I stop what I’m doing and peek over my shoulder to get a look at him. He said he belongs to me, so I’m calling dibs on him as my man. The more kisses I get and the more mornings he drinks his sweet coffee, the more determined I am to make this thing between us grow.
“I will not,” Ruby says as she works to catch up to him. Michael and Alex trail behind the pair, engaged in their own conversation. Behind them, Ryan walks in with the biggest sourpuss look on his face that I’ve ever seen. “I always go with you guys. You know how much smoother these things play out when a lady’s present.”
“If that’s true, then why the hell do you think you’ll be any use?” he says with a snicker.
Ruby slaps his arm and grumbles something under her breath then stares up at him expectantly. She seems happier now, lighter and more carefree. I guess finally having all of her kids in one place will do that for a woman.
“Absolutely not,” Ian says. His head lifts as his eyes fall on me. He gives me this sexy nod-smirk combination that almost makes me have to clench my legs. If I wasn’t so worn down and damaged, I’d probably be a slushy pile of lust right now. “I already told Mindy she could come.”
We had no such conversation, and I don’t even know where I’m going, nor do I care. But I’m going somewhere with Ian, and that’s what matters.
“And there’s only room for one extra body?” She’s copping an attitude now as she stares down up at her son. His lips form a grim line, and he shakes his head.
“It’s business, Ma. You’ve been an emotional wreck all week.”
“She even know what to do?”
“She will,” he says confidently.
She levels him with a flat look before shrugging her shoulders and walking away. He waits until she’s around the corner and comes up to me, placing a kiss to my forehead. I swear, a thousand butterflies are let loose in my belly at his touch. People always talk about the first time like nothing will ever top it, but they’re so wrong. Our first kiss was gentle and then crazy hot, but it doesn’t compare to every kiss that’s come after it. Even this one, with his lips to my forehead, is more memorable than our first kiss. Every time he touches me, it means more than the last time. Every kiss feels more intimate and more like a promise that we haven’t verbalized.
Either that, or I’ve lost my fucking mind and I’m imagining it. Not that it matters. He’s mine now, and I’m not letting go.
“Where are we going?” I ask when he pulls away. His hand is around the back of my neck, and he gives it a small squeeze. His lips are turned down now, and he’s looking at me like he’s sorry. The smile on my face falls. I didn’t even realize I was smiling until I lose it.
“You’re not going anywhere. I just needed her off my ass.”
“Oh hell no,” I say a little louder than intended. “You’re not ditching me.”
“Club business, Melinda.” His voice has taken on a hard edge, but I don’t give a damn. He can put me over his knee and spank me for all I care. Actually, I might be up for that.
“Not happening, Ian. Apparently you normally bring Ruby, so why can’t you bring me?”
“Ruby’s the president’s old lady,” he says in a frustrated tone. I don’t miss the quirk of his lips, though.
“Your point?”
“Old ladies are different than—” He cuts himself off.
I place a hand on my hip and raise my brows, waiting for a real explanation. I’ve been dying to know what we are to each other, in his mind, ever since he kissed me. I can’t just ask him, though.
Well, I probably could, but if the answer isn’t what I want to hear, I might not recover from it. He told me that I belong to him, and he asked me who he belongs to—that’s all well and dandy, but I need to hear the words. I need the reassurance that this is really happening and there’s really an us for me to be excited about.
“Nice try.” He smiles and slides his hand around to the base of my throat. I suck in a deep breath and stare at him with a look that would embarrass me if I could stop myself, I’m sure. He’s got this look about him, no matter his mood, that draws me in. He’s breathtaking, and I don’t mean that in some silly, schoolgirl-crush kind of way. He’s breathtaking, like he’s shrouded in mystery and pain, and I feel a sense of security when I’m with him that I’ve never known before.