Page 98 of Jump on Three

“You don’t have to be useful. I liked you being there. And Marco…well, he spent a lot more time in his office than he usually does, so I would say he enjoyed your company.”

I leaned back to study his face. It was too dark to fully see his expression, but he definitely wasn’t smiling.

I swept my fingertip over his mouth, tapping his bottom lip. “Is this jealousy? If it is, it's not needed. Marco is very handsome, but he’s also quite old. I’m not interested.”

“Twenty-five isn’t old.”

“Way too old for me.” Though it seemed Ivan was trying to convince me it wasn’t, which was a strange strategy.

His brow dropped. “And if he were younger?”

“I would still not be interested because I’m with you.” I moved my hand to his cheek, which had finally gotten scruffy enough to feel good on my palm. “I do like talking to him, so I hope this won’t be a problem. If it is, please tell me, and you can find somewhere else for me to hang out when I come to Lyot with you.”

He stared at me for a lingering moment before exhaling and drawing me tighter to his side. “I’m being stupid. Things are unsettled between us, and I’m letting my insecurity get in the way. Ignore me.”

“I won’t ignore you. If you want things settled, then settle them.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you haven’t asked me to be your girlfriend. You called me that, but we didn’t agree. So, maybe you should ask.”

“Evelyn,” he breathed. “You’re my girlfriend. There’s no question about it.”

“That isn’t true since I wasn’t aware I was your girlfriend. You really should have asked. You know I like you. I wouldn’t have said no.”

“And now? Will you say no now?”

“Oh, Ivan.” He sounded so unsure, which wasn’t usual for him. I did not like him feeling this way. Pushing up on my knees, I straddled his lap and took his face in my hands, pressing my lips to his. “Ask me.”

He scooped his hand beneath my hair, the other gripping my hip. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

I nodded. “Yes. I would like that.”

“Thank Christ.”

I kissed him again, aligning my nose with his. “I forgive you for what you said to your father. But just so you know, my brain will occasionally bounce those words around and I’ll remember it all over again. I will need reassurance then.”

“And I will be happy to tell you how fucking wonderful and beautiful you are. How lucky I am to have you as my girlfriend. That I long for you when you are not in my presence.”

I closed my eyes, committing those words to memory. “I long for you too.”

“Good,” he murmured.

“I have a present for you in my room. I’ve been waiting to give it to you since last weekend. Do you want it?”

“A present? I have nothing for you.”

“I don’t need anything but you.”

Groaning, he wrapped both arms around me, plastering me to his front. It felt good. So good, I let my eyes close and tucked my head beneath his chin, breathing in pine, mint, and Ivan.

That was where I spent the rest of the drive.

Chapter Thirty-four

Ivan

Evelyn directed me to sit on her bed, then stepped back and bit her lip.