Page 99 of Unfolding Ethan

Ethan pecked my lips and sat beside me. “Hi. That’s a new melody. I haven’t heard you play it before.”

I shrugged. “I’m playing what I’m feeling.” And played a few more notes, biting my lip when he drummed his fingers on my thigh.

“What are you doing here, Ethan?” I asked, raising my brow. “Shouldn’t you be resting?” I pointed at the white bandage on his temple, which was still healing.

“I am here to spend some time with my girlfriend, Bella,” he said, his hand wrapping around my waist and pulling me flush against his chest. I smiled against his kiss and tightened my fingers on his shirt.

I pulled away, grinning at him, and turned on his lap. “This is for you.”

I closed my eyes, ignoring the way his fingers on my waist felt as I focused on playing the tune I had in my mind for a while. I played the soft notes, my fingers fleeting over the keys, and lost myself in the feeling of sound and how he made me feel.

When I opened my eyes after ending the song, I bit my lip and looked at him, raising my brow. His cheeks were flushed. “That was beautiful, Bella.” He cupped my cheek, his fingers brushing away my hair. “What were you feeling when you played that?”

“Love.”

His eyes swirled with unknown emotions and I breathed when he kissed me, cradling my face in his hands. “I love you so much, Kiara.”

I smiled, running my hand through his hair. “I love you too, Ethan.”

“Then let me show you how much.”

In one move, he picked me from the piano sitting bench and laid me down on my bed, putting my open journal on the nightstand before settling between my legs. I shivered when his hands moved all over my body, our kiss getting hungrier.

“You're cold,” I whispered, my hand cupping his cheek and grazing the stubble. Thankfully, he did close the window after sneaking into my room so that my room stayed warm.

"And horny," Ethan whispered, pulling away and licked his lips. "I cannotstop thinking about my birthday and it's your fault, Kiara." He playfully glared at me and hovered above me, pinning my hands above my head.

I snickered, watching his eyes light up happily. He kissed me softly and when his cold lips traveled down to my neck, a moan tore out of my lips. Ethan kissed and bit my skin, making me arch toward his body. His cold hands removed my sweater and traveled down when our lips met in a scorching kiss, our bodies radiating heat through each other's touch.

When he pulled away to remove my Grinch pajamas, Irememberedand tried to pull away.

“Ethan,” I breathed, trying to push him away. “Ethan, no.Stop!” I panicked when his hands held the waistband of my pajamas.

"Ethan,get off me!" I snapped, tears welling in my eyes at his cold touch. "Please, stop!" I gasped for breath when he pulled away, his eyes wide with worry.

"Hey, what happened? Are you all right?" Ethan whispered softly, his hand brushing mine, but I flinched and pushed myself away from him and held the blanket over my chest.

"Don't . . . don't touch me," I stammered and wiped away my tears.

I dared my eyes to look at him, who seemed very confused and worried. He shook his head and blinked when I put my sweater back on, not meeting his eyes.

"Hey, did I do something?” He took a shaky breath. “I . . . Did I hurt you?”

"No."

None of us spoke for a while and I forced myself to calm down and hugged my knees. I felt the bed dip across me, and I froze, looking at him.

"What happened, Kiara?" he asked sternly, his jaw clenching and unclenching as if he was deciding whether to hug me or go away.

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

"Bullshit."

"Shut up, Ethan!" I said, regretting the words as soon as they left my lips. He pursed his lips, staring at me as if he didn't know me. "I don't want to have sex right now. Is that such a big deal?"

“We both know it’s not about that. What happened?” he asked again and waited for a reply, but I said nothing. I had nothing to say to him. I didn’t want to talk to him right now or let him see me like this.

I met his eyes when he tried to cup my cheeks, but I pulled away, my back touching the headboard. "Please don't touch me," I heard myself whisper, my limbs locking with fear.

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