I duck back into the living room and pull a random thriller off the shelf, then return to the bedroom to undress. Grabbing a fresh change of clothes, I enter the giant ensuite and place my clothes on the vanity before running the bath.
Much to my delight, I find jasmine-scented bath salts under the sink, so I pour a handful in as the water runs into the beautiful claw-foot bath. The floor-to-ceiling window that exposes the bush behind the property is a cute touch. There’s a blind for privacy, but I’m the only one here, so I leave it open.
Once it’s ready, I step into the scorching hot water and sink down. Steam rises to kiss my cheek, and I smile and let out a content sigh. Careful not to drop the book in the water, I lean back against the porcelain and begin reading, falling into a story of secrets and shadows.
Eventually, the water cools, so I twist the tap and top it up with fresh hot water. After doing this two more times, I realise my skin is becoming prune-like, so I begrudgingly put down the book and climb out of the bath, dressing quickly and taking the captivating book to the living room, where I cosy up on the couch closest to the open fireplace.
The soft crackle of the burning wood must lull me into a doze, because the next thing I know, the thud of the door closing is startling me awake. Blinking sleepily, I twist around to see Ethan smiling softly at me while kicking his shoesoff.
“Sorry,” he says, crossing the room and leaning down to brush a light kiss over my lips. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
The action feels so natural, it makes my heart squeeze. Before he can pull away, I circle his neck with my hands and deepen the kiss.
He chuckles against my lips. “Well, isn’t this a nice welcome home.”
Home.
Does this man even realise what he’s doing to my insides?
When he pulls away gently, I release him, running my tongue over my bottom lip.
A small sound grumbles from his throat, and his eyes heat with desire as he tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “Goddamn it, Leni. You have no fucking idea what you do to me.”
“How did the game go?” I ask, changing the topic before I throw caution to the wind and throw myself at this perfect man.
He grins, and I love the way it lights up his entire face. “We won. Beckford U have secured the championship.”
“That’s amazing! Congratulations.” I pause, suddenly feeling guilty. “Shouldn’t you be out celebrating with the team?”
“No, little devil.” Ethan shakes his head. “I’m right where I want to be.”
He takes a seat next to me and pulls me into his embrace. I rest my head on his shoulder, breathing in that masculine scent of cedarwood and something that’s uniquely him.
“How is it you know all the right things to say?” I tease.
His chuckle vibrates through me, warming my insides. “You seem to bring the best out of me.”
I nuzzle into him. “You bring the best out of me, too.”
He tucks my hair behind my ear, cupping my cheek. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“This place is magical.”
“It is,” he agrees, brushing his nose over mine. “Sometimes I wish I had a place like this. Somewhere to just hide away when all the noise gets too loud.”
“Sounds incredible.”
Ethan’s smile is contagious. “One day.”
I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to have a place like this to get away to whenever life gets too hectic. In my mind, Ethan is there, the calm to my chaos.
“What did you do while I was gone?” he asks, pressing his lips to the top of my head.
“Hmm?” I ask, distracted by his fingers tracing a delicate path up and down my arm. “Oh, I went for a walk…” He presses a kiss to the crook of my neck. “Did some yoga…” My eyes flutter closed as he gently sucks on my heated flesh. “Mmm… had a bath.”
A soft moan falls from my lips when Ethan’s hand drifts south of my stomach.
“So, my girl’s nice and clean, is she?” he murmurs in my ear before nibbling on the soft skin below. “How do you feel about getting dirty?”
