Page 49 of Release Me

“Ethan, shit,” she moans, her head falling back as I feel her clench around me, that exquisite vice of her gripping my dick so hard as she cries out my name and comes. I do the same, finally letting go as I explode inside her, branding her, claiming her.

“Can you pass me my phone,” I mumble, sometime later. Zoey is lying with her head on my chest, the two of us dozing in bed still. She leans across me, reaching for the iPhone on the nightstand. “Thanks,” I say, opening up the airline app.

She watches as I cancel our flight home this afternoon, not giving a single shit about the cancellation charge I get stung with because there isn’t a price I wouldn’t pay for a chance to spend this weekend alone with her. After that, I open up my message app and type out a quick text.

Me: Any chance you can get me a flight to Tahoe for late Monday night with that company you use?

The response comes quickly.

Brandon: Yeah sure thing, give me ten.

Beside me, Zoey laughs and I glance down, smiling as I ask, “What?”

She props herself up on her elbow. “Nothing, it’s just, I don’t know, so refreshing, that’s all.”

“What is?”

“To be with someone who can do this and doesn’t expect me to cover it. Who isn’t in the least bit interested in my money and what it can do for them.”

Now it’s me laughing. “Trust me when I say your money, Zoey is the one thing I amnotinterested in. And for the record, the feeling is mutual.” She smiles, leaning in to kiss me just as another text comes in.

Brandon: Done, flight leaves at 8pm, will email the deets. You wanna catch up tonight?

Me: Not sure, I might have plans.

Brandon: Plans, what plans?

Me: Plans that involve me taking your advice.

My phone starts ringing almost immediately, Brandon’s name flashing up on the screen. Zoey lets out another laugh as she looks at me and says, “Advice, huh? What advice was this?”

Silencing my phone, I drop it onto the floor and roll her beneath me. “How about I show you instead?”

Chapter18

Zoey

Ethan has fallen asleep beside me, despite it being almost ten o’clock in the morning. Worn out from our night and what we just did a little while ago. I would imagine he isn’t the kind of guy who sleeps in, always focused on his job, especially with having contacts all over the world.

Me on the other hand, I have no idea why I’m awake. Sleeping in is my biggest thrill in life, but here I am, watching Ethan sleep.

I can’t even believe I’m in bed with him and that we’ve agreed that this is not just a hook up but a fully committed relationship. I knew the instant we took things further that I wanted more, that I’ve always wanted more. It’s easy to decide that when you’ve spent the last five years scouring the greater Tahoe area for someone that’s relationship-worthy. Ethan and I clicked. We clicked the moment I met him, but it was obvious both of us were holding back, unsure how to navigate the relationship given our work status.

Ethan rolls closer to me, nuzzling his face into my hair that is splayed across the pillow, letting out a contented sigh.

“Zoey,” he mutters, his voice hoarse with sleep, his eyes heavy and closed. I watch as he falls back into a deep sleep, a relaxed look on his face that I’ve never seen before.

I know how he feels. It’s like my life is finally beginning. That I’ve found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, even if that feels crazy to think it. It’s only been a day, but it feels like I’ve been waiting forever.

I reach over for my phone, knowing Delaney and Max will be wondering where I am, since Ethan and I were due to return tonight.

There’s no way my brother or my best friend will just let this go without some explanation, despite me wanting to stay in this bubble without the outside world looking in.

I send a group text, including Alex on it, just in case he’s the first one home today. His schedule tends to be a little more flexible than Delaney and Max’s.

Me: I’m going to stay in Seattle for another day or two. Should be home by Monday. I didn’t get to do much sightseeing with the conference being all day. Want to go exploring.

It’s all a massive lie that I hope none of them see through. I know there’s not a chance that Delaney doesn’t make some comment about Ethan, but I’m prepared to deflect it.

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