Her Heart's Desire

“Saw what?”

“How…incapacitated she was. My mother wasn’t able to regain her sense of self after they broke up. She was so wrapped up in him that she couldn’t seem to function on her own. And the more time passed, the more bitter she became. In public she was fine—she went to work, came home and went places with the rest of the family. But at home it was…different. It was like a part of her was missing, and she didn’t care what happened to her. It broke my heart, Ivan,” Tiffany said. “I was her daughter, and yet nothing I did made her feel better. That’s when I knew I would be different.”

“Different how?”

“I refused to make the same mistakes my mother made. I would always provide for myself. Even when I fell in love, I swore I’d make sure that if anything happened, I would be okay.”

He ran a hand over his face. It was a few moments before he answered. “Tiffany, I know you can take care of yourself. Your independence is one of the things I admire about you. I like that fact that you have your own business, and if situations arise, you can handle yourself. If I made you feel like I was trying to take that away from you, I apologize. It was never my intention. It’s just what I’m used to doing. My father instilled into us from a young age that we should always take care

of a woman. Though Cole may seem like he forgets at times, we’re used to being gentlemen. Holding doors, paying for meals, ensuring that a woman is provided for… It’s second nature, Tiffany.”

“I know, and though I may not show it, it’s one of the things I like about you.”

“You mean a great deal to me, Tiffany, so wanting to take care of you comes naturally to me.” He touched her cheek. “I know I come across as paranoid sometimes, but the truth is I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you. Not when I could’ve prevented it.”

She wrapped her arms around his middle. “Thank you.”

His bent down and kissed her. “You’re welcome.”

Ivan searched her face. “I never want you to feel like I’m smothering you. If I do, just tell me to back off.”

“I will,” she promised. “I know I’ve got a few relationship issues that I need to work through.”

“Looks like we both have homework in that respect.”

“I know I came across as unappreciative, but you make me happy, Ivan, and I love being with you. Never doubt that. “Speaking of covert maneuvers, what other kick-ass stuff can you do?”

Ivan stopped walking and faced her. His fingers slid down the buttons holding her blouse closed as he gazed into her eyes. “I could show you, but we don’t have that kind of time.”

“I don’t know about that. From what I hear there’s always time for makeup sex.”

Ivan’s gaze got heated. “Is that so? Then I guess we’d better get home and find out. If you’re wrong, Norma Jean’s going to have to settle for a store-bought cake instead.”

*

When they returned to Tiffany’s loft, they made it as far as the living room. Grocery bags and clothes were ditched and left wherever they landed as Ivan and Tiffany collapsed onto the couch in a tangle of legs and arms. Their lovemaking was hot and fast. Tiffany held on tight as Ivan drove into her with short, deliberate thrusts. She felt like he was branding her as his, and a primal response bubbled up inside of her. She wanted to feel like she was his in every way.

Seconds later, they both found their release. Spent, they lay there unmoving while their bodies slowly returned to normal.

“Come on, sweetheart,” he finally said. “We’ve got food to fix for Norma Jean’s party.”

“Do we have to?” Tiffany said. “Can’t we just buy her that cake you were talking about earlier and be done with it?”

Ivan stood up and held out his hands to help her up. “I’m not the one going into the line of fire with a store-bought dessert, you are. You know how much Ms. Jeannie loves food from scratch.”

“Okay.” Tiffany surrendered. “Let’s get the eggs and potatoes on first. While they’re working up to a boil, we’ll take a shower.”

“Sounds like a plan, Miss Gentry.”

*

Tiffany put on a pair of shorts and a halter top. By the time she reentered the kitchen, Ivan was chopping up the potatoes for the potato salad, and the cabbage and carrots were already shredded for the coleslaw.

“You start on the dressing for the slaw, and then we’ll get everything put together,” he suggested.

While Tiffany put the finishing touches on her dishes, Ivan did some work on his laptop. She was in the bathroom doing her hair when he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

“I have to go,” he said, kissing her shoulder. “I’ll be back from Vegas late tomorrow evening.”