Polar Opposites (In Aeternum Book 4) (21 page)

He tossed his phone on the bed and went to stand before Bailey. “Could this mean that you, Ms Bailey Hyde, are jealous?”

“Anything is possible, I suppose.”

“Are you going to tell me?”

“Nope. Are you going to need the car?”

“Wait, what?”

“The car. I’m assuming you’ll be going to see her.” She walked around him and sat in the chair by the window, placing one foot on the seat so she could drape her arm over her knee. “That’s fine, I can make do with public transportation.”

“Slow down, Bailey.”

“Slow down? I’m sitting in a chair. How am I going fast?”

“Back up to where I asked you if you were jealous.”

“To what end? I told you I wasn’t going to tell you. There’s no point. I don’t own you, you’re more than free to go see your friends.”

“I’m not ready to move past that yet.” He approached her and crouched before the chair she occupied.

“Okay, then hang out there, let me know when you do move past it.”

“You know, you could just say you’re jealous.”

She allowed her leg to slide from the chair to the floor. “Is that what you want? Me to say I’m jealous?”

Was that what he wanted? “Yes. No. Hell, I don’t know. I want to make sure you know why I called her.”

“I don’t want to know. Ivan, it’s not my business. I know some women, most probably, would be pissed and raging against this entire thing. I’m not like them. You’re a grown man. One who makes his own choices. Bottom line is, I trust you. You’ve already explained your past with her and told me where you stand now. Why would I think anything else? I’m not that insecure I need constant petting and praise just because you mentioned another woman. You’re with me or you’re not, and you said you were. That’s all I needed to know.”

“You did say that before. I’m sorry, I guess I’m still not used to how you think.”

“I don’t have the time to walk around with a chip on my shoulder ready to fight anyone who looks at my man.”

He grinned and leaned closer. “Your man?”

“Figure of speech.”

“I don’t think so, I think it’s much more telling than that.”

“You would, it strokes your ego.”

He tapped himself on the end of the nose. “You got it, baby.”

“So then we can move on from the jealous thing?”

“Sure.” He ran a hand up the outside of her legs. “Although one day you’ll tell me you were jealous.”

“Don’t hold your breath on that. You wear your emotions out for people to see, Ivan. I admire that about you. You don’t care it may make you look like a weaker male. It doesn’t, but you don’t seem to give a damn. I don’t do that. I’m contained for the most part.”

“Yes, I know. People will always form an opinion based on something or another. I don’t care what they think of me. I don’t need to beat my chest to tell people I’m an alpha male. Nor do I need to be an asshole. I’m confident where I am and with who I am.”

“I can see that.”

“Good, now, I want you to come with me to meet Jaydee and her children.”

Her hesitation told him more than her words had. She was jealous but she didn’t want to admit it, nor focus on it.

“Are you sure she’d like me to be there?”

“I’ll let her know we’re on vacation together. Maybe we could check out a day early and spend time down there.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Exactly where is down there?”

“Oregon. They live in the Cascades.”

“So you’ve been there since she’s gotten married?”

“No, but she’s had that house long before and I’ve been there.”

“As long as she and her husband are okay with it then sure, we can do that. After all, you took a side trip for me.”

“You’ll have fun.” He pushed to his feet. “I’ll call her back. Oh, one thing, though… Jaydee is not like a lot of other people. She doesn’t have tons of social niceties. She’s blunt and straightforward.”

“Okay.” Bailey rose and stared out of the window. “I’m going to read a bit while you talk to her.”

Ivan let it go and retrieved his phone. Calling her back, he watched Bailey draw a romantic suspense from her bag and curl back up in the chair. It didn’t take her long to get lost back in the story and he knew for all intents and purposes, he was alone in the room.

“When are you coming?” The question came in Russian.

“I am wondering if you mind if I bring my girlfriend with me? We’ve been on vacation and I’d like you to meet her.”

“We have plenty of room. Will you wish to share a room or be separate?”

“Sharing is fine. And will three days from now work?”

“That won’t be a problem. We’ll be here. And Ivan?”

“Yes?”

