Ivor’s grin was wide as he reached back to play with Rowan’s longer hair which he kept in a ponytail or small bun when in the kitchen. “It was a good morning.”
“Most of them are,” Rowan murmured as he leaned forward to kiss Ivor again. “I have a new fruit tart for you to try out.”
“I’d rather taste you.”
“Didn’t get enough yet, huh?”
“I’ll never get enough of you,” Ivor whispered before taking his mouth in a deeper kiss.
“Whoa.”
Rowan pulled away from Ivor’s mouth with reluctance before turning toward Rachel, who stood in the entrance to the kitchen, her mouth hanging open. “Sorry about that, Rachel.”
“It’s okay. It’s not the first time I’ve caught you smooching with your husband. Don’t really blame you. I was just gonna grab some more napkins for the dispensers. I’ll come back because we’re fine for now.” She backed out of the kitchen.
Rowan turned back to Ivor and winked. “We keep getting caught. You’re just too tempting.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure you’re the real temptation here.”
“So, who’s the client this time?” Rowan asked as he went to the refrigerator to grab one of the tarts he’d told Ivor about. He knew his husband. Knew he’d want to take it with him.
“I got to pick. It was between a grumpy CEO and a fantasy artist—I picked the artist and stuck Emory with the grumpy guy.”
“You’re such a good friend.” Rowan chuckled. “You know, is it really a fantasy artist if it’s one of us? I mean the humans who can see you guys? Wouldn’t he be a reality artist in truth?”
Ivor pursed his lips. “Guess I never thought about it that way. I’ll know for sure soon enough.” He leaned against the counter behind him. “Something is up with Xavier lately.”
“Oh?” Rowan asked as he pulled out a pastry box for the tart.
“Apparently, the magic coming from the ley lines here is increasing, and more preternaturals are coming into town.”
“I did notice there seem to be a lot. I get quite a few in here all the time.”
“I don’t know what it means, and I get the feeling even Xavier is at a loss. I can sense it a little, but Dax picks up on that stuff more than I do, and he says the magic is so strong, he’s now feeling it at all times.”
Rowan paused where he’d been boxing the tart. “That must be uncomfortable.” Rowan had really gotten to know Dax and Everett—and Emory as well. They were Ivor’s family and had now become a replacement for his own. He and Ivor went to dinner at Everett’s gorgeous mansion often, and he’d now read all of Everett’s books and was really looking forward to the new urban fantasy series he was about to publish. Apparently, they were also romances, so they’d be right up his alley. “What do the ley lines actually do?”
“They are paths under the earth that hold magic. Wizards, witches, and sorcerers use the magic in their spells. There are a few other preternaturals who can tap into the power, too. They don’t affect me at all, and I can’t really feel them. My magic lies in other directions.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of your magic,” Rowan said with a sly grin. “Have I told you lately how much I love your pheromones?”
Ivor flashed him a sultry smile. “I think it’s me you love.”
“I know it is.”
Rowan carried the box to Ivor, who took it, set it on the counter, and pulled Rowan back against him. “I’m going to miss you while I’m on this job.”
Rowan leaned in closer to better inhale the bergamot and orange scent he was completely addicted to. “I’ll miss you, too. I always do. But I’m going to spend my time working on some new pastries, so you’ll have those to look forward to when you return.”
Ivor cupped his jaw and stared hard into his eyes. “Rowan, you are what I look forward to. You will always be what I look forward to. My life couldn’t be more perfect now that you are a part of it.” He paused. “There’s just one more thing. When I get back, I’m taking a few days off. I thought we could look at houses.”
Rowan nodded. Ivor had brought up his desire for a real home several times. Having completely settled into the idea of Seattle as his new home, Rowan agreed it was time they find something that belonged to them both. He liked the apartment where he’d moved in, but like Ivor, he longed for something more permanent. Well, as permanent as their lives would be while they were here. Which would be years. Many years.
Familiar wonder filled him, and he thought about pinching himself because his life felt an awful lot like one of his fantasies.
But it wasn’t.
This was his real world. He was in love and was loved in return by a powerful preternatural. His very own sex god.
His reality was so much better than his dreams.
The End
