14. All Too Sudden （Ethan）
ALL TOO SUDDEN (ETHAN)
I t’s a hard damn thing to accept when life starts going too well.
Most people just take it at face value.
They’re not naturally suspicious of happiness, but I’ve learned it’s the kind of thing you can’t trust.
It doesn’t last.
Life has this way of dangling it under your nose like a carrot, making you think you want it—making you think you can have it—right before snatching it away.
It’s been a few weeks since Hattie and I started fucking, and everything feels too easy.
That has its benefits. The thought of marrying her come July no longer feels like drowning.
That alone should worry me.
When I first learned about the marriage clause, I was livid. Disturbed the old man went that far to make sure I’d tie the knot with a woman I barely knew.
Now, I’ve accepted my fate.
Hell, I don’t mind it.
Six months of easy conversations and soul-soaring sex doesn’t scare me.
Another reason I should worry.
But my worries feel as distant as the receding shore as we take Gramps’ yacht out for one last spin.
It’s been a harder decision than I let on, coming to terms with selling the yacht and the old house. There are so many memories attached to this place.
The happiest times of my youth still live there, the days before I found out just how stifling and brutal life can be.
Ares sunbathes on the deck with Hattie’s flip-flops beside him and an old chew bone under his paws.
He seems comfortable in his new life with us, ready to lumber up for walks or deliver a few slobbery dog kisses between napping the rest of the day.
Surprisingly, Ares is the easiest part Gramps left behind.
Selling the house is going to take serious time and probably a lot of emotional second-guessing from Margot and Cleo. There’s also more inheritance to sort out with both of them, and I told Wilkes I wouldn’t interfere when the time comes.
Maybe I’ll keep the yacht after all.
It’s not like I have any special need for it, but it would be a shame to see it go. Especially when Ares is still around to enjoy the summer sunsets and the wind blowing his mile-long ears back.
I snort, shaking my head.
When did I go so soft? When did I start caring what this geriatric dog wants so much?
Even so, the boat has a certain charm aside from Ares.
The steel railings are warm under my arms as I lean forward, letting the wind rush over my head and my hair. The deck rocks slowly under me as we ride the shallow waves, cruising gently not far off the shore.
Sometimes, I still want to dive in, even knowing how cold the water gets.
Gramps used to take me swimming with the rest of the kids. We’d cannonball off the side of the yacht into the water and do quick laps around offshore rocks and shallow areas. It was always refreshing to feel the frigid bite against my skin in the summer heat.
Like clockwork, my mind goes to Hattie. The way she leaped off the side of this yacht because I told her a legendary author was just a quick swim away.
Impulsive little dork.
And a dick move by yours truly.
I shake my head again, trying to clear it as Ares abandons his chew and trots over to chase off a stowaway seagull on the deck.
The old hound never comes close, bellowing a couple low woofs before the bird takes off, but you’ve got to admire his effort.
“Hey,” Hattie says, sliding up with drinks in her hands. A cocktail for her—a green martini, by the looks of it—and plain whiskey for me.
“Hey yourself.” I swirl the drink, wrapping a grateful arm around her waist.
Being with her feels weirdly natural.
Another problem, even if I can’t believe it’s a dire one.
“Having a nice time out here?” I ask. “Ares has guard duty covered. No worries about stepping on any bird shit.”
She laughs and her head falls lightly against my shoulder, leaning into me.
She’s wearing a yellow sundress today that shows her cleavage and incredible legs. It’s damnably hard not to rip it off her and fuck her through the floor.
Aside from a couple crewmen for navigation at the helm, we’re alone, which makes the thought of getting that sundress off impossible to ignore.
“It’s nice to be out here again. I forgot how relaxing this boat could be,” she says dreamily. “How was your morning? Seems like you were busy.”
“Well, there’s good news.” I reach down and kiss her shoulder, then her ear until her breath stutters.
My cock hardens, wickedly tuned to her every breath by now.
“I’ve had some long discussions with Daley about that lodge he had planned.
If everything checks out, we’ll be breaking ground on it next year. ”
“See? I knew he wasn’t so terrible,” she teases.
I nip at her warningly.
“He’s still too fucking smarmy for his own good. We’re taking this one small step at a time.”
