Page 34 of The Ex-cavenger Hunt

I lean into his touch instinctively, my eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. He’s right—I do feel it, an invisible tether pulling me toward him. But giving in to it, crossing that line . . . It could change everything, for better or worse.

Ethan’s thumb brushes over my bottom lip, sending sparks shooting through my veins. “Tell me you don’t want this, Lily,” he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. “Tell me it was a mistake, and I’ll never bring it up again.”

“Ethan,” I mumble.

That’s when he pulls me close, eliminating even the air between us. His other hand finds the small of my back, pressing me firmly against him. Our eyes lock, and there’s a galaxy of desire swirling within his gaze.

Then his lips are on mine, and oh God, they’re just as I remembered—soft and insistent. We move together, our mouths in perfect sync, as if they’re making up for lost time. The kiss deepens, and I lose myself in the rhythm of us. It’s a slow burn that’s been building for days, and now it blazes through me, white-hot and undeniable.

“Finally,” he breathes against my lips, and I can’t help but smile because it’s true. This moment was inevitable, written in the stars or maybe just in the knowing glances we’ve traded since day one.

“Finally,” I echo back, and any self-doubt I’ve ever harbored evaporates under the heat of his touch.

The room spins slightly, and whether it’s from the kiss or the sheer gravity of what’s happening, I don’t care. All I know is that this man is kissing me like there’s no tomorrow, and I’m kissing him right back, pouring every silent wish and whispered dream into it.

And it’s glorious.

Ethan’s hands wander with purpose, tracing the outline of my spine through the thin fabric of my dress. A tremor races up my back, and I can’t help the soft moan that escapes my lips.

“Is this okay?” His voice is a husky whisper, sending another tremble through me.

“Please,” I manage to breathe out, my own hands searching for him, craving his body.

I find the taut muscles of his shoulders firm beneath my fingers as my nails graze the nape of his neck. He groans softly, and something inside me lights up. My fingers tangle in the dark curls of his hair, and it feels like every flirty quip we’ve ever exchanged is crackling between us now, charged with electricity.

We’re dancing again, like we did during our first kiss. It’s just the rhythm of our breaths and the beat of two hearts racing. The kisses we share are like the crescendos in our favorite songs—the ones we used to belt out during late-night drives, not caring who heard us.

“God, Lily,” Ethan murmurs against my lips, and it’s thrilling to hear my name laced with such desire. “How did we wait so long?”

I laugh breathlessly, pulling him closer still because distance is the last thing I want between us. Our noses brush, and I lock eyes with him, those deep pools of sincerity that have always made me feel seen.

“Maybe we were waiting for the perfect moment,” I suggest.

“Then let’s not waste it,” he replies, his mouth capturing mine once more, and I swear I can taste the desire.

The room fades away until there’s nothing left but Ethan and me, the slow burn of longing finally given its chance to ignite. And oh, how it burns—in the best possible way.

Electricity crackles through the air as Ethan’s hands guide me backward until my back meets the cool surface of the wall. His lips continue their fervent exploration, leaving a fiery path down the delicate skin of my neck. I tilt my head to grant him better access, a silent invitation that he accepts with a low, appreciative hum.

“Is this wall supporting you, or are you holding it up?” he teases between kisses, his voice a husky whisper that sends waves racing through me.

“Definitely the former,” I manage to reply, though I’m not entirely sure if I’m still capable of standing on my own. Every stroke of his lips a vibrant splash of color against the canvas of my heated skin.

His mouth grazes over my pulse point, and I can feel the rapid thumping of my heart, eager to keep up with the rhythm of sighs and soft moans. As his lips find the slope of my collarbone, a gasp escapes me, and I’m hit with a wave of reminiscence—like the first time dancing under a string of lights at a backyard party, innocent and unassuming, unaware of the journey your life would take.

The playful glint in his green eyes assures me he’s reading every racing thought, understanding my desires.

His hungry eyes burn into mine as he pulls back, his fingers already working on the hem of my shirt. A shiver races down my spine—part thrill, part trepidation at his commanding presence. But I can’t resist the primal hunger unleashed between us.

Ethan’s voice is a low rumble. “You’re so beautiful, Lily. Let me worship every inch of you.”

With agonizing slowness, he peels the fabric from my skin, baring my lace-clad curves to his smoldering gaze. I fight the urge to cover myself as he drinks in the sight. My cheeks flush, but his murmur of appreciation stokes the fire in my core.

“Exquisite.” His fingers trail up my arms, raising goose bumps in their wake.

Part of me wants to let the moment just happen, to get lost in his exquisite touch. But another part feels exposed, vulnerable under his intense scrutiny. I’ve never been this intimate with someone so . . . consuming.

Ethan seems to read my hesitation. He cups my face, those piercing eyes locked on mine. “Hey, we can slow down if you need to. I don’t want to rush this.”

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