Polar Opposites (In Aeternum Book 4) (16 page)

“You are staying for a while this time?” The question came in Russian.

“A while, we’re not sure yet for how long. We have to go visit a friend of Bailey’s as well and see how she is doing.”

His uncle grunted and flipped the meats. “She is a special woman, this Bailey.”

Ivan nodded. “I know.”

“You two are nothing alike. Polar opposites.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“It is what it is. Opposites can be a good thing in a relationship, but it can also make it hard.”

“Are you and Aunt Lidia so similar?”

“God no. Me? I like working with my hands and don’t mind being dirty. You know your aunt. The opposite. She would sit on silk all day if she could and be waited on hand and foot.”

“She is kind of a snob like that.” He glanced over to the woman they discussed. Even now, she sat on a special chair with an extra cushion and a top to keep her out of the sunlight for fear it may cause a wrinkle or two.

“Bailey’s not like that.”

“No, I can see that. She’s barefoot playing with the kids.” He smacked Ivan on the back. “Still doesn’t negate the fact there is something about her. She would be fine putting herself off to the side. And there’s an edge about her. You, Ivan, are an open book. Always have been.”

“What?”

“Yes. You wear your emotions on your sleeve. When you said that Jaydee was married, we all knew how much it hurt you. You’ve always been that way. You show how you are feeling. No, it doesn’t make you less of a man. It makes you you. But with this one, I just can’t read her. Even Jaydee we understood, not so much Bailey.”

“Stop trying to figure her out, Uncle. She’s not in trouble with the law so you don’t need to investigate her.”

“Already did.”

Ivan wasn’t sure what to say. He hadn’t a single clue what would come up when someone typed in Bailey’s name. They ‘worked’ for a place officially called Belmore that had interests across the board and numerous subsidiary companies. Interests that could cover everyone who worked at Theta Corps without announcing to the world it was a headquarters and cover for a place that carried out clandestine operations. But the actual label of what was beside her, or her job position, Ivan didn’t have a clue. Ivan’s was a company called Futuro. But if it were traced it back, Belmore would be the parent company.

“Then you know.”

“I know she carries herself like someone who was in the military. Or still is. But her record doesn’t state that. So is she in a black op?”

“She’s had a hard life, Uncle. Lost her parents when she was young in a senseless murder. She tends to be a bit on edge. Don’t bother her about this.”

“That explains it.” He worked the grill. “I like her, Ivan. She makes you smile. And you’re protecting her. That’s a good sign as well.” He put some hamburgers on a plate. “Has my sister asked you when you’re giving her a grandbaby to spoil? She’s the only one of us who doesn’t have any.”

Shit!
“No, Mama hasn’t said anything about that and I don’t need you talking like that around Bailey either. Don’t scare her off.”

Roman laughed loudly. “I bet that woman isn’t afraid of much.”

For the most part, Ivan would agree, but it didn’t mean he wanted them harping on at her about children. He’d seen the brief panic in her eyes when he’d mentioned girlfriend.
Somehow I think mentioning mother may just be a bit much.

“I would just prefer to not find out, thanks.”

“I give you my word but I can’t speak for the other twelve.”

Ivan groaned and dropped his head forward as his uncle shouted out that the food was ready. The noise swell increased as everyone approached the grill and formed a line. Ivan smacked his uncle on the back and went to join Bailey in line.

“Hey,” he said, smiling at his cousins.

“Hi.”

“You looked like you were having fun out there.”

“I was. Been a while since I’ve played soccer and they’re good.”

He tugged her back against his chest, needing the contact. “They like you.”

“Perhaps,” she said non-committally.

“I know these things. They do.”

Around him the Russian conversation grew and he almost told them to speak English. Bailey put her hand on his arm and shook her head.

“What?”

“This is their party, Ivan. They don’t have to struggle to remember to speak English just because I’m here. I don’t mind.”

“It’s not polite.”

“They speak English when they talk to me. That’s polite enough. Don’t make it an issue, I’m fine.”

They got their food and joined the long table set up. Ivan sat on one side of her and Mavra, another aunt, sat on the other side of Bailey.