“You’re just saying that because his teeth are whiter than yours.”
“I’m saying that because I need to put him in his place. And I don’t need my fiancée having anything to do with his horndog ass.” I trail my other hand down her waist.
I’m well-aware I’m being overprotective and idiotically jealous.
Sue me.
She’s my fiancée, dammit.
If I’m not allowed to flex a little, then who am I allowed to be overprotective with?
She giggles, turning in my arms so she’s looking up at me.
“You could just admit I was right. It isn’t hard.”
“You know that goes against my principles, Pages.”
“What? Admitting I was right for once?”
“Admitting I’m wrong,” I growl, stroking over her bottom lip with my thumb. She’s adorably makeup free today, freckles dusting the bridge of her nose and cheeks. “Perhaps I could be persuaded it isn’t the end of the world.”
“ Ethan .” She laughs again.
I can’t believe how much it thrills me.
Everything about this girl is insatiable.
“You’re impossible,” she whispers, but she wraps her arms around my waist so her breasts push against my chest. “So things are going that well with Cooper? I’m kind of surprised.”
“Well enough. Like I said, no big deals overnight, but the odds that there’ll be one are growing,” I confirm. “And yes, you can take credit if and when the place opens—if we get that far—so stop smirking at me, brat.”
She grins. “You love it.”
“Let’s not get carried away.” Although I would like to get carried away. Ideally, right here on the deck with far less clothes, if only we didn’t have the slight risk of an audience. “What about you? Good morning?”
“Actually, yes!” She breaks away to take an excited drink of her martini while I savor another look at that dress. Honey yellow, which might be my new favorite color as long as it’s on her.
That low square neckline suits her so well.
It’s an effort to keep my gaze pinned to her face.
If she’s noticed how rock hard I am or that feral glint in my eye, she doesn’t show any sign of it, just beaming at me when she meets my eyes again.
“Oh, forgot to tell you, I think I’m close to figuring out our theme for the store—viral books!” She announces it like she’s just solved world hunger. Her enthusiasm is infectious.
“Viral what?” I blink at her.
“You know, popular stuff from Booktok or Bookstagram? The book-loving side of social media? So many new books blow up there and get discovered.”
I’m aware of social media, yes, but it’s never been my bag.
I don’t keep any active profiles for unloading personal moments. When you’re me, the last thing you want is to invite a bunch of anonymous interlopers to drool over your life.
Margot says it’s bad enough on Instagram, the avalanche of DMs she gets for being an attractive young woman and a Blackthorn with a shoe obsession.
Entertaining strangers who don’t have the patience to be entertained beyond a twenty-second clip?
Fuck that.
“People get book recommendations from influencers now?” I ask, but I’m not surprised.
“Yes, they do, granddad ,” she teases.
I wonder if she’d notice if I manhandled her thigh.
Would she keep talking books if I hiked up her skirt and fucked her with my fingers right here on the deck?
My dick throbs, demanding an answer.
“Booktok,” I snarl it like a curse, pulling her closer, turning her so my body shields her from view. “What’s your plan? And don’t tell me these are coloring books?”
She laughs, giving me a suspicious look.
“No, a lot of them are romance and thrillers. Some fantasy. Fast-paced reads with a bit of action and spice gets a ton of attention and—um, what are you doing?”
“Listening intently to my fiancée’s business plans. What does it look like?” I slide my hands around to her ass and squeeze. “Keep talking. I’m all ears.”
“Like hell.”
“Hanging on every word.” I squeeze her lush cheeks again for emphasis, watching as her eyes darken with delight. That ass is a masterpiece made for the sweetest insanity. “You were talking about your pulp fiction? How readers like their smut? Fast and hard novels?”
Laughing, she shakes her head.
“Well, close enough. There’s no controlling reader tastes.
The books go viral and get millions of views for good reason.
They’re not just smut, though. They’re well written and exciting.
” She licks her lips as my hands dip to the hem of her dress, then crawl up under it.
“Anyway, I thought maybe if we pivot and feature popular books, we’ll bring in younger readers and help support authors too.
We could even stock up on fancy special editions or host signings and book clubs for more attention. ”
“I see.” I gently ease her thighs apart. “So, you’re going to fill the store with books no reader over forty has ever heard of?”