“It will be wonderful to see you again.”

“You too, my friend, you too. It’s been far too long.”

“I concur. I will see you then, in a few days.” She ended the call.

For the second time in less than an hour, Ivan tossed his phone on the bed. Bailey didn’t move, just continued to read. He strode to her and tapped her lightly on the knee.

Those damnable gold eyes got him every time. “Yes?”

“All’s set for three days from now.”

“Wonderful. Are you hungry? We could order in.”

“I like that idea. I’ll get the menu.”

* * * *

Bailey watched Safa as she ran around the backyard of the home she now lived in. She’d put on much-needed weight and had a smile on her face, which was brilliant.

“How’s she doing?” Bailey asked Martha, the woman who had taken her into her home and life. Martha had been a missionary years ago and spoke fluent Arabic. She’d also worked with Theta Corps in the past, for what she hadn’t a clue, but the woman was a good home for Safa. Bailey was pleased with the choice her friend had made when deciding where to put Safa.

“Remarkably well considering what she went through. Kids are amazingly resilient. A few nightmares here and there but”—she waved her hand—“look at her.”

“No questions about her family back in Egypt?”

“Not a one. Hopefully she’ll be ready for school next year, I’m inclined to believe she will be. We’re working on her English now and she’s a quick study.”

“Salihah said you were thinking of legally adopting her?”

“Yes, we’ve already started the process. Since she’s declared an orphan, I don’t foresee any bumps.”

“Thank you, Martha.”

The woman hugged her. “Sweetie, there is no need to thank me. This child has brought such joy to my life. Now, I’m going to get some cookies and something hot to drink for all of us. I’ll call you when it’s time to come in.”

Bailey slowly approached the swing set Safa was on.

“Hello, Safa.” She spoke Arabic and sat in the swing beside her.

“Hello.”

“How are you doing?”

She slowed the swing and stopped, her toes digging into the soft sand. “I remember you.”

Bailey smiled. “Are you enjoying it here?”

She nodded, her large brown eyes wide. “You took me from that place.”

“I did. I just came to make sure you were okay and to give you something.”

“A present?”

“Sort of.” She reached into her pocket and withdrew a card. “This is my number. I know Salihah gave you the information but I also wanted to. If you ever need me, call any of those numbers and I will come for you.”

She took the card and stared at it. “Anywhere?”

“Any time, any place. This one is to my cell phone. This one is a way you can always get a message to me.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Martha called to them.

“I think the cookies are ready. I don’t know about you but I could go for some.”

Her eyes brightened. “Me too.” She bounded off the swing, shoving the card into her pocket. “Race you.” Safa took off running and Bailey set off after her.

“You’re just too fast for me,” she panted at the porch. “I’m exhausted.”

Safa laughed and bolted up the steps only to disappear inside. Bailey followed at a more leisurely pace and smiled in return at Martha.

“You’re so good with children,” the woman said. “Do you have any of your own?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Nieces? Nephews?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Well, you’ll be a great mother someday.” She poured tea and slid over a plate of cookies. “Help yourself.”

Bailey accepted the tea and took two chocolate chip cookies as Safa had hers with her milk. She stayed a few hours, playing with the girl and talking to Martha. Both stood on the front step waving as she drove away, her unease about the situation settled. After parking the car at the hotel she made her way to Pike Place to meet Ivan before they returned to their room for the night.

“So, how is she doing?”

“Settling in wonderfully. Martha is adopting her.”

“So you feel better then?” He stopped to smell some of the flowers at a vendor. Ivan paid for a mixed bouquet and handed them to her. “For you.”

“Thank you. I do. I mean, in my heart I knew that Salihah wouldn’t send her to a bad place but to be able to see her happy with my own eyes is something totally different.”

“You are a woman of many faces, Bailey. I love learning them.” He draped his arm around her shoulders and tucked her close to him.

They meandered through the market, sampling, purchasing and just having a wonderful time. They indulged in a lovely dinner at a small shop where they could watch others who had come to experience Pike Place. The evening was lovely as they walked back to their room.

