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“Whatcha got in that pie box, Rory?” Owen asked.
Hell-bent on getting to Ivan, Rory hadn’t even seen Owen and Tyler standing near the barn. “Nothing for you to worry about,” he quipped.
“Poker night is at the big ranch house,” Tyler called out when Rory continued toward the old homestead.
“I know.”
“Must be something incredible if he’s making a beeline straight for Ivan,” Owen said.
“Beeline,” Tyler replied. “I like what you did there.”
“I think we should get him,” Owen added.
Rory picked up the pace, even though there was no real threat in Owen’s voice. Gravel crunched under rapidly approaching boots, and Rory broke into a run toward the old homestead.
“What’s going on?” Rueben asked, though Rory wasn’t sure where he’d come from.
“Rory bought a special dessert for Ivan,” Tyler said. “Pretty sure I smell chocolate.”
“I want some,” Rue called out moments before another pair of boots joined the stampede.
Rory dug deep and churned his legs faster but worried they’d fail him after his yoga session.
“Ivan!” Rory shouted like a madman. “Help!”
The back door flew open moments later, and Ivan stepped out onto the porch. Relief washed over him, though Rory doubted very much that any of them would’ve stolen their foreman’s pie.
“What the hell is going on?” Ivan bellowed.
Rory didn’t spend any time trying to explain; he just kept his legs pumping. He didn’t take an easy breath until he darted up the porch steps and ran into Ivan’s open arms. “They’re trying to get your pie,” he managed between jagged pants. Fuck, he was really out of shape.
“What kind of pie?”
“Chocolate cream from the diner,” Rory panted out.
Ivan narrowed his eyes and took the box from Rory’s outstretched hand. He flipped the lid open and hoisted the pie out of the box. He didn’t quite strike the proud daddy lion pose fromThe Lion King,but it was very close. The three men that had been chasing Rory like it was the last pie on earth skidded to a halt at the bottom of the stairs.
Owen placed a hand on the porch railing and panted. “You wouldn’t.”
Ivan quirked a brow. “Wouldn’t I?” He lowered his head to the pie and licked a stripe through the mound of cream while the three ruffians groaned in defeat. “Licked it, so it’s mine.” Ivan looked at Rory with a wicked gleam in his eyes that made Rory’s heart race harder than it had during his mad sprint. Ivan hooked his free arm around Rory’s waist and pulled him close. Then he lowered his head and licked a path up Rory’s neck with a possessive growl that made his knees weak.
“Gross,” Owen teased. “You guys should stay home tonight and skip poker.”
Ivan looked from the pie to Rory and grinned wickedly. “Good idea.” He backed Rory through the door and tossed a, “Good night, fellas,” over his shoulder before closing it behind them.
Rory presented Ivan with three things upon entering the house—a candle inviting him to fuck, a chocolate pie, and a honeycomb suncatcher. He wasn’t used to people buying him gifts for no reason, and the gesture touched him deeply.
“Thank you,” Ivan said, suddenly feeling shy.
Rory pressed his lips to Ivan’s quickly but came back for a lingering kiss that stole Ivan’s breath. “You’re welcome. The question is, in what order would you like to enjoy them?”
“I’m a multitasker,” Ivan replied. He picked up the candle in one hand and the pie in the other. “Bring the suncatcher. I know the perfect place to hang it.”
Rory tilted his head to the side. “Not the kitchen window?”
“Nope. You’ll see.”
Up in Ivan’s bedroom, he placed the pie and candle on the dresser, then used the little suction cup to secure the suncatcher to the window next to his bed. The genius of Rory’s gift and Ivan’s chosen spot to hang it became obvious when sunshine filtered through the stained glass. It cast various shades of amber and gold over the bed. He turned to tell Rory to strip down, but he was already moving. His shoes, socks, and shirt were already off, and he was working his belt open.
