Page 41 of The Ex-cavenger Hunt

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ethan

My heart races as I delicately trace the gentle curve of Lily’s hip with my fingertips, the satin-like texture sending a quiver of electricity through my veins. Strands of her chestnut hair cascade over the pillow, and I tenderly tuck a stray strand behind her ear, letting my knuckles graze her cheek.

She stirs, her brown eyes fluttering open, greeted by a sleepy smile that tugs at the corners of her mouth. “Morning,” she murmurs softly, her voice like honey, warming me from the inside out.

“Morning, gorgeous,” I reply, leaning in to capture her lips in a lingering kiss, pouring all the tenderness and affection I feel into the gentle caress of our mouths. My heart swells with an overwhelming sense of contentment and belonging.

As we part, she snuggles closer to me, resting her head on my chest. I wrap my arms around her, cherishing the sensation of her body pressed against mine, fitting perfectly as if we were made for each other. A contented sigh escapes her lips, and I find myself wishing I could freeze this moment and live in it forever. This is the first time I’ve stayed long enough to wake up with someone in my arms. It’s strange and yet fulfilling, just like everything I’ve experienced with Lily.

Yet, despite the tranquility of the moment, a nagging thought creeps into my mind, like a whisper of doubt. This happiness feels too perfect to last. I don’t do romance, never cared for it, so why do I suddenly want to preserve not only this moment but the emotions that she evokes in me?

The realization hits me like a sudden storm—I’m undeniably and irrevocably in love with Lily. My breath catches in my throat, and my heart hammers against my rib cage as the weight of my feelings settles over me.

How did I let this happen? I swallow hard, my mind reeling with the implications of this newfound love. Fear and uncertainty battle with the warmth and joy blossoming in my chest, leaving me both exhilarated and terrified by the depth of my feelings.

Why her? A woman so different from me, who embraces color in her life and thrives on spontaneity—things I’ve always shied away from, yet I’ve been letting them into my life since this crazy trip began. By avoiding my family, I’ve apparently opened myself up to more, to . . . love.

Unable to shake off these doubts entirely, I instinctively tighten my embrace around Lily as if clinging onto her could shield me from the whirlwind of emotions within me. Sensing my unease, Lily tilts her head, her brows furrowing with concern as she asks gently, “Ethan? What’s wrong?” With a smile that masks my inner turmoil, I reassure her, “Nothing’s wrong, babe. Just . . . wondering if we should head back for the RV or drive in the rental all the way to Los Angeles.” I avert my gaze briefly, afraid that she might see through my attempt at nonchalance.

Though skepticism lingers in Lily’s hazel eyes, she chooses not to probe further. Instead, she leans closer, her breath tickling my skin as she peppers featherlight kisses along my jawline. “Well then,” she whispers against my ear seductively, her voice low and alluring, “we’ll figure out the details later . . . right now, let’s just fly.”

Part of me yearns to trust her completely and surrender myself to this new, foreign connection we share. I push aside the apprehension and live wholly in the present moment with Lily, rolling us over so that our bodies are united, skin against skin. Our mouths meet eagerly in a hungry kiss, tongues dancing and exploring as we lose ourselves momentarily in each other—for now, only our explosive bond matters.

I release her from our embrace and kneel in front of her. I want to taste her. Then I’ll fuck her hard and blow my whole load inside of her sweet pussy.

Lily’s chest rises and falls with rapid breaths as she watches me with heavy-lidded eyes, darkened by her yearning. I lick my lips slowly, deliberately, and her pupils dilate even further. “Ethan . . .” She breathes my name like a prayer.

“I’m going to devour you,” I rumble, voice rough with want. Lowering my mouth to her glistening cunt, I dart out my tongue to swipe through her slick folds.

Lily moans softly, arching her back as I seal my lips around her throbbing bud and suck firmly. Her fingers tangle in my hair, nails scraping my scalp as my tongue swirls over the sensitive bundle of nerves. I lap and tease, reveling in the way her thighs clench around my head.

I meet her gaze, our eyes locking as I continue to swirl my tongue around her swollen clit. “You like that, baby? You like it when I lick your pussy like this?” I tease, before sucking on her bud harder.

“Oh God, yes,” Lily cries out, hips moving restlessly against my face. “Your tongue. I’m starting to be addicted to your mouth, Eth.”

My cock throbs at her words, but I want to make her come with my mouth first. So I keep tasting and teasing her until she’s a writhing mess above me.

“Please . . . Oh fuck . . . Don’t stop,” she pleads, nails digging into my scalp.

“Look at me,” I growl, fingers deep inside of her, fucking her. Lily’s brown eyes lock into mine, glazed with lust. A whimper escapes her as I nip her bud. “You’re so beautiful when you’re turned on for me.”

Needing more, I hook her legs over my shoulders and plunge my tongue deeper into her molten heat and use my finger to tease her clit. I’m surrounded by her musky scent, her slick velvet walls fluttering around my invasion as I thrust and curl inside her.

“Ethan,” Lily cries out, hips undulating shamelessly against my ravenous mouth. The taste of her arousal coats my tongue, simultaneously fueling my own desire and stoking the need to push her over the edge into blissful oblivion.

Redoubling my efforts, I suck her sensitive pearl between my lips once more and hum against her center. Lily shatters with a guttural moan, back bowing taut as a bowstring as her release crashes over her in waves. I don’t relent, lapping up every drop as she shudders through the aftershocks.

Finally pulling back, I gaze up the length of her body with a satisfied smirk. Lily pants harshly, cheeks flushed and hair a wild tangle. Her eyes blaze with a mixture of satiation and renewed hunger when she meets my stare.

With a low growl, I remove my fingers from her pussy, replacing them with my hard cock. “You want to just come again, Lily? Or do you want me to fuck you until you lose your mind? You want me to give you what you crave?”

She nods, her eyes gleaming with desire, her breaths coming in short, sharp bursts. “Yes, Ethan, fuck me. Please.”

With a roguish grin, I position myself at her entrance and guide her legs around my waist. I take a deep breath, savoring the moment, teasing us both with my tip as I kneel in front of her, the only place I want to be from now on. Her brown eyes grow dark as she watches me lower myself onto her.

“That’s it, baby,” I murmur against her neck, nipping lightly. “Feel how much you own me.”

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