Page 67 of Broken Rivalry

I admire his face as he cradles my cheek, and I smile. Yes, if he weren’t Ethan Hawthorne, I would have already introduced him to my mom. I think she would love him, I really do, but I’m not sure it’s possible with the stigma he carries.

He leans in and kisses me, his lips moving on mine before I open my mouth, granting him entrance. He rests his hands on my hips and pulls me forward until I’m lying on top of him, and he kisses me lazily as if we have all the time in the world, and this weekend, we do. I don’t have a shift for a few days, and in the spur of the moment, we decided to come here on Thursday instead of Saturday. Four days for Ethan and I to be together.

I break the kiss and look down at him and his smile. Lord, he seems so happy, and my heart flutters knowing I’m the one who is doing that.

I’ve decided. I will tell him that I love him this weekend, but I will also need to be honest with him about my inability to involve him in my life, at least for the foreseeable future.

Will you ever be able to? Or are you only lying to yourself, wasting both of your time?

He brings his hand up and brushes the crease between my eyebrows with his thumb. “What are you thinking that hard about? Are you not happy to be here with me?”

I shake my head, dispelling the cloud of thoughts. “It’s not that. I’m… overwhelmed. This place, us, my family’s new life, everything.”

He studies me, his hazel eyes searching mine. “You know, let’s focus on us, on this moment. These four days of relaxing, talking… enjoying each other’s company, and seeing how many orgasms we can give each other.”

I laugh, touched by his understanding. “I’d like that. But first, how about I make us some dinner?”

A playful smirk crosses his face. “You? Cook?”

I feign indignation. “Hey, I can cook! Sort of.”

His laughter, warm and infectious, fills the space. “Alright, chef. What’s on the menu?” he asks, sitting up and pulling me up with him.

I think for a moment. “It’s a surprise.”

He nods in approval. “Sounds perfect. I’ll go put our bags away and take a quick shower.”

I watch him pick up the bags, his movements graceful and sure. As he disappears upstairs, I take a moment to explore the cabin. The living room flows seamlessly into a dining area and, beyond that, a majestic kitchen. It’s a dream, with gleaming marble countertops, state-of-the-art appliances, and cabinets stocked with every possible ingredient.

I start by rummaging through the cabinets, gathering ingredients for the pasta. As I set to work, I lose myself in the rhythm of cooking, the familiar motions soothing my nerves.

I’m so engrossed that I don’t hear Ethan approach until he’s right behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist. I startle, then relax into his embrace. He rests his chin on my shoulder, watching as I stir the sauce.

“That smells amazing,” he murmurs, placing a soft kiss on my neck.

I smile, tilting my head to give him better access. “Wait till you taste it.”

His response, a soft laugh against my skin, carries a hint of mischief. “I can’t wait even if I’d much rather taste something else,” he adds suggestively.

I press back against him, feeling his growing desire. “That’s dessert,” I tease.

He growls, nipping at my ear. “Vixen,” he murmurs. I laugh, the playful tension between us palpable.

We continue in a comfortable silence, the only sounds being the sizzle of the pan and our synchronized breathing. The domesticity of the moment feels intimate, making me wonder if this could be a glimpse into our future.

“This is truly delicious,” he compliments, taking another forkful of spaghetti.

“You can tell,” I respond with a light-hearted tone. “I really got into cooking after we moved to the trailer. It’s become something I love.”

He smirks. “Showing off your wifey skills, are you?”

I offer a half smile, his comment dimming my mood a little. Even if marriage isn’t on my mind right now, it’s disheartening to think that our relationship will never have that potential.

“Any plans for the break?” I ask, changing the subject.

He looks momentarily surprised but goes along. “Nothing set in stone. Why? What’s on your mind?”

“Just some work to catch up on. I used to do a side job for Jeff,” I explain, waving my hand dismissively. “So, I’m behind on some assignments and readings.”

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