Unwrapped (Sugar & Spice #1)

13. Ivy

Chapter 13

Ivy

T he sunlight streaming through my apartment windows is soft and golden, casting a warm glow over the small Christmas tree in the corner. The tree’s twinkling white lights and a few carefully wrapped presents beneath it set the perfect festive atmosphere. The scent of fresh coffee mingles with the lingering sweetness of gingerbread, making the morning feel magical and calm.

I’m curled up on the couch next to Asher, his arm draped around my shoulders, pulling me close. My head rests on his chest, and I can hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, making me feel more at peace than I have in a long time. It’s Christmas morning, but instead of the usual rush of the holiday, it feels like time has slowed down just for us.

“I never thought I’d end up spending Christmas morning like this,” I say softly, my voice still drowsy. “It’s… nice.”

Asher presses a kiss to the top of my head, his lips warm and gentle against my hair. “Yeah. It really is.”

I tilt my head back to look up at him, and the sleepy smile on his face makes my heart swell. There’s a quiet intimacy in this moment, the kind that makes me feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. It’s strange to think how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time.

“You know,” I begin, biting my lip, “we haven’t really talked about how and when we’ll tell our families… about us.” I’m nervous as I ask, unsure of how he feels about making things official beyond just the two of us.

Asher’s smile widens a bit, but his eyes stay warm. “I’ve been thinking about that, too.”

I wait for him to continue, my fingers absentmindedly playing with the fabric of his shirt. “So, when do you think we should tell them?” I ask, trying to sound casual, though my heart is racing a little at the thought.

He doesn’t hesitate. “How about today?”

I blink in surprise. “Today? As in… right now?”

“Yeah,” he says, his voice full of certainty. “You’re going to your family’s Christmas lunch, right? What if I come with you? And then tonight, we’ll go to my family’s Christmas dinner together.”

I stare at him, waiting for the punchline, but his expression remains serious. “You mean, meet your family tonight? As in, officially?”

Asher nods, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “Yes. I don’t want to spend another Christmas without you, Ivy. I want to be with you for every Christmas, from now on. And technically, you have met my parents before and I’ve met yours, only this time, we’ll be introducing each other as more than just friends .”

My heart skips a beat, and for a moment, I’m speechless. The weight of his words sinks in, and I can feel the warmth spreading through my chest. He’s not just talking about a casual introduction—he’s talking about forever. About us being part of each other’s families, not just for today, but for the long haul.

“Asher,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion, “are you sure? That’s a big step.”

He gently cups my face with one hand, his thumb brushing lightly over my cheek. “I’m sure. You’ve changed my world in ways I didn’t expect, Ivy. I don’t want to go back to a life without you. I regret not choosing you sooner.”

His words catch me off guard, and I feel my eyes welling with tears. I blink quickly, trying to hold them back. “You really mean that?”

“I do,” he says, his voice soft but full of conviction. “You’re it for me, Ivy. I want to go to your family’s Christmas lunch with you today, and then tonight… I want you by my side at my family’s dinner. I want to introduce you to them as my girlfriend, as the person I plan to spend my life with.”

I don’t know why, but hearing him say it like that—so plainly, so honestly—makes my chest tighten in the best possible way. I’ve always felt like I didn’t quite fit into his world, that maybe we were moving too fast, but right now, none of that matters. What matters is this, and the way he’s looking at me like I’m the only thing that’s real to him.

“I…” I pause, taking a deep breath, my voice unsteady. “Okay. Let’s do it. Let’s tell our families together. Oh,” I say softly, “and another thing… I love you too.”

Asher’s smile widens, and before I can say anything else, he leans in and kisses me, his lips soft and hungry against mine. I melt into him, feeling the warmth of his love wrap around me like a blanket. When he pulls back, his eyes are bright with excitement, and finally, I feel like everything is falling into place. I clutch his shirt, tugging him toward me.

Within seconds my hands are tangling in his hair, his tongue finding it’s way down my neck as I lean back, exposing my breast to him.

“God,” he groans, his breath hot against my skin, “the thoughts I have about you…” his words trail off as he pulls at my shirt.

“Tell me,” I moan against his lips.

“Better yet,” he flashes that sexy grin, “let me show you.”

