Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Whoa.
Like I wouldn’t dare.
Like it would be so disrespectful it’s almost unthinkable. The thought makes something unfurl in my stomach.
“You’re right,” I agree. “That’s not something I would ever do.”
What I don’t say is it’s not something I’d want to do.
Not while I have Ethan looking at me with those dangerously hot ice-blue eyes.
I clear my throat and look down at my plate.
He must’ve remembered the lobster mac old Leonidas used to throw together for us when we were kids. Even if his pasta is different tonight, it makes me smile.
It’s hard to believe I ever hated this man.
I can’t even put my finger on when that changed.
Maybe the last bit of hesitation faded when we went to see his parents.
I saw where he came from, and he saw my past in Mom’s antics, too.
“Sorry I fell asleep.” I think that’s a safer subject than the way he fisted my hair in his hand as he fucked my mouth.
Or the way I felt so deliciously vulnerable and bare when he pushed inside me and claimed every part of me.
The way I wanted him to.
“It’s fine.” The corner of his mouth curls up. “You snore.”
“I do not!” But I also can’t remember the last time I shared a room with anyone besides Margot, and that girl sleeps like the dead.
So what if I do snore?
He smirks at me. “You’re cute when you blush.”
“And you’re weird when you’re being nice. Is this just how it is from now on?”
“Unless you give me a reason not to be.” His eyelids lower as he looks at me. “Get used to being treated decently, Pages.”
“Why?” I whisper.
“Because. I like the way you look when I compliment you. It’s a crime it doesn’t happen often.” And although his voice is perfectly calm, totally steady, it feels a little like a confession.
Dangerous territory indeed.
But the warmth in my stomach spreads through me. I have to bite back my smile as I look down at my food and take another big mouthful, losing myself in the rich cheese and velvety meat.
“Almost as good as Leo’s,” I say.
Ethan snorts. “He’d scold me for using less cheese. Always thought the man raided Wisconsin whenever he made it.”
“So what are your bad habits?” I ask. “If I snore, you must do something unforgivable.”
“Mine happen while I’m awake. Mostly.” He shrugs. “Don’t think I have many.”
“Now I know that’s a lie.”
His laugh is quiet, turned inward, and I try not to let it carry me away.
No, don’t do this.
You can’t fall harder.
“Why don’t you tell me, Hattie? What are my flaws?”
I hold up a hand so he can see me tick them off my fingers as I go.
“You’re short-tempered, grumpy, kinda mean sometimes, and you throw your weight around when you really want something.”
“Short-tempered, grumpy, and kind of mean are all the same shit,” he says bluntly. But just as I worry I’ve offended him, I see the humor gleaming in his eyes. “And you don’t mind me throwing my weight around sometimes.”
My cheeks heat.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
He cocks his head skeptically.
“Eat up.” He nods at the plate. “Then I’ll show you again.”
My thighs tremble at the memory and fresh heat pools in my core.
I try not to shovel the food in my mouth, hoping I don’t seem too eager.
“Dessert can wait. There’s ice cream in the freezer and it’ll be good later,” he announces.
The moment I’m done, he pushes back his chair and lifts me off my feet.
While Ares watches us from the floor like we’ve lost our minds, I kiss him desperately as he carries me back into his bedroom.
12
ALL NIGHT LONG (ETHAN)
If I’m incurably sick, I don’t care.
If this is some kind of disease or brain malfunction or clinical insanity, I don’t want it cured anytime soon.
Because Hattie Sage feels too fucking good to quit.
She smiles shyly up at me from bed, her robe falling open.
I help shove it off her shoulders, exposing those magnificent tits I want to drown in.
They’re better than I could’ve imagined, her skin supple and dusky around her nipples.
She gives back a buttery moan with every kiss, always so responsive.
That’s what makes this worse, what drives it toward mania.
I can’t resist taking one of her sweet nipples in my mouth, flicking my tongue across the bud, making her give up more songs of pleasure.
Fucking addiction, the way she reacts.
With my other hand, I reach between her legs, finding her clit.
Her sweet cunt’s as drenched as I expected.
I’m glad I took it light on dinner because this woman really does love it when I throw my weight around.
My cock jerks, aching to be inside her.
“Ethan,” she gasps softly.
Music to my ears, hearing my name with that purr, all breathy and needy and on the brink of madness.
“Tell me how you want it, Hattie.” I sink two fingers into her slick pussy. “Tell me how much.”