Page 75 of Release Me

“I guess, I still feel shitty though.”

“It’s all good, Brandon,” I say, meaning it. “How’d he react to the news?”

My friend takes a sip of his beer, his brows raised. “Actually, he seemed totally fine about it. Said he’s found another investment opportunity and wished me the best.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that was heartfelt,” I deadpan, knowing that while Brandon and Declan might call themselves friends, Declan and I certainly don’t. “Anyway, who gives a shit. What matters is that this, you and I, is happening and I for one am very happy about that.”

Brandon laughs, gesturing to the steaks as though to suggest I turn them. I respond by waving his hand away with the tongs, which only makes him laugh again. “Yeah, me too,” he says, clicking his beer bottle against mine. “Now, about you and Zoey,” he says with a wink.

It’s late by the time Brandon and Tracy leave. Even though we both insisted they just stay the night, Brandon had called an Uber, joking that as an investor in Badger Creek Lodge now, he wanted to cash in on his free room and other perks. Probably for the best considering everything we all have happening tomorrow.

“We should clean up,” Zoey says, as we close the front door.

“We should go to bed,” I say, pulling her into my arms.

She smiles up at me, her arms wrapping around my waist. “You sure you want to wake up to this mess tomorrow when we have to go to work?”

Grinning, I lean in and kiss the tip of her nose. “It’s not that bad,” I say, knowing most of it is done. “And besides, after work tomorrow, we aren’t leaving the bed all weekend, remember.” She laughs, shaking her head at me as I grab her hand and pull her down to my bedroom. “I want to see you in nothing but this,” I whisper, my finger brushing against the diamond at her throat.

She smiles, her hands going to the hem of her sweater before she slowly lifts it up and over her head. I sit down on the bed, never taking my eyes off her as I watch her undress for me. Her shoes are long gone, somewhere out in the living room and as her fingers undo the zipper and button of her jeans, I kick my own shoes off, before shoving my jeans down my legs, taking my shirt off next.

When she’s standing in front of me in nothing but a black lace bra and matching panties and I’m down to just my boxer briefs, I can’t help myself from reaching for her.

“Come here,” I growl, my fingers lacing with hers as I tug her closer.

Zoey moves toward me, straddling my thighs, her fingers combing the hair back from my face as my hands slide over her warm skin, wrapping around her waist and pulling her so she’s flush against me. I’m already so fucking hard and with the warmth of her against me, all I want to do is bury myself inside her for the rest of the night.

“I had fun tonight,” she whispers, pressing kisses to my forehead, cheek and finally lips. “Brandon and Tracy are really great.”

“Hmmm,” I murmur, leaning in to press a wet kiss to the side of her neck.

She moans, angling her head to give me better access as she grinds against me, making me impossibly harder. I drag my nose along the chain around her neck, kissing a path up to her jaw and finally her lips, tracing her bottom one with my tongue.

Zoey moves even closer, her fingers sliding into my hair as mine make their way up her back to undo the clasp of her bra. She smiles as she pulls it off, dropping it on the floor, her gaze locked with mine and filled with so much want and lust, it’s impossible for me to hold back any longer.

“Zoey,” I whisper, my thumbs brushing against her breasts.

“Yeah?” she asks, her thumb running along my bottom lip.

I look up, my eyes meeting hers. “I love you.”

Chapter26

Zoey

Okay, I was not expecting him to say this, not that I haven’t been thinking it for the last few weeks or so too. I’ve been thinking it since we slept together, but that felt a little too connected, like I was mistaking sex for love. Even though I’ve never been one to do that.

“Are you sure?” I ask and Ethan cocks his head to the side. I watch as he wets his lips, his eyes studying my face and I’m not sure if he’s going to laugh at my question or be pissed at me.

“Zoey, if there’s one thing I’m sure about in this world, it’s you. Yes, I’m sure. I’m fucking certain I love you and if it feels too early for you, that’s okay.”

I swear this guy is a damn dream come true. Telling me it’s okay if I don’t say it back. Sitting here looking at me like I’m the only girl in the world. It feels like I couldn’t possibly find a better guy and I’m lucky that he chose me.

“So you’re sure?” I now ask, my cheeks heating up at the idea of saying it back to him. I’ve never told anyone that I love them without it being a family member or a close friend. Never a boyfriend because that might have given them the idea that they then had access to my family’s money. I never wanted to put my family at risk by making someone think they had a chance with me. It’s all a delicate balance, but with Ethan there isn’t that concern. It has never been there, and I think that’s what makes this work so effortlessly.

He’s so much more than that though. He’s incredibly intelligent and funny and he makes me feel safe. I’ve never trusted anyone the way I trust Ethan. I trust him with my life and my heart.

“Yes, Zoey, I’m sure,” he now replies with finality and force, taking my face in his hands. He has a huge smile on his lips now, and it hits me that he’s so in tune with me that there’s no way he would have said it if he didn’t know that I feel the same way.

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