Page 20 of Lost In Someone

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.”

As much as I want to grab his hand and drag him up to my bed, something bothered him in the pub. I wasn’t paying attention to his conversation with Merrick but listened to Merlin talking about his plans for the future. Brodie’s thigh tensed under my hand, but the conversation was over before I could react. My paranoia is kicking in, so on the quiet walk home, I imagine what Merrick said to Brodie. I’m sure he talked him out of being with me.

“You have me. What was Merrick talking to you about? You didn’t seem happy.”

He sighs and rubs his chin, the dark stubble thick, even though he was clean-shaven this morning. “I told him I’ve sold my house. He got a bit too enthusiastic and wanted me to buy somewhere straight away.”

“I thought you wanted to do that. You said you did. House prices are high here. Probably not London prices but above average for Devon. Calston Cove is highly desirable. Have you changed your mind?” Ooh, that came out a bit harsh. “Sorry, that came out wrong.”

“No, it’s fine, babe. I’m working on an idea I’ve had since, well, forever. I want to open my own gym. I worked at Well Fit and know Munro Sylvester well. He will help and support me if I ask. I can’t do anything until the sale goes through, though. A lot can happen between now and then.” His mouth sets in a hard line as if indicating the conversation is closed. How much money would it cost to start up and run a fully equipped gymnasium?

He steps into my space and puts his arms on my shoulders. Our bodies are touching from chest to hip. “Now can we go to bed?” he whispers in my ear and bites down on the lobe.

“Let’s go. There’s something I want to do to you,” I say, my voice husky as I push my hips into his.

I won’t say we race up the stairs, but it’s close.

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