Page 55 of All Her Broken Pieces

I open my mouth to speak and close it again when I realize he’s right. Fuck.

“I came from a big, blended family. My dad and bio mom had me when they were young. Dad wanted lots of kids, which wasn’t in the cards for them. He met Ashley when I was four. She’d escaped an abusive marriage with her one-year-old daughter, Emma. After they married, they had four more girls: Ella, Elizabeth, Erin, and Evie. They thought it was a sign that both of their kids had E names, so they kept the trend for all of us,” he says, rolling his eyes.

“So you don’t want kids?”

“Nope. I grew up in a house full of kids. I’m okay never having my own.” His eyes meet mine. “Truly, I am. Most of my sisters are still kids. The youngest is five. I’d be happy being the fun uncle. Our house was loud and chaotic. There are so many other things I want to do with my life, and having kids would complicate that.”

“But you could change your mind. You’re young.” I’m grasping at straws here, unsure how to convince him and not sure why I’m trying so hard.

Ethan moves to sit next to me. I pull my legs closer to me as he reaches out and clasps my hands in his, looking directly into my eyes when he speaks.

“I’m twenty-two, and I know what I want out of life. Kids aren’t part of that. I’ve seen how my parents struggled to make ends meet. My dad works so much he’s hardly around. Plumbers make decent money, and yet he still picks up extra work where he can. I see how it wears him out, and money is still tight for them. That’s not the kind of life I want.”

“What do you want?”

“Would it be cheesy to say I want you?”

I drop my head so I can avoid that perfect fucking dimple and its magical powers. One of his hands cups my cheek and lifts my face up, forcing our eyes to connect. His eyes darken, and the look he gives me is penetrating, as though he wants me to understand his truth.

“I’m not really sure what I want to do with my life, but I do know this. I want to get to know you in whatever way you’ll let me. I want you to be part of my life moving forward. I’ve never felt this way about someone, and I cannot ignore all the signs the universe is giving me when it comes to you. Something is drawing us together. Can you honestly say you don’t feel it?”

I hesitate, dropping my eyes briefly. “I… I don’t think…” My words trail off, and all rational thought leaves my brain as he leans into me and pulls my face close to his, resting his forehead against mine. Our lips are a whisper apart. All I’d have to do is push them out in a pucker and we’d be kissing.

“Don’t think. Be in the moment with me.” His lips graze mine as he speaks. The air between us feels charged. I’ve never felt this kind of energy with anyone before. It’s just sexual chemistry, though, right?

Short, warm breaths heat my skin as his breathing picks up. My heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. Arousal pools deep in my core, awakening part of my body that only he seems to control lately. His fingertips pull on the back of my neck as his thumb makes slow swipes along my cheekbone.

“Bridget, I want you so fucking bad it hurts.” His words are a desperate plea against my skin that matches the desire gathering in my core. How does he have this effect on me? The tip of his nose rubs against mine as his words continue to pierce my shell. “I’ll do anything you ask. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.”

The words tumble out of my mouth without thought. “Kiss me.”

Before I can take my next breath, his lips are on mine, nipping and teasing. “Fuck, you taste so good,” he mumbles between kisses. His other hand lets go of mine and slowly glides up my arm until it’s on my neck, fingers threading in my hair, holding me firmly in place. As if there is anywhere else I’d want to be right now. Something about the press of his lips on mine just feels right. There’s no urge to run—in fact, I need him closer. I reach for him, unfolding my legs from against my body and laying them over his lap as he smooths my arms up his chest before wrapping them around his neck as he leans into me. The little moans that escape my throat should be embarrassing, but I can’t be bothered to care.

Our tongues tangle together, desire building between us as our hands grope and grip each other tighter. It’s intoxicating, casting a spell over my senses. Right when I think I can’t take one more minute without him inside me, he pulls back, pressing his forehead against mine. A few seconds pass as his touch continues lighting up my skin, our breaths mingling as we come down from the high.

“Why did you stop?” The plea is out before I can contain it.

“I’d love nothing more than to lay you out and feast on every inch of your delicious body.” A moan bubbles in my throat at the thought of his tongue against my clit. No one’s ever commanded my body like he has. “But I’m pretty sure your paperwork mentioned no sex for four to six weeks. You might feel great now, but if yesterday was any indication, that pain pill will wear off here in a couple of hours, and you’ll need to rest.”

“Fuck the paperwork. I thought you said you’d do anything I ask?”

“Not if it means hurting you.” His green eyes bore into mine. “I’ll do anything, but I won’t hurt you. I promise.” Placing a gentle kiss on my lips, he hoists me into his lap, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he stands and walks us back to the bedroom. “But I’ll take care of you tonight.”

He gently deposits me on the bed, standing between my legs as I sit on the edge. “Arms up.” His tone is firm—a command, not a request. I lift my arms, and he carefully drags my shirt up without tugging too hard on my shoulders. His eyes drop to my chest as his gaze lingers on my puckered nipples. “Dammit, Bridget. You’re making this really hard.”

Chuckling, I lean back on my arms and wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him flush with my hips. I should feel self-conscious about the bandages covering my incisions. I should kick him out before things get messier than they already are. But right now, I’m pulled to him like a magnet. “Kiss me,” I plead again, but there’s a challenge in my tone, testing his word and resolve.

“Fuuuck.” He drags out the word as his head lowers to my chest. He places gentle kisses on my breasts, nipping and sucking the fleshy parts without giving me the pressure I need in the areas I crave it. His eyes flick up to mine, and a pained look crosses his brow. “We should stop before this goes too far because if I pull one of these nipples into my mouth, I won’t be able to stop until you’re coming on my tongue.”

I can see the outline of his cock pressing into the seam of his pants as he backs away from me and walks to my dresser. A few seconds later, he’s crossing the room with a fresh pair of pajamas in hand. He takes his time putting the silky camisole on me before dropping to his knees. “Stand up and place your hands on my shoulders so I can put the bottoms on for you.”

“O-okay.” There’s a hitch in my breath as I stand and grip his shoulders. A surge of heat courses through me and his muscles flex under my touch as he slowly lowers my leggings and panties to the floor.

“Fuck, you’re dripping for me, sweetheart.” His eyes rake over my pussy, bare and exposed to him. The heat of his stare becomes too much as I move a hand to cover myself.

His eyes flick up to mine. “Don’t you dare hide this from me. You are beautiful, and if all I can do is look right now, I want to bask in every glorious fucking inch of you.” He reaches out, placing my hand back on his shoulder as he continues his perusal of my body. I can feel his mouth only inches from my skin.

Every minute that his eyes are on me, I feel more aroused yet also self-conscious. Anxiety picks away at me, causing me to worry that he’s looking too closely at each wrinkle, scar, and dimple on my body.

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