Page 50 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)

Johan

I make my way down to the restaurant of the hotel, feeling a mix of anticipation and longing.

The sensuality and intensity of my time with Hannah linger in my mind.

Her touch and the way she made me feel still fresh.

The thought of leaving her to have dinner with Conrad and his mates feels like a chore, but I know I must keep up appearances.

As I enter the restaurant, I spot Conrad and his two friends already seated at a table near the window.

The city lights cast a warm glow over their faces, adding a cozy atmosphere to the elegant setting.

Conrad waves me over, a broad grin on his face.

Everyone is dressed impeccably, their outfits exuding an effortless elegance.

Conrad sports a tailored tweed jacket over a cashmere sweater, paired with wool trousers and polished brogues.

His scarf, made of the finest silk, drapes casually around his neck.

“Hey, man! There he is,” Conrad calls out as I approach. “Thought you got lost up there with your lady friend.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Not quite. You know how it is.”

“Everyone, this is Johan,” Conrad says, introducing me to his friends. “Johan, this is Mark and Peter.”

“Nice to meet you both,” I say, shaking their hands. I take a seat, the weight of the evening already starting to lift.

We peruse the menus and place our orders.

Just as the conversation begins to flow, my phone starts ringing.

I glance at the screen and see Astrid’s name.

Of course, it’s the evil bitch herself, and she’s calling via FaceTime.

I brace myself and answer, her face filling the screen as she waves at me.

“Hi, sweetheart,” I say, forcing a cheerful tone. “How are you feeling?”

“A bit better, thank you. Just wanted to say hello and see if you arrived well,” she replies, her eyes scanning the background. I can see the suspicion lurking just beneath her smile.

“I did, yes. I’m with the boys having dinner,” I say, turning the phone to show her the restaurant and the guys. Conrad and the others wave, playing along.

“Hi, Astrid!” Conrad calls out, grinning.

“Hello, everyone,” Astrid says, her smile widening, but there’s a glint of something else in her eyes. “Looks like a nice place.”

“It is,” I reply, keeping my tone light. “We’re just about to order.”

“Alright, don’t let me keep you. Just wanted to check in. Love you.”

“Love you too,” I say, ending the call and heaving a sigh of relief as I put the phone down.

“One week to go, and then you’re off to Oman,” Conrad says, clinking his champagne flute against mine.

“You bet,” I say, raising my glass. “To friendship.”

“To friendship,” everyone echoes, and we take a sip of the crisp, bubbly champagne.

As we dig into our dinner, my phone buzzes again. It’s a text message from Hannah, followed by a picture of her bare legs resting in a bathtub surrounded by bubbles. The caption reads, “ Having a good time? ”

I feel a rush of excitement and reply, “ Not as much as you. ”

“ Are you getting ready for me, baby? ” I type quickly, my heart pounding.

“ Oh yes, I want to make sure you enjoy yourself ,” she texts back.

Feeling my cock growing under my pants, I put the phone down and try to focus on my food, but my mind keeps drifting back to Hannah. The way she felt in my arms, the softness of her skin, the warmth of her breath against my neck—it all makes me ache to be back in that suite with her.

I can’t help but think about what we just shared, how she made me feel alive and whole. Sitting here, surrounded by chatter and laughter, feels almost surreal. I’d rather be upstairs, wrapped in the cocoon of our shared warmth, than here making small talk.

The conversation around the table shifts to my upcoming trip to Oman, and I force myself to engage, nodding along and contributing where I can.

Conrad and the others are excited, discussing logistics and what we can expect from the expedition.

Their enthusiasm is infectious, but my thoughts keep slipping back to Hannah.

As the evening wears on, I find myself checking the time more frequently, counting down the minutes until I can return to her. The food is excellent, but I hardly taste it. My mind is too preoccupied with the promise of what’s to come.

We finish our meal, and I make my excuses, saying I need to get some rest for the busy days ahead. Conrad claps me on the back, thanking me for joining them, and I nod, barely able to conceal my eagerness to leave.

Back in the elevator, I feel a rush of anticipation. The ride up seems to take forever, but finally, the doors open, and I practically run down the hallway to our suite. I open the door quietly, hoping to catch Hannah still in the bath.

She’s still there, her eyes closed, her legs draped over the edge of the tub, surrounded by bubbles. She looks up as I enter, a smile spreading across her face. “Welcome back,” she says softly.

I smile, feeling my heart swell with affection and desire. “I couldn’t stay away,” I say, stripping off my clothes and joining her in the warm water.

As I sink into the tub beside her, I know I made the right choice. The night is young, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here, with her, feeling her warmth and knowing that, for now, this moment is ours.