Page 50 of Release Me

Max: Alone? Zoey, that feels like a bad idea.

Me: Max, I’m an adult. Stop being a big brother.

Max: I am your big brother. But seriously. You’re spending the day in Seattle alone?

Delaney: Ethan’s there, Max. Settle down.

And Delaney enters the conversation, but she has yet to make some comment about me hooking up with Ethan. I don’t really want to lie to her, but I also don’t want to tell her. She doesn’t need to be involved in this, especially since Badger Creek loves gossip. I know she wouldn’t tell anyone, but Ethan and I did agree to keep things quiet for a little while.

Max: You with Ethan?

Me: We’re at the hotel, but no, I’m not with him. He’s working.

Max: But he’s there?

Me: Yes.

Max: Ok. I’ll let it go.

Alex: Ask Ethan where he got that sweater.

Delaney: Omg, Alex. Stop.

The conversation stops there and it’s hard not to smile at Alex. He’s just such a lovable goof and I’m so happy that he and Delaney are still going strong. Not that I didn’t think they would be. Now Max needs to find someone and we’ll be all set.

I look over at Ethan, sleeping peacefully beside me and my heart feels like it might burst from my chest. This is my life; this is my guy. Who would have thought in one weekend, my entire life would change? Certainly not me, but I’m here for it.

I slip from the bed, taking my phone with me. I walk into the ensuite bathroom with this amazing bathtub that overlooks the bay, a view to die for. I close the door, not wanting to wake Ethan, but I have to try out this bathtub before we leave.

I start up the tub, not needing to take off my clothes because Ethan and I have spent the entire night and morning, naked.

Slipping into the tub, I let the hot water wash over my skin, blanketing me with a sated feeling of calm. I don’t want to leave here and go back to our normal life. What if we can’t make this work with the stress that is all around us at Badger Creek? We could move to Seattle and start over. I could live in this condo and never miss Tahoe.

I look out at the view from the window that overlooks the bay. It’s like a postcard, and I can’t even begin to imagine how much this place cost, but I shouldn’t even be thinking about that, because it doesn’t matter.

I grew up in the biggest house near the Badger Creek mountains and the number of times people asked about the cost of my parents’ house was out of control. Yes, it’s huge, but they earned it. They work their asses off just like Ethan does. Just like I do.

My phone vibrates on the ledge of the tub where I placed it and when I look down, I see Delaney’s name on the screen. A text from just her, leaving the group behind.

Delaney: Have a wonderful time in Seattle. No questions, no teasing.

Me: Thanks. I really do love this city. We need to do a girl’s trip here.

Delaney: That sounds great now that I have a job that pays well. Lol.

Me: How are things going there?

Delaney: Alex is an adorable turd but I love him. Work is good. Miss you already.

Me: Miss you too.

Our conversation is cut short when the door to the bathroom opens and Ethan walks in. I set my phone down, looking up at him as the tub continues to fill.

He leans back against the counter, his eyes scanning my naked body and I squeeze my legs together. The way he looks at me sets me on fire, wanting him, my body begging me to let him inside me.

“When I bought this place, the realtor couldn’t stop talking about the bathtub. Going on and on about how people would die for a tub like this. It felt really dramatic, and I couldn’t give a shit. But now I see the appeal,” he says, his words measured and calm, but I can tell by the way he wets his lips that he’s anything but controlled.

I widen my legs, letting my hand slip below the water and between them. My head falls back as I rub myself, letting out a soft moan that I know is fucking with Ethan. He can’t hold out much longer, watching me, he slides his hand into the front of the boxers he pulled on, working himself over too.

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