Raw

Chapter 47

Shown inspected low his breath. He was even more handsome now than he had been in college, manly fair, and as prim and proper as want. Ret the raw need in his eyes drew him to ban like a moth to a flame.

Ten years had passed since that day in the locker room when he had caught bean, who told him he was not g**y and would

apping spit with Alexander Strovix. He had fooled himself into believing Ivan was straight, as he had endlessy sand, and that he was pushing too much.

He haned 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.

as

wanting to be with Ivan was instinctual Like jumping out of a tenth-story window of a building on fire. And just angerous. For ten years, Shawn had steered clear of him, tumed down every alumni event invitation on the off chance that han might be there. He had not wanted to see if he still needed han more than he needed to breathe.

sick of hiding from Ivan. Sick of letting Ivan think that he had won. He hadn’t come here with a big plan. Frankly, he dn’t have one. For all he knew, the best thing to do was get the hell out of here, head back to France, try and forget all about him again. All he had to do was get in his car, get on the freeway, and head to where his private jet and pilot would be waiting the moment he made just one call.

But it was time to take care of unfinished business. Namely, proving to himself that Ivan didn’t have a hold over him anymore. And then he would head back to the country that had opened her arms for him, soothed his feelings, made him fe Eke a human and had made him who he is today. Also, to give 100 percent focus to the only thing that really mattered: good food, interviews, and his Empire.

So he wasn’t going to turn and run. No, he wasn’t going to hide in his s**s modern office or find out what went down at the reunion party from the Instagram posts and pictures of his friends.

Rolling the tight muscles of his neck through his strong fingers. Shawn fingered his Harvard University Ten-Year Reunion badge. Then he got ready to show Ivan how badly he had messed up in college by flaunting his date to his face and doing every kind of PDA necessary that would make Ivan never ever forget tonight.

His gaze fixated on the individual who alone possessed the power to halt the world around him. Ivan exhaled, revealing a hint of unease, as he laid eyes on Shawn, who was looking at him with an indescribable expression.

He could see Shawn’s eyes darken, his jaw tighten as his eyes traveled from Ivan’s head to his toes, as if he were drinking in his appearance, taking in every inch of him with his eyes. Various emotions swelled within Ivan’s heart: remorse for rejecting Shawn as a friend and crush without hesitation, elation at the sight of him in the flesh once more, anguish stemming from their current status as strangers, and an overwhelming longing for his presence and touch.

Ivan yearned to sprint towards Shawn and embrace him tightly, as he observed the look on his face, as though. contemplating what to do next

Thankfully, the lights in the hall weren’t that bright now to show the both of them staring at each other, longing for each other with their eyes.

Shawn stood tall, masculine, towering above six feet. Beneath his shirt, Ivan could see Shawn’s toned chest, his strong muscles. Ivan swallowed as he looked into Shawn’s eyes again. Shawn looked so edible, so perfect that it hurt. He looked handsome, dangerously s**y.

His perfectly styled golden brown hair accentuated his strong jaw, sensuous lips, and face that showcased his stunning features: a strong jawline and lips that exuded sensuality and appeal. He indisputably stood out as the most exquisite man at

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Chapter 47

the gathering, second only to himself.

Donning a white shirt and black suit trousers, his presence evoked a rush of emotions in Ivan, whose heart thumped a while his palms grew moist. His mouth suddenly went dry again the urge to quench his thirst was strong.

He noticed the man who came with him was no longer by his side. It came as a sign of relief, but at the same time, Iva many questions – questions he knew he would never have the courage to ask Shawn. Heck! He didn’t even have the co to look at him in the eye from close range.

He hated the fact that he was feeling betrayed by Shawn bringing a man to the party. How long had Shawn been seein boy? How long had they been having sex?

Had Shawn ever thought about him, even for a fleeting second?

Had he ever invaded Shawn’s dreams like Shawn had invaded his?

“Babe, are you okay?” Sarah’s voice broke him out of his reverie, As she watched the dazed look on his face, she turned follow the direction Ivan’s eyes were looking and saw no one in particular that would have captured his attention this

“Are you alright?” she asked again, touching his face softly, a worried look on her face.

Ivan slowly looked at her, hating the fact that he was making her feel worried, and grateful that she had no idea about was going on. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just bored,” he told her, giving her a fake smile.

Sarah smiled and kissed him on his lips, taking her time savoring the taste of wine on his mouth. Ivan’s heart dropped thumping loudly in his ears. His eyes opened, trying to look around to see if Shawn was nearby.

It felt like ten years ago when he had kissed Chloe in front of shawn. The same thing was repeating itself.

He quickly broke the kiss, laughed softly, and held Sarah’s hand to the dance floor.

Unknown to him, Shawn Maddox had been watching him from the far end corner of the hall.