AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You okay?” I asked gruffly, not particularly comfortable navigating the aftermath of my sexual encounters. Probably because I rarely had an aftermath. I usually just got up and left.
She opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted by the sound of the doorknob turning and someone pushing against the door. I quickly pulled her away and behind me as it swung open freely without the resistance of her body.
“What are you doing in here?” asked some guy in a t-shirt with Greek letters on it—presumably this fraternity’s letters—as he frowned at us. He probably came in to get some of the beer that was stacked all around the room.
“Talking,” I said curtly and pulled Emmy out of the room and back to the party.
Chapter 17
Emmy
In a daze, I stared at Ivan’s broad back as he pulled me through the still heavily crowded basement. It felt like we’d been in that little room for hours, but it had probably only been twenty minutes.
My body pulsed as little darts of pleasure continued to zip through my nervous system. My head was spinning as I tried to digest everything that had happened.
Ivan suddenly stopped and turned to me, frowning intensely. Lord, what would it take to get this guy to smile at me? On one level, I understood his frown. I’d felt how turned on he’d been and if I’d been left high and dry, I’d probably be scowling, too.
“Are you okay?” he asked abruptly.
My eyes widened in surprise at the considerate question that was at odds with his aggravated expression and tone. “You mean...with what happened between us?”
He gave a curt nod. “You didn’t answer when I asked before.”
“Yes, I’m fine.” My face was hot with embarrassment, having absolutely no idea how to act after having his hands down my pants.
Ivan’s look softened a bit, perhaps in recognition of my awkwardness. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I reached up to touch him, maybe offer reassurance, maybe just to have some kind of contact with him, but he quickly intercepted my hand.
The strange action had my curiosity spiking, as it had in the storage room. “Why did you do that?”
His brows drew together. “What? Get you off?”
I blew out an exasperated sigh, not sure if he was answering genuinely or just trying to get me to stop questioning him. “No, grab my hands. Can’t I touch you?”
Ivan didn’t reply. He stared into my eyes, his own full of flickering emotions. After a moment, I could feel some invisible barrier slide into place.
He dropped my hand and crossed his arms, his expression stoic and closed. I’d obviously stumbled upon some unknown landmine.
Before I could press him further, Laney came up behind me and slung her arm over my shoulders. “There you are! Where have you guys been? You don’t even have beers for us? Good thing I got beer for you!”
Laney’s exuberant energy dispelled the tension that had been building as Ivan and I stared each other down. Ivan, who looked relieved at the interruption, grabbed my hand and pulled me to where she and Will were standing.
Delaney and Will handed us our beers, which I drank down eagerly. Between the frat guy and fooling around with Ivan, I needed a drink. Ivan slid his arm around my waist and took a sip of his own beer.
“Thanks, Laney,” I said, taking another sip.
“No problem! I did a shot with my friend, grabbed beers and somehow still made it back here before you did,” she said, winking at me.
I blushed at her insinuation. A part of me was dying to discuss it with her, even though I knew I couldn’t. It wasn’t like I could gush to her about Ivan finally kissing and touching me when we were supposed to have been dating for months now.
“Thought you were getting us beers, Petrov,” Will said sardonically.
Ivan shot him a scowl that had Will chuckling.
I was batting at a swath of hair that kept falling in my face and bugging me—I could only imagine what my hair looked like right now—when I felt Ivan tuck the strands of hair behind my ear and slide his hand to loosely grip my nape, his thumb lightly stroking the side of my neck.
Laney caught the gesture and grabbed my arm. “Aw, Ivan’s always taking care of you. I can’t believe that guy would say he was bad for you, Emmy. Look how attentive he is!” Laney said drunkenly.