“Please.” It’s a whispered plea.

His eyes lock with mine, dark with desire as he draws me closer. The morning sunlight catches the planes of his face, highlighting the intensity in his expression that makes my breath catch.

"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, his voice rough with restraint. His fingers trace down my spine, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. I arch into his touch, my body responding instinctively to his.

"Asher," I breathe, as his lips find that sensitive spot beneath my ear. My fingers clutch his shoulders, feeling the strong muscles flex beneath my touch. The warmth of his skin against mine sends electricity coursing through my veins.

His mouth traces a burning path down my neck, and I tilt my head back with a soft gasp. "The things you do to me," he growls softly, his breath hot against my skin. "You drive me crazy, Ivy. Like nobody ever has. You are my every fantasy."

I run my fingers through his hair, tugging gently as his kisses become more urgent. The weight of him pressing me into the couch makes my head spin with desire. Every touch, every caress feels amplified by the depth of emotion between us.

"I need you," I whisper against his lips, my heart racing as his hands explore with practiced dedication. He knows exactly how to touch me, how to make me melt for him. The Christmas lights blur into stars behind my closed eyes as sensation overwhelms me. He’s hard against me, throbbing. I slide my hand down, between us, wrapping my fingers around him.

"Look at me," he commands softly, and I open my eyes to find him watching me with such raw passion it steals my breath. "I want to see you." His thumb traces my lower lip as he drinks in my expression. "I want to memorize every beautiful sound you make.” His fingers are already tugging my clothes from my body, his lips finding mine again as we tear and paw at one another.

I lose myself in his kiss, in the perfect rhythm we create together as he slides into me. There's reverence in the way he touches me, worship in every caress. When we finally break apart, we're both panting, completely lost in each other.

"I love you," he whispers against my skin, and I can feel the words vibrating through his chest. "Every inch of you, every part of your soul."

My response is lost in another passionate kiss as we let the moments fade away around us, consumed by each other. The rest of the world ceases to exist - there is only this moment, only us, only the perfect symphony we create together.

“Holy fuck,” Asher groans, sitting up after round three this morning. “I think—you might have broken me that time,” he laughs, looking back at me sprawled naked across the couch.

“Can’t say I’m sorry,” I confess.

“And I wouldn’t want you to be,” he pulls me up to stand in front of him, looking up at my body with the hunger of a starving predator. “If I thought you could handle me,” his voice rumbles as he slides his hand up between my thighs, “I’d take you again.” He cups me gently, “but I’d like to save some for later too.”

“Why don’t you run home, shower and change while I get ready here?” I say through broken giggles as he pretends to gently bite my breast. “Then, we’ll head out to the suburbs.”

“Deal,” he says standing up, his cock still mostly rigid, even after our marathon session. He quickly pulls on his clothes, planting a long, wet kiss on my lips that has me wanting to tell him to forget what I said and take me back to bed. “I’ll be back in an hour or so.”

He bounds out of my apartment like a kid on Christmas morning, which is ironic because that’s actually what I feel like right now. I dance into the bathroom, blaring Christmas tunes and singing along through my shower.

I'm finishing getting ready in my bedroom a little later, my phone buzzing with a text alert.

Zane

Hey, it’s Zane. I know this is short notice and it’s Christmas morning so no worries if you can’t make it, but any chance you could meet for a quick chat? I’m in your neighborhood.

I chew my bottom lip nervously, glancing at the time. In my excitement, I got ready in almost record time, leaving me enough time to meet with him. I type out a quick response, hitting send and grabbing my coat to head downstairs.

Ivy

Sure thing. Meet me at the coffee shop on the corner of 114th in 5.

Zane is already there when I arrive, two cups of coffee waiting on the table. His expression is serious as I slide into the seat across from him.

“You really were in my neighborhood.” I laugh nervously.

"I was outside your building actually," he says, pushing one of the cups toward me.

"Thanks,” I gesture with a nod toward the coffee. “Outside my building?” I crook a brow, “and how’d you get my number by the way?”

