Ivan(21)

By the time we reached Ivan's house, I was starting to feel the effects of my long night and eventful day. I took my lunch upstairs to the guest room and stripped out of my clothes for a quick hot shower. Clean and sleepy, I slipped into one of the sleeping shirts my friends had packed and scarfed down my lunch.

With a full belly and an aching head, I climbed into bed and hugged a pillow. My gaze settled on my phone. I'd left it on the bedside table, just in case the hospital tried to call me. Right now, I desperately wanted to call Ivan but couldn't work up the courage. Somehow I didn’t think listening to me whine for an hour was a good way to start our relationship.

In the end, I decided not to chance it. All those confusing emotions and conflicted thoughts could wait. My eyelids drifted together and I succumbed to exhaustion and the blissful pull of sleep.

Hours later, I came awake to the sensation of being watched. The sheet was twisted around my hips and thighs. Apparently I hadn't found the peaceful respite I so desperately needed. After a little tugging, I got free from the sheet and pushed up into a sitting position.

"I'm sorry." Ivan's rumbling voice pierced the darkness. "I didn't mean to wake you."

My gaze finally found him. He stood in the doorway of the room, his silhouette dark against the light from the hallway. "I don't mind."

He chuckled softly. "No, I didn't think you would."

"Is it late?"

"It's nearly nine. I tried to get here sooner but kept getting sidetracked. I was surprised you didn't call me."

"I wanted to," I admitted, "but I wasn't sure you wanted to listen to me cry about Ruby."

"I wouldn't have minded."

Feeling a bit nervous and glad for the shadows that hid my face, I asked, "Will you stay with me tonight?"

Quietly, he stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. The room was totally dark except for the small bit of moonlight streaming through the window. He made his way to the bed and switched on the lamp there. The soft, dim glow gave off just enough light. I watched him toe off his shoes and shed his clothing. He left on his boxer briefs before lifting the cover and sliding in next to me.

Though he'd seen me naked last night, this was the most I'd seen of him. His tattooed skin tantalized me. When he reached for me, I went willingly. His strong arms hauled me close. Gently, he pressed me onto my back and slid down onto his side. He caressed my face with his callused, scarred hands and gazed down at me with such tenderness.

"I'm sorry your sister was so ugly with you." He brushed his lips across my mouth. "You didn't deserve that."

No doubt Dimitri had given him a blow-by-blow of my dust-up with Ruby. "She's just sick and in pain."

"That doesn't give her the right to make you her punching bag."

"No," I agreed and rubbed my hands up and down his muscled biceps. His hot skin awakened my desire. I lifted up to meet his mouth. He claimed me with a kiss so intensely sensual that my lower belly flip-flopped. "Ivan…"

He traced my jaw. "We don't have to do anything tonight. I'm happy to hold you if that's all you want."

The strangest sensation of rightness settled over me as I stared into his light blue eyes. Beneath that mean looking exterior existed the sweetest, gentlest man I'd ever known—and all he wanted to do was hold me. No man had ever just wanted to hold me. There was always some other motive to the cuddling but not with Ivan.

As much as I appreciated his offer, it wasn't what I wanted. Not tonight, at least.

Caressing the back of his neck, I whispered, "Make love to me. Make me feel something other than worry and guilt."

He nuzzled my cheek and ghosted his lips across my ear. "I'll make you forget. I'll make it good for you."

Of that I had no doubt.

Ivan's kisses left me dizzy and breathless. I ran my hands up and down his broad back, feeling the hard muscle beneath his surprisingly soft skin. His tongue plundered my mouth. The way he took possession of me made my fingers tremble. How he'd learned the secrets to my body so quickly confounded me.

Unlike last night, when we'd come together in a rush of lust and need, we took a leisurely approach. Ivan's rough hands slipped under the thin fabric of my night shirt. He peeled it off my body and tossed it onto the floor. Naked beneath him, I purred with delight as his searching hands and teasing mouth moved over my bare skin.

His tongue laved my nipples. The dusky buds formed tight peaks that he pinched and rolled between his fingertips. I rose up on my shoulders, arching my back from the sheer torment of being so sensually tweaked. He eased the pinching bite of his fingertips with his wet tongue, circling and sucking my nipples until I was groaning and gripping his sides.