Page 15 of Mountain Man’s Curvy Girl (Summer In The Pines #4)
Chloe
I wake slowly, the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains and casting a golden glow across the room. For a moment, I don’t move, caught between the warmth of the blankets and the steady, solid heat of Ethan’s body pressed against mine.
It feels surreal—waking up in his bed, his arm draped over my waist, his breath warm against my neck. But it’s real. The soreness in my body and the delicious ache between my thighs are proof enough of that.
I turn my head slightly, just enough to see him. His face is relaxed, his jaw slack, and his dark lashes cast shadows on his cheeks. He looks softer like this, almost boyish, and I can’t help but smile as I reach out to brush a lock of hair from his forehead.
He stirs at the touch, his brows furrowing slightly before his eyes flutter open. They’re soft at first, hazy with sleep, but when his gaze lands on me, they sharpen, and his lips curve into a slow, lazy smile.
“Morning, sweetheart,” he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep and ten times more devastating than it has any right to be.
“Morning,” I whisper, my cheeks heating under his gaze.
His arm tightens around my waist, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us. “You sleep okay?”
I nod, my fingers toying with the edge of the blanket. “Yeah. Did you?”
“Best sleep I’ve had in years,” he says, his tone so sincere it makes my chest ache. He leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead before shifting to prop himself up on one elbow. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” I say quickly, though my cheeks burn as I glance away. “A little sore, but… good. Really good.”
His hand finds my chin, gently turning my face back to him. “Don’t be shy, Chloe. I want to know how you’re feeling. All of it.”
His eyes search mine, so steady and earnest it’s impossible to look away. “I feel… amazing,” I admit softly. “And safe. And… happy.”
His lips curve into a soft smile, and he leans down to kiss me, slow and tender. “Good,” he murmurs against my lips. “Because that’s all I want—for you to be happy. For you to know how much I care about you.”
My heart skips a beat, and I open my mouth to respond, but before I can, his hand slides down to my hip, pulling me flush against him. I gasp softly, my body already reacting to the hard press of him against my thigh.
“You’re not too sore, are you?” he asks, his voice dipping into that rough, growly tone that makes my toes curl.
“I—I think I’m okay,” I stammer, my cheeks burning.
“Good,” he says again, his lips brushing against my ear. “Because I’m not done with you yet, sweetheart. Not even close.”