Serendipity, page 14
She squealed, then relaxed and let her ass ease into him. At the pressure, he let out a harsh groan and slid his hand beneath her shirt, flat against her smooth stomach.
“Didn’t I warn you not to wear that undewear around me?” He barely recognized his voice.
“I thought you said not to wear them with a skirt ever again?” she asked, obviously teasing him.
“That too.” He nuzzled the space between her neck and shoulder, inhaling her fragrant scent, arousing himself even more.
“Well, it’s not like I’ve been home to change.” Without warning, she turned to face him, sliding her arms around his neck and meeting his gaze. Her eyes twinkled with mischief . . . and desire. “This is such a bad idea.”
He brushed her hair off her shoulder, leaned in, and nipped her soft skin. “Why?”
“So many reasons.” She leaned her head to one side, giving him better access.
“Name one,” he challenged. But not one to turn away a good thing, he licked the sweet spot he’d nipped earlier and was rewarded when she shuddered in his arms.
She glided her tongue over her lips. “Your brother hates me.”
Ethan laughed at that one. “My brother hates me too.”
She swallowed hard. “I work for you.”
Also weak, he thought, not too concerned since she wasn’t exactly pushing him away. “You’re decorating my house. Hardly an employer, employee relationship,” he countered. “No sexual harassment here.” His hips jerked forward, and he felt cushioned in feminine heat.
Another minute and he’d explode.
“No, I wouldn’t call it harassment,” she agreed with a needy sigh.
“Any other reasons?” he asked, wanting to summarize this conversation and get them into his bed.
She paused in thought. “I’m coming off a horrible relationship,” she finally said.
He grinned. “All the more reason to dive into a good one.”
“Not looking for a relationship,” she clarified.
Neither was he. But looking for something with her? Most definitely. “How about good sex?” He eased his hand beneath her skirt and cupped one cheek in his palm. Then, for added incentive, he urged her closer. “Are you looking for good sex?”
“Oh, yes.”
Her moan shook him to his core. “Then does my bed sound good to you?”
Another “Oh, yes” followed. So he played caveman and picked her up and carried her to his room.
* * *
Some mistakes were meant to happen, Faith thought, and the seeds of this one had been planted that day long ago on Ethan’s bike when he’d tried to get into her pants—or cheerleading skirt as it so happened—and she’d said no.
Today, she was saying yes.
She’d deal with the consequences later. And she had no doubt there would be consequences.
But not now. Now she could experience everything she’d dreamed of since saying no that fateful day.
Ethan kissed her the entire way down the hall to his room. He kissed her as he laid her down on his king-sized mattress. And he kissed her as she scooted to the headboard at the top of the bed until she leaned up against the pillows.
Faith wasn’t the temptress type. She’d never set the stage for seduction, not even with her ex-husband. But she was already in Ethan’s bed and she wanted to see his reaction, to know she had the power to entice him as much as he did her.
Bracing her arms at her sides, her breasts thrust up from beneath her tank top. He noticed, his eyes drawn to her cleavage and glazing over with need. Pleased, she inched up the hem of her tank, exposing a strip of skin on her stomach.
He groaned at the sight, then lowered his head and pressed a long, openmouthed kiss against her belly button. Heat spiraled inside her, her stomach rippling under the assault.
“God, you taste good,” he murmured, his hands sliding to her thighs.
“You feel good,” she said of his warm lips on her flesh.
She’d never experienced this heady power over a man and realized she liked it, knowing he was taking equal pleasure in her body just as she was reveling in the feel and sight of his. But when he reached beneath her skirt and pulled her panties down her thighs, thoughts fled because he had talented fingers that inched their way up her thighs.
“I want to see.” He lifted her denim skirt and settled himself between her legs, his face inches from her pulsing heat.
She swallowed hard, feeling open and exposed.
“And I want to taste.” His voice was rough. Sexy. Aroused.
And a low moan escaped her throat. She no longer cared who was seducing whom. She just wanted him to stop talking and act. But he was obviously intent on taking his time, admiring and making her squirm with need. Okay, so maybe she should care who was seducing whom.
And then he lowered his head, his mouth covering her, his lips tasting her, his tongue laving her slowly. Lovingly. Outer lips, inner lips, he devoured her like he couldn’t get enough. She curled her fingers into the comforter, her hips undulating, her body writhing. With every lap of his tongue, sensation and waves of unbelievable need grew inside her. Heat pummeled her from inside out. She was so close to the edge, close but not yet there.
She bent her legs and arched her back, seeking deeper contact, which he seemed only too happy to give. He lifted his head and met her gaze. Eyes gleaming, he covered her with his hand, inserting one finger inside. It was good, not as good as he would feel, but good, and when he pressed his thumb over exactly the right spot, stars flickered behind her eyes, and the most intense climax beckoned.
She was lost, close, seeking something just out of reach when his deep, sexy voice added to the sensations buffeting her body, except she couldn’t hear his words.
He swirled his palm against her mound, hitting the right chords. “Come,” he commanded, and her body reached higher. “Come for me, princess.”
