Page 46 of Ethan & Grace

I moved closer until our bodies touched. “I think about it pretty much every time I see you. Ever since that very first time you stood in my flat, giving me a piece of your mind. You can be shameless, rude, and forward—but you’re also absolutely stunning.”

“You’re lying,” Grace murmured, breathless, her chest rising and falling rapidly. With each sharp inhale, the hard buds of her nipples brushed against my skin. I wasn’t sure if she was aware, but I felt it deep in every fibre of my being. It was enough to make me hard.

“Why should I lie?” I ran my thumb gently over her lower lip. The urge to pull her close and kiss her was overwhelming. “You’re beautiful, smart, and not afraid to speak your mind. It drives me wild to be near you all the time without being able to have you. You feel the same about me, right?”

She shook her head, yet when I leant forward, she came towards me without a moment’s hesitation. Our lips were almost touching. Her hands glided over my chest, and her eyes wandered across my face with a restless, almost pleading expression.

I gave a crooked smile. “Who’s the liar now?”

17

Please get in touch! We’re worried about you.

Message from Grace’s parents to Grace

Grace

Me!

I was a liar.

And Ethan had seen right through me.

Everything inside me boiled with desire. My cheeks were on fire, and it felt as though I was bathing in molten lava rather than water. My skin smouldered with lust for the man standing before me. I had imagined countless times what it would be like to kiss Ethan, but I’d never wanted it more than in this moment. To hell with fate. To hell with signs. Maybe this was a bad idea—a catastrophic one, even—but I was sick of feeling sad and hollow. I wanted to feel good, even if just for a few moments. After everything I’d gone through in the past few months, I deserved to be a little careless. What was the worst that could happen? There was no way I was getting hooked on Ethan Darlington.

My heart was pounding so loud I could hear it. “Ethan?”

His lips were still twisted into that small, arrogant smile I both loved and hated. “Yes, Gracie?”

For the first and probably only time, the nickname didn’t bother me. “Kiss me.”

His eyes lit up. His hand moved confidently from my throat to the back of my neck. In one fluid motion, he closed the last remaining inches between us. And then—he kissed me, silencing every single thought and worry, just as I had known he would.

At first, Ethan’s kiss was tender, almost cautious, as if he wanted to make sure it was really what I wanted. His restraint was unexpected, sweet, and considerate—but it wasn’t what I needed from him. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me. He knew what I wanted without me having to ask for it. Our kiss grew more urgent, our lips melting together as if they were made for each other.

Ethan tasted of fresh mint; I tasted of coconut and sweet pineapple. It was an intoxicating mix that drew a sigh from me and a low hum from Ethan. I pressed myself against him.

Our kiss faltered briefly when I realised there was barely anything between us. No clothes, only wet underwear. And I could feel everything. His chest against my breasts; his erection against my stomach. My spine tingled, and my heart felt as though it might burst out of my chest from the sheer excitement of Ethan Darlington kissing me.

I moved my hips against his. The sound that escaped his throat vibrated against my mouth. He ran his tongue over my lower lip and intensified the kiss until our tongues darted together. The heat in my chest spread lower, into my belly, before smouldering steadily between my legs. I pressed my thighs together to ease the feeling, but it didn’t help. With every second Ethan kissed me, the throbbing only grew stronger.

His right hand slid from my neck over my shoulder before disappearing beneath the surface of the water between us. He cupped my breast, fitting his hand around it perfectly, as if it were made for him, just like my lips.

A deep sigh escaped me.

“Is this OK?” Ethan asked between kisses.

I nodded, and he began to knead my breast until it ached, begging to be taken into his mouth. The throbbing between my legs grew stronger. I wanted more of Ethan, and I couldn’t help but admire his restraint. His cock was rock-hard, yet he was taking his time. Gently, he kissed my cheeks, my jaw, my neck. I knew I was playing with fire, and not just because it was Ethan. Someone could come in at any moment. The pool might have been off-limits to guests at night, but that didn’t mean another Darlington wouldn’t turn up, or security on their nighttime rounds.

“Ethan,” I whispered. He didn’t respond, completely lost in his caresses, unable to focus on anything but my body. “Ethan?”

“Mm-hm,” he murmured against my skin.

“Could you . . .” The rest of my sentence was lost as he took one of my nipples between his thumb and forefinger and pinched gently. A flicker of pain shot through me, quickly replaced by pleasure.

He smiled, pleased with himself. “Could I what?”

“Touch me?” I begged breathlessly.