He pulled out the bagels and napkins, setting them on the bed between us like we were having a picnic. The smell of fresh bagels and coffee filled my room, and despite everything, despite my fear and uncertainty, I felt something warm bloom in my chest.
This was probably a mistake.
But maybe it was a mistake worth making.
9
ERIC
We ate slowly, the conversation drifting between comfortable silence and easy banter. Ivy told me about her job at a prestige club, how the tips were great and the pay was more than she had expected. I listened, filing away the detail as I focused on the way her eyes lit up when she talked about the regulars who treated her well.
"So, you get paid well but can't buy groceries?" I arched a brow at her and she pulled a face.
"I hate grocery shopping. I'm a single woman. I like girl dinners. Some nights I just have a muffin."
"You know, sometimes there's too much freedom as an adult," I joked, and she smacked my arm lightly.
"Life is made to be lived, and I like some comfort foods, dick," she shot back, and I grinned. Calling me names had always been her thing back when we were together. It was like she had her walls up even while softening for me.
"I'm just saying, when you hit thirty, those 'girl dinners' as you call them are going to catch up to you," I said, adding in air quotes for emphasis.
"Mmm, well, I'm sure I'll still look fine with extra curves," she shot back, and I chuckled.
"So, you're the big boss for your family's construction company. What's it called?" she asked, and I noted the carefulness in her tone. She was digging, I knew it.
"Briticanna Buildings is the company I manage now. We work from homes right through to commercial buildings. Danny used to run it. I spend most of my days managing permits and regulations now, handling all the hiring, bossing around the supervisors and other managers, just big boss stuff. I rarely get to do any of the actual construction now," I shared, being mindful of what I allow her to know. She knew me back when I was doing construction on my own, working for myself and getting away from the family business. Until I was reeled back in.
It was all technically true, even if it barely scratched the surface of what I actually did for the Hale Syndicate.
The lie sat heavy in my gut, but I swallowed it down with my coffee.
"So you're the big boss. Always on call. You seem to have a lot of time today with me," she noted as she sipped her coffee. She was quick, I'd give her that.
"Being the big boss comes with benefits. I get to delegate when I want some time to myself," I said, offering her a smile that she returned.
"Well, maybe I should consider myself lucky to have your attention for the day. Well, morning." She corrected quickly.
"No, the day is right. I want to spend it all with you, Ivy." I cupped her cheek, and her smile softened as she leaned into my palm.
God, seeing her again, feeling her body beneath mine, it was awakening so many things once more. I wanted to screw hersenseless, to make up for all the time we'd lost. To show her how important she was to me.
"Well, in that case, what's the plan?" She asked, the corner of her mouth curling.
"Oh, I think you know what some of it is." I moved in to press my lips to hers, and she melted into it.
It was soft, but my body was screaming for me to make it more, to bury myself in her again.
But I wanted her to trust me again, to understand this wasn't just some fleeting thing.
Not if I could help it.
"Fine, but I want a shower first, so you can wait," she said firmly when she broke the kiss. "Let me finish eating and shower up. Then we can see where the day leads."
"Whatever you say, princess." I saw the soft shudder the pet name caused. She'd always enjoyed it when I'd called her sweet names.
After breakfast, Ivy showered while I cleared the remnants of our meal in just my briefs. Her apartment was small but tidy, decorated with bright throws and pillows that reminded me of her personality. Vibrant. Warm. Alive.
I checked my phone, firing off a few text responses while I stood out in the kitchen.
