Page 39 of It's Only Ever Been You

She bites her lip, her cheeks pink, but she doesn’t look away. “Show me,” she says, her voice trembling.

I lean down, pressing my mouth to the inside of her thigh, my fingers tracing lazy circles over the lace. “Every night,” I admit, my voice rough. “Every goddamn night, I think about having you like this. Tasting you. Hearing the way you’ll moan my name when I make you come.”

Her breath catches, and I grin against her skin, sliding the lace down her legs. I press a kiss just above where she’s aching for me, savoring the way she trembles beneath me.

When my mouth finally finds her clit, she cries out, her fingers clutching the sheets. I take my time, learning every reaction, every sound, every movement that drives her wild. Her hips buck against me, her hands tangling in my hair, and it’s everything I’ve always wanted.

“You taste so fucking good,” I groan against her, my grip tightening on her thighs to keep her in place. “I could stay here forever, Em.”

She gasps, her back arching off the bed, and I know she’s close. “Ethan,” she whimpers, her voice breaking. “Please…”

I slide two fingers inside her, curling them just right, and the sound she makes is enough to push me to the edge. Her body tenses, and then she’s falling apart, her cries filling the room as she shatters beneath me.

I give her a moment to catch her breath, kissing my way back up her body, my hands still caressing hersoft, trembling skin. When I meet her eyes, they’re glazed, her lips swollen from biting back her moans.

“I’m not done with you yet,” I whisper, sliding out of my boxers briefs and pressing myself against her. “I’ve waited too long for this.”

Her legs wrap around me, pulling me closer, and as I push into her, the world fades away. It’s just us—Emma and me—finally giving in to everything we’ve held back for years. And it’s better than I ever imagined.

I wake up with a start, my chest heaving, the remnants of the dream still clinging to me. My body is tense, my skin slick with sweat, and my cock hard. All I can think about is her. I can almost feel her in my arms, the sound of her voice, the way she looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered.

I sit up, running a hand through my hair, cursing under my breath. “Damn it,” I mutter, trying to shake off the lingering heat of the dream.

But no matter how hard I try, she’s still there, etched into my brain, a brand I can’t erase.

The next morning, I drag myself out of bed and into the gym. It’s early, and the place is practically empty, just the way I like it. I throw myself into my routine, letting the burn of each rep drown out everything else.

By the time I’m done, sweat dripping down my back, my arms trembling, I feel a little better. But it doesn’t last. It never does.

I hit the showers and then head to practice, where the guys are in full swing, joking and shoving each other around like it’s recess. They’re good guys, all of them, but I’ve always kept a bit of distance. It’s easier that way. Less chance of someone getting too close.

“Yo, Belmont,” one of the rookies calls out, tossing a ball in my direction. “You coming out tonight? Team’s hitting up Jake’s for drinks.”

I catch the ball, spinning it in my hands before tossing it back. “Nah, I’m good. Got an early start tomorrow.”

He shrugs, not pushing it, and I’m grateful. The truth is, I don’t want to spend the night surrounded by people, plastering on a fake smile while my mind’s somewhere else. Somewhere with her.

I’m back on my couch, nursing a beer and flipping through the channels without really watching anything. My phone buzzes on the table, and I glance at it, half-hoping it’s her even though I know it won’t be.

It’s Jace.

“Hey, man,” I say, leaning back against the cushions. “What’s up?”

“Not much,” Jace replies, his tone casual but with an edge of something more. “Just wanted to make sure you’re still good for the wedding next month. You didn’t forget, did you?”

I pause, rubbing the back of my neck. “Of course not,” I lie, realizing I totally forgot about it. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Good,” he says, clearly not buying it but letting it slide. “You’re a groomsman, remember? Can’t have the lineup without you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I say, forcing a grin he can’t see. “I’ll be there. When do you need me?”

“Rehearsal dinner’s the night before, and we’re doing a bachelor thing earlier in the week. I’ll text you the details.” He pauses, his tone shifting slightly. “Oh, and just a heads up, Emma’s a bridesmaid.”

That catches me off guard. “Emma?” repeat the name, the weight of it sinking in harder than I want to admit.

“Yeah. I figured you’d know that, but…” His voice fades at the end, hesitant, as though he’s feeling out my reaction. “Guess it’s been a while since you two caught up, huh?”

I swallow hard, my chest tightening. “Yeah, it has,” I admit, trying to keep my voice even.

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