Page 31 of Lost In Someone

“I know you do. I’m pleased for you, but a friendly word of warning. If you hurt him, you’re gonna have to deal with Merrick.”

“That’s never gonna happen. Brodie’s it for me. I want to go and see what he’s done. This is going to be my home too.”

“Yeah, Brodie told me.”

I walk into the boot room but stop in the doorway. The flagstone floor shines as if it’s been here forever. The rustic but modern kitchen is warm and inviting. I can see us both here, with a glass of wine while we cook.

“What do you think?” Brodie comes up to me and wraps an arm around my waist.

“It’s incredible. I love it. Show me some more. How long before it’s finished?” I run my hand over the back of the large L-shaped sofa. The shelves on either side of the log burner are already filling up with books, giving the room a homey and comfortable vibe, just like a home should.

“Honestly, I think about a week or two. It’s just fixtures and fittings. We could move in now if you want.”

Excitement fills me. This is it—the fresh start to a new life.

“Bloody hell, Ivan. What have you got in here, cement blocks?” I lift another box to take into the house. We’re leaving most of the furniture in his house, but only because he admitted it’s old shit he doesn’t care about. Not because I’m insisting on new or my furniture from the London house.

“It’s just books and stuff. No cement, I promise.” He grins, his eyes twinkling. “You’re a big, strong man. You can manage it.”

With an eye roll, I carry the box into the living room. He can unpack it and fill up the rest of the fitted bookcases on one side of the fireplace. With the remainder of the boxes placed haphazardly on the floor, the room looks the same as when I had my belongings turned up.

Merrick sidles up to me and links his arm through mine. “It’s déjà vu, isn’t it? We seem to have done nothing but move house for a year.” He bumps his shoulder into mine. “It’s good to see you so happy, Brode. You shocked the hell out of me, but it’s good.”

Now’s the time to tell him about Ivan. I’ve kept it a secret for too long, and it doesn’t matter what he thinks. “Would you believe me if I said Ivan was the man I hooked up with in London?”

Merrick drops his arm. I try not to laugh as he gapes like a goldfish. “I, um, what the hell, Brodie? And you kept this to yourself since December? Does anyone else know it? Does Drew?”

I rub my nape.

Merrick narrows his eyes. “Drew knows? You told him before me?”

“I didn’t mean to tell him. It just sort of happened. Drew pushed a few buttons about my relationship with Ivan, and I told him. It isn’t a secret, just something that doesn’t matter anymore. We’re together and committed to each other. That’s all that’s important.”

“It must have been one hell of a surprise to see him at my house. Is that why you left as soon as you could? Did he follow you?” He shakes his head. “I can’t believe it. I mean, what are the chances of Ivan being in the same place as you in London? Then you being here. That is some cosmic shit. No wonder you look so happy with him. It’s fate.”

“What’s fate?” Ivan asks as he walks in with another box and places it on top of another one.

“You two getting together.” Merrick smiles. He seems to be over being left out of the loop.

Ivan looks at me, the softest smile on his lips and in his eyes. “It sure was. Best night I’ve ever had.” He leans in and kisses me. Butterflies swirl lazily in my stomach. God, I want to be alone with him.

Luckily, it’s only another hour before we have carried the last boxes into the house and Drew and Merrick drive away in his truck. As Ivan opens one of the boxes, I wrap my arms around him and kiss the back of his neck. “Hmm, alone at last. I thought they’d never leave. Which room do you want to christen first?” I scrape my teeth up his neck, revelling in the shudder running through him.

He twists around to face me. “As wonderful as that sounds, and trust me, we’ll be doing that, I’m hungry. Let’s go and get some food.”

I want to protest, but my stomach lets out a growl a lion would be proud of. “Fine. But you’d better make good on your promise.”

“It will be my absolute pleasure, baby.” His kiss has my toes curling and my knees weakening.

How have I lived through so many mediocre relationships, unaware of what being in love truly feels like? I lose myself in him, his touch, his taste. The feel of his skin against mine can make time stand still. Sometimes he only has to glance at me, and I stop what I’m doing and just watch him. He gives me a smug look. Damn him. He knows exactly what he’s doing to me.

He takes my hand and waggles his eyebrows. “Are you up for some meat?”

“I was hoping for that, but I’ll just have to settle for a steak. Come on, lover boy. Let’s go and fill your stomach.”

I wake up as Ivan kisses my cheek. “Surf’s up. I’m going to catch the waves for a couple of hours. Do you want to meet me on the beach later?”

“What time is it?” I mumble, my mouth not quite in tune with my brain.

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