That she heard and flew up and over, her climax surging. She rode it out, wave after wave that seemed to go on forever, encouraged by the circular motion of Ethan’s hand and the husky sound of his voice.
After, the sensation subsided slowly, and she kept her eyes closed, waiting to catch her breath. A distinct crinkling sound caught her attention. A glance at Ethan told her all she needed to know.
“You’re prepared,” she said, pleased.
“I have been since I discovered you were back in town.” He loomed over her, a sexy grin on his face.
“That confident, huh?”
He let out a laugh. “Hardly. I was confident I’d do my damnedest to convince you.”
And he had.
She bit the inside of her cheek before saying, “I’m on the pill.”
His eyes dilated even more. “You have nothing to worry about from me,” he promised her.
“I’m safe too.”
He reached for her skirt first, then her bra, pausing to worship her breasts, first with his gaze, then with his hands, cupping them in his palm and treating each stiff nipple to a long, thorough wet kiss. She was squirming by the time he finished and finally made short work of unbuttoning her skirt and pulling the rough denim down her legs.
Her skirt hit the floor. His shirt followed. In a few seconds, he was standing in front of her gloriously male, completely nude, and thoroughly aroused. He lowered himself to the bed, and she reached for him, wanting to hold his thickness for herself. Needing to give back after the ride he’d taken her on.
He shook his head. “Touch me, and it’s over.”
She felt herself smile. “Isn’t that the point?”
“Not unless I’m inside you.”
His words caused liquid to pool between her thighs.
He tumbled her back onto the mattress, sealing his lips over hers. She loved the way he kissed her, as if he couldn’t get enough. As if he wanted to own her body and soul, and though her rational self would run, she was too connected with him, too swept away to care. With every thrust of his tongue, he took deeper possession of her body, and she wanted more of him.
All of him.
Lifting his head, he looked into her eyes. Braced his hands on either side of her head and teased her slick entry with the head of his cock. She closed her eyes and sucked in a ragged, needy breath.
“More.”
His eyes darkened, and she realized she’d spoken out loud. Before embarrassment could hit her, he gave her what she’d asked for, edging his thick, hard erection deeper inside her but not all the way home.
He looked into her eyes. “Enough?” he asked, his arms shaking from the obvious restraint.
She shook her head, and he inched himself farther into her.
Her body screamed for his. She ached for him to fill her. She tossed her head from side to side, bending her legs, trying to pull him into her.
“Now?” he asked.
“No,” she said, the word sounding more like a cry. A plea.
“Then tell me what you want.” He spoke as if his life depended on her answer.
The neediness consuming her demanded a reply. “I want you,” she begged, writhing beneath him, twisting her hips, seeking that deeper, intense contact only he could give.
Her words released something primal inside him, and he thrust inside, all the way until he was deep. He slid out, then in, picking up an intense rhythm that matched the desire building inside her once more.
As she watched his face, the play of emotion and expression connected her to him and need rose quickly, the crescendo building as he gave her everything she’d asked for and more. Harder and deeper, he played her body like he’d known it forever, fast thrusts followed by slow, lazy glides, their synchronicity bringing tears to her eyes as she realized sex had never been like this.
“Good?” he asked.
The question took her by surprise, but she forced an easy smile, not wanting to give away the intensity of emotion rushing through her.
“Worth the long wait.” They both knew she was referring to years, not the days since they’d met up again.
“I’m glad.” A sexy smile edged his mouth. “I’m also not finished with you yet.”
He picked up the fast tempo again, and her nails dug into his shoulders. Once he began, he didn’t stop, pounding into her with the force she’d craved, yet that connection between them took this from rough sex to raw lovemaking. Their bodies collided, and so did their souls, Faith thought, seconds before she came, her body racked with tremors of bliss that seemed to go on forever. Her orgasm triggered his, and he shouted her name, causing yet another quaking tremor to take hold. She rode out the consecutive wave, holding on to Ethan as he took her over the edge once more.
She didn’t know how long they lay entwined, catching their breath, not saying a word. After such an intense experience, Faith figured silence was golden. She could barely grab hold of her thoughts. Those thoughts—the ones during and the ones rushing at her fast and furious now—had her scrambling to withdraw.
Two loud beeps disturbed her thoughts. Beeps she recognized. And from the way Ethan dove off her, he also recognized the beeps.
“Someone’s here,” he muttered, shooting her a concerned look.
“Ethan? It’s Kate!” Which meant she had Tess with her.
God, this couldn’t be worse. Faith groaned. “How’d she get in?”
“I gave Tess a key.” A symbol of belonging, he’d thought.
“Go! Bathroom!” Faith pointed at the doorway in the corner.
He grabbed his clothes and bolted while she scrambled, pulling her underwear on first, her skirt, bra, and tank top. Ethan burst out of the bathroom, fully dressed.
“Ethan? Are you home?” Kate called again.
“I’ll be right down!” he called to her. He turned to face Faith, but she wasn’t ready for conversation and glanced away.
“You should go down. I’ll be there in a few.” After she’d pulled herself together.
Convinced herself this had been sex and only sex.
