Demands

ZANDER

I hold the takeout boxes in one hand, knocking lightly on the door. From inside, I hear a soft, "Come in." The sound of Ivan's voice sends a pleasant warmth through me, and I turn the knob, stepping into his space.

The moment I enter, I catch a subtle whiff of his pheromones—a sweet, intoxicating scent that feels like heaven. My gaze lands on him, and my breath hitches. He's lounging in a cropped top that teases just a hint of skin, highlighting his slender waist, and the tiniest shorts I've ever seen. Surely, surely he did this on purpose.

"I'll take that," Ivan says, reaching for the boxes. His fingers brush against mine, and the brief contact sparks an ache low in my chest. I let him take the food as I close the door behind me, my eyes shamelessly following the sway of his hips as he sets the boxes on the counter. His toned legs, his perky butt—it's a vision that makes my restraint falter.

With a deep breath, I tear my gaze away and head to the couch. I shrug off my jacket and loosen my tie, the fabric feeling suffocating after the charged moment. I pull my phone out of my pocket, hesitating for a moment before switching it off and tossing it onto the nearby table. No distractions tonight.

A moment later, Ivan joins me, sitting close but not touching. The quiet stretches between us, thick with unspoken words, until finally, he breaks the silence.

"I thought about what you said," he begins, his voice soft but steady.

My heart skips a beat, and I turn to him, my full attention locked onto his face. His expression is serious, thoughtful, and I brace myself for whatever comes next.

"One day, I might want to mate with you," he says slowly, his green eyes flickering with uncertainty. "And I also might never want to. Is that okay?"

His words hang in the air, each syllable sinking deep into me. My chest tightens, but not with disappointment. It's relief, and something warmer—understanding.

"That's fine," I say, my voice firm but gentle, reassuring him without hesitation.

Ivan turns to face me fully, his green eyes locking onto mine. They're mesmerizing, like twin emeralds shimmering with both vulnerability and strength. 

"I have a list of demands," Ivan says, his voice steady, but there's a playful glint in his eyes that immediately piques my interest. I raise an eyebrow, leaning back slightly, curious to see where this is going.

"I want my own apartment," he begins, "in my name."

"Done," I say without hesitation.

He tilts his head, as though testing how far he can push. "A car," he continues, his lips curling into a small smile, "in my name."

"Done," I reply again, watching as he shuffles closer, the air between us growing heavier with each passing second.

"A card," he says, his voice dropping just a touch, "with an insane amount of funds."

"Not a problem," I respond, my gaze locked on his as he inches even closer.

"And," he says softly, his green eyes practically glowing under the dim light, "I want to model again."

"Okay," I agree, my voice unwavering. There's nothing I wouldn't give him, nothing I wouldn't do to see him happy.

There's a beat of silence before I lean forward slightly, my voice lowering as I ask, "Can I ask for something too?"

Ivan pauses, his lips parting slightly, his curiosity piqued. "What?" he asks, his tone cautious but intrigued.

"I need you on my legs," I say, my voice a husky whisper, "arms wrapped around me and your lips on mine."

His smile is slow, but when it spreads fully across his face, it feels like the room gets warmer. He moves without hesitation, straddling me, his knees on either side of my thighs. His hands rest lightly on my shoulders as he leans in, and the moment his lips meet mine, it's pure heaven.

The kiss is everything—soft and slow at first, but quickly deepening, his scent filling my senses and making it impossible to think about anything else. My hands find his waist, pulling him closer, holding him like he's something precious.