Page 42 of Letters from the Heart

“Why aren’t you saying anything else, and why aren’t you looking at me?” Ethan questioned.

Ethan had learned very quickly that when I didn’t reply or look his way after he said something that he’d made me uncomfortable. He’d been working on trying to get me to be more open, but instead, I picked up my wine and took a sip then slowly brought my eyes to his. “I don’t want to impose,” I answered, averting my gaze from his.

“I see. And you think by me offering you the use of my kitchen, you’d be imposing?”

I shrugged my shoulders, still not looking at him.

“Peggy, look at me?”

I took a sip of wine before placing my glass down on the counter and then looked at Ethan. The room grew quiet as we stood there looking at one another. The intensity of his gaze caused my cheeks to heat, and the longer his gaze lingered, the more uncomfortable I became. I could feel the heat from his body as he stepped in closer, closing the space between us.

Placing one hand on my hip and the other under my chin, he tilted my head back. “I mean what I say. You’re not an imposition, and I’d love nothing more than to have you use my kitchen whenever the hell you want.”

Before I could protest, he leaned in and took my mouth with his in a demanding kiss. In seconds, I practically melted into his arms. His kiss made me forget what I’d said and thought about myself in seconds. He’d consumed me, and I could no longer fight the feelings I had for this man. With my eyes closed, I felt his hands on my body, the embrace of his arms, and the tenderness in his kiss.

When our lips parted, I softly smiled at him, and as his hands released me, my body began silently screaming for them to return.

* * *

I gathered the dirty dishes from the small table in my kitchen, leaving a few items behind, and carried them over to the counter. I turned to go back and get the rest only to find Ethan behind me, his hands full.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” I said.

Ethan looked at me and shook his head. “I do. I ate as well, and I don’t mind helping.”

“Okay.” I smiled, turning my back toward him to put the kettle on to make coffee.

I’d just pulled the French press out of the cupboard and placed it on the counter when I felt his arms slide around my waist. He pulled me back against him, kissing my neck. “Dinner was delicious,” he murmured.

I closed my eyes and brought my hand up, placing it on the back of his neck as he continued to nip at my neck. I could feel my body awaken as his hands found their home at the front of my jeans, his rough fingers grazing my bare skin as my shirt lifted.

He brought his hand to my cheek and turned my head, bringing his lips to mine. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself, and my body, to get lost in his kiss. When our lips parted, he spun me around in his arms, pulling me against him.

“I should go,” he whispered, his lips on mine.

I nodded as his tongue washed through my mouth, yet neither of us moved. We didn’t even hear the kettle scream, signaling that water had boiled.

ETHAN

Kissing her, having her arms wrapped around me, was right where I wanted to be.

“I should go,” I repeated as she pulled at my shirt, lifting it up over my head and dropping it to the floor. Her eyes said it all—full of want, full of need—which made it impossible for me to leave.

Her eyes dropped to my chest, and she brought her hand up and ran her fingers over the words I’d had tattooed on me years ago.Brothers in Arms, Strength, Respect, Loyalty.She kept tracing her fingers over the lettering and then brought her eyes back to mine.

“I like this,” she muttered, leaning forward and placing a kiss on my peck, which sent a bolt of electricity through my body.

Placing my hand on her cheek, I crashed into her lips, devouring her mouth. I picked her up and placed her on the island in the middle of her kitchen, kissing her neck as I slid myself between her legs. God, I wanted to be inside of her. Her scent was intoxicating, and each little whimper she delivered as I placed yet another kiss on her neck went right through me.

“Peggy, I should go,” I whispered again, breathing hard. I was worried this was too soon and that she wasn’t ready for us to take this step. The last thing I wanted was for her to run from me after this.

“Stay,” she whimpered as I sucked her earlobe between my lips.

Arousal flooded me, and I cupped her cheek and looked down at her. At some point, she’d unbuttoned her shirt. It hung open just enough for me to get a peek at the black bra she wore. My cock was already hard just from kissing her. Now knowing she had been quietly unwrapping herself, I was so hard it hurt.

I bit my lower lip as she leaned back on the island, her shirt still covering everything, showing me just enough to tease me. My eyes wandered her body as her shirt fell open, baring her flat stomach. I met her eyes, and then I bent down and placed a kiss right above the button on her jeans. The second my lips connected with her warm, soft skin; she sucked in a breath.

I could tell she wanted more from the look in her eyes. I placed a hand behind her back and reached up with the other, pushing her shirt away, exposing her covered breast to me. I cupped it in my hand and gently squeezed as my lips met her silky skin again.

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