In the room, he tossed a deck of cards at her. “Let’s play.”

Eyebrows up, she cocked her head to the side. “What are we playing?”

He flopped on the bed. “What game do you suck at?”

She chucked the cards back at him. “What kind of question is that?”

“A legitimate one. I want to know what I can win at.”

“Gin.”

“You suck at gin?”

“Not saying, just that we’re playing it.”

“Strip gin?”

She climbed up on the bed, laughing. “Is that all you think about?”

“You naked? All? Not all but a good portion of my day, yes.”

“Shuffle and deal.” She sat cross-legged.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go out to a casino?”

“I’d rather be here with you than out there.”

He leaned close and kissed her, hard and passionate, then returned to his side. “Me too.” He cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders. “Now, prepare to get your ass kicked at gin.”

She snorted. He shuffled and began to deal. Bailey put her hand over his, halting him.

“What?”

“Is this something you can count cards in?”

He blinked. “Why are you asking me?”

“I’m assuming you can count cards.”

He waggled his eyebrows and she smacked his shoulder.

“Don’t.”

“Hey, you picked the game. I’m just doing as I’m told.”

“So if I said we’re playing this game with you naked…”

He put down the deck and ripped off his shirt, then began shrugging out of his pants. Bailey licked her lips while he stripped down to his birthday suit. His cock grabbed her attention and refused to release it. As she stared, it grew fully erect.

“If you plan on playing gin, you’d better look at your cards. After you strip off your clothing.”

“I never said I would be naked. I asked if we were playing it with you naked.”

“So you did. Let’s play then.”

He stretched out on his side and she shifted on the bedspread. Damn him for lying there and looking so tempting.

Play.
Oh, she wanted to play with him all right.

Ivan reached for the stack of cards and placed it close to his groin then flipped over the first in the discard pile.

“I dealt, you get to go first.”

She stared at her hand and swallowed. This wasn’t going to be easy. Bailey rearranged her cards then leaned forward to pick a card. Her knuckles brushed his cock and it jerked, distracting her. She flashed her gaze up to Ivan whose glacier-blue eyes were dark with desire. His cock held too much pull for her and she returned her stare to it. Large, long, thick and what she wanted. She dropped her cards and crawled over to him then took him in her mouth.

“Fuck! Bailey, I thought we were supposed to be playing cards.”

“Want me to stop?” she asked, the question muffled a bit by the fact he was in her mouth.

“Hell no. I want you out of your pants. Put your pussy on my face, baby. I want to eat you.”

“Busy,” she said as she moved her head up and down his shaft, her saliva wetting it, allowing for easier motion.

He tugged on her pants and they slid down to her knees. One leg at a time, he removed them and her underwear. Then he lifted her and moved her so her pussy was right above his mouth. She whimpered when his tongue slipped up the lips the first time.

“Fuck yeah,” he muttered before he thrust his tongue deep.

Bailey’s moan vibrated along his cock and she knew this night wasn’t going to have anything to do with cards.

Chapter Seventeen

Cascade Mountains

Ivan steered them up the drive and he smiled at the sight of the large A-frame house sitting against the incredible backdrop of the Cascade Mountain range. He surreptitiously observed Bailey. Nothing showed on her face to let him know if she was even the slightest bit nervous.

It wasn’t every day a woman got to meet the one he’d loved before her and had shared a bed with. He thought over Bailey’s words in the hotel about how she wasn’t like others and how she looked at the situation. She trusted him. And he her. Time to let it go and move on. Just have fun with his friend.

He parked them near the top of the drive by the walkway leading up to the front door. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be, I reckon. Let’s go.”

He got out. Bailey met him at the hood, and together they traversed the nice stepping stone walk to the porch. He noticed the American flag flying on one side of the steps and slightly lower and on the other side flew the Navy flag.

“Her husband served in the Navy, so did she for a while.”

“No longer?”

“I honestly don’t know about him. She’s out.” He walked up the steps and pressed the doorbell.

Less than a minute later, it swung open and he found himself standing before Giovanni. The man ran his gaze over both of them then smiled.