Page 8 of Defining Moments

“Want to head back to our Airbnb?” Ryan asked as we exited the tattoo parlor, my skin still tingling from the recent imprint of 10 fateful numbers courtesy of a man I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes off.

Ella nodded eagerly, shooting me a look. I shrugged in return, telling myself it was for her safety, knowing full well I was eager to spend more time with Ethan.

The rhythmic pain in my foot from the tattoo needles was a distant sensation, masked by the endorphin-fueled haze of Ethan’s passionate kiss.

His lips had tasted like risky decisions and vanilla lip balm, a flavor that lingered on my senses, momentarily transporting me from the small tattoo parlor in Ireland to a beach in the Bahamas.

Though I’d had my share of international escapades, getting a stranger’s phone number tattooed on me while participating in a steamy make-out topped the list of spontaneous things I’d done over the past nine months.

Our Uber XL pulled up to the curb, and the six of us squeezed inside, Ethan finding a spot next to me. The tight fit prompted him to casually drape his arm around my headrest for stability, preventing him from falling into my lap.

I tried to inconspicuously take a breath, catching a whiff of the enticing scent of the handsome man beside me to see if he smelled like he tasted. Of course, he noticed.

“Did you just sniff my armpit?” he asked, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

Maybe it was the several pints of Guinness I had consumed, or the diversion of blood flow to my healing foot, but my response was honest.

“I did,” I admitted, meeting his gaze from beneath my dark eyelashes. “You smelled delicious in the shop, and I wanted to take another sniff.”

Ethan’s playful expression vanished, and his eyes darkened instantly. He studied me as his face became serious.

Leaning down to my ear, he whispered, “Do it again, and we won’t make it to our Airbnb. I'll be asking our driver to drop us off at the nearest hotel instead.”

His words echoed through my body, igniting a desire that pulsed within me. Though I'd had a hard rule for no hook ups with Americans while I was traveling, I suddenly started wondering if I should make an exception for him. He sat quietly, observing me with those intense eyes, us both oblivious to the conversations happening around us.

Finally, I tore my gaze away, looking out the window in the hope that a distraction would ease the tension between us. Unfortunately, it only intensified as I could feel his breath, hot on my cheek now.

Ethan’s head dipped low as his lips met the exposed skin I'd revealed on my neck and chest from my head turn. He quietly kissed the space, breathing my skin in.

“I can’t wait to see you naked.” He whispered as his kisses reached the skin behind my ear, his free hand snaking around my waist, gently slipping under my shirt and cupping my waiting breasts.

A shiver danced down my spine, responding to the electric touch of Ethan’s hands on my body, and I attempted to regain composure, aware that the Uber XL around us was far from private though his body was blocking the other riders from seeing what he was doing.

His hands continued to massage and caress my nipples that had hardened instantly at his touch. Slowly, his hand lowered, dipping just inside the waist band of my jeans but before they could reach any further, we pulled up to the Air BnB.

Ethan reluctantly withdrew his hands and whispered, “this isn’t over.” With a courteous gesture he helped me exit the van, guiding me down the steps and up the path to the charming cottage.

Ahead of us, Ryan and Ella strolled arm in arm.

“They seem cozy,” I remarked, motioning towards the couple.

“Mm,” Ethan murmured in agreement, his gaze drifting into the distance, lost in contemplation.

“What’s on your mind, pondering the next game you can challenge me to and inevitably lose?” I playfully teased, attempting to lighten the mood with a smirk. I knew my skin was still flushed from his touch in the Uber and his promise for more.

He turned to me, his eyes dark. “I’m thinking about how I’m going to avoid waking up our housemates with the screams you’ll utter while I’m deep inside you tonight.”

I gulped, as he smiled that devilish handsome grin back at me. That was not what I was expecting.

“What’s the hold-up?” Ella called from the front steps. “Come on, you two!” she grinned, winking.

Ethan took my hand again, and we made our way into the Air BnB. The interior of the cottage surprised me; it was more spacious than it appeared from the outside. Four rooms, three bathrooms, a large living room, and an open kitchen created a cozy atmosphere decked out in ocean blues and greens.

Ryan, Ella, and their other friends had already settled on the couch, preparing to watch a movie and passing around a bottle of whiskey.

“Sasha and I are going to call it a night,” Ethan announced to the group, still holding my hand firmly.

The group exchanged looks, but surprisingly, there was no teasing. I wondered if this was a routine for Ethan, bringing different women home each night during his holiday with his friends. A strange sense of jealousy swept over me, catching me off guard. I quickly pushed it down, admonishing myself for even thinking the thought.

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