Page 38 of The Ex-cavenger Hunt

I swallow hard, my pulse pounding in my ears. Why is it so difficult to form a coherent thought around him? “You’ve rendered me utterly incoherent,” I finally manage.

A low chuckle rumbles from deep in his chest. “I like you like this.” His thumb grazes my parted lips, igniting sparks low in my belly.

Emboldened by desire, I find some strength within me. I grip the front of his shirt and yank him closer until our bodies are flush. “Then you’re going to love me like this . . .” I crush my mouth to his in a searing kiss.

Without asking, without giving me time to think, Ethan captures my mouth with his, his hands firm on my hips, drawing me nearer to him. I sense his arousal. He’s just as eager to possess me. His lips move hungrily against mine, exuding demand and unrestrained passion.

I reciprocate with equal fervor, my fingers entwining at the back of his neck as I press myself against his sturdy chest. A deep, guttural groan escapes him when our bodies align and his desire presses urgently into me.

One of Ethan’s hands glides up my side, the roughness of his fingertips leaving goose bumps before cradling the back of my head to deepen our kiss. I surrender to his embrace, the world around us fading into insignificance as we meld together—our lips moving seamlessly, the roughness of his stubble grazing my flushed skin, and the frantic beat of my heart syncing with his.

When we eventually part, chests rising and falling rapidly, Ethan leans his forehead against mine. His fiery gaze captivates me, mirroring the scorching desire coursing through me. “Lily,” he rasps out reverently, the longing in his voice laces every syllable of my name. “What are you doing to me?”

My eyes fly to his, equal parts desire and disbelief coursing through me. “Ethan, the question is, what are you doing?” I manage to breathe out.

His gaze holds mine, dark and intense. “Something I’ve wanted to do forwhat it feels like far too long.” The rough timbre of his voice triggers a spark.

“You’ve been driving me crazy all night in this little skirt,” he murmurs, leaning in so his lips brush the shell of my ear, as he lifts it and skirts his fingers along my thigh until he finds my cunt. “The way it rides up when you walk, teasing me with glimpses of your thighs . . .” A rumble of longing colors his words.

I clutch at the hard planes of his chest, silently urging him closer.

“We . . .” I start to protest, but the words rapidly dissolve into a throaty moan as he increases the pressure. Traitorous heat licks along my veins.

“Shhh.” His free hand comes up to cup my cheek, tilting my face until our foreheads touch. “Let me take care of you, Lily.”

I want to remind him that he already has and that I want more, but just like that, I’m facing his blazing intensity. I give myself over to the inferno with a needy whimper, arching shamelessly against his hand.

His fingers work with skilled precision, alternating between light teasing strokes and more insistent circles over my slick flesh. I pant against the warm skin of his neck, intoxicated by his scent and the firm muscles shifting beneath his shirt as he fucks me with his hand.

“God, you’re so wet for me,” Ethan groans in appreciation. “Have you been thinking about this? Imagining my hands on you?”

I can barely nod as a tremor races through me at his words.

“I can’t hear you,” he suddenly stops.

“Yes,” I confess on a ragged exhale. “I’ve thought about it.”

He rewards me with a rasping growl and a firmer stroke that whites out my vision. “Then let go, Lily. I’ve got you.”

Throwing caution to the wind, I wind my arms around his neck and let the sinful sensations take over me. I’m vaguely aware of our surroundings, but it all fades into a blissful buzz. All that matters is Ethan and the exquisite unraveling building from a tight, throbbing knot low in my core.

With a muttered curse, he captures my desperate whimpers in a searing kiss, swallowing every gasp and moan as I spiral higher and higher under his skilled touch. The world contracts until there’s nothing left but scorching pleasure . . . and then I’m shattering apart in his arms with a broken cry.

My bones feel like liquid after that mind-numbing release. As the tremors subside, I sag bonelessly against Ethan’s solid frame, clinging to him while trying to catch my breath. His strong arms encircle me, holding me up, holding me together.

“Christ, Lily . . .” he murmurs roughly against my temple. “You’re amazing.”

I can only manage a weak hum of contentment in response, too dazed and satiated to form coherent words. My nerve endings still fizz from the explosive climax he’d coaxed from me with those wicked fingers.

Drawing back slightly, Ethan cups my flushed cheek and searches my eyes intently. “You okay?”

I manage a faint nod, getting lost in his storm-tossed gaze. Those emerald eyes reveal so much—desire, tenderness, protectiveness. A potent brew that makes my newly-sated body thrum with renewed longing.

I stretch up on my tiptoes to brush my lips against his once more—a soft, lingering kiss. When I pull back, his eyes smolder with hunger.

“What are you thinking, Ethan?” I whisper.

Chapter Twenty-Four

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