Page 21 of The Mafia's Desire

He studied her for a moment before stepping back and unbuttoning her dress. His eyes never strayed from hers. The dress pooled at her feet, and he helped her step over it.

“Shoes,” he said.

She slipped them off and stood before him with only a bra and panties.

Ethan unsnapped her bra, but she caught it before it could fall and held it up to hide her breasts.

He tugged on it. “Let go.”

She bit her lip and tightened her grip.

Ethan cupped one shoulder to hold her steady. “Let it go, baby. Everything’s going to be all right.”

God, she really hoped so. She knew he’d keep at it until she did what he asked, released the bra, and let it fall to the carpet. She almost felt the heat of his gaze as it swept over her.

“Fucking gorgeous,” Ethan said. He slipped his shirt over her shoulders and buttoned it before he rolled the sleeves back so she could use her hands.

Ethan stood back and smiled. “That’s huge on you.”

She looked down at herself and grinned. “I feel like I’m playing dress-up.”

“Go brush your teeth. There are new toothbrushes in the top drawer.”

She nodded and walked away. After brushing her teeth, using the toilet, and washing her hands, she studied herself in the mirror. The bruises had faded a lot, and she could hardly see them. Her lips had healed, and the swelling had disappeared.

She jumped when he knocked on the door.

“Are you about done in there?”

She sighed, opened the door, and gasped because he was standing so close her nose about touched his chest.

He chuckled. “I’m going to shower. Go get in bed.”

“Wait,” she said before he closed the door.

“What?”

“Do you promise you’re not going to try to … you know?”

“Fuck you?” he asked helpfully.

She flinched and nodded.

“How about I tell you I’ll try to be on my best behavior?” Ethan said.

She narrowed her eyes. “It’s too soon. I need to get to know you better.”

“What better way to get to know each other, though?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Ethan.”

“Sara,” he mimicked. He grinned. “Go to bed. Nothing will happen tonight besides me holding you.”

Sara relaxed, nodded, and stood there after he closed the door. The first emotion she felt was relief, followed rapidly by disappointment, and she didn’t understand why.

The shower turned on, and she couldn’t help but imagine what his whole body looked like naked.

Jesus, she needed to stop it before he came out, or she’d burn up. The shower cut off, pushing her into action. She jumped into bed, turned on her side away from the bathroom, and pulled the blanket up to her shoulder. She’d deal with her emotions tomorrow. She was too tired to deal with them now.

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