“Uh,” his eyes shift from mine with a nervous laugh, “I took it from your file. I could have asked Asher for it, same with your address but I had hoped,” he lifts his gaze up to meet mine again, “that we could keep this between us?” I don’t respond, letting his pause linger between us for a few uncomfortable seconds. “I have to be honest, I wasn't sure you'd come,

“Because of our last conversation?" I ask, wrapping my cold hands around the warm cup. "When you warned me about Asher?" I don’t mean for it to sound passive aggressive but there’s a sting to my words.

He winces slightly. "Look, Ivy, about that...I know it probably seemed out of line, maybe it was but I’m not sorry I said it. That’s not what this is about.” His gruff tone is back. “I need to know if you're serious about him. Because he's serious about you—more than I've ever seen him with anyone."

"I am," I say firmly. "I know you were trying to protect me when you told me to be careful with him, but Zane, I think I understand him better than you realize."

He studies me for a moment, a strange mix of emotions crossing his face. "You know, it's funny how life works out sometimes. The right people have a way of finding each other, even if the timing isn't what you'd expect."

"What do you mean?"

He takes a sip of his coffee, seeming to choose his words carefully. "Let's just say I've watched Asher go through relationships that were never quite right. Always something missing, always... settling. But with you—" He pauses, a knowing look in his eyes. "It's like watching someone finally find what they've been looking for all along."

"It's not just him," I admit softly. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."

"I can tell." He leans back in his chair, his expression softening. "It's not just you I was trying to protect," he admits, running a hand through his hair—a gesture so similar to Asher's it makes me smile. "After seeing him stupidly fall head over ass for different women over the years, thinking they actually loved him and not his money…” he shakes his head. “I couldn't bear to see him get hurt again. But the way he looks at you..." He pauses, a small smile finally breaking through his serious demeanor. "Actually, I've only seen him look like that back in the day, before all of this actually," he gestures with his hand aimlessly.

My curiosity piques. "Oh?"

He just shakes his head, that knowing smile still playing on his lips. "That's his story to tell. But let's just say some things are worth waiting for."

"I love him," I say simply, surprising myself with how easily the words come.

Zane's smile widens. "I know. That's why I wanted to see you before you headed out today. I wanted to apologize for being so... protective before. And to tell you that I'm glad it's you. You're exactly what he needs—what he's always needed."

I feel my eyes getting misty at the weight of his words, sensing there's more meaning behind them than I fully understand. "Thank you, Zane. That means a lot."

He reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. "Just promise me one thing?"

"What's that?"

"Make him happy. He deserves it. You both do." He pauses, then adds with a gentler tone, "And Ivy? Don’t you fucking dare tell Tessa I have a heart.” And with that, he tosses me a wink, “Merry Christmas” and walks out.

By the time I get back to my apartment, Asher has sent me a message he’s on his way back.

“How’d you get here so fast,” I laugh, swinging open my front door. He’s bent over, his hands on his knees as he pants, his hair still damp from the shower.

“Because I didn’t want to be away from you for another second.” He pulls me into a kiss, and I can't help but smile against his lips, thinking about Zane's words. I can't shake the feeling that he knows something I don't, like he's watching the final pieces of a puzzle fall into place.

The day flies by in a blur of excitement. After spending the quiet morning together, we finally get ready to face what’s next: introducing Asher to my family as not just a guy I went to high school with. As we pull up to my parents’ house for lunch, I can feel the nervous energy buzzing under my skin. It’s not that I don’t think they’ll like him—of course, they will—but telling them that I’m head over heels in love with a man I’ve only reconnected with a few short weeks ago after never really talking in high school… will be a bit of a shock.

Asher squeezes my hand as we walk up to the front door, his presence calming me just enough to keep my nerves at bay. “You ready?” he asks, his voice full of warmth.

I nod, squeezing his hand in return. “Ready.”

The door opens, and we’re immediately met with the familiar chaos of a family Christmas—laughter, the smell of food, and the sound of my mom calling out from the kitchen. My mom greets us first, her eyes widening in surprise when she sees Asher standing beside me.

“Well, look who’s here!” she exclaims, pulling me into a hug before turning to Asher. “And who’s this handsome man?”

I glance up at him, feeling a rush of warmth. “Mom, this is Asher Mercer.” Her brow furrows in confusion. “From high school.”

