Page 154 of When Hearts Remember

My cock twitches and I haul her flushed against me.

“Ethan!” Those beautiful eyes glaze over when I spin her around and grind her against the wall. She no doubt feels my sizable erection digging into her stomach. “Again, already?”

“I’m insatiable for you, Nova. I don’t know how I’ve survived all these years. Fuck, I’ve waited and waited for this moment.” My voice thickens. “I want to kiss you, make love to you, write you all the damn poetry in the world.”

Her eyes cloud with tears.

“Ethan,” she whispers, caressing my cheek, and I lean into her touch.

I’ve missed it so much. Her touch. I’ve been sick. Lovesick. Deprived for too long.

“You two, seriously. Get a room.” Someone clears his throat.

Narrowing my eyes, I whip my head toward the intruder, ready to tear into him for interrupting this sweet moment between my Nova and me.

Rex stands there, his bow tie hanging around his neck, his hair tousled like he might have just gotten some action of his own. But his eyes are hollow, if not haunted. Is something brewing under the surface with him?

He grins and waggles his brows. “About damn time.”

“Fuck off. I’m busy.”

“Well then, I guess you’re too busy for this.” He dangles a gold key in front of him and unleashes his classic shit-eating grin. “Presidential suite. A lovely king-sized bed, double shower heads, a hot tub big enough to host an orgy, fireplace already stoked and roaring, room service set up on the table. Lasagna and rib eye with your fucking Pintzer and her iced tea.”

I blink. He waves the key in front of my face.

“Ethan? Hello? Are you overcome with love and gratitude for your favorite brother? Or do you not want this lovely honeymoon set up? I can give it to—”

I snatch the key from him and Alexis giggles.

“How did you know that we—” A lump suddenly forms in my throat as I watch those carefree eyes of my least serious brother sharpen.

“Boned? Got your head out of your ass finally? Well, the two of you disappeared and I’m like, thank God. You were obvious, Ethan—a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. All those arrangements? Having Lana call you at Mystique? The intervention at the gentlemen’s club?” He turns to Alexis and smiles. “And who did you think insisted you start on the campaign with him first?” He points to me.

“Y-You’ve been in on it all along?” Her eyes are the size of dinner plates.

“Nah, more like facilitating the longest slow burn in history. Giving it the much needed kick in the ass.” Rex winks, then sobers. “I’m happy for you two. So damn happy.”

An unfamiliar warmth hits me in the chest. All my life, I’ve felt like an outsider in my family. It’s gotten better over the years, but I’ve always been jealous of the connection Maxwell and Ryland have with each other, or the camaraderie Rex has with Lana. I’ve always felt like the odd man out. The silent observer.

But it turns out, maybe they were right. Maybe my doubts were unfounded.

My family loves me, just as I am. I only need to open my mind and my heart to let them in.

Rex squeezes my shoulder and pulls me in for a hug. “Proud of you, dude. You’re the best Anderson out of us all. Your loyalty and persistence. I’m floored. Now go get your happy ending with your woman.” He slaps my back and pulls away.

But before he fully disentangles himself, I grip his arm. “Thank you, Rex. You fucker, I…I’m so glad to call you my brother.”

He doles out a lazy wink. “I know. I know. I’m the best. Now go before Liam catches you. Good God, he’s going to rip your head off. And Ican’twait to see it.” He laughs and shakes his head as he strides back to the ballroom.

Grinning, I tug Alexis with me to the elevator, my heart feeling a ton lighter.

Minutes later, we’re in the presidential suite and before the door fully shuts, I have Alexis pinned against the wall.

She moans, her breathy sounds sending my blood to my groin. I press kiss upon kiss on her forehead, her cheeks, her lips, then trailing my mouth down her neck, tasting her unique blend of lavender and sweetness.

“Ethan, this is madness,” she whimpers when I bite the enticing divot of her collarbone, my fingers making a work of her gown and bra and dropping them on the floor.

“Our love is fucking madness.” I lick her rosy nipple. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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