Page 70 of Banter & Blushes #1

MIA

I invited Ethan to my place for dinner tonight.

Cooking for him isn’t so much about impressing him with my limited skills but more about having a quiet space to talk things through.

I spent all day Sunday thinking about what Sophie said about sacrificing for this relationship and realized she was right.

If I jump into this with Ethan and decide to move so I can be with him, I’ll have to give up a lot.

What if I wind up resenting him? I don’t think our relationship is strong enough yet to handle that.

The only way I can see moving forward is to either accept this will be a simple summer fling or try the long-distance thing.

True to my nature, I looked up the statistics for success rates, and they’re not good.

But we at least should try, right? What Ethan and I share is so special and deep.

It’s like we were meant to find each other despite the hurdles the universe flung our way.

Maybe those were tests to show us we would have to fight for our relationship.

Ethan asked me if this was love, and I’m beginning to think it is. For me, anyway. And that’s the part that worries me a little. Okay, a lot.

Does he feel the same about me, or will he be satisfied with our limited time together?

My doorbell rings, startling me out of my ruminations. I smooth my hands over my hair and walk to the door, take a deep breath, and open it .

It’s not just the heat from outside melting me right now. Ethan’s standing there with a huge bouquet, a gift bag, and a blinding smile. All for me.

He doesn’t hand me the flowers, though. Instead, he pulls me against him and lands his mouth on mine in a devouring kiss filled with affection…and hope.

I pull away. “What’s going on, Ethan?”

He chuckles. “You know me so well already.”

I widen my eyes. “Well?”

His grin spreads. “We’re not moving.”

First, I squeal, then I jump up and down, throwing my arms around him. And I’m pretty sure I just crushed the beautiful bouquet he brought me. I grab his free hand and drag him inside.

“Did you just find out?” I don’t know why I’m asking that. Of course, he just found out, otherwise he would have told me sooner. Maybe I’m having a hard time believing it.

“Everything blew up today.”

“Blew up?”

He tells me the entire story of how he confronted his coach and then what happened at practice while I salvage most of the flowers he brought me and put them in a vase. I keep eyeing the gift bag, imagining what could be inside.

“Wow, I had no idea hockey could be like a soap opera.”

He laughs. “You and me both. But now, everything’s okay.” He pulls me against him, staring down at me with desire and affection filling his eyes. “We can be together and not worry about the future.”

I nod, but I’m still having doubts. “At least for now.”

His brows knit together. “What does that mean? I thought you’d be happy. I know I am.”

“I am, it’s just…what happens if you get traded?”

“I won’t let them. I can ask for a no-trade clause.”

Her eyes widen. “You can do that?”

He brushes my hair away from my face. “Yes, I’d already planned to request that when my contract comes up next season.”

“You’d really do that for me?” I’m stunned, to say the least. Can’t wait to tell Sophie about this one. She’ll flip.

“In a heartbeat. I don’t want anything to keep us apart again. Not even failed engines.”

I giggle. “I’m bus-free for the next two months, and my car’s running just fine now.”

He sweeps his lips over mine, teasing me. “But we’re not going anywhere tonight.”

“What if you hate my cooking?”

“We’ll order in because I’m not sharing the woman I’m falling for with anyone tonight.” The look in his eyes confirms his words, leaving me breathless. He reaches for the gift bag and hands it to me. “This is for you. ”

I push aside tissue paper, noticing the red fabric first, then pull it out.

Ethan takes it from me, turning the jersey around to show his name across the shoulders. “I was hoping you’d wear my jersey at the home games when the season starts again.”

“Of course I will.” I take the jersey from him and slip it over my shirt. The heat I see flaring in his eyes makes me almost giddy. “I’m falling for you, too, Ethan.”

I clasp my hands behind his neck, running my fingers through his hair, ready to tug him down for another kiss if he doesn’t do it first, which he does, nipping my lips and holding me against him until I can barely remember my name, let along how to cook the dinner I’d planned.

I think we’re hungrier for each other than food now that we know we can be together.

As our kisses slow, I lean away. “I should start dinner.”

“Let’s order pizza.” He starts kissing me again.

“I don’t mind cooking,” I manage to get out.

He lifts his head and devours me with a smoldering gaze that makes me weak in the knees. “You can’t cook while I’m kissing you.”

I kiss the side of his mouth, tantalizing the corner of his lips with my tongue. “Is that the plan for this evening?”

“Yes, and all summer long.”

“And then what?”

He brushes his lips over mine—teasing, promising, and loving me. “Forever.”