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A soft laugh escaped me. “I love them. I love that you created them.” My fingers threaded through the hair at his nape, reveling in its softness. “That you recognized what this dream means to me and made it more concrete than it’s ever been.”

“We’ll build it together. Whether from Seattle or here, we can create something lasting.” His hands tightened at my waist, anchoring me to him.

The undisguised sincerity in his voice coupled with the security of his embrace sent waves of emotion crashing through me. “I want you… and that. Everything.”

His mouth claimed mine again. My hands slipped beneath the cotton to find warm skin, drawing a husky sound of pleasure from deep in his throat.

“There’s food waiting,” I murmured against his mouth, even as my fingers mapped the contours of his back, committing every plane to memory.

“Food reheats.” Ethan’s deft fingers were already working my shirt buttons free with focused intent. His breath caressed my neck, sending shivers cascading down my spine. “Unless immediate nourishment is required?”

I smiled against his lips. “This hunger is a different sort.”

He drew back just enough for our eyes to meet, his darkened with desire but illuminated by something deeper. “Upstairs?”

“Upstairs,” I agreed, following where he led, fingers laced tightly with his.

THIRTY-ONE

ETHAN

The staircase creaked softly under our feet, each step building the anticipation. Andre’s grip was steady and sure on my hand.

Electricity charged the air, a palpable mix of excitement and nervous energy pulsing between us. He’d slept here already, and we’d made out in my bed and in the shower. What was about to happen was more, it was making up and a celebration. Did Andre feel it too, like we were about to cement something?

His eyes widened as we entered the bedroom, taking in my personal touches that hadn’t been here just two days ago. I’d added artwork from my other house. There were even knickknacks arranged on the dresser.

“How on earth did you get so much unpacking done and do the drawings?” He ran his fingers across a collection of hockey action figures, pausing at one in particular. “Oh wow. This one is a tiny you.” He held it up, comparing it to me with a playful smirk.

“Seattle made figures as part of a giveaway last season.” My miniature in his hands made my heart flutter.

“Hmmm. I like the life-size version better.” He squinted against the harsh sunlight flooding the room.

I crossed to the windows and dropped the blinds. “That’s better.” The shades created a soft, intimate glow.

Our eyes met as I joined him at the foot of the bed. The air shifted, heavy with unspoken promise. I leaned in, pressing my lips to his in a perfect, gentle kiss. His hands found my waist, drawing me closer. My fingers traced across his shoulders and down his spine.

The urgent need to experience more of him overwhelmed me. I continued unbuttoning his shirt where I’d left off downstairs. Each unfastened button revealed more of his smooth chest. My fingers explored his warm skin, taking in every contour.

He hummed approval against my mouth, his hands venturing under my T-shirt. “You feel so good,” he murmured, his touch raising goose bumps across my skin. He gripped the shirt’s hem and slowly drew it upward.

“And you’re driving me crazy,” I admitted, lifting my arms to help him. He took his time, his knuckles grazing my skin in deliberate paths that quickened my breath.

When he removed my shirt and tossed it aside, his eyes locked with mine. My skin burned under his gaze, heat radiating between us.

He traced patterns across my chest. As his hands moved lower, he paused at a faint bruise along my ribs. His touch turned gentle, questioning.

“What’s this from?” Concern softened his voice. “I didn’t see this the other night.”

“Last game of the season. A puck hit just below my pads. It’s nothing. It happens sometimes.”

Andre’s fingers delicately explored around the bruise. “Does it still hurt?”

I shook my head. “Not anymore. It just takes time to fade away.”

He kissed his fingers and delicately touched the spot. I shuddered at the gentleness of it.

“I think you need more padding.” He peppered my lips with featherlight kisses.