Page 36 of Chasing Hope

Eyes on stalks, they stared at each other with their hearts banging against one another. ‘With that body and those dimples you’re the most lethal combination for a woman’s heart.’ Ethan’s hand cupped her face as he dropped his forehead to hers. Emotionally affected by the feel of her in his arms, Ethan’s heart tied itself up in knots. He drew back and his serious eyes petitioned her to look at him.

The gold cross dangling from the chain around her neck caught the glint of the setting sun. Hamstrung by the flow of torrid emotions, Ethan frowned at the glittering piece of jewellery as he waited for the familiar clench in his heart. Only a profound sense of calm spread within him. He could scarcely breathe. Before he had the chance to delve deeper into this strange sensation, Hope’s arms enwrapped him, drawing him as close as she could. Their eyes met, and her brown orbs softened with a wealth of understanding. Losing complete control of his body, Ethan fought back the rush of tears. Hope stroked his hair soothingly, bringing relief to his incensed heart.

Ethan’s voice sounded hoarse owing to the multitude of feelings coursing through him. ‘Hope, if we are going to do this I need to confess something.’ Hope’s hand drifted to his shoulders and she nodded. ‘This would mean more to me than just a good time. Due to which, I do not want to start something this sacred on the foundation of a lie.’ Ethan grazed his thumb along the slopes of her cheeks. A lump formed in his throat. ‘Sweetcheeks,’ he whispered and watched her face for any signs of recognition. Nothing shone in her eyes as she fixed him with a blank stare. ‘Hope, I’m MM.’

Hope gave him an appraising glance and Ethan’s heart stilled as if packed in ice. Seconds went by without her responding to his disclosure. ‘What, no snappy comeback? Not the reaction I expected for this epic reveal.’ Although Ethan tried to humour the situation, it surprised him that he was extremely nervous about her reaction. Something closely equated to fear crawled up his spine. What if she hated him for lying to her all this time? She already knew of his past. What if she refused to accept his present?

When he saw her mouth tipped up in a smile, she could have knocked him down with a feather. Her smile quickly transformed into a full-blown laugh. As if the mere thought of him being MM was ludicrous. Ethan’s eyebrows snapped together. ‘Hope, do you not believe me?’ His anxiousness spiked as his hands banded around her.

Hope shook her head. ‘Not a chance. MM is nothing like you. He is sweet, charming and caring. You, on the other hand, are bossy and standoffish,’ Hope said and wiped the tears from her eyes.

Un-fucking-believable.

Ethan was competing with himself. Aghast, he gaped at her. And how did he feel about Hope getting it on with two men? Technically, they were both the same person. But Hope did not know that.

‘I can prove it to you.’ He cursed under his breath. Why did he have to prove anything to her? Did she not trust him?

‘Finally.’ Hope’s voice softened. Her hands came back up to cradle his face.

‘Finally?’ This whole conversation was confusing the shit out of him. Ethan held his breath, awaiting her reply.

‘Yes, finally.’ Hope’s gaze held him in a commanding visage. ‘It’s been a while since I figured out you were MM.’ He sucked at reading her expressions. No wonder she always had the upper hand.

‘You knew?’

She nodded. Her face lit up with triumph. ‘Why do you think I’m letting you kiss me? It’s because I’m crazy about you, MM.’ Sharp relief flooded within him. ‘You are the most selfless and caring person I know. Your heart is pure. And it still shocks me to my core that a man of your stature leads a life befitting that of a warrior. As if you were put on this earth to save the lives of others.’

The air around them lifted with a sense of relief. The constant sexual tension between them combusted. Her eyes brightened like she enjoyed this constant tug of war. His muscles flexed as she trailed her fingers down his chest. Ethan clenched his hand at the back of her head. ‘So, when you were sexting this morning, was it a deliberate attempt to provoke me? To tease me?’

The corners of her mouth tugged up in a grin. She fisted the base of his shirt, lifted it over his head and flung it in the air. Her warm flesh collided with his and desire flared within him. Hope’s eyes widened at the sight of the tattoo covering half his chest.

