Page 37 of The Ex-cavenger Hunt

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lily

Ethan’s smoldering gaze sears into me as we step into the inn, his eyes filled with a fierce intensity that steals the air from my lungs. My heart pounds against my rib cage, threatening to burst free, as he closes the distance between us. The intoxicating scent of his cologne, a tantalizing blend of cedarwood and citrus, envelops me like a warm embrace. I clench my fists at my sides, fighting the overwhelming urge to melt into his strong arms and lose myself in his essence.

His fingers, rough yet gentle, glide along the delicate line of my jaw. A delicious ripple races down my spine, my skin tingling from his featherlight touch. “Lily . . .” My name falls from his lips like a prayer, his voice low and husky, dripping with unspoken desire. The sound sends liquid heat coursing through my veins, pooling in the pit of my stomach.

The back of his hand caresses my jaw, and I tremble beneath his touch, my breath hitching in my throat. Sparks of electricity ignite beneath my skin, setting every nerve ending ablaze. His eyes darken with a mix of tenderness and hunger as a devastating smirk tugs at the corners of his sinful mouth.

“You’re so beautiful when you’re flustered,” he murmurs, his breath ghosting over my heated skin. I bite my lip, my heart fluttering wildly in my chest, torn between the desire to surrender to his touch and the fear of losing myself completely in the depths of his eyes.

He leans in, his warm breath caressing my cheek. My pulse thunders in my ears as his lips brush my jaw, igniting every nerve ending. “Tell me to stop . . .” he whispers, his words a delicious temptation.

I can’t think, can barely breathe. Every fiber of my being craves his kiss, his touch. But the fear still lingers, a nagging voice of caution. We’re getting too close, what if I fall.

He moves closer, the heat of his body enveloping me. I’m transfixed by the intensity smoldering in his eyes, my pulse racing. Ethan’s presence is utterly intoxicating, overwhelming my senses.

His thumb traces the curve of my lips, and I can’t stifle the soft whimper that escapes.

“Ethan . . .” I whisper, my voice trembling with longing and trepidation. A low rumble echoes in his chest as his fingers thread through my hair, cradling my head.

The pads of his fingers graze the nape of my neck, sending delicious shivers ricocheting down my spine. Part of me is still paralyzed by fear—fear of losing myself, of getting hurt again. The wounds from my past relationships are still raw. But the blazing hunger in Ethan’s gaze ignites a firestorm of desire that threatens to consume me whole.

“Tell me you want this, Lily,” he murmurs, his lips a hairsbreadth from mine. “Tell me you need me the way I need you.”

I’m speechless and mesmerized, drowning in the depths of his eyes. With a trembling hand, I reach up to trace the chiseled line of his jaw, reveling in the roughness of his five o’clock shadow.

“I . . .” The words catch in my throat as a plethora of emotions swirls within me—desire, fear, hope, surrender. But one truth rings clear—I need him too.

“Yes . . .” I breathe, throwing caution to the wind.

“God help me, I want this . . .” A low growl rumbles in Ethan’s throat as his mouth crashes into mine with searing intensity.

Ethan’s lips are hot and demanding against mine, igniting a fire that blazes through my entire body. His hand tightens in my hair, pulling me closer as he deepens the kiss. I melt into him, surrendering to the intoxicating sensation of his touch.

His other hand slides down my back, pressing me against his hard chest. I can feel the rapid thump of his heart beneath my palm, mirroring the frantic beat of mine.

Our tongues dance and tangle, exploring each other with a desperate hunger. I run my fingers through his soft hair, feeling the tension slowly melting away from his body as we lose ourselves in this moment.

But just as quickly as it began, Ethan pulls away slightly, resting his forehead against mine. We’re both breathless, panting with desire and need.

“I wanted to do that in the restaurant,” he whispers, his voice husky and raw with emotion.

My heart swells with warmth and joy at his words. “Me too,” I confess softly.

He leans in again and captures my lips in another searing kiss. This one is slower, more sensual—a gentle exploration of each other’s mouths. His hands roam over my body, memorizing every curve and dip as if it’s the most precious thing in the world. And to me, it is.

I cling to Ethan, my fingers tangled in his soft hair, wishing we could stay trapped in this perfect moment forever—just the two of us, our bodies merged, the world fading away until nothing exists but our shared breaths and racing hearts. But as much as I want to stay lost in his embrace, the burning in my lungs forces us to reluctantly break apart, our chests heaving as we struggle to catch our breath.

Ethan’s strong hands grip my waist, guiding me backwards until my shoulder blades press against the cool, unyielding wall. The contrast of the chilly surface against my flushed skin sends a shiver racing down my spine. He leans in close, his muscular frame towering over me, pinning me in place with the sheer force of his presence.

I tilt my head back, my gaze locking with his, and the smoldering intensity in his eyes steals the air from my lungs once more. The intoxicating scent of his cologne, a tantalizing blend of rich, earthy notes, envelops me, making my head spin with desire.

His full lips quirk into a crooked smirk. “You’re trembling.” The rumble of his voice makes me quake.

Am I? I try to still the slight quaking of my limbs, but it’s useless with him so close. “It’s just . . . you . . .” I trail off, flustered.

Ethan leans in, his breath warm against my cheek. “Just me what?” He brings a hand up to brush a stray strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering to trace my jaw.

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