“How long have the two of you been going out?” Kiryl, an uncle, posed the question.

“Not too long yet. But I’ve known her for nearly a year.”

“Your mother says you two met in Madagascar. Bailey, what were you doing there?”

She drank some of her punch. “I was retrieving an item my boss asked me to pick up for him.”

“And met him there?”

“Yes. It was at a dinner. He was there with some others and we brushed into one another.” She finished fixing her hamburger how she wanted it.

Chuckles rippled along as the older ones winked and nodded.

“So love at first sight?” Mavra this time.

“No,” Ivan said simultaneously with Bailey. They shared a look and he was grateful she was taking this without getting upset. Her eyes twinkled with merriment.

“Did you know Jaydee?” Margosha, his youngest cousin, queried. “He brought her here many times.”

The table fell silent and Ivan wanted to go back in time to make sure that question never got asked.

Bailey, the epitome of calm and grace, merely smiled. “No. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting her. I heard a lot of wonderful things about her, though.”

“Ivan loves her.”

“Margosha, enough,” Roman admonished. He glanced at them with a sheepish smile. “She is young.”

“She’s a wonderful child,” Bailey said before eating some more.

After a few moments of uneasy silence, the chatter picked up again. Not as loud as it had been, but loud. He watched her but Bailey didn’t seem the least bit put out by the circumstances. She chatted and laughed with those around her. She also didn’t pull away from the press of his leg against hers.

“Can I get you any more?” he asked, standing.

“Oh, goodness no. I saw the desserts over there and have to save room for some of that.” She smiled at Roman. “The burgers were delicious, thank you.”

Margosha hopped over to Bailey. “I’m getting cake. You come?”

She slid back her chair and grinned. “A girl after my own heart. Yes, let’s get some dessert.”

Bailey kept the smile on her face as she looked over the vast array of sweets. “How do you pick just one? They all look so good,” she said conspiratorially to Margosha. “I want them all.”

“Me too.”

As she worked with the girl, she did her best to ignore the pain in her heart. She couldn’t blame Margosha. She’d only said what she knew to be the truth—Ivan loved Jaydee.

Man’s holding one hell of a torch for her because I know the kids are a few years old.
Now wasn’t the time to think about such a revelation. She had to get through this first. Not that it was a hardship. Ivan’s family was wonderful and she truly was enjoying herself.

With three small samples on her plate, she and Margosha returned to the table. Ivan had gotten her a cup of coffee and it waited for her as well.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Are you okay?” he whispered the words in her ear.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Ivan held her gaze and gave her a soft smile. He wiped the pad of his thumb along her lower lip. “You know why. We’ll talk about it later.”

“Sure.”
No thanks. I don’t need to be reminded again of who I’m not.
She picked up her fork and cut off a piece of the white cake with lemon frosting. It melted in her mouth and she couldn’t stop the groan from slipping free. “Oh God, this is so good.”

They spent the rest of the day playing games, talking and eating more than she could ever need to eat. No one left until after the night meal—also huge and filling—had been devoured and everything cleaned up.

Bailey hugged and shook hands with everyone as they left. They all made Ivan promise to bring her by their place for a meal before they left. She just smiled and tried to remember who was who—her brain was on overload.

Finally, the house was quiet, Aksana had retired to her room and Bailey stood in the front room, staring out over the lawn. The night lights cast a mystical glow about the benches, and plants sporadically dotted the area.

Ivan slipped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on the top of her head. “So, what do you think?”

“I think your family is fun and very loving.” She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to meet them.”

“About what Margosha said in regards to Jaydee.”

She stiffened but didn’t pull away. “I don’t need an explanation, Ivan. In fact, I would prefer the matter be dropped entirely.”

“I need to explain—”

“No, you don’t.” She turned in his arms and placed her palms on his chest. “You feel how you feel. I can’t change that and no explanation will either.
You
don’t owe me one.”

He covered her hands with his larger ones, the calluses comforting in a way. His thumbs skimmed the backs of her fingers in abstract patterns.

“I don’t want any confusion about this lingering.”

