Rowan’s sudden grin made him look so pretty, Ivor’s chest tightened.
“Thank you.” He wrapped his arms around his chest. “I know you came after me to protect me, but I also know you don’t have to stay here at the office with me. I…feel better with you here.”
“I’m glad.”
“So tell me about you. Where were you born?”
“Amsterdam. But I’ve lived all over the world.”
“Why did you end up here in Seattle?”
“Xavier came to me, Emory, and Dax and offered us jobs. He actually only offered the positions to Emory and me, but we wouldn’t take them without Dax.”
“Dax is your ogre friend, right? I’ve met him, and he seems really nice.”
Ivor nodded. “He and Emory are basically my family since mine is long gone.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. How did you lose them? I thought you guys live forever?”
“Not forever, just a long time. I never knew my father, but my mother was killed when I was still a teenager. I was alone, mostly, for a couple hundred years.”
“Mostly?” He blinked at Ivor. “A couple hundred years?”
“Yes, I’m over four hundred. And to answer your first question, I had relationships, but with my magic, they weren’t possible to maintain.”
“What do you mean?”
Ivor hesitated, but not for long because he knew this conversation needed to happen. There was just too much awareness between them, and while he did believe Rowan was possibly his soulmate, he was still reticent after his past. “My magic feeds off sex, and when I feed, it drains energy. So being monogamous isn’t an option for me.”
Obvious disappointment flashed through Rowan’s expression. “Oh,” he murmured mostly under his breath.
That hint of disappointment sent a thrill through Ivor, but it was quickly overshadowed by regret. He’d spent a lot of time with Rowan the last few days and had found him to be funny and warm-natured. He was sexy as hell, yes, but his personality also pulled Ivor in. So much that he hadn’t even left the office to go home and shower, instead showering here and wearing clothes he kept in his go bag.
He’d also picked up on the hints that Rowan dealt with anxiety, had in fact watched him stop something he was doing to close his eyes and bring himself under control. But there were also times he seemed to just check out completely, and Ivor couldn’t help but wonder where his mind went during those times.
Rowan cleared his throat. “So you said your magic feeds off sex. What happens to it when you don’t feed it?”
“It grows weak, and my body soon follows because my magic is a part of me.”
“How often do you have to feed it?” Rowan’s cheeks turned pink. “That’s pretty personal, so sorry. I’m just curious because I’ve never met an incubus before.”
“That you know of.” Ivor winked. “I do have to feed often. It’s actually been a little longer than I normally go.”
“That’s my fault. I’m sorry.”
“You certainly don’t have anything to apologize for. I’m exactly where I want to be and that’s protecting you. I’m…interested in you, Rowan.”
“Really?”
Ivor nodded slowly.
“Like as in a possible food source?” Rowan’s voice had dropped and his already pink cheeks darkened.
“I would not use you like that.”
“What if… What if I was interested in that myself?”
Ivor leaned forward, gaze locked on Rowan, and he stayed quiet until Rowan met his gaze. “Are you saying you want me, Rowan?”
