Page 19 of Lost In Someone

“No, not every day, but after the storms, it was nice to see the frosty grass. I love it as the sun rises and I’m all by myself. You don’t need to look so concerned. I’m not going to ask you to join me. Your job is hard enough. Now, grab the plates.”

“Yes, sir.” I open the cupboard and take out two plates, then get the cutlery. “Coffee?”

“Already got it.” He smirks and pulls out two cups.

He has thought of everything, and as we sit down to eat, he tells me about the route he took this morning and what he saw. I forget that he’s lived in the city for over eighteen years and the coast is new to him.

“I grew up about ten or so miles from the beach, but we didn’t get great summers. Better than on the west coast but still cooler than here. We would cycle for miles to the woodland, mainly man-made ones with rows of pines, and we’d be out for hours, only going home when we were starving.”

Seeing him now, I can’t imagine him as the weedy child he hated, but puberty is a killer time for kids.

“It was like that for Drew and me. Only we would be in the sea. Do you surf?” He shakes his head. “Would you like to? I can teach you.”

“Ask me in June when it’s warmer.” He chuckles. “Nothing about the English Channel in December appeals.”

“I’ll do that.”

It sounds like he’s not going anywhere, and my stomach does a happy dance.

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.

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