Yes, I would like to sleep with you. Preferably right now.
When I turn to face Ethan, my courage wilts. The words are lodged stubbornly in my throat. We haven’t spoken of Ethan’s proposition since the pedal boats. The walk out of the park and the drive home were filled with our usual jokes and laughter. It was almost as if that conversation hadn’t happened at all. Except that his words have been echoing in my head ever since. The low timbre of his voice rattles through me every time my mind replays the words, shaking loose my flimsy resolve. All I can think about is Ethan’s hands on my bare skin. His lips on my neck. His fingers slipping between my legs.
“We should have sex,” I blurt out unceremoniously.
Ethan would probably look less surprised if I pulled a raccoon out of a hat and threw it directly at his face.
Thankfully, he recovers quickly and smiles gently. “Margot, you don’t have to decide tonight. Take some time if you need to.”
“I don’t need any time. I’m sure. I want to do this.”
I’m afraid I’ll overthink it and chicken out if we don’t do it now. Plus, amazing birthday sex sounds like a great way to cap off this day.
“Now?” he asks, lifting an eyebrow.
I nod with the cool confidence of a woman who hasn’t spent the last several weeks completely neglecting her bikini line.
Ethan is quiet for a moment, studying my expression, then he nods towards the door. “Alright, lead the way then.”
We step inside my living room, illuminated only by shreds of moonlight filtering through the curtains. Ethan lingers a few steps from the door while I walk across the room and set my purse on the table. By no coincidence, it lands on top of my bossromance book with a riding crop on the cover. Then I slowly turn back to face Ethan, sucking in a trembling breath.
We’re about to cross a huge line—one that we can’t easily come back from. The thought has me panicking a little but not second-guessing my decision.
“So, should I just…?” I make a weird sweeping motion down my body with my hand. It’s meant to silently inquire if I should take off my clothes, but lands more like an infomercial host showing off all the special features he’s about to enjoy.
Across the room, Ethan regards me with a mixture of amusement and confusion.
“Should you what?” he smirks.
“I don’t know. You’re the expert.” Rather than sarcastic, my tone is a little frantic. “Should I get undressed or something?”
Ihavehad sex before. I consider telling him this, just in case there’s any doubt. It’s just been a very long time since I had anything but the most mechanical, predictable sex imaginable.
Ethan laughs quietly, shaking his head at me. “No, I think maybe we should talk first… with our clothes on.”
I brace myself, knowing that I am about to become the newest recipient of Ethan North’s patented one-night stand speech. It’s a speech he’s probably given to more women than I care to know, which is why it surprises me when Ethan hesitates, runs a hand through his hair, then genuinely stumbles over the words.
“It’s just—I want to make sure you understand that this is a one-time thing.” A look flashes in his eyes, apologetic and regretful. He clears his throat lightly. “Just for tonight.”
I nod, careful to keep my voice steady. “I understand.”
Because I do understand. I know what this is—one night, no strings.
Even though part of me wishes it could be more, I know it never will be, and I’m prepared to live with that.
“And we probably shouldn’t ever mention this to anyone at work,” I add. I can live with one night, but I wouldn’t be able to live down the rumors at work.
“Of course.” The nod that Ethan returns is solemn and singular. His eyes stay locked on mine across the room for a few long seconds, then his demeanor shifts.
“Come here,” he says, voice low and laced with promise.
I walk across the room, my eyes never leaving his. When I’m standing right in front of him, he kisses me. I’m expecting to be ravaged but not at all disappointed to find myself being savored instead. Ethan’s lips drag slowly over mine while his hands move to my waist, pulling me closer.
Every second stretches and dissolves as we kiss, the world shrinking around us to the curve of his mouth against mine. His hand slides beneath my shirt, warm against my skin, but somehow still sending a shiver down my spine. Ethan smiles against my mouth then pulls back slightly.
“Up,” he commands quietly.
I raise my arms, and Ethan pulls my shirt off, hands grazing my sides. After he deposits the shirt on the floor, his muscular arms wrap around me. Fingertips brush my back, pulling my hair aside before unhooking my bra. It falls away, leaving my breasts exposed and my nipples tightening against the cold air.