Chapter 23
Ethan’s smolderinggaze sears into me as we step into the inn, his eyes filled with a fierce intensity that steals the air from my lungs. My heart pounds against my rib cage, threatening to burst free, as he closes the distance between us. The intoxicating scent of his cologne, a tantalizing blend of cedarwood and citrus, envelops me like a warm embrace. I clench my fists at my sides, fighting the overwhelming urge to melt into his strong arms and lose myself in his essence.
His fingers, rough yet gentle, glide along the delicate line of my jaw. A delicious ripple races down my spine, my skin tingling from his featherlight touch. “Lily . . .” My name falls from his lips like a prayer, his voice low and husky, dripping with unspoken desire. The sound sends liquid heat coursing through my veins, pooling in the pit of my stomach.
The back of his hand caresses my jaw, and I tremble beneath his touch, my breath hitching in my throat. Sparks of electricity ignite beneath my skin, setting every nerve ending ablaze. His eyes darken with a mix of tenderness and hunger as a devastating smirk tugs at the corners of his sinful mouth.
“You’re so beautiful when you’re flustered,” he murmurs, his breath ghosting over my heated skin. I bite my lip, my heart fluttering wildly in my chest, torn between the desire to surrender to his touch and the fear of losing myself completely in the depths of his eyes.
He leans in, his warm breath caressing my cheek. My pulse thunders in my ears as his lips brush my jaw, igniting every nerve ending. “Tell me to stop . . .” he whispers, his words a delicious temptation.
I can’t think, can barely breathe. Every fiber of my being craves his kiss, his touch. But the fear still lingers, a nagging voice of caution. We’re getting too close, what if I fall.
He moves closer, the heat of his body enveloping me. I’m transfixed by the intensity smoldering in his eyes, my pulse racing. Ethan’s presence is utterly intoxicating, overwhelming my senses.
His thumb traces the curve of my lips, and I can’t stifle the soft whimper that escapes.
“Ethan . . .” I whisper, my voice trembling with longing and trepidation. A low rumble echoes in his chest as his fingers thread through my hair, cradling my head.
The pads of his fingers graze the nape of my neck, sending delicious shivers ricocheting down my spine. Part of me is still paralyzed by fear—fear of losing myself, of getting hurt again. The wounds from my past relationships are still raw. But the blazing hunger in Ethan’s gaze ignites a firestorm of desire that threatens to consume me whole.
“Tell me you want this, Lily,” he murmurs, his lips a hairsbreadth from mine. “Tell me you need me the way I need you.”
I’m speechless and mesmerized, drowning in the depths of his eyes. With a trembling hand, I reach up to trace the chiseled line of his jaw, reveling in the roughness of his five o’clock shadow.
“I . . .” The words catch in my throat as a plethora of emotions swirls within me—desire, fear, hope, surrender. But one truth rings clear—I need him too.
“Yes . . .” I breathe, throwing caution to the wind.
“God help me, I want this . . .” A low growl rumbles in Ethan’s throat as his mouth crashes into mine with searing intensity.
Ethan’s lips are hot and demanding against mine, igniting a fire that blazes through my entire body. His hand tightens in my hair, pulling me closer as he deepens the kiss. I melt into him, surrendering to the intoxicating sensation of his touch.
His other hand slides down my back, pressing me against his hard chest. I can feel the rapid thump of his heart beneath my palm, mirroring the frantic beat of mine.
Our tongues dance and tangle, exploring each other with a desperate hunger. I run my fingers through his soft hair, feeling the tension slowly melting away from his body as we lose ourselves in this moment.
But just as quickly as it began, Ethan pulls away slightly, resting his forehead against mine. We’re both breathless, panting with desire and need.
“I wanted to do that in the restaurant,” he whispers, his voice husky and raw with emotion.
My heart swells with warmth and joy at his words. “Me too,” I confess softly.
He leans in again and captures my lips in another searing kiss. This one is slower, more sensual—a gentle exploration of each other’s mouths. His hands roam over my body, memorizing every curve and dip as if it’s the most precious thing in the world. And to me, it is.
I cling to Ethan, my fingers tangled in his soft hair, wishing we could stay trapped in this perfect moment forever—just the two of us, our bodies merged, the world fading away until nothing exists but our shared breaths and racing hearts. But as much as I want to stay lost in his embrace, the burning in my lungs forces us to reluctantly break apart, our chests heaving as we struggle to catch our breath.
Ethan’s strong hands grip my waist, guiding me backwards until my shoulder blades press against the cool, unyielding wall. The contrast of the chilly surface against my flushed skin sends a shiver racing down my spine. He leans in close, his muscular frame towering over me, pinning me in place with the sheer force of his presence.
I tilt my head back, my gaze locking with his, and the smoldering intensity in his eyes steals the air from my lungs once more. The intoxicating scent of his cologne, a tantalizing blend of rich, earthy notes, envelops me, making my head spin with desire.