“Oh my goodness!” she exclaims, recognition coming into her eyes. “Oh my, you have certainly grown up. You are so handsome.” She gushes, making my cheeks flush in embarrassment.

“And he’s my… boyfriend.”

There’s a moment of silence as the word settles in, and I feel Asher’s hand tighten in mine. But then my mom breaks into a wide smile, immediately pulling him into a hug. “Well, it’s about time we met the man who’s been making our Ivy smile! Gary, come meet Ivy’s boyfriend; I told you, I knew it was a man that our girl all wound up!”

The ice is broken, and soon enough, Asher is introduced to the rest of my family. The conversation flows easily, and the tension I felt earlier slowly melts away. My dad and brothers seem to like him, and my mom is already chatting with him as if he’s been a part of the family for years.

Through it all, Asher never lets go of my hand, his presence a constant reminder that we’re in this together. And as the afternoon unfolds, I start to believe it—that maybe we really can make this work. The only thing still making doubt creep in, is the dinner tonight at his parents’ house.

Asher’s hand rests on my knee, his thumb tracing slow, soothing circles against my skin as we navigate the winding roads toward his family’s grand home.

“You’re nervous again,” he says, glancing over at me with a small smile.

I laugh softly, nodding. “Of course I’m nervous. This is a big deal.”

He reaches over, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips for a quick kiss. “They’re going to love you, Ivy. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

I smile at him, but the nerves are still there, bubbling just beneath the surface. Meeting Asher’s family feels different from introducing him to my own. There’s a weight to it—a significance that I can’t ignore. Asher’s world has always felt larger than life, filled with expectations and a spotlight that I’ve never quite been comfortable under. But being here with him, knowing he wants me by his side, gives me the courage to face whatever comes next.

As we pull into the long driveway leading up to the Mercer estate, the grand house looms ahead, festively lit with twinkling lights that reflect off the snow-covered lawn. The place is breathtaking, but it only makes my heart race faster. Asher must sense my nerves because he squeezes my hand again, his reassuring smile never wavering.

When we step inside, the warmth of the house immediately wraps around us, and I’m greeted by the sounds of laughter and the clinking of glasses. His family is gathered in the large living room, and the atmosphere is surprisingly cozy, considering the size and grandeur of the estate. It feels like a home—not the intimidating place I’d built up in my mind.

“Asher!” a voice calls out from across the room, and soon a tall woman with striking features approaches us, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she hugs him tightly. She looks familiar, not just because she’s related to Asher but because she was a few years younger than me in school and I remember seeing her in the hallways. “It’s about time you showed up.”

Asher chuckles and returns the hug before turning to me. “Ivy, this is my sister, Claire.”

Claire’s eyes soften as she takes my hand, her smile warm and genuine. “So, you’re the one we’ve heard so much about. It’s great to finally meet you.”

I blush, but her easygoing demeanor quickly puts me at ease. “It’s great to meet you too.”

“Oh, Asher, sweetheart.” His mother rounds the corner, then freezes, a megawatt smile that matches Asher’s spreading across her face. “Ivy Calloway?” Her eyes grow wide. “Oh my goodness, you’re just as striking as you were in school.” She reaches her hands out toward me and I’m shocked she remembers me.

“Hi, Mrs. Mercer, It’s so nice to?—”

“It’s Annabelle,” she cuts me off, her eyes already full of tears as she pulls me in for a hug so tight it almost squeezes the air out of my lungs. “I’m so happy he found you again,” she whispers softly in my ear.

I make a mental note to ask Asher what she means later, when we are alone.

“Now, let’s go introduce you to everyone,” she says, her hand in mine as she tugs me toward the kitchen.

The rest of the introductions follow seamlessly—aunts, uncles, and a few cousins, all welcoming me into their world with open arms. The Mercer family is charming and down-to-earth, and despite my initial anxiety, I find myself relaxing. By the time we sit down for dinner, I feel like I’m not just meeting Asher’s family, but becoming a part of it.

Throughout the evening, Asher stays close, always checking on me, his hand brushing mine under the table or his arm draped over my shoulders. Every touch, every glance reminds me that this—us—isn’t temporary. It’s something real, something lasting.

