Within their dreams (Reverse Harem)

Chapter 4

Ivy's POV

"W-what?" My heartbeat is thrumming in my ears, sweat tickling my skin as I watch him. He moves in closer until his breath is hitting my face softly. He wears a small smirk, his eyes briefly darting down and back up to my face like he knows what he's doing to me down there.

"Go out with me Ivy, tomorrow night."

Before I can think about what's going on, my mouth is already answering, squeaking out a small yes and watching the smirk get even bigger on his face. It's only then that he moves away, letting my lungs fill with some much-needed air.

"Good girl. I'll pick you up after your shift. Around six?"

I nod, unable to trust my voice.

"See you then." He turns and walks down the steps, leaving me to stare after him.

My shift goes by fast the next day, my thoughts consumed by Leo. Claire goes crazy when I tell her what happened during our lunch break. I left out the part about him being the same man from my scandalous sex dreams. Or the fact that after a particularly dirty dream, I wake up with a giant hickey on my neck. But she was concerned about what happened and ordered me to let her take me home from now on. Seeing myself unable to win this argument, I reluctantly agree. Six pm on the dot I hear the familiar chime of the bell, and every hair on my body stands on end. I don't have to turn around to know it was him, my whole body igniting gives that away.

I grab my things, Claire winking at me and slowly make my way over to him.

"Hi."
"Hey." I tuck my hair behind my ear, giving him a shy smile as I let him lead me outside to his car. He opens the door for me, waiting for me to relax into the leather seats before walking to the driver's side. His car smells like him, and I find myself soothed by his scent surrounding me.

"So, where are we going?"

"There's a Mexican place not too far from here." His voice is emotionless.

"You mean, Padres? I love that place!"

He just stares ahead, letting silence fill the car once more. I will my brain to find something else to say but come up blank. Instead, I sneak small glances at him, raking my eyes over his swept back hair, the slight stubble on his chin and the way the muscles in his arms flex as he turns the wheel. The events of yesterday hang in the air, but I ignore it. After he left, I sat in bed for hours unable to sleep, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation to what happened last night. I felt like I had stepped outside of myself, no longer in control of my actions, then suddenly pulled back into my body. That's never happened to me before and to be honest, I was terrified.

Leo didn't help, looking at me like he wasn't sure what I'd do next. He spent the whole walk home distant, like he couldn't wait to get away from me. Then, decides to ask me out? I sigh, willing myself to focus on the present.

The drive to the restaurant is short and soon he's escorting me into the small restaurant.

"Table for two, under Ruiz."

The waitress grabs two menus and gestures for us to follow her. Leo places his hand on my back as we're led to our table, making tingles erupt all down my spine. I blush when he pulls out my chair, making sure I'm comfortable before sitting himself.

Dinner went well and we made some small talk, me mostly talking and him answering in one word answers. He barely told me anything about himself, staying vague despite me telling him stories from my childhood. His short responses made me feel like he regretted asking me out but each time I'd look down at my plate, I could feel Leo's gaze. He didn't take his eyes off me the entire time and while it unnerved me, it also made my thighs clench when I saw the heat within them.