Ivan's blood grew cold. He knew who Madeline was talking about, even though the desperation to crane his neck and look at shawn rose within him. Ivan couldn't summon the courage to meet his gaze. He looked at Madeline, who was already looking at him, and then at Shawn, standing and doing God knows what, and being in God knows which location.Ivan could feel his hand trembling as he held the champagne glass, even though he had been drinking since the reunion party started. Suddenly, his throat became dry. This time around, he didn't need to gulp down a champagne but something strong, something capable of calming his tense nerves.Madeline patted his shoulder softly and walked past him, obviously going over to Shawn. Ivan shakily exhaled as he slowly turned, and his eyes landed on Shawn. But he couldn't help but notice the very handsome blonde man standing close to him, giving Shawn a sweet smile that made Ivan's stomach churn.He realized Shawn hadn't come alone to the party, he came w
Shawn unexpectedly lost his breath. He was even more handsome now than he had been in college, manly fair, and as prim and proper as usual. But the raw need in his eyes drew him to Ivan like a moth to a flame.Ten years had passed since that day in the locker room when he had caught Ivan, who told him he was not gay and would never be one, swapping spit with Alexander Stroviv. He had fooled himself into believing Ivan was straight, as he had endlessly said, and that he was pushing too much. He hated the fact that he had thought he had freaked out Ivan, wanting him to do things he never wanted and had decided to take it slow or back out. Begging to be kissed by Ivan, to touch him, to hug him, Ivan had rejected him, pushed him away, threatened him, called him all sort of hurtful names, Yet, he was in the boy's locker room, going hot with Alexander, an image even after ten years, Shawn hadn't forgotten about it.Still, wanting to be with Ivan was instinctual. Like jumping out of a tenth
Just like he had felt ten years ago, Shawn felt a pang of hurt and pain seeing Ivan making out with the woman he was sure was his fiancée. He hated that he felt this way with just one action from Ivan; this wasn't the new plan. The supposed plan was to ignore Ivan throughout the party, pretend he wasn't there, flaunt his fake boyfriend in his face unbothered, and head back to France like he never came. But it now looked as though the opposite was happening. Instead, it's Ivan flaunting his fiancée right in his face, kissing her passionately, knowing he might be watching, and fuck yes! He had been watching.He had been watching Ivan's every move ever since he laid eyes on him.He had been watching the way he smiled, his dimples appearing cutely on his cheeks.He had been watching the way he held the champagne glass. Heck! A silly thought had crossed his mind, hoping it was his cock Ivan was gripping that way instead."Get a grip of yourself, Shawn Maddox," he chastised himself, hating
"Thanks," he muttered softly, taking the glass of scotch from Shawn.They spent what felt like hours on end sipping and not saying a word. Even though Ivan yearned to hear Shawn's voice, his increasing madness stemmed from his desperate desire for Shawn to say anything, whatever it may be. Even if Shawn had nothing to contribute, Ivan hoped he would engage in conversation about the party or the drinks.Looking directly at Shawn felt daunting, prompting Ivan to swiftly gulp down the remains of his drink, forcing it down his throat and clearing his throat in anticipation of Shawn's response.Meanwhile, Shawn struggled to maintain composure externally, but internally, he was shaking. Standing next to him, Ivan's physical presence was palpable, as was the familiar scent of cologne that Shawn still realized had become Ivan's favorite. While discreetly sipping his drink, Shawn fought to conceal his trembling hand.He pondered what was going through Ivan's mind at that moment. Hoping he wou
Ivan allowed Shawn to take the lead. His mouth, teeth, and tongue dominated every nook and cranny of his own mouth. It felt as though Shawn could not get enough, as though he wanted more. He was desperate to suck in every taste of Ivan's mouth, desperate to eat him whole. Ivan's response matched Shawn's hunger.The way his finger scratched his back, the way he drew Shawn closer to himself, letting him feel his arousal, the way Shawn's hand slid through his hair and gripped it, sent a fiery fire of sensation rushing through Ivan from head to toe. Then he felt Shawn stiffen and his hands jerked away from Ivan like he had touched a scorching object.Shawn's heart almost dropped to the floor. What had he done? This was a mistake, everything! From the moment he accepted the invitation to attending the reunion party, it had been a huge mistake. A mistake he could have certainly avoided.Shawn pushed Ivan away from him, a shocked look on his face as they both stared at each other, lips red a
Ivan felt Sera's tightened grip on his arm bring him back to what was happening. The hall was now quiet, everyone looking at the couple. Ivan swallowed hard and turned to look at Sera, who gave him her signature smile. Then he looked at the waiting crowd and lifted the microphone towards his mouth. His eyes found Shawn again as he spoke, "Thank you, everyone. It brings me joy to see that you receive our announcement with great joy. Ever since Sera came into my life, I have never been the same. She has been amazing in so many ways that I can't imagine not spending my life with her. Asking Sera to marry me wasn't something I had to think about again and again. I knew she was the perfect woman for me..." Ivan swallowed the lump in his throat as his grip tightened on the microphone.He looked over at Sera and smiled at her as he continued, this time avoiding Shawn's gaze. "I fell in love with you, never felt anything like this with anyone. She completes me. She makes me feel like it's ti
Shawn gave Sera a clueless look as to what exactly she was talking about. He obviously hadn't met her, not even once, and he could swear on anything that he had not slept with her. It's not like he could vividly recognize the women he had slept with; she looked unfamiliar. There was no point in trying to rack his brain as to when and where she must have met him.Sera was still smiling and looking at Shawn. Suddenly, she realized the lost look on his face. "Oh. You might not really recognize me. We only met once during the company's dinner in the Netherlands. Your dad is also a partner in my dad's company. He introduced us. Do you now remember?" she asked, hoping there would be a flicker of remembrance in his face, but there was nothing.Shawn gave her an apologetic smile. "I am deeply sorry. Trust me, my father introduced me to a lot of his business partners and their inheritor, and I have lost count. I am glad to meet you for real, and I hope our partnership grows stronger. I would l
Shawn hastened his steps as he walked out of the hall, away from everyone and especially away from Ivan. He hated everything about tonight, it was like a worse nightmare, just like the ones he has every other night, the dreams he had tried to get rid of, and decided to confront the invader today in person, only for the wound to be reopened. Fresh. Bleeding.Ivan had not changed, not even for a minute.Does Ivan have any idea that he invades his dreams at night?Does the fucking liar have any idea that he hasn't stopped thinking about him even for once?And here he was, desperately kissing him and saying he doesn't like men.He had been a fool all along, a fool to think Ivan would have changed, to be bold enough to face his truth, not hiding like the coward he had been ten years ago.Shawn exhaled as he let the tears he had been holding back drop. He loosened the two upper buttons of his shirt as it felt as though it was choking him. Everything about tonight was choking him. The party