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No rush. No urgency. Just a slow, lingering exploration, the kind that savored every moment. He wanted to taste her, to experience a kiss that wasn’t stolen in public or cut short by circumstance. This was just them.
His hands roamed, tracing her shape and learning the curves of her tight, compact body. He tangled his fingers in her hair, relishing the silky strands as they slid over the back of his hand. She melted into him, her body pressing against his, fitting like she belonged there. When he finally broke the kiss, she was breathless. Her lips were swollen and red, and her eyes closed as if she, too, were savoring the moment.
He would remember that look for the rest of his life.
Slowly, her lashes lifted, and she met his gaze.
“I want to take you to bed,” he murmured, his voice rough, stripped bare. “I want to make love to you over and over again.”
She blinked, then smiled—soft, full of knowing.
“What’s stopping you?”
His grip on control tightened. “Permission.”
Ethan would never assume. Not after what his mother had endured. He knew the weight of consent, the importance of choice.
Star’s expression didn’t waver as she whispered, “Permission granted. Over and over again.”
Ethan backed her through the kitchen, kissing the side of her neck. Her arms looped over his shoulders as he grabbed her ass and lifted her. Her laughter rang through the house. “Caveman much?”
“Me, man,” Ethan grunted and attacked her neck again. Kicking his bedroom door open, he walked over to his king-sized bed. They toppled onto it, and he covered her with his body. She opened her legs for him to settle against her. They fit together perfectly. He stared down at her. “Do I need protection?”
“What? Why?” She frowned and looked left and right. “I don’t think anything could happen on the bed, do you?”
Ethan blinked and then barked out a laugh. “Condoms, Star. Condoms. Not your curse.”
She laughed so hard she snorted and slapped her hand over her mouth. He dropped to his side and pulled her with him until she was on top of him. He brushed her hair out of her face and cupped her cheek. The brilliance of her eyes reflected the soul of the beautiful person he was holding. “Well, I guess sexcouldhappen on the bed,” she admitted and dropped down to kiss his chin.
“Do I need to wear a condom?” he asked again, kissing along her neck behind her ear. She shivered each time he pressed a kiss there.Noted, babe. Noted.
She panted, “No, I mean, not unless you want to.”
Ethan stopped and lifted away from the very delicious flesh he was feasting on. “What?”
She seemed mad that he’d stopped. “What, what?”
“You said I didn’t have to wear one unless I wanted to. The goal here is to prevent pregnancy, Star. I think we’re a little too early for that event. Don’t you?”
“Oh, then, no, I mean, yes. Crud, I mean, I have us covered. I’m on the pill and have been forever. I thought you were worried about STDs or something.”
“Well, I wasn’t.” He cocked his head and looked at her. “Should I be?”
She rolled her eyes. “Ah, no. I don’t have any. Do you?”
He barked out a laugh. “No.”
“Well, then, stop with the stopping!” She pulled him back down, but he couldn’t help laughing for a minute. He’d be amazed if he ever figured out how her mind processed things.
Her body was soft yet tight. The flawless expanse of skin laid bare under him was something he’d given up hope of seeing. She was so beautiful. She was a stunner physically, but inside all that chaos was a pure heart laced with happiness and mischief. Getting to know her over the last six months had been a blessing and, yes, a curse. The curse was waiting until tonight. The blessing? Knowing the woman in his bed. It made the night something special. And he wanted it to be as special for her, too.
He wasn’t a lady-a-night type of guy. He grew up respecting women too much ever to be that type of man, but he’d picked up a few things, and he’d work until she shattered first. His goal was to make her believe that she wasn’t cursed, that she was his, and that was all she’d ever need. Conceited? Maybe, but damn it, he wanted her to believe him, to believe in the beauty inside herself, which he suspected she didn’t.
He sat up, straddling her, and took off his shirt. Her eyes traveled his chest. “Oh …” She trailed her fingers over a bruise. “Why do you let yourself get hurt like this?”
Taking her hand, he lifted it to his mouth and kissed the palm. “I promise I don’t let myself get hurt. My sparring partner is damn good.”
She lifted and kissed his bruise, then looked up at him. “Be better than he is, Ethan. It hurts me to see these bruises on you.”