I nod. My voice hides beneath the grief. “Come on then, let’s get you home and tucked up in bed.”
My skin flushes at the memory of what we did the last time we were in my bed. Not the time Amy, I scold myself.
Ivan stands and extends his hand to Ben. “Thank you for allowing me to come to your home,” he says. “I appreciate it.”
“Just look after my sister-in-law,” Ben responds, his tone soft but firm. “She’s a wonderful woman. She deserves to be happy.”
Ivan focuses on me, a storm of emotion flickering in his eyes. A promise, maybe. A claim, most definitely. A signal that I’m his to protect.
Chapter thirty-one
Amy
“I’ve arranged an appointment with the passport office tomorrow,” Ivan says, as he passes me a steaming cup of coffee. I’m propped up in bed, surrounded by pillows. My bedside clock reads three in the afternoon. Lance should be on a plane now, headed for New York.
“I called the hospital while you slept. Katie’s still stable.” His stunning blue eyes flick over my face, pausing as if checking I’m sane.
“How on earth did you get an appointment with the passport office on the twenty-seventh of December?” I ask, stunned.
“I know someone who knows someone. The important thing is you will get one and be able to travel whenever you want by the new year.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, struggling to control my emotions. He sits beside me, watching me drink my coffee. His knee brushes mine in quiet support.
“I was going to say I would come with you to Thailand.” Warm fingers stroke my cheek. “That’s why I was looking for my passport. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was when I saw the expiration date. But with Katie…” I trail off.
“Flights can be rearranged,” he says. “We’ll still get to have sex on the beach.”
I chuckle and roll my eyes.
“Don’t act all coy. I bet you’ve been dreaming of me pounding you on the warm sand. And I can’t wait to have you all to myself in one of your sparkly bikinis. Promise me you’ll bring the pink triangle one. You look incredible strutting about in that on stage.”
“Those outfits aren’t actually meant as beachwear,” I say with a smile.
“I wasn’t thinking of you wearing it in the ocean.” He raises an eyebrow. “With a pair of killer heels, you’d look sensational wrapped around me in the bedroom.”
I lean forward and place a soft kiss on his lips. “You’re a dirty bastard,” I whisper against his mouth, “but bloody hell, I like it.”
“Good, because I intend on getting you fucking filthy.”
***
Ivan
I’ve never felt as possessive or protective over anyone as I do about Amy Corrigan. When she cried in my arms, I wanted desperately to be the one to help put her back together.
Nearly fifty years on this earth, and I finally understand what it means to want someone beyond the physical. When she smiles, I smile. When she’s hurting, all I want to do is hold her.
Her face lit up when I told her about the passport office appointment. I almost jumped and punched the air like a schoolboy. It had been a risk getting involved?she’s proud andindependent, but I wanted her to have the choice to visit her friend. The moment her shoulders dropped, I knew it was worth every phone call, every favor.
Sure, taking her to Thailand was also on my mind, but that would be an added bonus if she agreed to come. I wasn’t convinced she would.
Our fake relationship ruse has developed into something neither of us was expecting. That day at the shopping center, when I blurted out that she was my girlfriend, had consequences I could never have predicted.
In the moment, Amy was just the only option. If the Christmas Ball hadn’t been on that Saturday night, I would’ve thanked her for not blowing my cover with Virginia, then gone on my merry way.
Sure, I was enjoying my time with her that day, but I still thought she was a snarky bitch. Now that we’ve spent days together, I see she’s been dealt a shitty hand these past few years, and her first instinct is to protect herself. Always.
I don’t want her to feel she needs to protect herself from me. Ever.
