I let out a breathless laugh, shaking my head. “Don’t apologize. I’m glad you did.” I smirked. “Honestly, I just wish that stupid horn hadn’t interrupted us.”
He chuckled, the sound low and warm, but his gaze remained heated. “You have no idea how much I want you, Vinnie,” he said, his voice dropping to a husky tone that sent shivers down my spine. “But our first time isn’t going to be in this truck.” My breath caught at the intensity in his voice. There was no mistaking the sincerity behind his words.
His eyes locked on mine. “The things I want to do to you . . . I want to take my time. To explore every part of you. You deserve more than a quick moment.”
“You’re right,” I admitted softly, my voice almost a whisper. “But, for the record, I want more, too.”
“Then we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait,” he said, his thumb brushing against my cheek.
The tension between us didn’t fade. It only deepened, becoming something more meaningful, more powerful. As we drove in comfortable silence, the rain continued to patter against the windows, and the world outside became a blur of lights and shadows.
When we pulled up to my house, Ethan turned to me. “I had a great time today, Vinnie,” he said, his voice filled with warmth. “Even with the unexpected swim.”
“Me, too,” I replied. “Thank you for sharing that place with me.”
He leaned in again, pressing a lingering kiss to my lips that felt both sweet and full of promise. “I’ll text you later,” he murmured.
“Okay,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips as I watched him drive away into the pouring rain.
That night, as I settled into bed, and the events of the day replayed in my mind, my phone buzzed, and my heart did a little flip when I saw Ethan’s name light up the screen.
I bit my lip, remembering the intensity of that moment—the feel of his hands on me, the way our bodies pressed together. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, a thrill of excitement rushing through me.
His words sent a bolt of heat straight through me, my whole body reacting to the intensity of his promise. My breath hitched, and I felt a deep, insistent ache settle low in my belly. The thought of Ethan’s hands on me, his body pressed against mine, the way he had been so hard and eager—it all came rushing back, making my skin tingle with anticipation.
His reply was like a match to gasoline, igniting a fire inside me that left me breathless, the hunger for him overwhelming. Every word he typed seemed to stoke that fire, making me crave him in a way that was almost unbearable. The anticipation was driving me wild, and I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like when we finally gave in to the desire that had been building between us.
I could almost hear the low, husky tone of his voice in his words. It was a promise, a tease, and a challenge, all wrapped into one, and it made me burn for him even more.
His last message came through with a simple winking emoji, and I laughed as I settled back into my pillows. Sleep didn’t come easily that night, not with the thought of what was to come lingering in my mind.
Chapter 21
ICOULDN’T SHAKE ETHAN from my mind all weekend. His texts were a constant tease, each one more suggestive than the last, building the tension between us until it felt like a tightly wound string ready to snap. My body craved him with a need that left me restless, and no matter how much I tried to focus on other things, my thoughts kept drifting back to him—his touch, his lips, the way he looked at me like he wanted to devour me.
I threw myself into preparing the gallery, hoping the work would be enough to distract me. I spent hours painting, sorting through pieces, and arranging the space just right, tiring myself out enough that I could at least sleep at night. But even in my dreams, I couldn’t escape him. I’d wake up breathless, covered in sweat, the ache between my thighs a constant reminder of just how badly I wanted him. It was as if every part of me was attuned to him, and the anticipation was driving me wild.
Halloween was fast approaching, and the town was buzzing with excitement, as preparations for the Spooktacular Hallow’s Eve kicked into high gear. Pumpkins, flickering lanterns, and cobwebs that hung like eerie curtains from every streetlight and storefront decorated the streets of Hallow’s End.
Even though the big event was still a week away, the town square was already a hive of activity. The local volunteers were busy setting up the haunted house, a centerpiece that drew visitors from miles around every year. Transformed into a spine-chilling maze of horrors, the old, abandoned mansion had animatronic ghosts, skeletons, and hidden surprises waiting to spook the bravest souls.
In the square itself, a large stage was being constructed for the live performances scheduled throughout the Spooktacular weekend—everything from local bands playing eerie tunes, to storytelling sessions where kids and adults alike would gather to hear ghostly tales. Vendors were setting up stalls, preparing to sell hand-carved pumpkins, homemade pies, candles, and Halloween-themed crafts. It was a true celebration of the season, with every detail meticulously planned to create a magical atmosphere, and the energy in the air was contagious.
With the town gearing up for the event of the year, I’d decided to open The Cozy Canvas a week before the big weekend. The timing felt right, as tourists were already trickling into town, eager to soak up the Halloween spirit. I hoped that, by opening early, I could start building a reputation ahead of the main event.
As I hung the last of the paintings on the gallery walls, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for Ivy’s help. She had stepped in to manage the social media accounts, understanding how much was on my plate with the grand opening just days away. Ivy had been a lifeline, posting daily updates and countdowns that were both fun and engaging. Her content was a perfectblend of behind-the-scenes glimpses of the gallery coming together, playful shots of our progress, and even a few videos of Ethan and me working side by side. Those moments, sweeter than I’d expected, captured our budding relationship in a way that felt both tender and genuine.
Ivy had truly gone above and beyond, not just with the social media, but by setting up a GoFundMe page for the gallery, and organizing a raffle to help cover the costs of launching some lessons and workshops. The raffle prizes included private art sessions with me, and a beautifully curated giveaway basket filled with local business gems. The response from the community had been overwhelming, and it was touching to see how everyone rallied around The Cozy Canvas.
I knew Ivy’s help with social media was temporary, just until the gallery found its rhythm and everything settled into a routine. After the opening, I’d take over running the accounts and handling the day-to-day operations. But for now, Ivy’s support allowed me to focus on what mattered most: bringing my vision to life. Everything was coming together more beautifully than I could have hoped and, as the final touches were added to the gallery, I felt a swell of pride and anticipation for what was to come.
At the last town meeting, the community’s support for the gallery had been more than I could have imagined. People offered to help in any way they could, from donating supplies, to volunteering their time. It was a heartwarming reminder that Hallow’s End was a place where people truly cared about one another, where your neighbors became your friends, and where everyone looked out for each other. Experiencing that firsthand made me feel like I was finally part of something special—something I’d never had before.
Amidst all this, I received a text that caught me off guard. It was from my mom. She’d seen the social media posts, including one of Ethan and me together, and her message was surprisingly supportive. It was a timidtext, but it was clear she was trying. She even mentioned that Ethan seemedhandsome, which, coming from her, was a big step. It was a small gesture, but it meant a lot to me, like a bridge was being slowly built between us.
Before I knew it, Friday had rolled around again. The gallery was nearly ready, and Ivy and Amelia were there to help me with the final touches. We hung garlands of autumn leaves, arranged displays, and made sure everything was perfect for the opening. But, no matter how busy I was, my thoughts kept drifting back to Ethan, and I couldn’t stop thinking about seeing him tonight. I was a bundle of nerves and anticipation, eager for what the evening might bring.
As the day came to an end, and the last of the decorations were in place, I locked up the gallery with a sense of accomplishment. My thoughts were already on Ethan as I made my way to his place, the cool evening air nipping at my skin as I hurried along the familiar path. The excitement whispering inside me only grew as I approached his place.
