Page 72 of It's Only Ever Been You

Her eyes well up with tears, and I feel my own slipping free. I hate this. I hate feeling this vulnerable, this exposed. But if it’s what it takes to get through to her, I’ll give her everything I have.

“I’m not leaving, Emma,” I say, my voice trembling. “Not now, not ever. But if you don’t believe that, if you don’t believe in me, then tell me now. Because I’m not going to keep fighting for something you’ve already given up on.”

For a long moment, she doesn’t say anything. Just stares at me, her tears falling freely now. And then she steps closer, her hands trembling as they reach for mine.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “I’m so sorry. I was scared, Ethan. I thought… I thought I was protecting myself.”

I pull her into my arms, holding her like I might never let go. “You don’t have to protect yourself from me,” I murmur into her hair. “I’m here, Emma. For as long as you’ll have me.”

She looks up at me, her gaze soft but intense. “I want you,” she says, her voice steady despite the tears. “I want this. But I need you to promise me… promise me you won’t walk away.”

“I promise,” I say, the words as much a vow as the ones Jace made to Sierra earlier today. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Ourlips meet in a kiss that feels like both a beginning and an ending—like every wall between us is finally gone. The kiss deepens, and I feel her fingers slide into my hair, her body pressing against mine.

Her kiss is fire and forgiveness, her lips soft and trembling against mine. I let her lead, my hands anchoring at her waist as she presses closer. The tears on her cheeks haven’t fully dried, but I feel her resolve in the way her fingers thread through my hair, pulling me deeper into her.

“Emma,” I murmur against her lips, my voice heavy with emotion. “Are you sure?”

Her answer is immediate—a whispered, “Yes,” followed by another kiss that steals the breath from my lungs. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and now she’s here, holding onto me like she’s afraid of letting go, like she’s trying to erase the space between us completely.

I guide her back toward the bed, her steps unsteady as we move. Her hands slide under my shirt, her hands warm and urgent against my skin. I help her lift it over my head, and her eyes roam over me, taking in every muscle like she’s memorizing me.

“You’re incredible,” she says softly, her voice thick with emotion. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Stop,” I say, cupping her face in my hands. “Don’t ever say that again. You’re perfect, Emma. You always have been.”

Her lips part, and I capture them again, desperate to show her how much she means to me. My hands slide down her sides, finding the zipper at the back of her dress. I pause, giving her a chance to stop me, but she doesn’t. She nods, her eyes locked on mine, and I slowly slide the zipper down.

Her dress pools at her feet, leaving her in a delicate lace bra and matching panties that make my heart race. She shivers slightly, and I wrap my arms around her, pressing my forehead to hers.

“You’re so beautiful,” I whisper, my hands skimming over her back, her waist, every curve that feels like it was made for me. “So damn beautiful.”

She reaches for the button of my tuxedo pants, her fingers trembling slightly, but I still her hands.

“We don’t have to rush this,” I say, my voice low. “I’ll wait as long as you need.”

Her eyes meet mine, and there’s no hesitation in her response. “I’ve waited long enough.”

The words ignite something inside me, and I kiss her again, deeper this time, pouring everything I feel into it. Her fingers move to the buttons of my shirt, fumbling slightly in her urgency. I cover her hands with mine, steadying her as I work the buttons free. Once undone, I shrug the shirt off my shoulders, letting it slide to the floor before pulling her back into my arms. Her hands move to the waistband of my pants, undoing the button and zipper, then she pushes them down my legs.I kick them off, leaving us standing together, bare and vulnerable in every sense of the word.

I shift, her legs wrapping around my waist as I press her back against the mattress, our movements seamless, like we’ve done this a thousand times before. Her arms tighten around my shoulders, her lips kissing down my jaw and neck, each kiss sending a jolt of electricity straight to my cock. I follow her down, our bodies aligning perfectly as I brace myself above her, my weight supported on my forearms.

Her hands explore my back, her nails digging in slightly as I press a line of kisses down her throat, across her collarbone, and lower still. Her soft gasps and murmured encouragements spur me on, my name a whispered prayer on her lips.

“I need you,” she says, her voice breaking. “Now, Ethan.”

I meet her gaze, searching for any sign of doubt, but all I see is love and trust and a hunger that matches my own. “I’ve got you,” I promise, positioning myself above her. “I’ll always have you.”

Chapter Twenty Six

All In

Emma

Ethan’s words settle over me, soft and steady, a promise that wraps itself around my heart. His gaze doesn’t waver, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I don’t feel the need to hold anything back. There’s no room for fear or doubt, only the steady rhythm of his breath against mine and the way he makes me feel like I’m the only thing that matters.

“I know,” I whisper, reaching up to brush my fingers along his jaw. “I trust you.”

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