Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Finally, he is buried inside me, and my hands rest on his shoulders, and the way he looks at me for just the briefest of exposed moments is breathtaking. He needs me, at least right now, and I mean really needs me, but as soon as I read this in his face, he drags my mouth to his and kisses me with wild abandon. And then we’re swaying together with the slow, seductive grind of our bodies, that is just plain bittersweet. When it’s over and he rolls me to the couch and curls his body around mine, I am certain of one thing. I’m falling for Ethan, and I’m falling hard, and I do not think he’s a man that knows forever. He will hurt me, but I can’t seem to care. Tomorrow morning, I will bravely face the morning after without running this time.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The morning is still a long ways away.
I collapse against Ethan, and he folds me to him, holding me close, and we just lay there, sated, and intimately molded together. The calmness of our bodies is bittersweet after the passion, but eventually we have to move. Ethan kisses my shoulder and then stands, taking me with him. At first, I assume he’ll set me on my feet, but he does no such thing. He carries me with him, and I laugh. “What are you doing?”
“Taking you to bed this time,” he says, and sets me on top of a king-sized bed. I scoot up to the headboard, and he leans over me, one hand on the wood by my head. “And keeping you naked so you can’t run away. You’re here. Your clothes are not.”
“Unfair play,” I chide, but I’m secretly more than a little pleased by his actions, by how much he really does seem to want me to stay.
“I prefer strategic planning,” he replies. “I know what I want, and that’s you, baby.” He winks and pushes off the headboard. “I’ll be right back.” He walks toward the bathroom in all his naked perfection, and I’m not shy about admiring his muscled backside. Ah, yes, please. It’s about the most perfect male butt I’ve ever seen. Not that I’ve seen a lot, but I can’t imagine they get better than his.
I pull my knees to my chest and contemplate how I’ve gotten here. One night in Hawaii that should have been just that—one night. And now here we are, naked in New York City, and soon, in Paris. My gosh, am I really doing this? Am I going to Paris? I think I am. No. I am. I’m doing it.
Ethan returns and heads straight to me, scooting me over and pulling back the cover. “Get under, baby.”
I do as he wants, and then I’m amazingly under super soft sheets with him beside me, folding me onto his chest. “Still worried about the morning after?”
I smile and glance up at him. “Still? Did I tell you I was worried about the morning after?”
“In all kinds of ways, so let’s just plan it out now. Are you a breakfast person?”
“The most important meal of the day,” I say, settling my hand on his chest and my chin on top.
“Good. I talked to the attorney I told you about. She can see you at ten. There’s a great spot near her office.”
“Sounds wonderful. Thank you for lining that up.”
“Then let’s get some rest. We need to get up early.” He reaches over and flips out the light and then rolls me to my side, away from him, and wraps himself around me. It’s as surreal as it gets.
Seconds tick by before he says, “I don’t let people into my life or my bed, Sofia.”
I stiffen, not sure what he’s saying, but already sure I should have bolted after all. That is, until he adds, “But somehow, I want you here. I’m glad you’re here.”
I’m stunned at this confession and relax into him, my hand settling on his hand on my belly, as I whisper, “I’m glad I’m here, too.” And with that, I allow my lashes to lower as slumber overtakes me.
I wake to a beam of sunlight and a sense of being out of sorts. I sit up straight, and my gaze jerks around the empty bed and then the equally empty room. Ethan walks out of a closet in sweatpants and a T-shirt, his dark hair rumpled in sexy disarray, a shadow on his jaw, and I’m instantly alert and on edge. “What is happening?”
“Relax, baby. I’m going to sneak down to the gym. It’s early.” He steps to the side of the bed as he adds, “I was going to let you sleep.”
“I want to go. I always run in the mornings and I need to work off the pasta and cake.” I throw off the covers and hurry out of the bed, without thinking the decision through. I’m naked. He’s not.