Page 28 of My Hunger, Your Soul

“I’ll smash your face in if you mention Aaron and sex again,” Lev warns.

“No you won’t, I’m stronger and meaner than you.”

“Delusional, more like,” he mumbles.

“We both know the truth, Lev. It's okay not to be the best at everything,” I tease as Dima laughs.

“Get out of here Ivan, before he kills you.”

“Night boys!” I shout over my shoulder before heading to bed so I can rub my dick to images of my sexy Ty.

17

TYLER

It’s my second day here at the Kozlov residence, overseeing the new builds, and my mind is not on the job. I have no idea what the lead contractor has said to me as I stand here looking over the vast amount of land the brothers own, watching the trees sway like they hold the answers to my fucked up life. I was expecting Ivan to greet me this morning, but as usual, he mashes up my thoughts by acting unlike I expect, leaving me in a constant whirlwind, unable to get a grasp on who he is. The sounds of hammers and drills fade away as I focus on one particular tree at the end of the garden, a tall silver maple swaying from side to side. We are coming to the end of winter and heading into spring, and I imagine how pretty it must look in full bloom. I watch the branches bend and move together in a chaotic dance.

Images of last night slowly start to fill my mind now that I’m not purposefully pushing the thoughts to the back of my mind. I’ve never in my thirty years experienced an orgasm like last night. I’ve never felt a touch so sharp that I can still feel it the next day. Like his fingers have left scars on my body. Is it because it's a man? Is that what's been missing in my dating life? That I lean more to a connection with men than women? Or is it the brute of a man who just takes what he wants and I get a kick out of it? The conflict was foreign to me, wanting to be touched but also wanting him to leave. But I wanted him more, not that I’d tell him that. Him leaving would’ve made the indecision easier, just ignore the flutters in my stomach until they stop. But as soon as he touched my wrists to tape my hands, I knew that touch would become a craving. How pathetic is that to get all swoony over someone touching your damn wrists? Christ, I don’t even know who I am anymore. This isn’t me. I have control normally, I’m organized and careful. With Ivan, I feel like every rule and intention to plan would be gone out of the window.

“Hey,” a voice says from behind me. I turn to see a beautiful man with dark hair and brown eyes. He has a kind face. He actually looks like a normal human, unlike the crazed psychos I’ve met around here. He hands me a hot drink while holding his own.

“I’m Seb, Dima’s husband. Thought you’d like a coffee to warm you up,” he says as he takes a sip of his drink. I’m grateful.

“I’m Tyler,” I say, holding my hand out which he shakes with a perfect amount of grip.

“I know who you are. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he says, and the vain part of me wants to know what.

“Let me guess, Ivan?”

“No. Ivan doesn’t really talk unless you ask. D has mentioned you, and Aaron hasn’t stopped talking about you and Ivan.”

“Ah yes, Aaron. Interesting guy. He mentioned that he thought Ivan would claim me,” I say internally, sighing at the ridiculousness of that conversation.

“Yeah, the guys have unconventional ways.”

“Is that what happened to you? Dima “claimed” you?” I joke with air quotes as the idea is so far from reality, what else can I do but laugh? With an impassive look showing his seriousness, Seb stuns me with his answer.

“Yes. He kidnapped me until I surrendered. It was the best thing to happen to me.”

I choke on the mouthful of coffee I just slurped as I let that information sink in.

“You’re kidding, right?”

Seb sighs and gently runs his hand through his soft hair, the leather on his jacket creaking with the movement.

“Tyler, I’m your friend here. I know that sounds odd, as we’ve just met, but you’ll need someone to talk to. Ivan is a lot. Believe me, Dima and Lev are wild, but Ivan…I don’t know. He’s something more. He’s a great guy, though, and likes you a lot. I think you’ll be happy.”

“I’m sorry, I’m a little confused. Are you warning me that he’ll kidnap me? You’re making it sound like I won’t have a choice but to be with him? You know how insane that sounds?”

I’m being hit from both sides with this information. The blasé way Seb talks about being kidnapped, and the gentle but straight talking information that Ivan wants me, and I have no say.

“Yeah I do, but don’t be worried. I’m not trying to scare you. We aren’t going to take you against your will and force you to be with Ivan. I’m not saying that. I’m just saying that while working here, it will be intense. You only need to tell D that Ivan is harassing you, and he’ll handle it. But the longer you hang around here, the more normal the weirdness becomes like its second nature. Trust me.”

“And you’re happy? You don’t need me to call the police?”

Seb throws his head back and laughs.

“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, Tyler. Don’t you worry about me or any of the others. Just remember the guys are possessive. Ivan won’t like it if he sees you with anyone else.”

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