Page 68 of When We Are Falling

“I like this side of you.” He smirks and lies down on the sand where the run of the waves washes over his legs. I lower myself onto my knees, straddling his thighs, and take him in my mouth. He gasps as the swirl of my tongue teases his glistening tip, savoring the taste of saltwater and desire.

His legs tense, his breathing becoming more ragged as I take him deeper, my lips sliding down his shaft until I can feel him hit the back of my throat.

He groans, his hands reaching out to grip my shoulders as I work him closer and closer to the edge. But just as he’s about to come, I pull back, leaving him trembling with need.

Crawling forward, lowering myself onto him slowly, feeling him slide deep inside me, the overwhelming thickness of him making me pause, before I start to ride him. The water around us surges and swirls as we move together, our bodies rocking in rhythm with the waves, his hungry hands on my breast, my nipples, hips bucking in time with mine.

Closing my eyes, lost in the sensation of him filling me completely. I can feel every inch of him, throbbing and pulsing inside me. I ride him slowly at first, savoring the feel of him, but soon we pick up the pace, me grinding my hips against his, my clit rubbing against his pelvis with delicious friction.

He groans, his hands gripping my hips as he thrusts up into me. Tension builds inside me, my muscles clenching and releasing as I climb higher and higher. And then, with a cry of pleasure, I come, my body shuddering as wave after wave of ecstasy washes over me.

With a guttural groan, he rolls me over so he’s on top, his body pinning mine to the sandy bottom. He slams into me, his hips pounding against mine as he takes me, filling me completely.

The forceful thrusts loosen a moan and I lift my legs, opening myself wider to him. He bottoms out, groans: “Fuck… Blake…”

His rhythm becomes more ragged, and then, with a final cry, he comes, his body shuddering as he empties himself inside me.

Time seems to slow, and he leans down, kissing me so deeply, the broad of his shoulders blocking out the moon above. “I don’t want this night to end. You’re everything.”

We kiss again, slow and unhurried as he explores every inch of my mouth, and then he pulls out, rolling over, the wrap of his arms going around me.

My head rests on his chest, a profound sense of safety washes over me. With Ethan, it’s like I’ve found an anchor in the midst of chaos. He’s so solid and dependable, always there when I need him. I feel cherished and protected, and it’s a feeling I never want to let go of.

Pressing a hand to the skin over his heart:I love you.

He seems to feel it, even though I haven’t said it out loud. And for a long time, we just lie there, staring up at the sky, the chill of the night of little consequence against the heat and salt of our skin, the fire that burns between us.

Chapter 30

Ethan

The plane hums with anticipation,the interior vibrating softly as it ascends, muffled conversations and nervous laughter filling the space. Blake sits beside me, looking calm and collected, but she’s holding her hands tightly in her lap.

Sunlight streaming through the small windows catches the highlights in her hair, and she looks at me, so pretty I can hardly stand it, while Liam is across from us, chatting animatedly with a tourist who grips the edges of his seat, knuckles white, smiling through his anxiety. A couple of solo jumpers, seasoned pros with years of experience, are checking their gear.

I glance out the window, taking in the breathtaking view below. Today is a rare day off now that the pristine beaches around the lighthouse are finally free of oil. There are still a few spots south of Harbor’s Edge that need some work, and a few oil patches near the wetlands held back by the booms we placed a couple of weeks ago, but me and the rest of the Valiant Heartsare going to take care of it. The end is in sight—we’ve almost done it.

Looking over at Blake, a deep sense of gratitude for having her in my life washes over me. I’m in love with a beautiful woman, and life has never felt so good. And even though she hasn’t told me yet, I can tell she loves me too. It’s in the lean of her body into mine, the brush of her lips on my cheek when she thinks I’m sleeping, the way she’s opened up to me, relied on me.

Leaning over, letting my hand rest on top of hers. “You doing okay?”

Her green eyes lock onto mine. A wry smile. “You know, I’m never nervous with you. I trust you completely. Even when we’re doing something stupid, like throwing ourselves out of a plane.”

I grin back, warmth spreading through me. “You’re gonna love this.”

As we approach the drop zone, I double-check her harness. “You sure you’re ready for this?”

Blake smirks, throwing her shoulders back, a defiant expression on that perfect face. “I was born ready. Just don’t mess up my hair.”

Planting a smacking kiss on her lips before checking on the others. Everything looks good and I flash Liam a thumbs up, who lets the pilot know. The excitement in the plane is palpable. I strap myself to Blake, remind everyone to arch, and head to the door. We inch closer to the edge, the world outside a dizzying blur of blue sky and green earth, cold air blasting past us.

“On three,” I shout over the wind. “One, two, three!”

We leap into the void, and the freefall is incredible. The sensation of falling, our bodies strapped together like one entity, buffered by the whims of the wind, is pure euphoria. The air rushes past, the ground hurtling up to meet us. For those few moments, it’s just us and the endless sky, a perfect moment suspended in time.

As we plummet through the air, strands of Blake’s hair whip against my face—she’s completely reliant on me, trusting me to keep her safe, and it’s impossible not to think about how far we’ve come. I secretly wanted her for so long, always watching from a distance, never crossing that line between friendship and what we have now.

But she’s gradually learned to let me in, to rely on me, her walls slowly coming down bit by bit. It hasn’t been easy for her, and she’s challenged me too. I’ve always been the guy who plans every detail, who makes sure nothing goes wrong. But sometimes we just have to let go, to trust in the moment and in each other.

---