happens,” I say. “Most kids break something, sometime.”
He shakes his head. “I know. But I was right there, and when she slipped, I wasn’t fast enough. I wasn’t even looking.”
“You said it yourself, she’s done it a dozen times.”
“At least she got the color she wanted on the cast,” he sighs. “Small mercies, I suppose.”
I put my hand on his. “You did everything right.”
“I installed a death trap in my backyard,” he says, but his voice is somewhat lighter. Driven by impulse, by the darkness in his eyes, I reach over and wrap my arms around him.
Ethan hesitates for only a moment before his arms settle around my waist. He bends his head atop mine and takes a deep breath.
“You did nothing wrong,” I mumble into his chest. The scent of him fills me, soap and man and him.
“You’re too kind to me,” he says. “It keeps tipping the scales. I can’t possibly repay you.”
“I don’t want repayment. And it’s impossible to be too kind.”
He leans back, tipping my head up. There’s quiet determination in his gaze. “No, it isn’t. I’m sorry I haven’t called you since the other night.”
“You’re busy. I understand that.”
“Yes. I’ve wanted to, though. Every night, I’ve thought of your body against mine.”
Oh God.
Never before has a man spoken like this to me, and in Ethan’s deep voice, with his hands on me…
“So have I,” I whisper. “All the time.”
He closes his eyes, a pained expression on his face. “I don’t think you know just how tempting you are to me.”
I run my hands over his chest. “I don’t?” I murmur. “I think you made that pretty clear the other night.”
His hands make a deliberate path down my body to grip my ass. “I plan on making it clear again, and soon. I’ve had a lot of time these past days to think about all the different ways I want you.”
I tuck my head against his neck to hide my treacherous cheeks. Ethan must feel it though, because he gives a low snort and tugs me tighter against his body.
“Judging from the way you blush, I’m guessing dirty talk wasn’t a part of your last relationship?”
“Not usually.” Not at all, to be fair. Ryan had been pretty straight-laced, and after my first wild ideas were shot down, I stopped trying. Maybe I shouldn’t have.
He laughs darkly. “Fuck, there are so many things I want to try with you, Bella. To ask you if you’ve done before. To tell you.” He squeezes, emphasizing his words.
I hold on to his shoulders and revel in the strong, hard planes of his body against mine. “I’m looking forward to that,” I say. “There are a few things I’d like to try, as well.”
His eyes burn on mine, flaring with heady want. “Damn it,” he says. “Now all I can think of is fucking you. Right here, bent over the kitchen island and moaning my name. And I can’t have that.”
My mouth is dry. Parched. Just like that, I want him too, aching for the vision he’d just described—to feel his strength and fiery passion unleashed again.
He closes his eyes. “God, your face. You’d want that too?”
“Yes.” I wet my lips, testing out the words. “I’d want you to grip my arms from behind, too. I’ve seen that somewhere and… what?”
Ethan is smiling, his small, crooked, private smile. “Nothing,” he says. “I can do that. I’d like to do that. What else?”
“Grip my hair,” I murmur. “I like that. And could you… God, why is this so difficult? I’ve never had this kind of open communication about sex before. Just saying the words is a challenge.”
Ethan kisses me again, lingering this time, his tongue gently coaxing mine. I’m breathing hard by the time he pulls back. “I want to hear it all,” he says. “Every last thing you want. No need to be embarrassed about it.” He rests his mouth against my ear, speaking in a voice that sends shivers down my spine. “I’ve come several times in the shower these past days, and every time my hand is wrapped around my cock, I imagine it’s your sweet pussy I’m inside of.”
Holy shit.
My blush is a furious, scarlet thing, even as my body clenches at his words. Ethan laughs. “Was that far enough for you?”
I swallow. “Was it… you have? That’s true?”
“Oh yes,” he says. “And every night I’ve wanted to text you to come over.”
“Why haven’t you?”
“How could I? I only have forty-five minutes before my daughters might wake up