“The one where I said that one time with you would be enough. That if we just slept together once, I would get these feelings I’m having for you out of my system.”
My stomach swoops, making me feel dizzy and off balance. Did Ethan North, Denver’s Most Eligible (and adamantly eternal) Bachelor just admit that he has feelings for me? That can’t possibly be right. How strong was that gin and tonic?
I swallow, but my throat feels clogged, my voice barely above a whisper when I ask, “But it wasn’t enough?”.
The shred of space between us is filled entirely by Ethan. His breath, his scent, his presence.
He shakes his head. “No, Margot, it wasn’t. In fact, it had the opposite effect. When you said you were going on a date with someone else tonight, it made me crazy. It was all I could think about. Then I show up here and you’re wearing this dress…” His eyes flick to my shoulder, where he runs a finger between the thin strap of my dress and my bare skin underneath. A shiver tumbles down my spine and settles between my thighs. “It’s making me strangely… possessive.”
Ethan studies the strap like he’s testing for weak spots. Briefly, I ponder how much I would object if he ripped my dress off, right here and now. If he justhadto have me. It’s hard to find that very objectionable at all. However, the distant sound of voices and vehicles drags me back to reality, but not before I fileurgent, passionate public sex with Ethanaway in my brain for later use.
It sounds like I may not need to rely on some far-fetched fantasy version of Ethan tonight. He’s standing right here in front of me, offering me something I’m not sure I actually understand. And because I’m nothing if not analytical, my brain takes over where my body leaves off.
“So, you want… more?”
He nods.
I press my lips together, testing the words within the safety of my mouth before letting them loose into the world.
Carefully, I ask, “So, what does that mean for us? Would we be… together? Dating? A couple?”
In an act of self-preservation, my eyes drop to the ground as the last word leaves my mouth. Seeing Ethan react with surprise—or worse, disgust—would be too devastating. But before I let Ethan take me back to his house and ravish me until sunrise, I need to know the answer. I don’t need a commitment from him, not right now at least, but I need to be able to manage my expectations.
Ethan’s physical reaction is nearly imperceptible, but the shift in his demeanor is palpable. Sobering earnestness replaces blatant desire like clouds suddenly blocking the afternoon sun. He shifts away, if not physically then certainly mentally, and I feel the loss of his heat all the way to my core.
“I don’t know,” he admits.
The sharp, hollow feeling in my chest causes me to visibly flinch. Ethan studies me for a few long seconds, tense and contemplative.
“I don’t know where this goes, Margot,” There’s something fragile and earnest in his voice, both an apology and a warning. “All I know is that once wasn’t enough. Pretending otherwise isn’t working, but I don’t want to make any promises that I can’t keep. Can you live with that?”
I let the words sink in, testing their weight beneath my skin. The unspoken ones are the heaviest. The promises he won’t make. The ending, certain but hazy, looming somewhere in the distance.
There are only two options: accept it or walk away. I already know which one I’ll choose. There’s no way I can walk away from Ethan right now. Like him, I want this way too much.
“Yes.” My voice catches. I stand a little straighter and clear my throat. “I can live with that.”
Ethan eviscerates the last shred of space between us, pulling me close as his mouth presses against mine. The kiss is deep and hungry, making my knees wobble and my thighs clench. It’s over too soon, and I’m standing there breathless and aching, held up by nothing more than Ethan’s strong hands on my waist.
“Let’s get out of here.” His breath skates across my wet lips when he speaks.
I nod. “Yes, please.”
A smile plays at the corners of his mouth as he helps me into the car. I don’t bother asking where we’re going. The only thought in my head is what we’re going to do once we get there.
We pull up to my apartment five minutes later.
“Your place was closer,” he says, killing the engine.
Ethan opens the car door for me like a gentleman, but he’s far from polite once we step inside my apartment. All in one motion, he swings the door shut behind us and presses me against the nearest wall.
His mouth crashes against mine, insistent and claiming. Fingers hook around the thin straps of my dress, pulling them down my arms. Ethan’s lips move to my neck while his hand cups my bare breast.
I’m tugging at his suit jacket. He breaks away just long enough to help slide the jacket down his arms and let it fall to the floor. Then his mouth is back on my neck while my fingers unbuttonhis pants. Sliding one hand down the front, I wrap my fingers around his rigid cock. The low rumble comes from Ethan’s throat, vibrating against my skin as I stroke him.
A hand slides between my legs, fingers gliding over the lace then pausing. Ethan tilts his head down for a better look. When his gaze returns to mine, possessiveness flashes in his eyes.
“Did you wear these for him?” His voice is rough around the edges. His fingers slip beneath the lace, finding me wet and needy.