Page 32 of Tempest

CHAPTER TEN

Tuesday

The early morning light crept through the blinds, and Ryan opened an eye and then shut it quickly. He figured he was dreaming and he didn’t want it to end. He was wrapped around Ivy, and the only thing that was separating them was their underwear and her T-shirt. His hand was wrapped around a nice, soft breast, and he figured he was pretty much in heaven. Or was at least knocking on its door.

When Ivy had crept into his room last night, he’d felt like shouting a loud hooyah. When she slipped into bed and snuggled up, it took everything he had not to pump his fist in celebration. Ivy Bellows was quickly becoming the girl of his dreams. That is, if he ever had any dreams about the type of woman he wanted to end up with. Snuggling closer, he kissed her shoulder. The damn woman had turned out to be his type after all. All the stories he told himself in that bar in Florida were just a bunch of lies. Lies to keep him from wanting something that he wasn’t sure he deserved.

He must’ve woken her, because she was moving around, and her curvy behind was pressing against his morning wood. Sweet torture—that’s what this was.

It was time to plan a date. It might be challenging, considering what was going on, but it wasn’t impossible. Maybe he could ask Colin where Ivy liked to go around here. She’s said something about dancing at Mercer Hall in town. Maybe he could take her before too long.

As he moved his mouth along her warm skin, he realized for a woman who could have just about anything, she sure was interested in the simple things. Ice cream cones, dancing, and margaritas at a dive bar had been the only things she’d asked for. Other than that, she was easy.

Easy like a sudden summertime tempest. Ivy was disturbance and tumult in human form. At least, she was for him. All his plans had changed on a dime when he walked into SAI and saw her standing there. They were put in the same place for a reason, and he meant to find out what that reason was.

“Ryan, why are you holding on to me like I’m a lifeline in the pool?”

Moving his nose along her neck, he kissed behind her ear and felt her shiver. “I wanted to hold on so I didn’t fall off the bed.” He moved his fingers over her nipple, and it hardened under his touch. “I haven’t slept this well in ages.”

“Me either. Turns out having a big ol’ man in bed was just what I needed. I’ll have to keep that in mind the next time I can’t fall asleep.”

“There won’t be a next time, because I’m going to be wrapped around you from here on out. This is it.”

Squirming out of his hold, she rolled over and buried her face in his chest. “You’re kind of bossy.”

“Takes one to know one. I’m it, honey. I hope you like the frog you kissed, because you’re stuck with me as your prince.”

“Fine. I guess you’ll do.” Her laughter erupted as she rolled over and snorted.

“Are you laughing and snorting?”

Looking over at him, she smiled. “Don’t be silly. I never snort.”

“Yes, you do.” He pressed his mouth to hers and kissed her good morning. If he was lucky, it would be the first of many thousands to come.

Slipping out of his arms, she jumped off the bed. “I don’t snort.”

She ran out of the room, and all he saw was her T-shirt flapping and her very fine ass hugged by some bright pink boy shorts. As far as mornings went, this was making the top ten. “Do too!” he called after her. He pulled himself out of bed and walked into the bathroom. If he was real lucky, she would remember that she’d promised him pancakes. Whistling, he turned on the shower and came up with a plan to take her dancing.

***

Ivy looked up from the batter she was mixing and smiled. “It will be ready in about fifteen minutes. Coffee is made, so help yourself.”

“You really are making pancakes.” He kissed her head before he went to pour a cup of coffee.

“I never lie about breakfast food. I could eat it twice a day and be happy.”

He filled a mug and leaned against the counter. “I agree. Breakfast offers the best of all worlds. Sweet and salty in the same meal.”

“It’s all about the hash browns. Any meal that you can have hash browns is a good one,” Ivy said as she turned the heat up under the griddle. “And bacon or sausage.”

“What about biscuits and gravy?” Ryan asked.

“Biscuits and gravy are not something you can have every day. They’re basically a heart attack on a plate. They have to be reserved for special occasions.”

“It’s important to understand the hierarchy of breakfast foods,” Ryan commented as he sat down.

Pointing her spatula at him, she laughed. “Sugar…in Texas, breakfast is taken seriously.”

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