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Ivan set the weight down and glanced over at Cole. “What is with you? You’re like the poster child of partying and good times, and no
w all of a sudden you’re big with the doom and gloom.”
“I don’t know,” his brother replied. “I just have a good memory, and I know what her deception did to you. I’m not a big fan of second chances when someone rips your heart out—especially my flesh and blood. I don’t want her getting an opportunity to do it again.”
“Trust me, Debra has no bearing on what I do, and never will.”
Ivan said goodbye to Cole and went upstairs to take a shower, Cole’s words replaying in his head. His brother was right—sometimes stuff invariably came back to bite people in the butt later, but he felt sure this wasn’t one of those times. The only thing he felt for Debra was empathy. Brian’s death had hit him hard. He could only imagine what she was going through. Still, he was a realist. He wasn’t a big fan of allowing someone to wreak havoc on his heart, and Debra had done just that. There would never be a second chance to screw him over.
“Never going to happen,” Ivan said confidently.
*
Tiffany hated doing inventory. She glanced up at the clock. It was almost ten. She’d promised herself that she wouldn’t leave until she was finished. She eyed her cell phone. She longed to call Ivan. He had been on her mind all night. Talking to Milán had stirred the already simmering embers into a full-out fire. Closing her eyes, she imagined he was touching and kissing her in all the right places. Frustrated, she opened her eyes.
Ivan. You’re killing me.
With a reluctant sigh, Tiffany turned her attention back to work. It was too easy to get distracted, and any thoughts with Ivan as the subject were most definitely a distraction.
Chapter 11
Have you had sex yet? Ivan could kill his brother for making him painfully aware that he would like nothing more than to be buried to the hilt inside Tiffany, as opposed to listening to his travel agent drone on. He had been thinking about her ever since his conversation with Cole. The energy Tiffany exuded was almost tangible. He missed her when she wasn’t around: her infectious laughter, her caring nature and her amazing body were the perfect trifecta for him. Soon his mind conjured up the things he would rather be doing—with her.
It had a domino effect. The more his employee talked, the more fidgety he became. Ivan prided himself on his ability to concentrate on the job at hand, but he’d reached his limit. The overwhelming urge to see Tiffany was too strong to ignore.
He wrapped up his conversation in record time, and changed from the pair of shorts he’d been wearing to an all-black jogging suit. He retrieved his wallet, keys and cell phone from his nightstand and ran down the stairs.
“Where you off to?” Cole asked from his spot on the couch.
“Just going to check up on Tiffany,” he replied without stopping.
Cole smiled knowingly as Ivan left the house.
He got into his truck and headed straight for the boutique. Tiffany mentioned doing inventory. He hoped that she was still there. When he arrived at her store, he drove slowly past her window. There was no one in the front, but the lights were still on. Parking the SUV across the street, Ivan got out and strode over to the store. He knocked several times before Tiffany came out of the back room. Cautiously, she approached the door. When she saw him, she grinned and unlocked it.
“Hi,” was all she managed to get out before Ivan scooped her up and kissed her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and ran her hands through his hair. He pushed the door shut with his back and then rested against it, never once breaking contact with her lips. Eventually, he turned around so that Tiffany was against the door, allowing him better access to kiss her neck and collarbone.
“Ivan,” Tiffany moaned. “What if someone walks by?”
“They’ll get a show,” he responded in a voice laden with need.
Moments later, he carried her through the store and into the break room. He placed her on the nearest table and continued his torturous exploration.
He raised her shirt up to rain kisses from her belly upward. When he reached her breasts, he kissed the top of each before he skimmed his hand over the silky material encasing them.
His amber eyes glowed with desire and purpose, as he nibbled her neck and ears, and then recaptured her mouth. Never had he felt such a blinding need before. It caused his body to vibrate with an unrivaled longing to possess her. Hearing her whimpers of pleasure only increased his appetite. He wanted more. He wanted all of Tiffany, but a romp on a store table wouldn’t cut it.
Ivan broke their kiss and stared down at Tiffany. She was disheveled, flushed and had never looked sexier.
“Hi,” he said raggedly.
He helped her up and gently adjusted her clothing with unsteady hands. She was just as affected, holding on to his shoulders for stability. After a few deep breaths, Tiffany ran a hand through her hair.
“What was that?”
Ivan wasn’t ready to break contact with her. He touched his hand to her arm, following the planes of her body up to cup her jaw. He struggled with the burning urge to sample her all over again.
“I…had an overwhelming desire to see you. I hope I didn’t scare you. Honestly, I don’t know what came over me.”
