Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Rowan
When Rowan woke early the next morning, there was a brand new Kindle in a box next to the bed. He picked it up and just held the box, his heart swelling until it felt double the size. He knew Ivor had left it for him. How he’d gotten it so fast was a mystery.
With a giddiness he hadn’t felt in a long time, he opened it and went through the setup to link it to his account.
When his collection folders showed up, some of the tension he’d been carrying for nearly two weeks dissipated.
He had both author folders and his “read again” folders for different genres within the overall romance genre.
He pulled up one of his favorite paranormal books and settled back on the bed to read. It wasn’t like they needed him out there. He wasn’t supposed to be at Daniel’s office until ten, and it was only seven.
But his mind refused to focus because all he could think about was that sexy-as-hell conversation he’d had with Ivor the night before.
The incubus truly wanted him, and though he hadn’t said it, Rowan could tell it just wasn’t for food.
There was a strong connection there, something Rowan couldn’t attribute words to.
He’d wanted to get up, cross the room, and crawl into Ivor’s lap so badly, he’d had to close his hands into fists.
He’d only read about this kind of awareness in books.
Learning it was an actual thing made him want to experience so much more.
He wanted to have actual sex with Ivor, and he was wracking his brain over how to make that happen.
But he also had the feeling Ivor would ruin him for anyone else, and it sounded like he was too worried about his power draining Rowan to be with him more than once.
The absolute sadness that had swept through Rowan told him his feelings were already strong for the incubus. He’d meant it when he said he felt a connection to him. He felt it in his soul. He couldn’t shake the powerful feeling that he and Ivor were meant to be something.
What, he didn’t know.
All he did know was that it was for more than a one-time hookup.
But…he’d take that if that was all he could get.
He looked at the brand new Kindle in his hands. Ivor had gone out of his way to get this to him overnight. That also said so much more than a one-time hookup.
The incubus had obviously been trying to warn Rowan not to get too attached.
It was far too late for that. He’d been attached right away, by both his attraction and the feeling of safety Ivor gave him.
And the more time he spent around him, the more those feelings grew.
They’d continued to talk the night before, and he’d found Ivor had a wonderful sense of humor and a genuinely high set of principles.
He was a truly good person. Or incubus… Should he be referring to preternaturals as people? He had no idea.
Person or not, Rowan wanted Ivor. And not just for one time.
He wasn’t afraid of his energy being drained—he had plenty of it.
He just wanted to burrow into all that sexiness.
Wanted to be bent over this bed and drilled through it.
Wanted to experience the very real passion he could sense they’d have between them.
Frustrated, Rowan got up and pulled on a fresh pair of jeans and another sweatshirt.
He took his bag to the restroom and took care of washing his face and brushing his teeth.
Brushed them so hard he spit a little blood into the sink.
He gripped his toothbrush and closed his eyes.
He couldn’t let this frustration get to him like this.
Opening his eyes, he stared at his thin, freckled face and gave himself a much-needed pep talk that ended with him deciding that he’d find a way to experience that passion before he left this place.
Ivor wanted him, too. Of that, he had no doubt.
And he got the strongest feeling that Ivor’s interest was more than just sex, too.
He packed up his things and left the bathroom feeling better.
It was still too early to meet Daniel, but he found he was looking forward to it because he really liked the banshee.
He’d heard all about Daniel’s boyfriend, who the banshee was madly in love with.
They’d also discovered a love of older games that they’d both played.
When Daniel heard how much Rowan loved Subnautica, he’d put it on the laptop for him.
Apparently, Daniel was a huge survival game fan.
He planned to get Rowan in on a game of Raft he was playing with another of the bodyguards here—one Rowan hadn’t met because he was apparently traveling with a huge rock star.
Rowan stashed his bag back in the office he was using and walked to the rail overlooking the huge room of cubicles below.
There were only a few bodyguards hanging around, so he supposed most were out on jobs.
But he did spot Ivor talking with Emory at one of the cubicles, and he stared because Ivor’s hair was loose for the first time and holy shit, was it beautiful.
Down to his mid-back, thick, and black as midnight.
As he talked, Ivor reached back and deftly braided it before tying off the bottom. He glanced up and caught Rowan’s gaze.
Heat sparked in those dark brown eyes as they stared at each other.
Conversation lulled from below, and heads started turning Ivor’s way.
Rowan had to work hard to break their gaze only for his own to land on Emory, who suddenly punched Ivor in the arm.
The angel leaned over and said something Rowan couldn’t hear.
Ivor glanced around at everyone staring at him, then shrugged and returned his gaze to Rowan.
Rowan got the distinct feeling that Ivor must have released some of his magic. Enough to affect those around him. He didn’t seem to care, though. Rowan grinned, shivering when Ivor flashed him a shiny, white grin in return.
“Wow.”
The low exhalation made him whip his head to the right to find Daniel standing next to him and laughing.
“Looks like you’ve caught Protective Solutions’ most wanted preternatural’s undivided attention. Lucky you.”
“What?” Rowan resisted the urge to squirm as he looked down at the banshee, who stood several inches shorter than him.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. And whatever he’s putting out, you’re returning full force. I think I just got burned.” Daniel laughed again. “Maybe I shouldn’t have you reading through boring chatrooms today. Maybe you should spend the day with Ivor.”
“I’m sure he’s too busy.”
“The way he just looked at you? Pretty sure he was thinking of dragging you off somewhere private.”
“I wish,” Rowan muttered, cracking a grin at Daniel. “He’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“He’s pretty alright. I’ve never felt anything towards him, but there are some here who would very much like to have Ivor’s undivided attention. Which I just saw you have. And you can see through glamour magic, too. So…interesting.” Daniel turned and propped his arms on the rail.
Rowan looked back down to find Ivor still watching him, only his expression was more thoughtful and not so…smoldering. “Why is that interesting?”
“No reason,” he said, but Rowan could tell he was lying. “It’s just fun to see the incubus fixated on one person. It’s not his norm.” Daniel straightened up. “So, do you still want to help me today?”
“Sure. It’s either that or play Subnautica.”
Daniel blinked at him. “And you pick highlighting text?”
“What I’d really like to have is a kitchen.”
“I’ve heard about how wonderful your desserts are. You should stick around Seattle after this is all over. Bake a little something for us.”
“With everything everyone is doing for me here, I’ll bake a lot of somethings.”
“It’s not your fault that draugr got out. That lies with this company.”
“I’m sure it was an accident.”
“Nevertheless, everyone here wants to make it right—especially Xavier. And from what I just saw, Ivor is glad to have you here for other reasons.”
Since Rowan couldn’t deny that, he said nothing.
“Come on. Let’s see if I can actually find what you’re looking for in all those chatrooms today.
” He started walking toward Daniel’s office but couldn’t resist one last glimpse of Ivor, because that heated gaze was back, and he could feel it burning under his skin.