Stumbling from the bed, I mindlessly moved, struggling to get the lock on my door open. This ancient relic might be solid, providing a false sense of security against the men in this house, but it wasn’t easy to maneuver when one was in a rush.
“Come on,” I sobbed, wiggling and jiggling, relieved to hear the heavy click as it finally released.
Falling through the door, I caught myself on the handle, and there was no real thought of where to go until I reachedhisdoor. I couldn’t ride this storm out alone, not without losing my shit completely, and I had no more drugs left to dull the pain.
No more painkillers. No more sleeping tablets.
Which was fine most of the time, but I’d have given anything for a pill tonight.
At first, I thought his door was locked, and in my panic, I let out a low sob. Trying again, I was relieved to hear the low click of it opening; these old handles needed an extra shove to get them moving.
It was pitch-black inside, with only the occasional bolt of lightning illuminating his room.
Thank Jesus fucking Christ that it was set out in a similar style to my room, so I headed straight for his bed, too panicked to second-guess my actions. My breaths wheezed in and out so loudly that I woke him up with a start. “Eve,” he mumbled, shooting up in bed as I shuffled closer. A flash of light showcased his concerned expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Storm,” I choked out, another rumble of thunder shaking me as hard as it shook the house. “I can’t handle storms after the attack.”
Without hesitation, Ethan was out of bed, arms wrapping around me as he lifted me from the floor and into his body. Hefelt all warm and rumpled from sleep. “Come on, baby,” he whispered against my cheek. “I’ll keep you safe.”
A fraction of my panic eased as I let Ethan encase me, dragging us under his blankets, until we were cocooned together. He held me close, his hands rubbing up and down my spine in a soothing manner, and I felt myself relaxing against his hard body.
As we melded together, I felt his muscled chest, bare and firm under my touch. I couldn’t see anything in the dark, but his hard length was pressed against my side as he held me close, and now all I could think about was sex.
Sex with Ethan.
Damn. It wasn’t that I’d run into his room looking to bang my professor, but the attraction between us was like wildfire, intense and hard to control.
“Brodie and I kissed.”
The words spilled from me in a rush, making it very clear that I’d been harboring a little bit of guilt over what happened. Ethan’s hands stilled for a moment before he resumed his gentle, soothing rub along my spine.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you straightaway,” I continued, my mouth running away from me once more. “I know we’ve been skirting around this intense attraction between us, and the kisses are amazing, but there’s something with Brodie too… I’m sorry I’m such a hot mess, but I really don’t know what the hell is happening.”
Ethan let out a long sigh, his warm breath feathering over my skin. “I wish I could say I’m surprised but…he’sBrodie.”
Confused, I shifted to face him, trying to make out his expression in the darkness. “I don’t… What does that mean? Are you angry?”
He groaned, one hand leaving my body to rake through his hair. “Furious,” he admitted, “but not at you, beautiful Lilith.”
“At Brodie?” I asked in a small voice. That idea filled mewith a sick feeling. I respected the family connection between them all, and the last thing I wanted to do was cause fights.
Ethan gave a small laugh, then pressed a kiss to my throat. “No. That dickhead is too damn loveable for his own good.” He kissed my throat again, scraping teeth over my skin and causing a sultry moan to escape me. “You don’t owe me anything, Eve. I’m not just your teacher. I’m also eight years older than you and tragically mixed up in a criminal organization. I’m desperately thankful for the moments you give me, but I’m in no position to tie you down and demand exclusivity.”
This bothered me more than I’d admit because I didn’t want Ethan hooking up with another woman. I wasn’t nearly as open-minded about a casual relationship, and selfish or not, I wanted him to touch no one else but me. The criminal comment was something I filed away for later.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” I asked him. “Or plans to get one who is someone else?”
“Nope.” His reply was instant. “There’s no one I’m interested in other than you, Eve. I want to explore whatever this is between us.”
“But what about your job? And…Brodie?” Because that kiss was still in my head, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to do it again.
His chest rumbled, and his fingers flexed against my skin. “Don’t get me wrong, sweetheart. I intend to do everything possible to capture yourwholefocus, but I won’t begrudge you exploring things with him if that’s what you want to do.”
I was so fucking confused. “You won’t be jealous?”
Ethan laughed. “I will. I’m already intensely jealous of him sitting next to you while I present your Economics of Crime class. Did you even notice he was playing with your hair during today’s session?”
“What?” I squeaked. I hadn’t noticed, because I’d been sofucking focused on my sexy, enigmatic professor, no doubt. “But?—”