She weighed her words carefully. Removing her hands from beneath his, she took a step back. “If you insist. Speak your piece.”

He snagged her wrist before leading her to the midnight blue loveseat. Their knees touched when they sat.

“Do you know Jaydee?”

An unpleasantness filled her gut.
Could I actually be jealous of that woman? Is that possible? Or feasible? What reason could I have to be?

“No,” she said. “I’ve never met her.” She took a breath and calmed herself. “Like I said earlier, I’ve heard wonderful things about her, however.”

His smile was akin to a dagger being stuck in her heart, slowly. “Jaydee and I have known each other for years. Since she was twelve and I was fourteen.”

“So you were childhood sweethearts.”

“No. I mean, I was wanting. She never once saw me in that light. There wasn’t emotion like that between us. We were friends. That’s it.”

Yet you loved, or love, her.
“Okay, thanks for explaining.”

He took her hand with a harsh chuckle. “I’m not done.”

She was a bit taken aback by the amount of ferocity in his voice. Ivan was normally even keeled, from what she knew. “Thought you were finished.”

“I love Jaydee, that’s true. I always will. But I am not
in
love with her. I had believed myself in love with her. Even after she married I wondered if I would be able to truly let her go. Then you came into my life.”

She stared at him, silent, waiting for him to continue.

Ivan lifted her and settled her upon his lap. “You changed my life since you walked—sashayed—into that room wearing the sexy-as-fuck red and black pin-up couture dress. Seeing you in it gave me a dick that could have punched a hole in the wall of the house. It’s not something I can quantify but—”

Bailey placed her hand over his mouth. “Stop, Ivan. I felt it too. Feel it too.”

His actions were slow and deliberate as he moved her hand away.

“There’s no one in this world quite like you, Bailey Hyde.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed against his cock. “There’s not supposed to be.”

“I really want to—” He sighed. “We need to learn more about one another.”

“Isn’t that learning more if you know what makes me scream in passion or come hard around your cock?”

“Baby. I have every intention of learning
all
the things that make you scream. And purr. Moan. Beg.” He stood, keeping her at his waist. “Right now, we talk.”

“Being naked and sweaty with limbs entwined is a form of communication.”

“Very true.” He gripped her ass and walked through the house.

“So no more talking?”

He frowned at her. “More talking.”

She groaned and turned to track his movements around the room. When he ducked into the bathroom, she walked to the window and peered out. Ivan’s room overlooked the backyard. The moonlight sparkled off the fountain’s spray, as if someone stood at the base, tossing up handfuls of diamonds, both white and colored.

“Come here, Bailey.”

She rotated away from the serene image to find Ivan standing beside his bed, clothes from earlier gone and replaced by a pair of dark workout pants. Doing as ordered, Bailey strolled over to him, taking in the bottle beside the bed. Opaque and unlabeled, she couldn’t identify it.

“What’s going on?”

“Talking. You naked. And a massage.” He gestured to the bed. “Deal?”

“Absolutely.” She made short work of her attire, gloated internally a bit about his reaction to her, then climbed on the bed. On all fours, ass in his direction, she peered at him. “Where do you want me?” She dragged her tongue along her lower lip. “And how?”

Ivan’s throat worked fast. His pupils dilated and there wasn’t any way she could miss his erection, creating a tent in his pants.

“Stomach.” His word was graveled and rough, sending pulses from her clit out through her entire being.

“Okay.” She lowered her upper body to the coverlet. “Here okay? Or want me a different direction?”

He muttered something in Russian before he caressed her ass with his palm then pressed on the small of her back. “This is fine.”

She melted down and sighed. “Very well.”

The mattress dipped as he joined her. He straddled her ass and she moaned when he leaned forward and put his hands on her back.

“You told me you speak a few languages.”

She grunted her acknowledgment. His touch disappeared only to be replaced by a cool liquid. The air filled with a heady, woodsy scent with hints of floral.

“How many and which ones?” Ivan touched her again, rubbing, stroking, even petting her skin as he spread the oil across her body. It heated as he created some friction between it and her. “Bailey, talk to me.”