His full lips quirk into a crooked smirk. “You’re trembling.” The rumble of his voice makes me quake.
Am I? I try to still the slight quaking of my limbs, but it’s useless with him so close. “It’s just . . . you . . .” I trail off, flustered.
Ethan leans in, his breath warm against my cheek. “Just me what?” He brings a hand up to brush a stray strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering to trace my jaw.
I swallow hard, my pulse pounding in my ears. Why is it so difficult to form a coherent thought around him? “You’ve rendered me utterly incoherent,” I finally manage.
A low chuckle rumbles from deep in his chest. “I like you like this.” His thumb grazes my parted lips, igniting sparks low in my belly.
Emboldened by desire, I find some strength within me. I grip the front of his shirt and yank him closer until our bodies are flush. “Then you’re going to love me like this . . .” I crush my mouth to his in a searing kiss.
Without asking, without giving me time to think, Ethan captures my mouth with his, his hands firm on my hips, drawing me nearer to him. I sense his arousal. He’s just as eager to possess me. His lips move hungrily against mine, exuding demand and unrestrained passion.
I reciprocate with equal fervor, my fingers entwining at the back of his neck as I press myself against his sturdy chest. A deep, guttural groan escapes him when our bodies align and his desire presses urgently into me.
One of Ethan’s hands glides up my side, the roughness of his fingertips leaving goose bumps before cradling the back of my head to deepen our kiss. I surrender to his embrace, the world around us fading into insignificance as we meld together—our lips moving seamlessly, the roughness of his stubble grazing my flushed skin, and the frantic beat of my heart syncing with his.
When we eventually part, chests rising and falling rapidly, Ethan leans his forehead against mine. His fiery gaze captivates me, mirroring the scorching desire coursing through me. “Lily,” he rasps out reverently, the longing in his voice laces every syllable of my name. “What are you doing to me?”
My eyes fly to his, equal parts desire and disbelief coursing through me. “Ethan, the question is, what are you doing?” I manage to breathe out.
His gaze holds mine, dark and intense. “Something I’ve wanted to do forwhat it feels like far too long.” The rough timbre of his voice triggers a spark.
“You’ve been driving me crazy all night in this little skirt,” he murmurs, leaning in so his lips brush the shell of my ear, as he lifts it and skirts his fingers along my thigh until he finds my cunt. “The way it rides up when you walk, teasing me with glimpses of your thighs . . .” A rumble of longing colors his words.
I clutch at the hard planes of his chest, silently urging him closer.
“We . . .” I start to protest, but the words rapidly dissolve into a throaty moan as he increases the pressure. Traitorous heat licks along my veins.
“Shhh.” His free hand comes up to cup my cheek, tilting my face until our foreheads touch. “Let me take care of you, Lily.”
I want to remind him that he already has and that I want more, but just like that, I’m facing his blazing intensity. I give myself over to the inferno with a needy whimper, arching shamelessly against his hand.
His fingers work with skilled precision, alternating between light teasing strokes and more insistent circles over my slick flesh. I pant against the warm skin of his neck, intoxicated by his scent and the firm muscles shifting beneath his shirt as he fucks me with his hand.
“God, you’re so wet for me,” Ethan groans in appreciation. “Have you been thinking about this? Imagining my hands on you?”
I can barely nod as a tremor races through me at his words.
“I can’t hear you,” he suddenly stops.
“Yes,” I confess on a ragged exhale. “I’ve thought about it.”
He rewards me with a rasping growl and a firmer stroke that whites out my vision. “Then let go, Lily. I’ve got you.”
Throwing caution to the wind, I wind my arms around his neck and let the sinful sensations take over me. I’m vaguely aware of our surroundings, but it all fades into a blissful buzz. All that matters is Ethan and the exquisite unraveling building from a tight, throbbing knot low in my core.
With a muttered curse, he captures my desperate whimpers in a searing kiss, swallowing every gasp and moan as I spiral higher and higher under his skilled touch. The world contracts until there’s nothing left but scorching pleasure . . . and then I’m shattering apart in his arms with a broken cry.
My bones feel like liquid after that mind-numbing release. As the tremors subside, I sag bonelessly against Ethan’s solid frame, clinging to him while trying to catch my breath. His strong arms encircle me, holding me up, holding me together.
“Christ, Lily . . .” he murmurs roughly against my temple. “You’re amazing.”
I can only manage a weak hum of contentment in response, too dazed and satiated to form coherent words. My nerve endings still fizz from the explosive climax he’d coaxed from me with those wicked fingers.
Drawing back slightly, Ethan cups my flushed cheek and searches my eyes intently. “You okay?”
I manage a faint nod, getting lost in his storm-tossed gaze. Those emerald eyes reveal so much—desire, tenderness, protectiveness. A potent brew that makes my newly-sated body thrum with renewed longing.
I stretch up on my tiptoes to brush my lips against his once more—a soft, lingering kiss. When I pull back, his eyes smolder with hunger.
“What are you thinking, Ethan?” I whisper.