Chapter Twenty Six
All In
Emma
E than’s words settle over me, soft and steady, a promise that wraps itself around my heart. His gaze doesn’t waver, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I don’t feel the need to hold anything back. There’s no room for fear or doubt, only the steady rhythm of his breath against mine and the way he makes me feel like I’m the only thing that matters.
“I know,” I whisper, reaching up to brush my fingers along his jaw. “I trust you.”
The vulnerability in those words doesn’t scare me anymore—it anchors me, making me fall more in love with him than I thought possible. Ethan leans down, capturing my lips in a kiss that’s slow and deliberate, like he’s savoring it. The feel of him is comforting and every movement, every touch, sends sparks racing through my body.
He shifts slightly, his lips running down my neck, lingering on the sensitive spot just below my ear. One he clearly knows drives me insane. A shiver runs through me, and I arch into him, my fingers sliding over the broad expanse of his back, memorizing the way his muscles tense and flex under my touch.
“Emma,” he murmurs, his voice low and filled with reverence. “Tell me what you need.”
His eyes lock with mine, and for a moment, the world stands still. “You,” I whisper, my voice trembling with need. “I need you inside me, now.”
The way he looks at me—like I’m the only thing in the universe—steals every breath from my lungs. His lips brush against the corner of my mouth, soft and tender, before moving to my collarbone, leaving a path of fire in their wake. His hands find my hips, firm yet gentle, as he holds me in place beneath him.
When he pushes into me, the sensation is all-consuming. My body stretches to accommodate him, every inch of him filling me in a way that makes me gasp, my hands gripping his shoulders like they’re the only anchor I have. He doesn’t move right away, giving me a moment to adjust, his forehead pressing against mine as his breathing comes fast and ragged.
“Fuck, Emma,” he groans, his voice thick with restraint. “You feel… incredible.”
The sound of his words sends a shiver down my spine, igniting a fire deep inside me. My nails drag across his back, urging him to move, and when he finally does, it’s deliberate and slow, like he’s savoring every second. Each thrust is intentional, every movement a silent declaration of everything he feels but hasn’t said.
“I’m here,” he murmurs, his voice low and steady, grounding me in the moment. “I’m not letting you go.”
I cling to him, meeting him with a rhythm of my own, but it’s not enough. I want more—need more. Gathering my strength, I push against his chest, flipping us over until I’m straddling him. His hands immediately find my hips, steadying me as I move above him, rolling my hips in a slow, deliberate grind.
“Christ, Emma,” he growls, his head falling back against the pillow as his fingers dig into my flesh. “You’re going to kill me.”
A wicked smile tugs at my lips, and I lean forward, bracing my hands on his chest as I take him deeper. The angle is perfect, each movement sending jolts of pleasure through my body. He reaches up, cupping my breasts in his hands, his thumbs teasing over my sensitive nipples as he watches me with a mixture of awe and raw hunger.
“You’re so fucking perfect,” he murmurs, his voice strained. “Do you have any idea of the things you do to me? ”
I answer by leaning down to kiss him, my lips capturing his in a searing kiss that leaves us both gasping. He doesn’t let me stay in control for long. With a low growl, he shifts, rolling us until I’m on my hands and knees, his body pressing against mine from behind. The change in position sends a shockwave of pleasure through me, and I moan his name, my voice breaking.
“That’s it, baby,” he says, his hand sliding up my back to gently grip the nape of my neck. “Let me hear you.”
His other hand slips around to the front of my body, his fingers finding my clit with unerring precision. He circles it slowly, teasingly, as he moves inside me, the dual sensations leaving me trembling. I press back against him, desperate for more, and he obliges, his pace quickening as his grip on my neck tightens just enough to make my pulse race.
“You take me so well,” he whispers, his breath hot against my ear. “Every inch of you, so fucking perfect.”
The words, combined with the relentless pressure of his hand between my legs and the feel of him driving into me, push me closer to the edge. My body tightens, the pleasure building to a crescendo that feels almost unbearable.