As dinner winds down and the plates are cleared, the conversation shifts to lighthearted stories, laughter filling the room. I find myself laughing along, enjoying the banter and the playful teasing that comes with being in a family that knows each other so well.

At one point, Asher’s father raises his glass for a toast, and as everyone lifts their glasses, Asher turns to me with that same loving, intense gaze that always manages to steal my breath away.

“Merry Christmas, Ivy,” he whispers, clinking his glass against mine.

I smile up at him, my heart swelling with affection. “Merry Christmas, Asher.”

The warmth between us is palpable, and as the evening continues, I can’t help but think about how much my life has changed in such a short amount of time. This Christmas has been unlike any other, not just because of the festivities or the gatherings, but because of him—because of the way he’s woven himself into my life so completely, so unexpectedly.

As the night winds down and people begin to say their goodbyes, I realize something I hadn’t fully grasped before: I’m not just a guest in Asher’s life—I’m a part of it now. And he’s a part of mine.

When we finally step outside into the cold night air, Asher pulls me close, his arm wrapped around my shoulders as we walk back to the car.

“How are you feeling?” he asks softly, his breath visible in the crisp air.

I smile, leaning into him. “I feel… happy. Really happy.”

He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m glad. This is just the beginning, you know. Us, our families… this is our life now.”

I look up at him, the man who has changed everything for me in the most beautiful way possible. “I know,” I whisper, my heart full, “and I can’t wait for all the Christmases to come.”

He smiles down at me, his eyes filled with the same love and promise that I’ve come to cherish. “Neither can I.”

I remember his mother's words from earlier and can't hold back my curiosity any longer.

"Asher?" I say softly as we walk toward the car, our footsteps crunching in the snow. "Can I ask you something?"

He pulls me closer against the cold. "Of course."

"Earlier, when your mom hugged me, she whispered that she was glad you found me again. What did she mean by that?"

Asher slows his pace, and I feel him take a deep breath. In the glow of the Christmas lights, his expression is tender but almost shy—something I rarely see from him. A flash of pink even darkens his cheeks.

"Remember how I said I regretted not choosing you sooner?" He stops walking entirely, turning to face me. "Back in high school, I had the biggest crush on you. I used to talk about you all the time at home—how smart you were in AP Literature, how your laugh would carry down the hallway, how you always helped other students with their work. But I never had the courage to really talk to you then. I was... intimidated, believe it or not."

My mouth falls open slightly. "You were intimidated by me?"

He laughs softly, reaching up to brush a snowflake from my cheek. "You were this bright, beautiful force of nature. Everyone loved you, and I was just... me. I relied on my looks and my status as a football star and Mr. Nice Guy.” He rolls his eyes at himself. “My mom used to tell me to just ask you out, but I never did. When we reconnected, she knew exactly who you were the moment I mentioned your name. She's been hoping for this for longer than you know.”

I feel tears pricking at my eyes, touched by this revelation. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I was waiting for the right moment," he says, pulling me close. "And somehow, standing here in the snow on Christmas night, it feels pretty right.”

I bite my lip, thinking about my earlier conversation with Zane. "Did... did Zane know about your crush back then too?"

Ashers laugh rumbles through his chest. "Oh god, yes. He used to tease me mercilessly about it. Every time you walked by in the hallway, he'd elbow me or make these ridiculous faces. He probably knew about it even before I told him—he's always been able to read me like a book."

"That explains some things," I say softly, thinking about Zane's protective nature.

"What do you mean?" Asher asks, curiosity clear in his voice.

I snuggle closer to him, breathing in the crisp winter air. "He's just... really protective of you. He wants the best for you, and he made sure I knew that. I think maybe he remembered how much you cared back then, and he wanted to make sure I understood what this means to you now."

Asher's arms tighten around me, and I feel him press a kiss to my temple. "That sounds like Zane. Always looking out for his little brother." He pauses, then adds softly, "But he doesn't need to worry. What we have... it's everything I dreamed about back then, and so much more than I could have imagined."

He plants a kiss on the tip of my nose, “I should have told you all of this sooner shouldn’t I?”

Warmth spreads all the way down my toes that curl inside my boots. “I dunno,” I shrug, “I think this moment turned out to be pretty perfect.”