‘Is that a phoenix?’ she asked, her voice heavy with fascination. Ethan nodded.

‘I got it just before I chose to become a vigilante. The mythical bird signifies survival and strength. Being reborn through a journey of adversity.’ A smile adorned her full cheeks as she looked up into his eyes.

‘It suits you. A true depiction of your courageous rebirth.’ Hope placed her palm over his heart and it beat at full throttle. His skin enflamed as she grazed her fingers over the dark inked tattoo. ‘I love it,’ she whispered. The ardour in her light brown eyes seemed to infiltrate his soul. Something in his heart diverged at the potency of emotions spiralling through him. He trailed his lips along the curve of her neck and suckled the base where her pulse beat. ‘Ethan Jacob, I have pleasured myself so many times thinking of you. I want the real deal. Now quit stalling and for the love of everything under the sun, get on with it.’

‘Yes ma’am.’ Ethan managed a quick salute as her fingers grasped the back of his neck and hauled him forward for an acute kiss. The force of the kiss hammered the breath out of him. That bossy attitude put his dick in a rage. Like an eager beaver his cock was ready and raring to go. Ethan circled his arm around her hip while she bounced on his crotch.

Holy fucking shit.

Those breasts bounced right in his face and he stared at them like a boy who had just got his first ever glimpse of a woman’s tits. Would she knock him over the head if he told her her tits reminded him of thePlayboymodel he first sprouted out to? A man never forgot his first crush. Ablaze with passion her eyes slanted down. He met her gaze and couldn’t help himself, he grinned.

‘What you smiling at?’ Hope said, blowing out a hurried breath. She most probably wondered what was taking him so long. ‘Ethan Jacob, I’m going to knock you over the head with a pot if you do not get going.’ God this woman was nuts. She would do just as he predicted. Ethan threw his head back and laughter pumped out of him. One second he was laughing and in the next his breath bounced around in his chest, confused which way to flee. Her hand cupped him through his trousers.

‘Now I’ve got your attention.’ Ethan did not need to be told twice. The vertical garden rattled as he pinned her back against it. Ethan returned the favour. He cupped her and rubbed his thumb over and around her clit with an acute tempo rummaging through his body. He’d predicted this to happen, like some kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Hope let out a soft cry. ‘Wait.’ She slapped her palms on his chest, stopping his mouth from attaining its target. ‘We need to set some ground rules.’ His brows drew together. ‘First, while we are together we need to stay committed to each other. I already know you’re single ‘cause no one in their right mind would want to date you.’ He started to say something but she cut in. ‘You’re kinda awesome but your flaws exceed your awesomeness. Second, here, you’re not the boss of me—’

‘Clearly not,’ Ethan interjected, a smile toying his lips. She had a third clause somewhere around the corner. Ethan bound her hands over her head and captured her nipple in his mouth. That shut her up. With hot and urgent strokes of his tongue he shoved them both to a state of wild excitement. One arm held onto the dynamite while his other hand worked to unbuckle his belt. Whoever said doing planks was difficult needed to try getting their pants and undies off with one hand. Out of his pants and out of breath, Ethan buried his face in the crook of her neck and took deep gasping breaths. Even an hour’s worth of core muscle training did not get him this winded. He blamed it on the pressure for release, pumping through his veins.

‘Look at the size of that thing.’ Hope's eyes went round as she ran her knuckles over the length of his shaft. ‘No wonder you’re so cocky.’

‘In a minutethis thingis going to make your toes curl and your throat sore with all the shouting.’ His voice sounded rough with promise.

‘Let me be the judge of that,’ Hope said and yanked him close for a not-so-gentle kiss. ‘And don’t bother with a condom, I'm on the pill.’

‘Always a step ahead, aren’t you?’ Ethan placed his hands over her flaming cheeks and her eyes possessed the power to bring him to his knees.

‘You’re constantly in my inappropriate thoughts. Never did I imagine you of all people would get me so goddam aroused.’ Hope reached out and fisted his hair, tugging him closer.

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