“I’m so close,” I manage to gasp, my fingers gripping the sheets as my body begins to tremble.
“I’ve got you,” he murmurs, his hand on my neck sliding down to wrap around my waist, pulling me flush against him. His lips brush against my shoulder, his movements becoming more urgent as he chases his own release. “Come for me, Em. Let go.”
His words are my undoing. The tension snaps, and I cry out, my body shattering around him as wave after wave of pleasure crashes over me. He follows moments later, his grip on me tightening as he buries himself deep, his groan vibrating through me.
For a moment, neither of us moves, our bodies trembling as we come down from the high together. He holds me tightly, his lips pressing gentle kisses along my shoulder and the curve of my neck. It’s not just sex—it’s something more, something I can’t put into words but feel in every fiber of my being.
Finally, he pulls back just enough to turn me in his arms, his gaze soft as he brushes a strand of hair from my face. “You’re everything to me, Emma,” he says quietly, his voice raw with emotion. “Everything.”
I press a kiss to his lips, my heart full. “And you’re everything to me.”
As we lie tangled together, I can’t help but think that this moment—this —is worth every risk, every fear. Because with Ethan, I’m finally home.
Lying here in the stillness, his hands move over my skin, soothing and steady, as if he’s reassuring himself I’m really here.
“You’re it for me, Emma,” he says softly, his voice rough with emotion. “Always.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but they’re not from sadness. They’re from the overwhelming certainty that, for the first time in forever, everything feels exactly as it should.
“I love you, Ethan,” I whisper, the words coming as naturally as breathing.
His smile is soft and radiant. He kisses me again, slow and unhurried, like we have all the time in the world.
He shifts slightly, rolling us onto our sides without breaking the connection between us. His hand finds my cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear I didn’t realize had fallen.
“I love you too,” he says, his voice steady and filled with a depth that makes my heart ache in the best way. “I always have. I always will.”
The way he says it, like it’s a fact as certain as the sunrise, leaves no room for doubt. I let myself believe him, let myself fall into the safety of his arms. For the first time in what feels like forever, I don’t hold back. I let the fear go, at least for now, and let myself be fully present with him.
We lie there for a while, tangled together, the world outside the room forgotten. His fingers trace lazy patterns along my spine, sending shivers through me, and I tuck my face into the crook of his neck, breathing him in. He smells like the faintest hint of cologne mixed with something warm and familiar, something that’s purely him.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he says after a while, his voice soft and coaxing.
I hesitate, not because I don’t want to tell him, but because I’m not sure how to put it into words. “I’m thinking about how scared I was,” I admit finally, my voice muffled against his skin. “And how I’m still scared. But… I don’t want to be anymore.”
Ethan’s hand stills for a moment before he cups the back of my head, tilting my face up so I’m looking at him. His eyes are clear, steady, and impossibly kind. “We’ll figure it out,” he says firmly. “Together. You don’t have to figure this alone, Emma. I won’t let you.”
The sincerity in his voice is enough to make my chest tighten again, but this time it’s not fear—it’s something closer to hope. I nod, swallowing hard as I press a kiss to his shoulder, needing to ground myself in him.
“Together,” I echo, the word feeling foreign and comforting all at once.
Ethan shifts again, pulling the blankets over us as he tucks me against his side. His fingers thread through my hair, and I close my eyes, letting the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothe the last remnants of tension from my body. It’s quiet, peaceful, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, we’ve found our way back to each other for good.
As sleep starts to pull me under, Ethan’s voice cuts through the quiet, soft and sure. “You’re my forever, Emma. Don’t ever doubt that.”
A smile tugs at my lips, and I squeeze his hand gently, the weight of his words settling over me like a warm blanket. “And you’re mine,” I whisper back, the words feeling as certain as the beat of my own heart.
The room is quiet except for Ethan’s steady breathing beside me. He’s asleep, his arm draped over my waist, and for a moment, I just watch him. The lines of tension that used to crease his brow are gone, replaced with an expression of peace that makes my chest ache. He loves me. He said it, and I believe him. But there’s one thing left for me to do, and I can’t wait any longer.