We stand in each other’s embrace, next to the car, for several more seconds. “Well, are you ready to head back to the city? I think it’s only fair we spend the final few hours of Christmas with just us since it won’t always be this way.”

“What do you mean?” I look up at him, my nose scrunched.

“First comes love,” he smiles, stepping back to open the passenger car door for me.

“Oh yeah?” My smile is giddy as he closes the door and walks around to climb into the driver’s seat.

“Mhmm, and then comes marriage.” He says it as if he’s explaining something complex, keeping a straight face as he turns the car on.

“And then?” I can’t hide the excitement any longer, my belly flips at the thought of what comes next. He reaches his hand over, sliding his fingers through mine

“Then comes all the delicious, naughty baby making activities.” He bounces his eyebrows, causing me to fall into a fit of giggles. “I can’t wait to make you a mom baby, you’re going to be incredible.” He pulls my hand to his lips, kissing the back of my palm, “and even more, I can’t wait to love you and our babies forever.”

As we drive away from the Mercer estate, hand in hand, I know without a doubt that this Christmas—this year—has been the start of something wonderful. Something I’m ready to embrace, every step of the way.

No more doubts. No more “what-ifs.” Just me, Asher and his promise to always love me.

A WOMAN'S WORTH

December 28th By Asher Mercer, CEO of Mercer Enterprises

I stare at the headline of his statement for the hundredth time, my hands trembling as I scroll through the article again. It's been shared over fifty thousand times since he posted it this morning.

I rarely address personal matters publicly, but when it comes to Ivy Calloway, I'll make an exception. Not to defend our relationship - it needs no defense - but to address a concerning pattern I've witnessed in the responses to it.

The questions about her worth, her background, her intentions... they say far more about our society's twisted values than they do about her. You question what she brings to the table? Let me tell you:

She brings authenticity in a world of fake smiles. Determination that built a thriving business from the ground up. Intelligence that sees through bullshit and still chooses kindness. She makes me want to be better, not for the cameras or the shareholders, but for myself.

You mock her for not coming from money? For wearing off-the-rack dresses? I've dated the socialites, the models, the 'right' kind of women you seem to think I deserve. None of them taught me what real wealth is - the kind that comes from pursuing your passion, from touching lives with something as simple as a perfectly baked cookie, from loving fearlessly despite what others might think.

Ivy Calloway changed my life the moment she walked into my office with a business plan and a dream. She didn't need my name, my money, or my influence. She never has. That's not why I fell in love with her.

I fell in love with her because she's real. Because she challenges me. Because when she looks at me, she sees Asher - not the CEO, not the inheritance, not the society page headlines.

So yes, we went to high school together. Yes, she owns a bakery. And yes, I am completely, irrevocably in love with her.

If that bothers you, feel free to unfollow. If you're wondering what I see in her, you're asking the wrong question. The real question is: what does she see in me?

I'm still trying to be worthy of the answer.

Tears splash onto my phone screen as I finish reading it again. Part of me still can't believe he did this - Asher Mercer, who never comments on his personal life, who maintains careful control of his public image, just laid his heart bare for the world to see.

My phone hasn't stopped buzzing since the article went live. Messages from old friends, industry contacts, even some of the same people who were criticizing me days ago. But I haven't responded to any of them.

The only message I care about is his, sent privately right after the article posted.

Asher

I meant every word. And I'll spend the rest of my life proving it to you.

I curl up on my couch, hugging a pillow to my chest as I process everything. The hateful comments had cut deep, deeper than I wanted to admit. But this... this feels like healing. Like validation. Not because I needed the world's approval, but because Asher chose to stand up and claim our love publicly, proudly, without hesitation.

My phone buzzes again - another message from him:

Asher

You okay, beautiful?

I smile through my tears, typing back:

Ivy

Better than okay. But you're wrong about one thing in that article.

Asher

Oh?

Me

I do need you. Not your name or your money or your influence. Just you. The man who sees me. The man I've fallen completely, irrevocably in love with too.

His response comes quickly.

Asher

Come over? I need to kiss you right now.

Laughing, I grab my coat. The social media storm can wait. The gossip will eventually die down. What matters is this - us, together, real.

Let them talk. We know our truth.

And Asher just shouted it from the rooftops.