Page 25 of When We Are Falling

He undresses like he’s in no hurry, pulling off his T-shirt, then unbuckling his belt and letting his jeans fall to the floor, leaving him in just his boxers, tented over his erection. His tanned skin is illuminated by the moonlight streaming in through the sheer curtain over the window, highlighting every defined muscle.

Broad shoulders lead down to a sculpted chest, with a light dusting of dark hair. Tight abs, strong, powerful thighs. Every inch of him seems chiseled from marble, an embodiment of strength and raw masculinity.

There’s no doubt—his body is a work of art, and I can’t take my eyes off him as he crawls toward me, between my legs, and over me like he owns me. He captures my mouth in a searing kiss that leaves me breathless, and there’s only the graze of his stubble, the soft of his lips, the heat of his tongue, and the weight of him between my legs.

His hungry mouth trails down my neck, nipping and sucking at my sensitive skin. I moan as his fingers find my breasts, teasing my hardened nipples until I’m panting.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispers in my ear. “I want you so bad, Blake. I’m going to make you come until my name is the only word left in your pretty little mouth.”

He moves further down my body, his mouth setting fire to my skin. He captures each nipple once more, sucking, teeth grazing their pebbled peaks, and my body is burning, molten heat pulsing wherever his touch lands.

Down he goes, worshiping every inch of me, making me feel like a goddess. He pauses between my legs, and a look of pure hunger crosses the handsome planes of his face. One hand braces my right thigh, propping it up and opening me to him fully. Then he runs his fingers between my slick folds, sliding in first one finger, my walls hot and tight around him.

Another finger, pumping slowly in and out as I writhe on the bed, head thrown back, looking at the ornate light fitting hanging over the bed but not really seeing it at all. There’s only the pleasure building inside, the heat surging through me.

His mouth lowers to my clit, humming and licking the sensitive nub as his fingers continue to slide in and out of me. He sucks on my clit and I cry out in pleasure, my hips bucking against his face as he brings me closer and closer to the edge.

I’m building toward an orgasm and he feels it too, not letting up, stroking deep inside, mouth pleasing me like no one ever has, the sensation like a tsunami gaining strength, rushing through me. Then it hits and I cease to exist, nothing but a wave of pleasure spreading from my core, pulsing outwards in electrifying waves.

The muscles in my body contract and release, toes curling and my fingers digging into the sheets. My entire body shakes with the intensity of the release. I’m gasping for air, then awareness comes back to me as Ethan moves to lie beside me, pulling me into his arms. He’s heat and smooth skin, a broad expanse of muscle that fits right around me. His body cradles me, treasuring.

“You liked that, princess?”

“Oh, my god.” Keeping my eyes closed, taking several long breaths, steadying myself, enjoying the feel of his arms around me while trying not to think about it too much. A slow breath rolls through me, and I take in the details of his room for the first time.

It’s beautifully decorated with subtle tones, and the bed is adorned with soft, silky sheets and a pillowy duvet, the curtains a sheer, gauzy material that gently filters in the moonlight.

Glancing up: Ethan’s staring at me, drinking me in. I’m completely naked while he’s still in his boxers, but he makes me feel so safe and comfortable, like the two of us lying here is the most natural thing in the world.

“I should repay the favor. It’s not fair for me to have all the fun.” I roll over so we’re facing one another, reaching down, feeling the hard length of his arousal through the flimsy material.

“Trust me, that was pretty good for me, too,” he replies, his voice husky.

I reach into his boxers, hand clamping around his thickness, stroking the length of him, my core coming alive once more, and he lets out a guttural groan. One more stroke, then he surprises me, reaching down and taking my hand, bringing it up to his chest, cocooning it in his hands.

“So, does this mean you’re ready to give us a shot? Because I’m not just looking for a one-night thing. Not with you.”

I look into the steel gray of his eyes. It’s a little unnerving, the intensity with which he’s staring at me.

My instinct is to smile, brush him off. “I thought one-night stands were your speciality?”

“Not with you,” he repeats. “There’s too much history between us. And I’ve wanted this for too long.”

His words send a surprising thrill through me, and I force a breath through the heat in my chest. “We’re friends. I don’t want to ruin that.”

“We’re not going to ruin anything.”

I roll away, shimmying to the edge of the bed where the sweatpants are bundled on the floor. I dress quickly, pressing one arm across the bare of my breasts. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I can’t be in a relationship right now. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he replies, a cat-like smile spreading across his mouth as he props himself up on one elbow. “I have complete confidence that you and I are going to end up together.”

His cockiness makes me laugh if nothing else, and that was one hell of an orgasm. I spin and head for the kitchen, finding the T-shirt Ethan loaned me and tugging it back on, before bending down to pat Bandit.

At the same time, an alert sounds on my phone. It’s the app for the security company that monitors the Tidal Tavern, and I grab my backpack, fishing around for my phone.

“Everything okay?” Ethan wanders into the kitchen just in jeans, his T-shirt bunched in one hand, all chiseled abs and tan skin.

But for once, my gaze barely skims him. I’m frowning, back to staring at my phone. “It looks like the security alarm was tripped for the Tidal Tavern. Do you mind if we drive past there on the way back to my place?”

---