Page 16 of Saving Ian Pope

He snorted. “You have kind of a dirty mouth. I like that about you.”

“And I kind of like your mouth, too. It’s very versatile. Who knew you could do more than sing with that mouth.”

“You have no idea.” He lifted his eyebrows up and down. “Do you want some water? I’ll get us some water.”

“Yes, please. I don’t trust the tap water, but we have some filtered water in a pitcher in the fridge, or I think there are a few bottles left.”

“I’ll get you a glass.” Once again, he clambered from the bed, and I watched the muscles of his buttocks clench and release as he walked out of the room.Sexy.

I’d left my phone in my bag out there...and some gum on the wall. Otherwise, I’d text Chloe to let her know I had Ian Pope in my bed. I’d have to get some proof, or Chloe would never believe me. Ian didn’t seem to mind selfies. Maybe I’d do one with him in bed.

He strode back into the room, carrying a glass of water. “I already drank from this one, but I figured we’ve already shared so much, we could share a glass, too.”

“Great thinking.” I tapped my head and took the glass from him.

He settled himself next to me again, and we shared sips of water from the glass. When I put it to the side, he draped his arm around me and pulled me close. Did he have the same feeling as I did? I felt a need to touch him, to keep connected to him. Probably because he was leaving. I dropped my head onto his shoulder.

He asked, “Did you grow up here in Santa Monica?”

“In Hollywood. My parents had a small house in Hollywood—the flats, not the hills.”

“Was your father in the business?”

I gave a short, sharp laugh. “Yeah, my father was in the business alright, a lot of businesses, just not show business. My dad was kind of a scammer, a big gambler. In fact, you could say he was an addict—a gambling addict.”

Ian’s body stiffened beside me. He’d been stroking my collarbone with his thumb, which I’d been finding very erotic, but he suddenly stopped.

“That must’ve been hard to live with.”

Great. If that tidbit about Dad made him uncomfortable, I sure as hell wasn’t going to tell him the rest.

“It was. He gambled away every cent my mother earned until she got sick of it all and left.” I sighed.

“Your mom raised you by herself?”

“Are you kidding?” My hands curled into fists, bunching up the sheet. How the hell did we get onto this topic? “She’s the one who left. She abandoned us. I haven’t seen her since.”

“I’m sorry.” He squeezed me and kissed the top of my head. “And then you lost your father. How did he...pass away?”

I chewed the inside of my cheek before answering. “Hit and run, right on Hollywood Boulevard.”

“God, I’m so sorry, Ivy. Do you know where your mum is? Did she ever reach out after your father died?”

“She probably doesn’t even know he’s dead, and I wouldn’t want to see her, anyway.” I sniffed, and a tear rolled down my face. I hadn’t cried about Mom in years. To anyone.

Before I could dash the tear away, Ian caught it on the tip of his finger. “My poor Tinkerbell.”

“It’s alright. I mean, it’s not alright, but it is what it is.” I blew out a breath. “I really didn’t imagine this would be our post-coital discourse.”

“Post-coital discourse.” He said the words as if trying them out in his mouth. “You have a way with words. That would be a great song title. Post-coital Discourse.”

He started singing in his smooth baritone. “I gave her post-coital discourse, but it couldn’t have gone worse. She didn’t like my sass and kicked me out on my ass.”

“That’s...not bad.” I wriggled out from beneath his arm and swung my legs off the bed. “I’m going to brush my teeth. Do you want a toothbrush?”

“Is that an option?” He ran his tongue over his teeth. “I could really use a toothbrush.”

“My dentist always gives me extras. I’ll leave one on the sink for you.” I sprang up from the bed and strolled to the bathroom, feeling his hot gaze following me. I closed the door behind me and faced the mirror.

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