazine I work for, yes.” It seems Lacey didn’t tell him about our true connection. That I am her sister’s soul mate, the man her sister is meant to walk down the aisle with.
Fuck I need to get Ivy out of my head.
Glancing at him, I realize this could have been my brother-in-law if life had gone the way I wanted it to.

“She has been adamant for you to photograph our wedding and whatever princess Lacey wants, she gets.”

My eyes snap up at his statement as it hangs in the air between us. That didn’t sound like something a man should say about his beloved, but when I look at Cole, there isn’t any emotion in his eyes. He doesn’t love her.
Then why marry her?

“And I suppose you make sure she’s happy and getting what she wants?” A nod.

“Her father and mine are business partners, and… well that’s not my story to tell.”

“What? You’re marrying each other and you don’t love her?” I joke, but the look he fixes me with tells me all I need to know. I knew Lacey, she was the rich girl who believed she was a princess. Ivy on the other hand wanted to be an artist who loved to fuck. When my gaze meets Cole’s, he smirks and shrugs.

“Not everyone understands, it’s a long story which I’m sure will be out in the press soon enough. Lacey and I are doing what’s expected of us. Her sister on the other hand…” He trails off and my heart rate spikes.

“What about her sister?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I knew I shouldn’t have asked. This will only tear me apart if he tells me Ivy is married.
Focus Jayce, focus.

“Ivy is different, she doesn’t care. After everything that happened, she doesn’t even come home anymore. I don’t think she’s spoken to her father in almost five years.” The words weren’t even out of his mouth when my gaze locks on his in surprise.

“What do you mean? What happened?”

“I’m not sure about the specifics, but she basically told her father where he can shove it. Apparently the fall out came after Ivy’s boyfriend left, her father didn’t approve and she found out it was because of daddy dearest this guy left. The story she told everyone was that she had to change schools, I am not too sure on the rest of the details, but that was five years ago. I am sure she’s over it now.”

It feels as if he’d taken a glass of ice water and injected it into my veins. She knows about what her father did, but she never contacted me. Lucien’s words slice through me.
Did she ever love me? If she did why didn’t she come find me?

Inhaling a steadying breath, I glance at Cole and question again. “So she hasn’t spoken to her parents since the guy left?” He shrugs nonchalantly, and it takes all my restraint not to shake the information from him.

“She moved out. Packed her bags and never returned to the house. Lacey talks to her occasionally, but Ivy lives alone in Chicago now. But I guess this weekend will prove to be eye opening since she’ll be at the wedding.”

Nodding, I turn my attention to the buildings we pass by. We pull up outside Hotel Mazarin and the driver gets out. “Here we are, we will stay in the hotel and the wedding will be held in their courtyard. Its exquisite and the handful of photographers will be able to take photos from the balconies. You my friend, will be front and center.” The smile on his face tells me that marrying Lacey is something he will gladly do, but why? Of course, its because of his family.

“Great. This shouldn’t be too difficult.” With a smirk, I get out of the car and make my way toward the entrance. The hotel is only a few minutes walk away from Royal Street and I can hear the jazz music drifting towards us. “Are we all staying in the same hotel?”

“Yes, we’ve booked out the whole place for friends and family. Your room looks out onto courtyard and the French Quarter.” Nodding, I walk into the reception and up to the counter.

As soon as I am checked in, Cole tells me he’ll let me settle in and we can take a walk around after. Once I reach my room, I flop onto the bed. She’s not here yet, I would have known. Pulling out my phone, I scroll to the number I want and hit dial.

“Jayce?” Kenna’s voice is soft, weary, and I would love to convince her of what I know in my heart to be true.

“Hey, I met Cole.” Her breath hitches because she still loves him. It’s obvious.

“And?”

“He’s okay. Not a bad guy, but something tells me he’s not happy.”

“And you could tell this all by one conversation with him?” Her tone is unconvinced and I understand why. It’s normally difficult to tell what someone is really feeling, unless you know them, but I could look into someone’s eyes and pick up their feelings immediately. There was no doubt in my mind that Cole Ashford wasn’t in this for love.

“Yes, I can. He said a few things that made me think this isn’t his idea and he’s not in love with her. He mentioned something about this being for their family business.”

“It doesn’t matter what he’s doing Jayce, he’s marrying her. There’s nothing that can stop that. Will I see you later? I am arriving at about ten thirty.”

