Page 116 of Return To You

He lifts his head slightly away from me. “I want to watch you come. Let it go. Come for me.” He draws circles around my clit then narrows in on the sensitive nub, bringing me to the edge.

“Ethan,” I moan, writhing under his touch.

“That’s it, baby.” His touch intensifies. “God you’re so beautiful when you come for me.”

My back arches on its own as the orgasm rolls out. He dips two fingers inside me, and I come harder, crying out in agonizing pleasure. He cups my pelvis as the last of the orgasm shakes me, then when I’m calmer and breathless, brings my skirt down and caresses my hair.

“How’s that for the end of a stressful day?”

“Better than all the cocktails in the world.”

His laughter rumbles softly through my body. “I’ll go make us some burgers. And a drink if you’d like one.”

“That sounds perfect.”

thirty-seven

Grace

It’s the soft click of the door that wakes me, the definitive sound of Ethan leaving before the sun is up. “Good luck,” I whisper, although he can’t hear me now. I do hope he gets the job in Brussels— the posting, whatever he calls it. I really do.

Right after he leaves, although it’s still early, I swing my legs out the bed and stretch. There’s no way I’m falling back asleep now.

And I have too much on my plate to wallow because Ethan is gone.

I don’t even know how long he’ll be gone. He doesn’t even know. One week, two weeks. He couldn’t even tell me exactly where he was going, only that he wasn’t leaving the country—yet—and that whatever he was going to do would determine his next posting.

I use the bathroom, make the bed, and get dressed. Damian is rubbing against my legs, so I go to the kitchen to refill his water and kibble before finishing up my makeup.

On the kitchen counter is a large Mason jar, filled with little envelopes in different colors, with things written on them.

In Ethan’s handwriting.

There’s a large card taped to the top of the jar. It says, Open First.

So I do.

My one and only,

I will miss you every day that I’m gone, and I don’t know how to make up for my absence. Here are some of the thoughts of you that will occupy my mind. Open only one each day, and I promise to be back before the jar is empty.

Yours always,

Ethan

I close my eyes and take a card at random.

Wildest fantasy come true

Kissing you under the covered bridge again

I shut my eyes at the memory, happy tears flooding me.

Day 1 of Ethan being away, and he’s already making me happy through time and distance.

My knees give slightly under me, and my palms moisten at the sight of all these cute little envelopes, all different colors.

So many of them, it seems. How long will he really be gone?

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