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Ethan’s not far behind me. He grunts through a few more thrusts before his ejaculation floods my inner walls. When it does, the weight of him collapses against me. After a few moments of compressing all the air from my lungs, he shifts to the side.
In the shipwreck of our lovemaking, I skim my hand up his body until I can force his face to look at me. Then I decide to drag on a pair of good old-fashioned big girl panties. “It’s time to stop playing games via texts, misinterpreting each other.”
His eyes crinkle in the corners. “I think that’s a good idea.”
“Then is this an end or a beginning?” I demand.
He leans down and captures my lips. For long moments, he does nothing more than pluck at my lips. Then he blows my mind. “I’ve had feelings for you for much longer than I allowed myself to admit, Fallon.”
I blink. “You have?”
He rolls to his side, bringing me with him. “I know your life is just beginning here...”
My heart thumps wildly in my chest. “Ethan?—‍”
He lays a finger across my lips. “No. Listen. This is still too new for us to bring us forward to my family. It’s for you and for me. I want to explore what’s between us, Fallon—no lies, no subterfuge. Just a few months of privacy to figure things out.”
“And then?” I hold my breath.
His finger traces an outline before he replaces it with his lips. “Then, I swear on my life, I’ll make certain you’ll be happy for the rest of yours.”
A single tear rolls down my cheek. He smiles at me tenderly. “I hope that means you agree.”
“I do.”
He winks. “Save that for a bit. Okay?”
Did he just say that? I’d float from this bed if Ethan wasn’t in it with me. I vow to myself I don’t care how hard I have to work or what I have to sacrifice to have him, but I’m ready to offer it.
No matter what it is.
CHAPTER TWENTY
KENSINGTON, TEXAS
Sometimes, the speaker says it better than I do.
“In a year where we’ve lost so much, to have our community surround us is the cushion after the fall. Day after day, they’ve kissed our healing cuts. We appreciate those who have donated everything from the venue, goods, services, and, above all, their time to support Greenwich Hospital. But there’s always more to do. We’re not the only organization that needs help. Send Me An Angel—chaired by the incredible Ursula Moore—is one such organization. If you’re looking for other ways to help, I’m certain StellaNova will have their information included on their website tonight, as well as ours.”
Our gratitude to Dr. Laura Lockwood, affectionately known by all at StellaNova as “Queen Gore.” Earlier this year, Gore’s life was threatened by terrifying events at Greenwich Hospital.
—StellaNova
Jesse slides me a beer across the table before acknowledging the disgust on my face at the woman I finished chasing away with a few well-placed harsh sentiments. “Not interested tonight?”
“Not interested, period.” It’s the truth. I want nothing to do with middle-aged women looking for whatever they think they’ll find. All I want or need is waiting for me to call her back when I’m done catching up with my brother.
“Interesting.”
“What is?”
“You.”
“What about me?”
“You’re throwing off ‘taken’ vibes.”
I tip my head back for a long pull before asking, “Is it that obvious?”