Page 46 of Sliding Into Love
He slipped his hands beneath the green silk of her shirt, slowly tracing his fingertips up her back, feeling the smooth softness of her skin under his calloused hands. Reluctantly, he removed his lips from hers and kissed the soft spot behind her jaw, then nipped his way down her neck to suck a bruise below her collarbone. He groaned her name.
“Ethan,” she breathed as she ground against him again.
He backed away for a moment, and she leaned forward with him like she didn’t want to lose contact.
“Is this okay? Can I—” he brushed his fingers along the lace resting over the tops of her breasts. She shivered and nodded.
“Ivy, I need to hear you say it.”
“If you’re going to make me say it, you have to say it too,” Ivy purred, peering at him through her lashes.
“Say what?”
“What do youwant, Ethan?”
Fuck, that’s hot.
“I want,” he nipped at her jaw, “to see you.” He kissed his way down her throat. “I want to touch you. Please, Ivy.” Ethan nuzzled at her collarbone, unable to pull away.
“Such a gentleman.” She laughed in his ear, her breath sending even more blood rushing south. “You can, but only if I can too.”
Ethan only had enough control over his body to nod.
Reaching between them, Ivy began unbuttoning his shirt, slipping her fingers beneath the fabric as she worked her way down. His hands rested on her upper arms, his thumbs sliding beneath the thin straps of her top. With movements so slow they were painful, Ethan gently pushed the straps over the curve of her shoulders. When they fell around her arms, she impatiently opened the final button on his shirt before tugging her top lower, giving him a soft, vulnerable look as she did.
And holy shit.
Warm, soft breasts that looked like they would fit perfectly in his palms came into view, and a soft moan escaped her lips as he swiped a thumb over a rosy nipple. Perfect couldn’t describe what she was.Marvelous, stupendous, divine,his brain helpfully supplied.Shut UP,he told his brain.
Ivy’s hands found his chest, and she traced over his pectorals with a feather-light touch, pushing apart the sides of his shirt.
“Damn, Ethan. You’re, like, a statue or something.”
He huffed a laugh in her ear, preening at her praise.
“And you’re so beautiful. So perfect. Such pretty…” It was probably best not to call them tits, right? But they were so perfect. He should at leasttryto be respectful. “Breasts.”
Shit.Stay focused.
Ethan leaned forward, kissing his way from her collarbone to the tip of her breast where he swirled his tongue around her nipple before pulling it into his mouth and tugging lightly with his teeth. Her body arched against his, her hips grinding against his aching length, which he tried desperately to ignore.
He was about to repeat the movement when headlights illuminated the garage, and Ethan wrapped his arms over her back, crushing her body to his to hide her semi-naked state from whichever of his neighbors choseright nowto return home. Ivy was shaking beneath his arms, and her heart hammered against his chest. When the other car’s lights dimmed and its driver’s shadow disappeared, Ethan relaxed, and Ivy sat back. Hastily, he pulled her shirt back up before they had another mishap.
“Oh, hell, we’re like a couple of teenagers. The windows are even fogged up.” Ivy laughed so hard tears ran from the corners of her eyes.
“We should probably get you home before Lily comes after me.”
“She would, too. It’s been a while since I checked in.”
“Lily is kind of terrifying.”
“It’s what makes her such a great friend."
The living room was lit by the glow of the TV, and Lily and Jase were sitting on the sofa when Ivy opened her front door. Janna must have already fallen asleep.
“You’re back!” Jase cried and ran to wrap his arms around Ivy. She was surprised; he usually wasn’t so affectionate.
“I told you I’d come back,” she whispered, squeezing him. “Go to bed, okay? I’ll come to tuck you in in a minute.”
