Chapter 31
The sleek high-risecomes into view as I make the short drive to Ethan’s penthouse. Sterile and soulless, just as expected. The minimalist décor boasts more dollar signs than personality. Everything is crisp edges and cold surfaces, like a showroom, not a home.
The elevator doors slide open with a soft ping. Ethan’s hand finds the small of my back, warmth spreading through the thin fabric of my dress. My breath catches as we step into the foyer.
His cologne envelops me, mixing with the cozy scents of old books and leather. “Welcome to my humble abode,” he says, a playful grin lighting up his face.
The living room is all minimalist chic. White walls, sleek furniture, not a personal item in sight. It looks like a luxury model unit, not a home.
Ethan gestures to the stark gray couch. “Have a seat. Can I get you a drink?”
My knees wobble as I perch on the edge of the cushion. “This place is . . . Have you thought about adding a few personal touches to it?”
He laughs. “The walls could use some of your art, but we can talk about the décor later. Why don’t I get you something to drink and you tell me about today’s adventure with my mother. I doubt it was pleasant.”
Unpleasant is a way to put it. I don’t know how to describe the woman other than overbearing, self-centered, and demanding. But I don’t think this is the time to tell him that I can’t stand the woman and she probably hates me.
Not a great way to start this relationship—if we start one. Which I hope we do because I really like him. More than like him. I think I’m falling for him. Though I don’t plan on vomiting my feelings so I just say, “Water would be great, thanks.”
Ethan returns with two glasses. When our fingers brush during the handoff, a regular jolt passes between us.
He settles beside me, close but not touching—the air hums with possibility. I take a sip, eyes catching on the perspiration beading down the glass—a distraction from the heat building inside me.
Why are we doing this to each other? Things were so simple on the road. Does this mean that we can’t work on things now that we’re in the real world?
“So . . .” Ethan’s voice is a rumble. My gaze snaps to his. “Umm . . . Do you want dinner? What do you want us to do first? I can give you a tour of the place. Or . . .” I’m not sure if it’s an innuendo or why his voice went down to that husky I-want-to-fuck you tone, but I say, “I think you know exactly what I want.”
Ethan’s eyes darken, his lips curving into a sensual smile. “I was honestly offering you food, but deep down hoping you’d say that.”
Ethan’s hand slides up my thigh, his touch igniting a fire within me. I close my eyes, savoring the sensation of his fingers tracing patterns on my skin.
His breath tickles my ear, the warmth sending tingles racing down my neck. “I’ve been wanting to do this since you let me in your apartment last night.” Ethan’s deep voice is husky with desire.
My heart hammers against my ribs as his hand grazes my waist, pulling me flush against his solid frame. The rough denim of his jeans scratches my bare thighs. I inhale his musky scent— something uniquely Ethan.
This close, I can make out the flecks of gold in his green eyes, the razor-sharp angle of his jaw. With shaking fingers, I trace the curve of his full lips. “What are you waiting for?” I whisper, voice trembling.
A growl rumbles in his chest as he captures my mouth in a searing kiss. Need detonates inside me like a flare of gasoline meeting a spark. Our tongues tangle in a heated duel as he walks me backward until my back meets the wall.
He breaks the kiss, trailing molten lips down my neck. “I want to taste every inch of you.”
I whimper, arching into him. My skin is feverish, nerves sparking with unbearable yearning. “Please . . .” It’s a raw, vulnerable plea torn from my depths.
He lifts me effortlessly, pinning me against the wall as my legs lock around his waist. Our ragged breaths intermingle in the charged air. This delicious friction, this exquisite torment. . . it’s too much and not enough all at once.
“You’re mine,” he rasps against the throbbing pulse in my throat. A possessive promise that strokes the deepest longings in my soul.
I clutch at the hard planes of his back, nails raking as I fight for purchase in the riptide of desire swirling between us. I’m swaying at the edge, ready to tumble over into sweet oblivion . . .
