Page 54 of Imperfect Player

Chapter 14

Everly

Holy hell, the man can kiss.

My eyes remain closed even after Ethan pulls back. I can feel the weight of his stare on me, but I’m not ready to leave this kiss. I can still feel it, his lips on mine, and I just want to revel in it for a moment more.

One single, solitary kiss just changed my entire life.

It was heart-stopping and all consuming. It was the kiss of all kisses.

“What am I going to do with you?” Ethan asks, his voice soft and filled with an emotion that I don’t expect.

There’s a list on the tip of my tongue of things that he can do to me, things that I want him to do. I’m speechless though, unable to vocalize anything, much less that.

Ethan takes my hand and leads me to the couch. We sit, my head resting on his shoulder as he traces circles on my arm.

I’m not sure what’s happening, but the dynamic between us has definitely shifted.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a bone. A squeaky toy. I recall him telling me he had a dog.

“Where’s Baker?” I ask. “I was hoping to meet him.”

Ethan chuckles. “Sent him out of town. Didn’t want you falling for him and forgetting about me.”

I give him a quick jab to the ribs.

“He’s at the groomer’s. I just kept him there overnight since I had a game.”

“Is he as charming as you?”

“More.” Ethan laughs. “He’s a total chick magnet.”

Silence falls over us.

“Everly . . . ”

“Ethan . . . ”

“You go first,” he tells me.

“No, you.”

We both laugh.

“I was just going to say that that kiss . . . ” He takes my chin and tilts it up to face him. “It meant something to me. I need you to know that.”

“It meant something to me too.”

“I wasn’t lying when I said that you deserve better, and I should probably be a better man and walk away, but I can’t. I can’t walk away from you. I like you. I need you. I—”

I reach up and press my lips to his, soft and quick. He exhales, slowly relaxing.

“I’ll be the judge of what I deserve and what I want.”

Ethan nods.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think it’s time I get you home.”

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