The car moved steadily through the city streets as Ivy stirred in her seat. She blinked slowly, her hazy gaze drifting toward the window before turning to the man beside her.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her words slightly slurred.

Fragments of memory returned. She remembered drinking with Lola and Sal at the bar.

Now she was in a moving car.

With Xander.

"To my penthouse," Xander replied evenly. "I can’t let Leo see his mother in this condition."

Ivy frowned immediately.

"I’m not drunk."

As if to prove her point, she tried to sit up straight, only to lose her balance.

"I can see that," Xander said dryly, catching her before she could topple over.

Ivy looked up at him, irritation flashing across her face.

"You think I’m lying?"

"I think you’re proving my point."

His blunt honesty only annoyed her more.

"Then I’ll prove you’re wrong."

Before Xander could react, Ivy shifted and climbed onto his lap.

The driver nearly choked.

"Ma’am—"

He immediately cut himself off and fixed his eyes firmly on the road.

Ivy ignored him completely.

Her head was spinning, but she refused to back down. Back when she was Raven, she could handle alcohol just fine.

Unfortunately, she kept forgetting she was no longer in Raven’s body.

Ivy’s alcohol tolerance was practically nonexistent.

Xander’s entire body went rigid the moment she settled on his lap.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice lower than before.

Despite his stern expression, there was tension in his eyes.

Ivy lifted her chin stubbornly.

"Proving that I’m not drunk."

She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and looked directly at him, trying her best to focus despite her blurred vision.

Then she shifted slightly.

Xander inhaled sharply.

A confused frown crossed Ivy’s face.

"Why are you acting so weird?"

"Don’t move."

His warning came instantly.

She froze.

For all of two seconds.

Then curiosity got the better of her.

"Why?"

She shifted again.

Xander closed his eyes briefly.

The man had negotiated billion-dollar deals, faced ruthless competitors, and handled dangerous situations without blinking.

Nothing had prepared him for a drunk Ivy.

Meanwhile, Ivy finally found a comfortable position and relaxed.

A moment later, her eyes widened.

"Mr. Emerson..."

She reached up and cupped his face.

"Why is your face so red?"

Before he could stop her, she gently squeezed his cheeks.

The driver’s shoulders shook suspiciously.

Xander shot him a warning look through the rearview mirror.

The driver immediately straightened.

"I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything, sir."

"Good."

Ivy, completely oblivious to the exchange, studied Xander with concern.

"Are you sick?"

"No."

"You look sick."

"I’m perfectly fine."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You don’t look fine."

Before she could continue her investigation, Xander caught both of her wrists and lowered her hands.

His gaze locked onto hers.

"Behave, Ivy."

Something in his tone made her pause.

"Or what?" she challenged.

A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.

"Or don’t blame me for what happens next."

Ivy’s breath caught.

For a brief moment, her attention dropped to his lips.

Heat crept into her cheeks.

Every time Xander kissed her, her thoughts scattered completely.

Even now, when he was telling her to behave, her mind stubbornly wandered in the opposite direction.

And judging by the look in his eyes, that was exactly the problem.

"Don’t look at me like that," Ivy muttered, unsure what to make of Xander’s warning.

Deep down, however, she knew he wasn’t joking.

Xander’s gaze remained fixed on her.

"Like what?" he asked quietly.

Heat slowly crept up Ivy’s neck.

She looked away, unable to hold his gaze any longer. But before she could fully avoid him, Xander gently caught her chin and turned her face back toward him.

"Like what, Ivy?" he repeated.

This time, his voice came out rougher than before.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"L-Like..." she stammered.

Her eyes drifted to his lips before she could stop herself.

"Like you’re planning to do something."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The air inside the car suddenly felt far too warm.

Xander watched her carefully, noticing the uncertainty in her eyes.

And the way her gaze kept lingering on his mouth.

A dangerous combination.

Especially when she had no idea what she was doing to him.

"I warned you to behave," he said, his voice low.

Ivy swallowed.

"But I’m not doing anything."

"That’s exactly the problem."

A confused frown appeared on her face.

She genuinely didn’t understand.

And somehow, that made the situation even worse.

Xander let out a slow breath and released her chin, trying to regain some control over his thoughts.

Unfortunately, the moment he did, Ivy leaned closer again.

Curiosity shone in her eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked softly.

Xander laughed once—a short, humorless sound.

"Trust me, Ivy."

His gaze swept over her face before settling on her eyes once more.

"You don’t want me to answer that question."

The seriousness in his tone sent an unexpected shiver through her. Still, she leaned closer.

"Then tell me," she said softly.

The innocent curiosity in her eyes was Xander’s undoing.

For several seconds, he simply stared at her.

Then whatever restraint he had left finally snapped.

Before he could change his mind, he cupped her cheek and kissed her.

Ivy’s breath caught.

For a moment, she froze in surprise.

Then she melted into the kiss.

The alcohol had already left her thoughts hazy and unfocused, but this—

This was entirely different.

Her heart raced as warmth spread through her chest.

Without thinking, she lifted a hand and rested it against his shoulder, kissing him back.

The world outside the car seemed to disappear.

There was no traffic.

No driver sitting a few feet away.

No responsibilities waiting for them.

Just the two of them.

When Xander finally pulled back, his forehead rested lightly against hers.

His breathing was uneven.

A dangerous look lingered in his eyes. "I am not done yet" he said quietly and Ivy coulnd’t help but gulp.