I might be falling in love with him.
The realization made my breath catch, but I kept it tucked away, not wanting to rush into something so profound while still caught up in the moment’s bliss. Yet, the feeling that being with Ethan felt right—like this was where I was meant to be—lingered, warm and reassuring.
I smiled up at him, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw as I whispered, “I’m not done with you, either.”
After a moment of shared smiles and lingering touches, Ethan gently scooped me up, carrying me to the bedroom. The atmosphere had shifted—still charged with desire, but softened by something deeper, more intimate. He laid me down on the bed with a tenderness, his gaze never leaving mine.
This time, there was no rush. We took our time, exploring each other with a newfound curiosity and reverence. His hands traced every curve of my body, his touch feather-light, as if memorizing every detail. I responded in kind, letting my fingers glide over his skin. Our lips met in a kiss that was both soft and deep, filled with all the emotions we couldn’t—wouldn’t—yet put into words. His hands cradled my face as he kissed me, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks, grounding me in the moment.
Ethan took his time as he entered me, moving with deliberate care, each thrust slow and measured. The pleasure built gradually, a slow burn that spread through my body, making every nerve come alive. We moved together in perfect sync, the world outside the bedroom fading away as we lost ourselves in each other. It wasn’t just about physical pleasure. It was about beingseen, being known—and knowing him in return.
When we finally reached the edge together, it was with a sense of completion, of having shared something profound. We held each other close, our breaths mingling as we came down from the high, the intimacy lingering in the air like a sweet memory.
Ethan kissed my forehead and whispered, “Let’s get cleaned up.” His voice was soft, and full of affection. He led me to the bathroom, where we stepped into the shower together. The warm water cascaded over us, washing away the remnants of our passion, but not the connection we’d just deepened.
I moved with deliberate care, my hands exploring every inch of Ethan’s skin as the steam wrapped around us. My fingers traced the contours of his muscles, feeling the strength beneath his skin. His breath hitched as I continued my exploration, the tension in his body evident as he leaned back against the shower wall. His eyes were dark with want, but there was something else there too—a flicker of hesitation, as if he wasn’t sure he should let me continue.
“Vinnie . . .” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. “You don’t have to do this. Tonight was supposed to be about you.”
I met his gaze, my heart swelling with affection for this man who was always thinking of me, even in a moment like this. “I want to,” I whispered, my voice steady despite the flutter of excitement in my chest. The simple declaration seemed to break something inside him, his control slipping as a groan escaped his lips. The desire in his eyes deepened, and he nodded, the last of his resistance crumbling.
I wrapped my hand around him, feeling the length of him against my palm, and stroked him slowly, matching the rhythm of the water as it streamed down over us. His head fell back against the wall, his eyes fluttering shut as he gave himself over to the sensations.
With each slow, deliberate movement, I watched as his control unravelled. His breath grew ragged, his muscles tensing beneath my touch, and the intensity of his reaction, the way his body responded to me, only fuelled my desire to give him everything.
I leaned in, capturing his lips in a kiss that was deep and unhurried, our mouths moving together in perfect sync. His hands gripped my hips, his fingers digging into my skin as if he needed something to anchor himself to. The feel of him trembling beneath my touch, the raw need in his kiss, sent a thrill through me that made my breath catch.
As I worked him closer to the edge, Ethan’s moans muffled against my lips, each sound sending a jolt of pleasure through me. The tension in his body wound tighter and tighter, the pressure building with every stroke of my hand, every kiss we shared.
Finally, with a shuddering breath, he came undone in my arms, his release mingling with the water as his entire body trembled with the force of it. Just before the intensity overwhelmed him, he murmured, “Vinnie . . . you’re everything.” The words slipped out, heavy with meaning, but not quite crossing the line.
His head dropped to rest against my shoulder, his breath warm against my neck as he clung to me, his heart racing against mine. I held him close, feeling the unspoken depth in his words.
When his breathing slowed, Ethan pulled back, his eyes finding mine with a look that was both tender and full of wonder. “You’re amazing,” he whispered.
A soft smile curved my lips as I reached up to brush a strand of wet hair from his forehead. “So are you,” I replied, my voice equally soft, the words carrying a depth of emotion that I couldn’t quite put into words.
We stood there for a moment longer before Ethan leaned down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Let’s get out of here before we turn into prunes,” he said with a soft chuckle, the warmth of his smile lighting up his eyes.
I laughed, nodding as I reached for a towel, my heart full and content as I realized that what we had just shared was more than just a moment of passion. It was a connection, and a strengthening of a bond that was growing stronger with each passing day
Chapter 23
IWOKE UP TO THE WARM weight of Ethan’s arms wrapped around me, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm against my back. A soft smile spread across my lips as I basked in the feeling of his body curled around mine, his breath soft against the nape of my neck. For a moment, I just lay there, letting the contentment of the moment sink in. The softness of the sheets, the heat of his skin against mine, and the lingering scent of him on the pillow—all of it felt like a perfect dream I didn’t want to wake up from.
Carefully, I turned in his arms, wanting to steal a glance at his face while he slept. His dark lashes rested against his cheeks, his lips slightly parted in that peaceful, unguarded way that only sleep can bring. My heart fluttered at the sight of him, looking so boyish and serene, worlds away from the confident, sometimes teasing man I was getting to know. Seeinghim like this made my chest tighten in a way that was both terrifying and exhilarating.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me out of my thoughts, and I reached over, trying not to disturb Ethan as I grabbed it, hoping it was just a random notification. The sight of multiple texts flooding the screen made my heart drop.
“Oh, no,” I breathed, dread pooling in my stomach as I quickly scrolled through the messages—all them from Ivy and Amelia. Then I glanced at the time and realized I had overslept, and the gallery’s opening was just an hour away.
I bolted upright, the sheet slipping off as panic surged through me. “I overslept!” I muttered, my voice thick with anxiety. My mind was racing—how could I be so careless? What if things weren’t ready?
Ethan stirred beside me, his arms instinctively reaching out before his eyes blinked open. “What’s going on?” he asked, his voice gravelly with sleep as he rubbed a hand over his face.
“I was supposed to be at the gallery ages ago,” I blurted out, running my hands through my tangled hair. “I haven’t even made it home to change, and the gallery—” I stopped short, looking around for my clothes.
Ethan sat up, instantly alert, his gaze focused on me. “Hey, hey, it’s okay,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, already reaching for his jeans. “We’ll figure this out. You’ve got time. We’ll get you ready and you’ll be there in no time. I’m here to help with anything you need.”
