My mate.
Ivy was my mate, I thought again, letting the words sink in. A soft purr rolled through my chest as that thought continued to comfort me.
***
Ivy
I was both mentally and physically tired by the end of Friday. I knew my eyes were going to lock shut on me soon. Lukas and I were snuggled together in Demetrius’s office as Preston and Isaac relaxed nearby—all of us waiting for Demetrius to finish for the day.
“What are you eating for dinner?” Preston asked me. He’d officially taken over coordinating my meals, which I secretly loved.
“I don’t know, maybe I’ll order a pizza?” I shrugged, trying not to smile. I knew he wouldn’t like that answer.
His eyes lit on fire, cranking up his intensity. “Absolutely not, I’ll cook for you…I mean, unless you want a pizza, it’s your choice…” he said, pulling back his intensity. I softly laughed at him, watching him take the bait. He was too easy to trick sometimes.
“What are you going to cook, and where? I’ve only got one pan at my apartment.” I smiled as I casually bumped into Lukas.
“Sounds like Ivy just invited us to her place after we’re done here,” Isaac said, straightening up from his lean against the wall.
“I heard that too,” Demetrius chimed in, closing his laptop and smiling at me. “Everyone ready?”
“Just waiting on you, boss,” Lukas added. “I’m excited to see Ivy’s place more!”
I sat stunned on the couch before slowly shaking my head as laughter poured out of me. I guess we were hanging out at my place tonight.
“I can run to the store and get some ingredients. How big is your pan?” Preston asked, helping me up off the couch.
I made a big circle with my arms before shrugging with laughter.
“Oh geez, what else do you have at your place?” he asked, pulling out his phone to start a list.
I tried to picture what was in my apartment. “Maybe some salt? You’ve been making so many meals for me. I don’t have a lot for dinner.”
“Buy everything…got it.” Preston put his phone away, and we all made our way out of the office and over to my apartment.
Once we arrived at my place, Preston separated from us for a bit before returning with a few bags of groceries. I tried to help put everything away for him, but he insisted on doing it all himself.
Meanwhile, Lukas and Isaac were helping themselves to a tour of my apartment. It was just a single bedroom layout with temporary furniture, but they loved looking through the few knick-knacks I had out on display. Off by the kitchen, Demetrius and I settled down at the small table to relax.
“I want to thank you for doing such a great job at that fundraiser yesterday,” Demetrius said as he gently caressed my hand.
“You’re welcome, but I didn’t do much,” I replied. The touch of his hand elicited a raw hunger in me. I felt this pull to be with him more and more every day, every touch he gave me ignited something fierce deep within my core.
“Your presence alone sparked a few conversations. We might be able to hire an Executive Director, which will be extremely helpful with the financial and fundraising aspects.”
I cradled Dem’s hand in celebration. “That’s awesome! You did that, not me!”
Our eyes locked together, and I could feel this simmering passion in Demetrius coming closer and closer to the surface. We just needed the right time together. For a split second, I wondered what it would be like to be held down by his hands, lying underneath him. I wasn’t even surprised by how much I wanted it.
“Ivy, do you have an apron? I’m cooking with grease, and I don’t want my clothes ruined,” Preston shouted over the sizzle of the frying pan.
Demetrius sat back and returned to his usual restrained self. Moment lost.
I looked over to Preston, thinking through what I owned. “Actually, yes, I do.”
Disappearing into the bedroom, I pulled out my traveling chest and fished out this sexy, black apron with red ruffles along the side. I was sure it’d get the job done.
I rushed back to the kitchen, now with Lukas and Isaac curiously following me.