That she could go back to seeing him, working with him, and not want to jump his bones.
Or want things from him she shouldn’t.
Chapter Eleven
Ethan didn’t want to leave Faith alone with time to think and regret. He’d seen her withdrawing even before Kate showed up. He’d been blown away by what just happened between them too, but as he’d promised himself, he was finished running from things that scared him or that he didn’t understand.
He’d deal with his guest, and as soon as Kate was gone, he’d sit Faith down and make sure things between them were okay.
He jogged down the stairs to find Kate waiting for him as he reached the bottom.
“What are you doing here?” he asked her. “I thought I was picking Tess up from the center. Speaking of Tess, where is she?” Ethan glanced over Kate’s shoulder, but his sister wasn’t standing behind her.
“Tess! Come here and face your brother,” Kate called to the open front door.
Tess didn’t appear.
“Uh-oh. What’d she do?” he asked, dreading the answer.
“I introduced her to a group of nice kids. I got called into a meeting, and when I came out, she was hanging out in the back of the building with a different bunch that we’re having some issues with smoking cigarettes.”
“Tess!” he bellowed, and to his surprise, the teen stomped into the house without his having to ask a second time.
“What? You’ve got a problem with cigarettes too?” she asked, glancing down at her feet instead of looking him in the eye.
He leaned against the wooden banister. “Apologize to Kate. She was nice enough to take you for the afternoon, and you thanked her by giving her aggravation. Nice going.”
Tess set her jaw.
Silence filled the house, broken only by the sound of Faith’s footsteps on the stairs. He figured she’d caught the gist of what was going on because she didn’t say a word, merely stepped around him to stand beside Kate.
A quick glance told him Faith had dressed and fixed her tousled hair, but it was obvious, to him anyway, exactly what they’d been doing. And from Kate’s raised eyebrows, she knew it too.
“Tess. Apology. Now.” Ethan folded his arms across his chest, forcing himself to concentrate on what mattered at the moment.
“Sorry.”
“Thank you,” Kate said to the teen. “I’m there every afternoon if you want to give it a try again.”
“Very generous of you,” Ethan said, acknowledging Kate’s offer with a forced smile.
Something had to give with this kid and soon. No wonder her sister had dumped Tess here. “Kate, do you happen to have the names of some child psychologists?” he asked.
“No fucking way am I talking to some stranger.” Tess wrapped her arms around herself, pulling her coat further around her like a shield.
“Yes, way. Did Kelly ever take you to a doctor?” he asked.
Tess shook her head violently. “No. She knew I wouldn’t go.” She raised her chin in a defiant gesture, sure she now had the upper hand.
She was about to find out differently. “Well, you now have three brothers who can pick you up and carry you into the office if that’s what it takes.”
Tess let out a choking sound.
Faith broke her mask of indifference for the first time and treated him to an approving smile, which helped release the vise that had been squeezing inside his chest.
Kate nodded in agreement. “I’ll get the numbers to you ASAP,” she said, surprise in her tone.
No doubt she thought Ethan wouldn’t know what to do with a kid like Tess. Maybe Kate even believed he wouldn’t care. Based on his past, he knew everyone figured he’d run at the first sign of trouble.
Well, they were all right about one thing only. He didn’t know what to do with Tess. He only knew what seemed right. What nobody had done when he’d been wild and out of control, he realized suddenly and filed that thought away for another time.
“I hate you,” Tess said, whirling past him and storming up the stairs, deliberately adding a loud stomp with each step.
Join the club, kid.
Kate sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring her back here and interrupt . . .”
“You didn’t,” Faith interjected, the desperation in her tone making a lie of her claim.
Kate shot her an I know better look. “I just thought bringing her right home would make a stronger statement than letting her stay and think she got away with something.”
“It’s fine,” Ethan assured her. “I appreciate the trouble you went to today.”
“It wasn’t trouble. I feel sorry for her. Therapy’s a good idea. Any way you can show her that no matter how much trouble she causes, it won’t change the fact that she’s your sister, should help. But it’ll take time.”
“I hear you.” Ethan ran a hand through his hair, wondering how he’d get through it. “I also thought I’d have Dare take her on a tour of the jail and juvenile detention facilities. Scare her a little. Because right now, she doesn’t seem scared of a helluva lot.” Which frightened him to no end.
Kate raised her eyebrows. “Another good idea. Maybe I misjudged you,” she allowed, her expression softening.
He laughed. “You wouldn’t be the first, and you won’t be the last.”
His gaze slid to Faith, who was still antsy, moving from foot to foot and unwilling to meet his gaze. That wouldn’t do.
“I should get going,” Kate said.
“I’ll go with you. Can you drop me off at my place?” Faith asked, taking him off guard.
“I can take you back as planned,” he said.
“That’s okay. We’re . . . finished and Kate’s going now.”
Finished. Ouch.
But he heard the desperation in her tone and knew even if she stayed, he wouldn’t get anywhere with her now. Better to give her breathing room. And if he were honest with himself, he could use some too. To deal with Tess and to process what the hell had gone on between them upstairs.
