Chapter 2: I've Got You

Ivy's POV

Two months into this thing with Alexander, and I'm doing things I don't recognize.

Like right now.

I'm sitting in my apartment, staring at an email on my laptop. Subject line: "Amazon Rainforest Research Project - Final Confirmation."

This is the project I've been dreaming about for three years. Six months deep in the rainforest, studying unclassified toxic plants. Full funding, top-tier team, endless publication opportunities.

My finger hovers over the reply button.

Then I think: six months without seeing Alexander.

I close the email.

Open a new one. Type: "I regret to inform you that I'm unable to participate in this project."

Hit send.

I stare at the screen, barely recognizing myself.

Ivy Thorne doesn't change plans for a man. Ivy Thorne's career always comes first. Ivy Thorne never stays in a relationship longer than two months because she doesn't get attached to anyone.

But this time is different.

He's different.

Ten minutes later, my advisor's calling on video.

"Ivy, tell me you're joking."

I look at her shocked face on the screen. "I thought it through—"

"You're giving up your career for some guy?"

"It's not giving up. Some things just matter more."

"Listen to yourself! Two months ago you were saying love's just a chemical reaction that fades. Now you're—"

"Now I changed my mind."

She sighs. "Alright. Your choice. But Ivy, don't forget who you are."

After we hang up, I walk to the mirror.

The woman smiling back at me looks like a stranger.

That night, I go find Alexander at the hospital.

It's past midnight. His office light is still on. I push the door open and he's at the microscope, focused like nothing else exists except that tissue slide.

I drop my coat on a chair and sit on the edge of the lab bench, just watching him.

His profile is sharp under the light. Brow slightly furrowed, completely absorbed. Fingers adjusting the focus with precision.

"You're beautiful when you're concentrating." The words slip out.

He looks up, his expression shifting from professional to soft. "You're distracting me."

"Good." I smile.

He sets down the microscope and walks over. "What are you doing here this late?"

"Missed you."

He stops in front of me, hands settling on my knees. "Missed what about me?"

"Your hands." I take one of his hands and press it to my cheek. "Your voice. The way you look at me."

His eyes darken.

Then he's kissing me, lifting me up, setting me on the bench.

"Here?" I'm breathless.

"Here." His voice is rough. "Can't wait."

The whole world spins.

A week later, he comes to my place.

My apartment isn't big, but I've got a converted balcony greenhouse. That's my kingdom—dozens of toxic plants, from common oleander to rare poison arrow trees.

"This is very you," he says, standing in the greenhouse, carefully avoiding the dangerous leaves.

"Beautiful but deadly?" I lean against the doorframe.

"Chaotic but captivating."

I walk toward him, fingers working the buttons of his shirt. "Here?" he asks.

"Here," I say. "They're living things. They understand desire, growth, need. Just like us."

His hands grip my waist. "You sure?"

"Very sure."

He's surprisingly gentle.

Not urgent like in his office. Not intense like at his apartment. He kisses every inch of my skin like I'm the most precious specimen he's ever handled. Slow, careful, like he's conducting an experiment.

I feel vulnerable in a way I've never felt before.

In my greenhouse, surrounded by my plants, I've always been in control. But now, in his arms, I just want to surrender everything.

"Alex—" I whisper his name.

He looks up at me, hand cradling my face. "I've got you," he says. "I've got you."

In that moment, I know I'm done for.

I've completely fallen.

This isn't a game anymore. Not just chemistry. This is real, deep, terrifying feeling.

Afterward, we're lying on the cushions in the greenhouse, surrounded by plants. He's holding me, fingers tracing circles on my shoulder.

"I never believed in anything outside science," he murmurs near my ear. "But you... you made me believe in magic."

I close my eyes, burying my face in the curve of his neck.

For the first time, I'm scared.

Scared of losing this.

Scared this feeling is too strong, too real, too fragile.

Scared I've given too much of myself away to protect what's left.

His phone rings.

I feel him go completely rigid.

The screen shows: Olivia.

"I need to take this." He carefully extracts himself from my arms, reaching for his clothes.

"Now?"

"Sorry. It's important."

He walks out of the greenhouse, stands in the living room with his back to me. Through the glass door, I watch his shoulders tense, his posture defensive.

I hear him say: "I know... I'll come by... Don't worry."

Quiet voice, but gentle tone.

A gentleness I've never heard from him before.

He hangs up, turns, sees me watching.

"Surgery thing," he says.

I nod. "Okay."

But something uneasy has already taken root inside me.