I carefully shift out from under his arm, pressing a kiss to his temple as he stirs slightly. My feet find the cool floor, and I grab my phone and a jacket, slipping out of the room without waking him.
The hallway feels colder than before, my steps light as I make my way to the small sitting area near the elevators. I sit down, my phone resting in my lap, my heart racing with anticipation. I know what I have to do, but it’s going to take more than just words. Ethan deserves more than that—more than me just waiting for him to fix everything.
He’s fought for us every step of the way. Now it’s my turn.
I shake the thought away, forcing myself to focus. My fingers fly across the screen as I search for the flight Ethan will be on. My stomach twists. It’s a long shot—there’s no guarantee I’ll find it. But then I remember seeing his itinerary sitting out when he was packing last night. I hadn’t meant to snoop, but my eyes caught the flight number and departure time. Now, that memory feels like a lifeline.
I quickly type the details into the search bar, holding my breath as the page loads. The flight pops up, and my heart leaps. There’s one seat left in his section. Without hesitation, I book it, the confirmation email pinging into my inbox seconds later. Relief and determination flood through me. This is it. This is my moment to show Ethan that I’m done running.
The morning after brunch is already underway when I arrive. The room is filled with the low hum of conversation and the clinking of silverware against plates. I scan the crowd until I spot Ethan near the back, standing by the buffet line. He’s dressed casually, his posture relaxed .
I weave through the tables, my heart pounding as I approach him. He spots me before I reach him, his face softening with a smile that feels like coming home.
“Hey,” he says, his voice low and warm. “I was wondering when I’d see you.”
“Hey.” I glance at his bag, my throat tightening. “All packed?”
He nods, his smile faltering slightly. “Yeah. My flight’s in a few hours.”
The reality of him leaving hits me harder than I expected, but I force myself to smile. “I guess this is goodbye for now.” Knowing he is all packed is a stark reminder that he’s leaving soon.
Ethan steps closer, his hand brushing mine. “It won’t be for long, Emma. You know that.”
I swallow hard, my resolve strengthening. “Oh, I know,” I say, then wink at him.
He raises an eyebrow, clearly confused, but I don’t elaborate. Instead, I squeeze his hand and step back, giving him one last smile before heading toward the table where Sarah is waiting.
Ethan watches me go, his expression unreadable. What he doesn’t know—what I can’t wait to see his reaction to—is me showing up to the gate, ready to board the plane too.
……………………………………………………………
The airport is a blur of fluorescent lights and bustling travelers. I clutch my boarding pass tightly, my stomach a mix of nerves and excitement. My sneakers squeak against the tiled floor as I navigate through security and down the crowded terminal.
When I round the corner to the gate, I spot him immediately. He’s sitting near the window, a coffee cup in one hand, his phone in the other. He’s scrolling through something, oblivious to the world around him, and my heart skips a beat. He looks so calm, so composed, and for a second, I wonder if I should wait. But no.
It’s now or never, Emma.
I walk toward him, my steps quick but silent, until I’m standing a few feet away. He glances up, probably sensing someone approaching, and freezes when his eyes meet mine. His brows furrow in confusion, his phone lowering as he stands.
“Emma?” His voice is quiet but laced with disbelief. “What are you doing here?”
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of my words before I speak. “I’m here for you,” I say, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside me. “I want to do this together, Ethan. Whatever it takes. Wherever it takes us.”
His jaw tightens, and for a moment, he just stares at me like he’s not sure if I’m real. Then, in one fluid motion, he stands up and closes the distance between us, pulling me into his arms.
“You mean it?” he asks, his voice rough with emotion. “You’re really here?”
I nod against his chest, my arms tightening around him. “I’m all in,” I whisper. “No more running.”
Ethan pulls back just enough to cup my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to hear that.”
I smile, tears pricking my eyes. “I think I do. I’m all in, it’s only ever been you!”
The End