Heat scorches my cheeks as our frantic hands tug my clothes. With each layer stripped away, the dizzying scent of desire thickens in the air.
Ethan’s calloused palms blaze trails over the sensitive peaks of my breasts, igniting fireworks behind my eyelids.
“Look at me,” he commands roughly, cupping my face.
I open my eyes, breath catching at the blazing intensity in his gaze. He looks at me like I’m the most precious, most desirable creature to ever exist. The reverence undoes me.
Keeping our bodies intimately fused, he carries me toward the dining table. “This is where I’m going to worship you.”
A tremor wracks my form as he lays me back on the cool, hardwood surface. He settles between my thighs, the delicious promise in his darkened eyes stealing what’s left of my breath.
“Let me hear those beautiful sounds,” he murmurs against the fevered skin of my inner thigh.
I keen shakily as his mouth travels higher, his tongue lashing in wicked strokes. The first velvet caress against my aching bud has me arching violently off the table.
“Ethan,” I cry out, fingers burying in his tousled hair to anchor myself.
He growls in response, the vibrations ricocheting through me in rapturous waves. I’m dissolving, pleasure swamping my senses until there’s nothing left but the scorching lap of his talented tongue.
“Oh God . . . p-please . . .” I’m begging shamelessly now, babbling incoherently.
He answers by increasing the sweet torment, probing deeper with his wicked tongue. I shatter apart with a broken wail, back bowing as white-hot ecstasy obliterates rational thought.
I hear the feral rumble of his voice. “I’m going to drink up every drop, baby . . .”
Suddenly, the sound of an elevator bell breaks through our heated moment, followed by a sharp, disapproving voice. “Ethan James Montgomery, what in the name of God are you doing?”
We freeze, our eyes widening in shock as we realize Ethan’s mother has walked in on us in this compromising position. My heart pounds in my chest, a mixture of embarrassment and frustration coursing through my veins. Of all the moments for her to show up unannounced, it had to be now.
“What are you doing, Ethan? And on the table?” Her voice drips with disbelief, her eyes narrowing as she takes in the scene before her.
“F-fuck . . . Mom,” Ethan stammers, frozen with one arm still wrapped protectively around my waist. His face flushes a deep red, a mix of embarrassment and annoyance in his eyes. “What happened to ringing the bell? It’s not a hard concept.”
I can’t bring myself to meet his mother’s stunned gaze, my cheeks burning with shame. “Lily, is that you?”
“Umm, hi, Mrs. Montgomery,” I say, closing my legs and wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole. My stomach churns, and I fight the urge to hide behind Ethan.
Mrs. Montgomery’s lips curl into a sneer, her eyes cold and judgmental. “I see why you were in such a hurry during the cake tasting. You should be ashamed of yourself,” she says, her words cutting through me like a knife. “It’s not surprising that you’re alone—you’re an easy woman.”
Ethan hands me his shirt, his jaw clenching as he glares at his mother. “Get out, Mother,” he says, his voice low and controlled, but I can hear the anger simmering beneath the surface.
“Is that the way you treat the woman who gave you life?” Mrs. Montgomery asks, her tone indignant and self-righteous.
“No, that’s the way I’m defending the woman I love,” he says, his voice firm and unwavering. My heart skips a beat at his words, a warmth spreading through my chest despite the tense situation.
“The woman you what?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. I’m unsure of how to feel about those words, especially in this awkward and uncomfortable moment. This is definitely not the place for such a declaration.
Mrs. Montgomery begins, her face twisted in disgust. “You can’t possibly be in love with her. She’s an insolent person who can’t?—”
“Stop, Mother,” Ethan says, his voice rising as he steps forward, placing himself between his mother and me. His shoulders are tense, his hands balled into fists at his sides. “I won’t let you speak about Lily that way. She’s the woman I love, and if you can’t accept that, then I suggest you leave.”
I stare at Ethan, my heart pounding in my chest as his words echo in my mind. “You love me?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly.