“Yeah, there’s something I need to tell you though. I know his fiancée.”

“Oh god, Jay, did you fuck her?” She groans.

I chuckle at her question. “No, she’s… I mean, her sister. Fuck…” I don’t know how to tell her, to explain that I would see Ivy this weekend. The only woman who could bring me to my knees. A woman that could piece my heart together or shatter it completely, all over again.

“It’s your ex isn’t it?” Pinching the bridge of my nose, I nod. “Jay?”

“Yes.” She’s quiet for a long while, then I hear her soft sigh. It’s a sad, melancholy sound and I wish I could tell her it doesn’t matter, but I can’t. I can’t tell her I will be her date for the wedding like we originally planned, it will be a lie. So I say nothing at all.

“I have to go. See you tonight.” Her voice is a whisper, then she’s gone.
How is it that this whole fuck up will take its toll on both me and Ken?
She doesn’t deserve the pain, but neither do I. The need to punch something is rife, but I push up off the bed and pick up my camera.

Stepping out of the room, I head to the courtyard and take in the surroundings. It’s an exquisite area, with a lot of natural light and there are some incredible flowers that will add to the ambience of the photos.

The hotel is old, historic beams and ornate metal adorn the balconies and I know Ivy will love it. She always had a love of history and art and this place is a dream. I find a room with the door cracked and as I step inside the familiar scent of cinnamon assaults me. It’s empty, except for a large black wingback chair facing the ornate window.

There is an enormous piano in the one corner with a fireplace opposite, and the rug is the same shade as red wine. A room with old world charm and I wonder if I could get photos of Ivy in here, dressed in nothing but some exquisite lingerie.

If she’d have me back, I would do anything to have her pose for me again.

“
K
neel on the table
, baby.” Ivy always obeys my commands. Her submissive nature is intoxicating and I ache to have her on her knees. Big blue eyes staring up at me. “You trust me don’t you?”

“Yes, Flash.”

“Do you want me to take you higher than you’ve ever been? Make you fly?” She nods shyly, dressed in black lingerie that accentuates her beautiful creamy skin. I watch her body tremble and I can’t help smiling. “Put your hands behind you.” The rope in my hand is a deep red, like the wine I plan on licking off her body. “You see little, Firefly, when you pose for me, I won’t only take your photo. I will also take your heart, body, and soul.”

Gripping her wrists together, I make quick work of tying her hands behind her. Weaving the rope in an intricate pattern up her arms that are now bound behind her back, which juts her breasts out.

I guide her so she’s comfortable, kneeling at the perfect height for me. I stalk around her, taking in every inch of her perfect body. My low-slung jeans hang from my hips as I watch her greedy eyes rake over me.

“Flash, are we going to fuck now?” We’ve had sex a few times, and this is the first time I will edge her to the point of tears. I need to see her cry, beg, and plead for the release that I command.

“No little Firefly. Tonight you will cry for me. I want to see those tears and taste them.” Her lips part on a breathy whimper and her pupils dilate. I notice her pulse rioting in her neck and I crave to lick it, to feel it throb against my tongue. Just like I will feel her clit when she shatters. “You will learn to come only when I tell you to. Do you understand?” She nods silently. “Answer me. I need your words tonight okay?”

“Yes, I do.” Her body arches in the moonlight that’s illuminating every soft curve of her form, it’s a breathtaking sight. Picking up my camera, I snap a shot of her, walking around the beautiful woman bound by my rope, I snap again, and again. “Jayce…” I halt my movements. Her use of my name is concerning because we decided in all our scenes she must call me, Flash, and if she uses my real name, I should stop. It’s her safe word.

“What is it, Ivy?”

“I love you.” Her words saturate my heart, expanding it, filling me to the brim, then overflowing like a fountain gushing water, my love for this woman holds no barrier.

“I love you too, Firefly.” I take another two photos and set the camera down. My cock is steel behind my zipper, daring me, challenging me to drive into her. But I need to make her crazy with desire first.

Picking up the silver blade on the table, I stalk towards her. Her eyes widen, but it’s not fear I see in them, but an emotion I need her to give to me. Trust. With slow movements, I slide the steel tip between her breasts, down her stomach until her corset falls open. When I reach the tiny panties covering her sweet bare cunt, I position the metal under one ribbon of the waist band and slice it away. I do the same to the other side and the scrap of material falls from her body. “That’s better.”