“Good game, sir,” she murmurs, gazing into my eyes.
I squeeze her waist. “Clever girl.”
Her cheeks flush a rosy hue, and she leans in to press her lips to mine in a chaste kiss. “This is fun.”
“Beating me?” I ask, arching a brow.
Leni shakes her head, her fingers playing with the hair at my nape. “Spending time with you.” She pauses, dropping her gaze. “Not having to leave after sex like I’m some dirty little secret.”
My chest squeezes. “You’re not a dirty little secret, Leni.” I tilt her chin so she’s forced to look at me. “Far from it. We just have to be careful until you graduate.”
She bites down on her lower lip. “What happens after graduation?”
Here it is.
The moment of truth.
The air around us is charged, vibrating with the knowledge that whatever we say from here on out is monumental in whatever this is turning out to be.
Running my thumb over her mouth, I release her lip and kiss her softly. “I know what I want, but you’re the one with your whole life ahead of you, Leni. This has to be your decision, and I’ll respect whatever you want.”
She sucks in a sharp breath, her eyes shining as she meets my gaze. Her fingers trace a path along my chest to settle over my rapid heartbeat.
“If I say I want to go wherever you go?”
My heart soars, but I maintain my composure and shake my head. “That’s not how this works. Tell me whatyouwant to do. What are your plans after university?”
“I’ve applied for a scholarship to the National Institute of Musical Theatre Arts in Sydney. I find out next week if I’m accepted.”
A smile tugs on my lips. “You’ll be accepted.”
Her face remains impassive as she studies mine. “What does this mean for us?”
I brush her hair behind her ear, noting the way she leans into my touch. “Would you like me to come with you?”
She nods slowly, her eyes searching mine for any hint that this might be some kind of trick.
“Words, Leni.”
Her voice is barely a whisper when she says, “Yes.”
“Then I’ll come with you,” I murmur against her mouth before sliding my tongue between her parted lips in a sensual caress. She melts into me, kissing me back, and I know in this moment I’ll do anything this woman asks me to.
When we pull away, she draws in a deep breath. “I need to tell you something.”
I shake my head, lifting her off my lap and getting to my feet, pulling her with me. “There’s plenty of time to talk, little devil.”
“Ethan—”
“Stay in this moment with me, Leni. After my divorce, Ithought my life was done, but you’ve awakened something in me I thought I’d never feel again.”
She swallows before burying her head in my chest and wrapping her arms around my waist. “This feels like it’s too good to last.”
I chuckle, resting my chin on her head. “Come on, little devil. I’m going to show you something else that’s too good to last.”
Taking her hand, I lead her into the bedroom and show her exactly why I won’t be letting her go.
Chapter 28
