Chapter 59
It had beentwo days since we’d heard from Ethan. Two days since he’d rejected my proposal for us to move to San Francisco to be with him. I should have kept the conversation going while I had the chance. The silence was worse than him not being here. I had no idea what he was thinking. Or even if he was thinking of us.
I should have stopped to listen to him. But the rejection had cut deep. And I knew why. I didn’t think I was enough for Ethan. Sure, I was enough while he was here but we both knew that was short term. Filling a space in someone’s heart forever was a different story. And maybe he felt the same. That’s why he didn’t call.
I tried to be reasonable and calm my thoughts. But it was hard. The pragmatic side of me said if this is what ruined us, then we were never going to succeed. The emotional side rejected every sensible thought as my heart broke again and again.
I moored the boat and tied the lines before making my way down the jetty. Someone stood there waiting. Ethan.
I stopped dead in my tracks. I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he stood there in a wide stance, hands in his pockets, watching me. Ethan. Here. He walked towards me—slow, determined, his eyes searching mine.
What the hell was I standing here for? I ran into his open arms and clung to him like he was a lifebuoy in the middle of a vast ocean. He held me tight and rested his head on mine. I squeezed him tighter. My throat clogged as tears wet my cheeks. He kissed the top of my head.
I withdrew and looked up into his face. His pink lips. His thick eyebrows. His smooth kissable skin was covered in short stubble. Tears spilled from his hazel eyes. He cupped my cheeks with both hands and wiped my tears with his thumbs. He brought his lips to mine. Salt from his tears, our tears, mixed. His kiss filled every part of me that was empty from his absence. He smiled before he even ended the kiss. When I looked up into his sparkling hazel eyes, I realised that the first day I’d seen them I’d been a goner. I hadn’t even known if he was single then, but somehow I’d been smitten.
“This is our home, Jasmine. I want to live here with you and Bailey and Rose.”
“But what about your career? You’ve worked so hard for it.”
His thumbs ran over my cheekbones. “Moving here doesn’t mean I have to give it up. It just means it will look different.”
“What do you mean?”
He swiped his lips over mine. “I can teach classes online. Two Australian universities have expressed interest. I can work with you as a ranger during tourist season and can conduct research for the National Park Service or the university when I’m free.”
“Is that even possible?”
“It is. I’ve already arranged it. They told me they’d been re-evaluating the resourcing here, and they were going to employ a full-time ranger, so me only working during tourist season suits them.”
They hadn’t told me that.
“What about your brother and grandparents?”
“They support me. I can still visit. They can visit.”
“Will it be enough for you?” I needed to hear the words. I needed to make sure this was what he wanted. I held my breath, waiting for the answer.
“You are enough for me. You are everything.” He released me and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small box and opened it. “Jasmine, will you marry me?”
I stared at the ring. Silver. Swirls like ocean waves encircling a stone the colour of the bay. I pulled the ring out. On the inner surface, the words love is us were inscribed. I adored it as much as I adored him.
I handed the ring to Ethan who was studying me. Then I held out my hand. “Absolutely.”
He grinned as he slid the ring on my finger. “You had me worried.”
“You never need to be worried about my love for you. It’s as eternal as the ocean.” I flung my arms around his neck and kissed him. Then I took his hand and led him towards home. “We have two hours before the kids come home.”
“Good. We have months to make up for.”
As soon as we entered the door, Ethan spun me around to face him. He unzipped my jacket and peeled it off my shoulders. His hands following the sleeves left shivers along my skin. He started to undo the buttons of my shirt. This was taking too long. I slapped his hand away, grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. I made similar speed with my bra.
Before I could get any further, Ethan pulled me against him. His strong hands rested on my bare skin as his lips made their way across my collarbone to my neck. Tingles spread through me.
“I missed you so much,” he said.
I pulled away and stepped back, undoing my boots. Then I turned and undid my pants while I walked. “Are you coming?”
I glanced over my shoulder. Ethan was following, stripping as he walked. He caught up to me and wrapped his arm around my waist, slowing my pace. When we reached the bed, he stopped. One hand went to my breast, teasing it the way he loved to do. The way I loved him to do. I pushed myself against him. His hard dick pressed into me.
Ethan’s other hand made its way between my legs, his fingers rubbing and playing. My breath quickened. He kissed my neck. How was he so coordinated?
“You’re so wet.”
I moaned, opened my legs, and pushed myself against his hand.
“You want more?” he asked.
What was more? Fingers. Tongue. Dick. I wanted it all. I nodded.
Ethan pushed me onto the bed. “Higher.”
I scrambled up the bed. Ethan followed, his fingers inside me instantly. He stuck another one in and pumped. Tightness spread through my body. I raised my hips, increasing the friction. His thumb pressed against my clit, rubbing in time with his fingers. Tightness turned to shaking. Ethan’s fingers were relentless. Shaking turned into convulsions. I threw my head back and cried out.
My convulsions subsided. Ethan didn’t wait for them to stop. His dick replaced his fingers. He pumped hard and fast. I tried to catch my breath. I couldn’t. I cried out again as another orgasm swept through me. Ethan rode me through it. My fingers dug into his back. Unbelievable. How could sex get any better?
Ethan grunted as my hips met his thrust for thrust. His shoulders tensed first. Then his back. His hips lost momentum. I kept mine going. His breath caught and his whole body stiffened. We stopped pumping altogether. Only his dick moved.
I soaked up the sound as a moan mixed with a grunt expanded his chest. Harsh breathing followed. He must have been holding his breath. Ethan kissed me, sloppy and quick, before rolling off me. The winter air was cool against my sweating skin. I never knew a man having an orgasm was so freaking hot.
I reached for his hand. “How could I say no to marrying Sex on Legs?”
He chuckled. “OQ would never say no.”