Page 40 of Awakening

Olivia

My body is still buzzing as we approach Anthony’s apartment. That kiss. I can’t deny there’s something between us. Something more than just attraction. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. The guards are still standing watch when we arrive at Anthony’s door. Ethan takes my hands in his, pulling me close to him.

“Is Chloe here? I think I should come inside,” he says.

Overhearing Ethan’s question, the closest guard says, “Dr. Moretti made it clear you are not welcome in his home.”

Ethan’s hands tighten around me and his whole body visibly tenses. “She shouldn’t be alone.”

“She’s not alone,” the guard responds. “We’re right here.” He smirks and raises his hand to wave at Ethan. He’s clearly trying to agitate him, and I’m pretty sure it’s working.

“Ethan,” I say, placing my hand on his chest and pulling his attention back to me. “It’s okay. Chloe texted to say she’s ten minutes away, and Anthony will be home in less than an hour. I’m going to bed as soon as I go inside.”

“You don’t let anyone harm a hair on her fucking head,” Ethan says, looking past me to the guards.

“That’s the job,” the second guard replies.

“Ethan, look at me.” He returns his gaze to me with a sigh. I can see how much this is killing him. “I’m going to be okay. Thank you for a very nice evening. I really enjoyed spending time with you tonight.”

“The pleasure was most definitely all mine.” He takes my face in his hands, tracing circles on my cheeks with his thumbs, while he touches his forehead to mine. He brings his lips to mine, starting soft and sensual as he threads his hand in the back of my hair. It’s like he starts a fire within me with just the slightest touch. I release a whimper of pleasure as my arms wrap around his neck, and my hands play in his hair.

One of the security guards clears his throat as if to suggest that we should stop. I don’t want him to stop. Ethan wraps his arms around my body, pulling me close and deepening the kiss as his tongue chases and teases mine. When he pulls back, allowing me a breath, he whispers, “I love you, Olivia.” I feel his words straight in my heart, and it hurts me that I can’t say them back to him right now.

“So, I’ll see you tomorrow evening?” I ask, still trying to catch my breath.

“You will,” he says with a grin.

I nod and take a deep breath. “Goodnight, Ethan.” I turn to move toward the door, but he catches my hand and turns me toward him for one last slow, gentle kiss.

“Goodnight, Olivia.” I smile as he releases me, and I look into those gorgeous steel blue eyes once more before turning and closing the door behind me.

Going straight to my bedroom, I smile as I lean against the back of the door and think about the feeling of his lips on mine.

Ethan

Hanging around after Olivia goes inside, I glare at both of these smug dicks, barely able to contain my rage. “I don’t know who the fuck you are, but I know what you are, and I will find out where the fuck you came from.”

“Good luck. Have a nice night,” the loud-mouthed guard says with a smile.

It’s all I can do to keep myself from slamming both of their fucking heads into the wall, but I won’t upset Olivia. I also won’t give that asshole doctor an opportunity to have me arrested and out of reach from her. I turn my back to them to take a deep breath in time to see Chloe stepping off the elevator with a couple of bags filled with personal belongings.

“Hey,” Chloe says. “What are you doing out here?”

“Apparently, I’m not allowed in the apartment.” Chloe looks around me to scowl at the guards. “Olivia insisted she was tired and wanted to go to bed. I’m fighting myself like hell to keep from causing a scene, Chloe.”

“I know,” Chloe says. “Hang in there. She’s very receptive to talking about you, and she was adorably nervous for your dinner date tonight. I don’t think it will be long at all before she’s back home where she belongs.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I always am,” she says with a bright smile, and I shake my head.

Nick is sprawled out on the couch watching TV when I get back to the apartment. “We have a fucking problem,” I say, tossing my keys onto the kitchen island.

“I bet I can guess,” he says, sitting up.

“When I picked up Olivia for dinner tonight, Moretti had two werewolves assigned to guard his apartment.”

“Yeah, that’s what Chloe said. He told us he didn’t have any pack ties,” Nick says.

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