Page 102 of When We Ignite

“If I drink tonight, are you going to get upset with me?” he asked, his lips brushing against mine as he spoke.

“Of course not,” I said with a chuckle. “We just won’t do anything if you’re drunk. Are you a lightweight?”

He shrugged.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Just have a couple of drinks if you want to fool around—no more.”

“Why are you so strict about that?” he asked, his expression curious.

“I’m not into forcing people. Dubious consent isn’t consent,” I said simply.

Ethan smiled, the warmth in his expression cutting through the moment’s tension.

The food arrived, and though Ethan eventually moved off me, he stayed close. When he left later, he kissed me deeply—possessively—before stepping out the door.

I showered quickly and collapsed onto the bed, hoping Ethan would stay out late enough for me to catch some much-needed sleep.

As I drifted off, I couldn’t help but think our time together might not feel like enough, but it had to be. We weren’t compatible. Ethan and I were destined to fail because, in the end, we’d both be fighting for the same role.

Right now, his inexperience worked in our favor. But once he figured himself out, he wouldn’t need me anymore. He would eventually outgrow me.

We had an expiration date—whether we wanted one or not.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ASH

Adull thud broke the stillness, followed by the soft sound of something landing on carpet.

Cracking one eye open, I glanced at my watch—nearly four in the morning. I waited, hearing another faint thump—shoes, clearly—and closed my eyes again, rubbing my face into the pillow. Four a.m. was good news for me—I’d had six solid hours of sleep. Bad news for Ethan, though. He was likely about to crash hard.

The bed dipped, and moments later, his lips brushed my cheek in a soft kiss. Then another, lower this time, quick and light. My lips curved into a smile.

“Did I wake you?” he murmured, his warm breath ghosting over my skin. He didn’t smell like someone who’d been drinking all night.

“Your shoes did,” I rasped, my voice hoarse with sleep. Clearing my throat, I felt another kiss land on my cheekbone.

“Sorry,” he said, his voice apologetic but warm. “I dropped them trying not to make any noise. Do you want to go back to sleep?”

I hummed, stretching out the moment.

“Seriously? You’ve been out for hours,” he said, a teasing edge to his tone.

“You just asked me if I wanted to go back to sleep. Was that Bennett politeness at work?” I teased back.

“Well, yeah. You’re leaving tomorrow,” he said matter-of-factly.

I glanced at him. “You haven’t slept at all. Aren’t you tired?”

He rested his weight lightly over my back, making me chuckle.

“I had a Red Bull and stopped by my apartment before coming here. I’m good,” he replied.

“Why’d you stop at your place?”

“I wanted to grab some stuff to change into tomorrow, and I thought I’d let you sleep a little longer,” he admitted, and his words warmed something deep in my chest.

“That was thoughtful,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips.