Page 66 of Holding On

"I broke my ankle in eighth grade. Had to use crutches for a few weeks." He makes his way back to me. "Now I don't have to reach up to kiss you. I can bend down, like I should've been doing."

He's a good ten inches taller than me. I'm not used to having to look up at him.

We kiss and make our way to the couch, where we kiss some more until I have to leave for my shift at The Chicken Shack.

As I get up, he pulls me back down. "Wait."

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry I was such an ass today. It was only because I was afraid of what I'd find out."

I nod. "I know."

He looks at me with those deep brown eyes. "Thank you for driving me. And coming with. I was so freaking nervous. It really helped to have you there."

"Any time."

He kisses me. "Have a good night. Call me later, okay?"

"I will."

As I'm leaving, I feel happy but confused. On the one hand, I feel like we're becoming closer. Like he's sharing things with me that he wouldn't share with anyone else. But then he gets moody and pushes me away and I get confused. I feel like he's shutting me out but I don't know why.

It's that constant push and pull that has me thinking this will never go anywhere. And maybe it won't. Maybe I just need to accept this for what it is. Just a short term fling. A summer romance.

***

The following afternoon, I head to Ethan's house to clean. It's the first time I've actually looked forward to one of my cleaning jobs. I thought of wearing regular clothes instead of my uniform but then decided to just wear it. Besides, I think Ethan secretly likes it.

He meets me at the door on his crutches. It's nice to see him standing up for a change. He's really tall.

"Hello, Mr. Baxter," I say in a formal tone. "I'm here to clean your house."

"Hey." He smiles and leans down to kiss me.

"I don't think you're allowed to do that, Mr. Baxter," I tease.

"And I don't think you're supposed to show up here looking so damn sexy." He pulls me inside and closes the door.

My eyes fall shut as he lays soft kisses down my neck. "I have to clean."

"Forget the cleaning." He brings me to the couch, tossing his crutches aside as he sits down and pulls me onto his lap. "I'm giving you the afternoon off." He cradles the back of my head as his lips cover mine, parting them and taking the kiss deeper.

He kisses better than anyone I've ever dated, which explains why I can't stop kissing him. I feel his hand on my thigh and secretly wish he'd move it up to where I want it. I want him to touch me there. I need him to. But instead his hand goes to the top of my dress, unbuttoning it down to my bra.

He roughly shoves the fabric down which makes me break from his lips, inhaling sharply.

He gives me that sexy bad-boy grin of his. "Can I?"

I bite my lip and nod. His mouth lowers to my breast and I softly moan as he sucks and licks and gently tugs on my nipple. His hand returns to my thigh and he slowly slides it under my dress until he reaches my panties. Finally! He strokes a path over the fabric, back and forth, with a light, teasing touch that's pure torture. I rub myself against his hand, begging for more. He pushes my panties aside, then slips two fingers inside me.

I gasp at his boldness but love it. He knew what I wanted it and didn't make me wait. I feel his erection pressing against me and all I can think about is how much I want it inside me. I said I wouldn't do it, but I've changed my mind. I haven't been with a guy in almost a year and I need this. I really, really need this.

"Oh God!" I cry out as I come, sweat trickling down my chest. The air conditioner's cranked up so it's cold in here but I'm burning up inside.

Ethan covers my mouth with his and kisses me as his hand slides back down my thigh, gently squeezing it.

"Better than cleaning?" he asks, smiling against my lips.

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