Chapter 16

Ivan walks towards me, his long legs encased in dark blue denim, his button-down shirt stretching over his broad chest. The chest I traced with my mouth and fingers earlier today. He has a hickey on his shoulder under the forest-green shirt. I thought I’d be able to play it cool tonight, to just be friends, guys getting to know each other, but he’s mine. Every tall, sinewy inch is mine, and I want to show them all.

As he reaches me, he cocks his eyebrow sardonically. “Have I missed something?”

“No, just looking at you. Making sure that when we walk in there, everyone will know you’re mine.” I hold out my hand. “Is that okay?”

The smile breaking out on his handsome face gives me all the confirmation I need. I’m ready for his kiss as his mouth meets mine. “You make me so fucking happy,” he murmurs, his breath warm over my lips, and presses his mouth firmly to mine.

I lose myself in him again, but all too quickly, it’s over. “Let’s get inside. It’s too cold to stay out for too long.”

Ivan opens the door with one hand while the other is clasped in mine, and we step in together. The usual gang is sitting in our spot in the corner: Merlin, Stacey, Melanie, and a few others. Merrick and Drew are here as well, something that only happens once a month. They stop talking and look at us. Ivan’s grip is firm and calming at the same time. Merlin reacts first. He grins and raises his beer to us. I have a feeling Ivan has told him already.

We weave through the other tables to reach them. Merrick shifts to the side, making enough space for me to sit. Ivan grabs a chair from an empty table and places it next to me. “What do you want to drink, baby?”

“Just a beer, a Stella is fine.”

He bends down and drops a soft kiss on my mouth.

As soon as he’s gone, everyone starts talking at once.

Stacey’s voice is the loudest. “Oh my god, Brodie, you dark horse. I didn’t know you were gay. And when did this all happen?”

“It’s been a week, so very early days. But I like him.” My smile is goofy, but I don’t care. My eyes drift to where he laughs with the guy behind the bar, and as if he can sense me, he looks over and winks.

“Oh, he’s so smitten. I’ve never seen Ivan like this. It’s so cute.”

Merrick is quieter than the others, but he leans in. “You look happier than I’ve seen since you got here. Good for you. Drew assures me he’s a good guy.”

“I know he is.”

“Better than your mystery man?” He knocks my shoulder with his.

“Something like that.” I smirk.

Ivan returns and places the two pints on the already cluttered table, then nudges one to me. “That’s yours.”

And that seems to be that. No more questions are asked. We all settle down to our usual conversations and catch up on the week’s news.

I tune out, lost in my thoughts but acutely aware of the weight of Ivan’s hand on my thigh. Is this real? Ivan’s touch proves it is, but how? How can my decision to give up my successful life in search of a new challenge bring me back to the man who started it all? Where is this leading? Because I’m going to fall in love with him, and I don’t know if he’s looking for the same as I do. The only thing to do is ask him, keep the communication flowing.

I didn’t know sex could feel so amazing. I’ve always enjoyed it and believed I was good at it. I never had any complaints. But I don’t have enough words to sum up how I feel when I’m with Ivan, how he makes my body sing. The way he looks into my eyes as he enters me as if he’s reaching my soul. And doesn’t that make me sound like a twat? I could just say when he’s balls deep in my arse, his dick feels like it’s reaching my tonsils. That I love the way he plunges deep into me, or I can ride him hard. When I’ve had sex with a woman, it was all soft skin and sighs, gentle moves when changing positions, and sharp nails in my back or my scalp. And I enjoyed it, but nothing is hotter than calloused skin and being manhandled into different positions. I never thought my years of yoga and core strength training would come in handy when I’ve got my feet up by my ears as I’m pounded. But I am grateful for it.

“What’s got you smiling?” Ivan whispers.

“This morning.”

He winks at me with a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Which part?”

I glance around the table, but nobody is paying attention to us. “I was appreciating my years of yoga and flexibility.”

Ivan tips his head back and laughs. It’s deep and throaty and contagious. I chuckle along with him. “I offered a prayer of thanks for your dedication too.”

I elbow him in the ribs.

“Oof. Bully.” He elbows me back.

I lift my pint glass and finish the last of my beer. One is my limit for the night. I’ve got a class at ten tomorrow morning.

Merrick turns to me. “Have you heard any more from the estate agent?”

I’d forgotten to fill him in on the latest update. I’ve been working or with Ivan. “Crap, I can’t believe I haven’t told you. It all got a bit dramatic and turned into a bit of a bidding war and not even between the original two prospective buyers. I got a ridiculous price for my house, and it should be all done and dusted by the end of January.”

Merrick pats me on the back. “That’s awesome news. You’ll be knocking on Stacey’s office door soon.”

Stacey looks over. “What trouble are you getting me in? I’m already doing two of your classes a week. I could hardly walk this morning.” She is joking. I know how much she’s enjoying the classes.

“A property. I’ve just agreed on a price for my London house. I’m not rushing. I’ll take my time to find the right one.”

“Come talk to me about what you’d like, and I can look out for you. It’s not easy to find great properties here. Interesting houses rarely come up for sale. Your mate here”—she wags her finger at Merrick—“got the best house on the market.”

“Sure, but I’m okay for now. Sometimes sales fall through. I’m not counting my chickens before they hatch.” I look back to Ivan. “Are you ready to go?”

“Are you okay?” He frowns. Does he want to stay? But he picks up his glass and finishes it. “Let’s go.”

We say our goodbyes to the others and grab our coats. “What’s up?” he asks as we step into the freezing night air, his breath a plume of smoke.

“Nothing. I want to be with you more than them.” I tuck my arm through his. “Your place or mine?”

“Mine’s closer.”

We speed up to get home and out of the cold, and when we get indoors, Ivan quickly locks up. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“No, I just want you.”