Page 69 of Lovestrung

“Holy shit,” I whispered.

I’d never thought I’d find myself in Ethan Collins’ bed, yet here I was for the second morning in a row. After our brunch yesterday, we’d come back and spent the rest of the day making out while watching movies. We were having sex – absolutely out-of-this-world, amazing, combustible sex – and a lot of it, and the enormity of what we had set in motion hit me right in my heart.

Could we really do this?

Would we risk everything we’d ever been to each other over…what?

I frowned.

What exactly was it I was feeling? Could it really be love?

Yesterday, I’d been so sure that I was madly in love with Ethan, but now, the doubts set in. I’d tried not to let it bother me that Ethan wouldn’t tell me anything about his second job, and a nagging feeling of unease spread through me again. Knowing that he was working with that woman we met yesterday didn’t sit well with me, either.

I looked around his loft, taking in how stylish, not to mention luxurious it was. How could he afford it? While his kitchen was pretty outdated for now – he’d told me he’d be stripping it down and put in a new one soon – everything else was brand new.

“I’m starving. Want to go out for breakfast again or stay in?”

His voice brought me back to the present and I gave him a small smile when I saw him standing at the door to the bathroom, upper arms resting above him. He was so comfortable in his nakedness, standing casually before me like that.

“Penelope?”

I shook the haze of lust away. “Let’s stay in today, but I want a shower first.”

“Come on, then.” He jerked his head. “Get up.”

I shook my head at being bossed about so early in the morning.

“You know,” I stretched before I left my comfortable spot in his bed, “your bossiness isn’t cute like mine. It’s annoying.”

The way he grinned at me made my heart skip a beat, and the flash of hunger I saw in his eyes as they trailed over my naked body when I sauntered toward him almost made me swoon.

“You think it’s hot when I’m bossy in bed. Or against a kitchen counter.”

I stopped in front of him and went up on my toes to give him another kiss.

“That’s entirely different, and you know it.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Yup. Now,” I stepped down to the soles of my feet, “stand aside, bossy, and let me get ready. You’re not the only one who’s starving this morning.”

He stepped aside.

“Yes, ma’am.”

My cheeks ached so hard as I tried not to let him see how much I enjoyed this side of him – of us, bantering after the most incredible sex I’d ever had, bar none – and I looked down as I did my best to sashay past him. Feeling a little reckless, and in a bit of a lovey dovey haze, I pinched his buttock when I moved past him.

“Hey,” he grumbled, making me fall into fits of giggles. But I should’ve known better, and when I felt his hand slap my ass, I yelped. My palm fell on my sore butt cheek, and I whirled around to face him.

“What the hell was that?” I huffed, rubbing the stinging spot.

He shrugged. “For giving me your sass. And for pleasure.”

My jaw fell open at his words. “Pleasure?! Definitely not mine.”

Before I’d even finished speaking, he’d snaked one arm around my back, pulling me roughly against him. I squeaked, but he didn’t listen. Instead, he plunged his fingers into my hair and bent his head, taking my mouth while his possessive grip on my head kept me locked in place. My knees buckled as the arm holding me flush to his chest tightened for a short moment, only to brush down my spine until his fingers swept between my ass cheeks and one finger brushed my damp pussy. I moaned at the gentle touch, feeling lightheaded from his intense assault on my senses, and I soon forgot all about breakfast.

Sadly, he didn’t seem to forget, and his deep kiss ended too soon.