And she loved it. Loved that he knew her so well. Loved that he’d poured years of patience, blood, sweat, and time into getting to this moment with her. Loved that his pursuit had been so intentional. That he never gave up.
So of course she blinked. One long, slow blink so there’d be no mistaking it for anything else. Because she was with him. All the way with him. To the end.
* * *
For the rest of the evening, Sean grinned like an idiot. He was on top of the world. His fighters had done well, better than well. They’d performed like champions in the ring the same way they did every day on the job, and he was damn proud.
He knew his dad would be proud too. And that knowledge hugged his heart in a way he hadn’t known he needed.
All night, people had been asking him about his gym, his training packages, and his availability. One pro who’d fought the exhibition fight had approached him, and after a nice chat, they’d set up a time to check out Thompson Kickboxing as a new potential training venue.
But that wasn’t the cherry on the ice cream. No, his cherry had been sitting in the crowd, dressed hot enough to kill a man, with her gaze fixed on him. Her presence centered him, leveled out his anxiety, and calmed his nerves.
He hadn’t let Ivy leave his side since he’d kissed her earlier and demanded she be his girlfriend. What she didn’t know was that he’d almost slipped up and said the word that was really on his mind, but he caught himself at the last minute. He’d learned during his years with her that he had to go slow.
Time. It would all work out in time. He was happy to go slow, to savor her. After everything they’d been through together, that felt right. Their trust had been a slow growth, like a forest that needed deep roots before it could thrive. From the early days, he knew building trust would be essential for her, but what he hadn’t realized was how essential it would be for him.
His tricky past would inevitably cross over into his equally tricky present, and he needed to trust Ivy to go at his pace while he tried to figure out what to do about his brother.
Avoiding Jordan long-term wasn’t an option. If the last weeks had taught him anything, it was that having the people who mattered most around you was important. Jordan mattered. He was complicated, but he mattered.
He wasn’t going to risk Ivy being hurt or triggered in any way, so working out how Jordan could fit into their life was going to take some time. But he’d do it, because he was long past due to sort his shit out. And he was looking forward to moving on, hopefully with his brother and his love by his side.
Speaking of love, he’d have to find a way to tell her without freaking her out. He mentally added it to the growing list of heart-to-hearts he had to have.
But not now. He wanted to indulge in one night of simply enjoying her. Watching her across the table, he understood he was damn blessed to be the lucky bastard who’d take her home tonight, peel off her dress, and worship her body. The one who’d wake up with her in tangled sheets and watch the sunrise as they ran along the waterfront.
It had been a long night, and they were both ready to go home. Every time their gazes collided, she flushed and squirmed a little in her seat, making him wonder if she was clenching those pretty little thighs together under the table.
The stroke of her shoe glided up his calf, just as his thoughts took a turn towards Hornyville. Of course the friction beelined straight to his cock.
She casually lifted her wineglass to her lips, smiling around the rim.
Oh fuck, two could play this game.
He reached down under the table casually, as if maybe he dropped something, but caught her ankle instead, bringing it up to rest on his knee. Ivy’s eyes widened like two pale moons rising, and her mouth formed a little surprisedO.Sean held her gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting.
Ivy’s chest rose and fell as her breathing picked up. She was aroused and unsure what to do about it. His fingers traveled up her Achilles and toward her calf.
Now?She mouthed the word, then pointed a finger downward toward the floor.Here?Her eyes heated as the wheels in her head started turning, and he could practically see the thoughts playing through her mind.
What were the chances she’d be into finding a quiet corner where they could—? No way. She couldn’t be ready for that. But the tip of her tongue that darted out and wet her lips told him differently. His brain let loose and he imagined taking her by the hand and leading her to a quiet alcove. But could he trust what he thought he saw playing out in the reflection of her eyes? Maybe he’d ask her.
Sean pushed back from his seat, relishing in her silent intake of air through parted lips. He moved toward her, taking his time as he read her gaze for anything that resembled uncertainty or fear. To his immense relief, he saw nothing but heat and need.
Finally, he came up behind her chair and placed his hands on the satin covered back. Her spine straightened as she leaned back slightly against him.
He bent low to whisper in her ear. “Do you want to fuck?”
Her gasp was loud enough for him to hear this time. He’d shocked her, and she liked it. He was slowly testing new waters. He’d learned her body so well. He knew what she liked and didn’t like physically. Now he wanted to extend his research to other things she might like when it came to the dance of sex. Like words. Demands. Risky locations—like a hotel ballroom.
“Ivy, do you want to fuck?”
There were people all around them, adding to the thrill of the moment.
Ivy tilted her face slightly, so the corner of her mouth brushed his.
“Yes,” she whispered, so quietly it was no more than a breath off her lips.
