Page 122 of Jump on Three

Bella touched my shoulder with one finger, then drew it back with a hiss. “You’re so hot, you’re sizzling.”

Freddie nodded. “Hot couple. You’re making me think naughty things.”

Bella slapped his chest with the back of her hand. “What’s new, Frederick? You’re always thinkin’ naughty things.” She looked me up and down like Freddie had Ivan. “Shut up with this dress, babe. We need to take some pics to send to the girls.”

“And for social media?” I asked though I knew the answer.

She sighed. “Fucker’s still watchin’ my stories. It’s bad enough I have to see him every day at school. I don’t know why he has to be all up in my personal business. He seeks it out.”

Freddie draped his arm over her shoulder. “Young Felix is living in a world of regret. Your ‘too much’ is going to be some lucky buck’s ‘just right,’ and FeFe knows it.”

Bella cocked her head. “FeFe?”

He tapped her nose and grinned. “Does Lixie work better for you?”

“Silence works better for me.” She took my hand. “Come on, babe. Our ride just pulled up.”

This weekend, I’d guarded myself more carefully than ever. When I’d become too hot or thirsty or stimulated, I took breaks from the festival, and Ivan would go with me. I would have felt bad about him missing some of the sets, but deep down, I knew he would rather be with me than anywhere. I knew this because that was true for me as well.

We’d just taken an hour time-out in the VIP area. I lay down on cushions, my eyes closed, headphones on, relishing the cool-aired silence. When I was calm and relaxed, I sat up beside Ivan, who was frowning at his phone.

“Is something wrong?”

He started at the sound of my voice but quickly recovered, throwing his arm around my shoulders and nuzzling my hair. “You’re good now?”

“I feel great.” I kissed his scruff, which never stopped tickling my lips in the right way. “Why were you frowning at your phone? Did you lose at Angry Birds again?”

“Fucking birds,” he muttered. “No, this was worse. My father was harassing me about my Lyot reports. At the same time, my brother, Vladimir, was telling me about the massive club our father is investing in in Miami, which he will be visiting later this month.”

“Which piece of news made you frown the deepest?”

“My father always makes me frown. I don’t mind Vladimir visiting. He’s my eldest brother, and I love him, but since my father is sending him, I’m trying to figure out his angle.” With a huff, he tossed his phone on the cushion beside him and pulled me into his lap. “Let’s forget about that for now. I’m here with you. You’re wearing a sexy dress, and I think you’re having a good time.”

I shook my head. “Great time. This is better than I’d expected. Though I am spoiled now for the VIP section.”

“There is no reason you should not always be in this section. You are a very important person to me.”

I snorted a laugh. “That was so cute.”

“Cute for my cutie.” He growled into my neck before taking a nibble. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Ready to dance?”

“With you? Always.”

We stayed until the end of the night, dancing with Freddie and Bella, switching partners until we were back together again. The warm night air kissed my skin, and Ivan kissed my lips.

The last act was on stage, playing the final song. The beat built and built, suspended anticipation rising with it. I held my breath, knowing what was coming. Finally, the bass dropped, and a breath whooshed out of me. Ivan laughed, matching the music. I took his hands, pulled them around my waist, and looped my arms around his neck. My lips pressed against the center of his sweaty chest, and he laughed more.

It was…perfect.

Everything I’d ever wanted. Friends, music, taking chances, laughing until I cried. Normalcy, but even better, and it was mine. This experience, this weekend, all these memories had been claimed by me.

All because I’d jumped.

Chapter Forty-one

Ivan

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