Page 11 of Then You Came Along

“I’d really like that,” I reply, looking up at him.

We arrive at my building, but I’m not ready to tell him goodbye just yet. From the way he keeps me close, I don’t think he’s ready either.

“Would you like to come in for a bit?” I ask, pulling out my keys.

“Yes, I’d like that, if you aren’t too tired,” he replies, his voice gravelly, which sends a bolt of electricity straight to my core.

Fuck, he makes me horny.

I turn my focus onto unlocking the door to the lobby of my building, and not the heat that’s seeping into my body from the contact from our skin. He’s pressed himself against my back and placed both of his large hands on my hips; I can feel the hardnessof his cock against my lower back. Feeling the effect I have on his body is doing things to mine that I haven’t felt in a very long time.

We make it up to my apartment and inside, but the moment my door closes behind us, the electricity between us snaps. Ethan spins us, backing me up against the wall in the hall, just inside my door. His lips hover over mine for a few agonizing seconds before he crushes them together.

I moan into his mouth, opening almost instantly as his tongue swipes along my lips. One of his hands cups my face, holding me where he wants, while the other stays on my hip, keeping our bodies close. I run my hands up his solid chest, along his shoulders, and behind his neck until I sink my fingers into his hair, tugging lightly.

Ethan has complete control over this kiss and his dominance has me so turned on, I feel as if I could combust.

He pulls back, breaking our kiss, and places his forehead against mine.

“What are you doing to me?” he whispers.

“I could ask the same of you,” I reply, my voice just as low.

Ethan lingers, his lips a whisper away from my own, as our eyes are locked on each other, both searching for something within the other. He must see what he’s looking for, as he captures my mouth again in a kiss I feel down to my toes.

We stay pressed against the wall, his body trapping mine, as we explore each other between the deepening kiss and our roaming hands, for what feels like forever, until Ethan pulls back, looking at me with a hunger in his eyes I’ve never seen.

“I should probably go,” he finally rasps out.

“Or you could stay.” I hold his gaze.

The hunger in his eyes intensifies as he takes in what I’ve just suggested. I don’t know where the nerve to offer something so bold came from, but I can’t pass up the opportunity. I feelsomething when I’m around him that I can’t let pass without seeing what it is.

“Are you sure?” he finally asks.

I shake my head yes and lead him further into my apartment.

“Can I get you anything to drink? I’ve got beer, water, or soda.”

“I’ll take a beer.”

I leave him in my living room and retreat to the kitchen to grab us both a beer, popping the tops off before heading back out to join him.

I take a drink, hoping the alcohol will continue to give me courage to move forward with him tonight. I haven’t had a man’s touch since Ben got sick. But tonight, for the first time, my body feels alive. He makes me feel like a desired woman, and I’m more than ready to explore that feeling again.

Chapter Six

ETHAN

I watchCam from across her living room as she grabs us both a beer. I was slightly shocked at her offer to stay tonight. I know she says she’s ready to move on, but I don’t want to push her if she’s not ready. I’m watching her, specifically to see if that confidence she showed me against the wall falters at all. I’m not here to push her into anything she might regret in the morning.

I take a long pull from the bottle she hands me before setting it down on one of her end tables. I grab her hand, pulling her tight against me again. “Tell me what’s on your mind. I can almost hear you thinking.”

A shiver runs through her body, and she lays her head against my chest, taking a moment before she answers.

“Since Ben died, I’ve never felt the want or need to find someone new. I haven’t even gone out on a date. I know that I can’t stay single forever, as I’ve become so lonely lately. I promised myself that part of this move was a new start. New town, new job, new apartment, and eventually, a new relationship. I just feel so drawn to you. I can’t explain it. I feel fully alive for the first time in years when I’m around you, and I can’t explain why.”

Her honesty hits me hard in the chest, and I can feel my heartbeat kick up speed.

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