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He laughs against my skin, the vibration sending shivers down my spine. “Fine. Since you left my suite yesterday morning. Possibly since I first saw you in the ship’s lobby, though that’s more complicated to explain.”
“You wanted to kiss me when I was calling you an environmental hypocrite?” I pull back, intrigued by this.
“I wanted to do so much more than kiss you,” he admits, eyes darkening. “Your passion was incredibly attractive, even when directed at humiliating me.”
“That’s... flattering.” I shift into his lap now, knees on either side of his hips, enjoying the sharp intake of his breath at the contact. “Though concerning from a psychological perspective.”
“Are you analyzing me, Dr. Bennett?” His hands grip my waist, holding me steady against him.
“I am,” I murmur, rolling my hips subtly against his growing arousal. “I analyze everything.”
“Everything?” His eyebrow raises in challenge as his hands slide higher beneath my dress.
“Well, some things I prefer to experience.”
This earns me a genuine laugh that transforms into a groan as I repeat my hip movement with more deliberate pressure. “You are sexy, you know.”
“So, you’ve mentioned.” I kiss him again, deeper this time, reveling in the way his hands tighten on my waist in response. “I’m a nerd, you don’t have to lie.”
“A sexy nerd,” he manages, voice strained as I unbuckle his belt. “We should move this to the bedroom?”
“The bedroom?” I smile against his lips. “How conventional, Mr. Cole.”
“I am not conventional,” he reminds me, standing with me still wrapped around him, my legs tightening around his waist. The display of strength sends a fresh wave of heat through me.
“Impressive,” I comment as he carries me toward his bedroom.
“You haven’t seen impressive yet,” he promises, his expression making my stomach flip in anticipation.
His bedroom, like the rest of the apartment, is minimalist—centered around an enormous bed with simple, high-quality linens in deep blue. He sets me down on the edge, stepping back to look at me it makes me feel exposed and powerful.
“You are extraordinary,” he says softly, echoing words he’s said before. “I still can’t quite believe you’re here.”
“Where else would I be?” I ask, reaching for him.
“Anywhere.” He steps between my knees, cupping my face in his hands. “With anyone. Instead of with the corporate villain you’ve spent years loathing.”
The vulnerability in his voice catches me off guard. Beneath the confident CEO exterior, Ethan has a real uncertainty about his worthiness—at least where I’m concerned.
“You’re not a villain,” I tell him, holding his gaze. “You’re a complex man trying to balance profit and principle. And you’re where I want to be right now.”
His hands move to the tie of my wrap dress, pausing for silent permission. He unwraps it, revealing the lacy emerald lingerie beneath—the impulse buy that amused Zoe so much.
“Green,” he observes. “You were paying attention to what I like.”
“You are very obvious,” I reply. “It isn’t hard to see when you like something.”
“I love this.” His fingers trace the edge of the lace, barely touching my skin yet sending electricity through my nerve endings. “Very much.”
“Stop talking and kiss me again,” I demand, impatient.
“So, demanding,” he murmurs, his mouth capturing mine as he presses me back onto the bed.
Each touch feels more meaningful, each response more honest.
Ethan takes his time, to rediscover every inch of my body. His mouth and hands map a leisurely path from my lips down my throat, across my collarbone, to the swell of my breasts above emerald lace. When he removes my bra, his growl makes me arch into his touch.
“Beautiful,” he breathes against my skin before taking a nipple into his mouth, the warmth drawing a gasp from me.