Ethan turns to face me, his eyes softening as he takes my hands in his. “This isn’t how I wanted you to find out.” He huffs out a self-deprecating chuckle, running a thumb over my knuckles.
“You love me.” My breath catches in my throat, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I was afraid I would never hear those words from him.
“Ethan.” His mother’s voice scratches the back of my brain, grating on my nerves and pulling me back to the uncomfortable reality of the situation.
I turn to her, my eyes narrowing as frustration and anger bubble up inside me. “Do you mind?” I ask, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “We’re having a moment here, lady. Not everything is about you. Not the cake, not Dom and Cleo’s wedding, and definitely not right now.” I cross my arms, my stance defiant as I stare her down.
“Mom, please leave. I’ll call you tomorrow,” Ethan says, his gaze never leaving mine. The intensity in his eyes sends a flutter through my stomach, and I find myself getting lost in their depths.
“But she’s—” his mother begins, her face contorted in disapproval.
“Stop right there before you ruin our relationship,” he threatens her, his voice low and dangerous as he moves toward her.
He calls the elevator, his finger jabbing the button with more force than necessary.
“I don’t approve of this,” she says, her voice cold and clipped. “You’re making a mistake, Ethan. She’s not good enough for you.” Her words cut through me like a knife, and I flinch, my heart clenching painfully in my chest.
Ethan’s jaw clenches, and I can feel the tension radiating from his body. “That’s not your decision to make, Mother,” he says, his voice firm and unwavering. “I love Lily, who by the way is an amazing woman. Best of all, she loves me. That’s all that matters.” He takes my hand, squeezing it reassuringly, and I feel a surge of strength and love flow through me.
“I don’t understand why you’re doing this,” she says, her brow furrowed in confusion. “I came to see you and hoped that you’ll let your father and I stay here, as usual.”
Ethan scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’ll be pretty weird,” he says, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “With Lily and I having sex on all the surfaces of the penthouse and . . . Let’s not do this. If you need help, I’ll pay for your hotel accommodation.”
“You might not want to hear this, but you deserve better than her,” his mother says as the elevator doors open, her tone dripping with disdain.
Ethan’s grip on my hand tightens, and he pulls me closer to him, his arm wrapping protectively around my waist. “No, Mother, I deserve to be happy, and Lily makes me happier than I’ve ever been. If you can’t accept that, then I’m sorry, but I won’t let you disrespect the woman I love.”
Once the elevator doors close, he locks them so no one can access his floor. “You have to stop distracting me, Lily Harper,” he says, a playful glint in his eyes as he pulls me closer.
“What did I do?” I ask innocently, batting my lashes at him, yet my heart is soaring because he loves me.
“I was so busy thinking of you that I forgot to lock the elevator,” he says, mocking horror, his hand clutching his chest dramatically.
“Yeah, but thanks to that, you told me that . . . you love me.” I grin, biting my lower lip as I gaze up at him through my lashes.
“I was getting to it,” he says, his voice low and husky as he leans in, his nose brushing against mine. “But I was prioritizing.”
“Who says romance isn’t dead?” I tease, my hands sliding up his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm.
“What matters is that you’re the most important woman in the world to me, and I love you. I think I fell in love between listening to your crazy plan and . . . getting to know every little detail about you.” His words are sincere, his eyes shining with adoration, and I feel my heart melt.
“There’s still a lot we need to learn about each other,” I say softly, my fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.
“We have all the time in the world.” The way he says it, hopeful and determined, takes my breath away. His arms tighten around me, and I feel safe, loved, and cherished.
“I love you, Ethan Montgomery. Even with your schedules and your plans and . . . I love you because you have a big heart and are amazing and protective, and no matter what I come up with, you are determined to have a good time.” The words tumble out of me, my heart overflowing with emotion.
Ethan’s smile is blinding, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he leans in, capturing my lips in a tender, passionate kiss. I melt into him, my body molding to his as our tongues dance and explore. The world falls away, and all that matters is this moment, our love, and the future that we might hopefully spend together.