Page 132 of When We Ignite

“I wish we’d blown them off.” My smile widened as he returned it.

“Me too. I wish we could go back. I can’t stop thinking about it,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with a confidence that sent a thrill through me. I’d worried he’d bolt after what happened on my desk, but he’d surprised me by leaning in to his own desire instead.

“Me neither, pet,” I said, capturing his lips again, this time deepening the kiss.

His hand pressed gently against my chest, a subtle reminder to slow down. “I should get out of here before someone comes along,” he said softly.

I nodded reluctantly. “Wise,” I agreed, though I didn’t want to let him go.

“Ash.”

“Yes?” I kissed him again, savoring the feel of him against me.

“I’ll go with you on the trip,” he said, his lips pressing together in that fucking heart-melting shy smile.

My chest swelled, and a grin spread across my face. “That’s great fucking news. You just might’ve saved the night.”

His smile brightened into something proper, and he leaned in for a quick kiss before slipping off the counter. He glanced over his shoulder as he headed for the door, and I had to fight the urge to pull him back.

“Maybe get a room with a desk,” he said with a teasing shrug.

I bit my lip, holding back a laugh as he chuckled quietly and disappeared through the door.

I leaned back against the sink, a satisfied smile tugging at my lips, all my disappointment momentarily forgotten.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

ASH

After a weekend of bachelor party drinking, all I wanted was to get back to the city, crawl into bed with Ethan, and never leave. Unfortunately, Oliver and I had to fly to DC for work on Sunday, keeping me away from New York until Friday. By the time I got back, Henry had invited Ethan to an event at his club, once again robbing my bed of his presence.

I managed to change and head to the club, arriving just past eleven. My plan was simple: stay for five minutes, then drag Ethan back to my apartment. But as soon as I got there, I realized I wasn’t getting my way. Ethan was at one of Henry’s private tables, laughing and drinking with his friends, completely at ease. Watching him in his element, I couldn’t bring myself to pull him away. Instead, I resigned myself to smoking on the balcony with Henry, stealing glances at Ethan in his natural habitat.

Ethan had a measured way about him on nights out, something I’d noticed before. This time, though, he wasn’t weighed down by any tension between us. He looked relaxed, his smile lighting up the space as he chatted easily with his friends. He was drinking, but not excessively. A couple of girls hovered nearby, trying to grab his attention, but he politely brushed them off, chatting with his group instead.

I sent a drink his way, and when he spotted me across the room, he smiled, his expression softening as he excused himself and made his way over.

Ethan looked incredible. He always did, but when he put in the effort, it was genuinely breathtaking. I was sure he could walk in wearing sweatpants and still outshine everyone in the room.

“Hey, E,” Henry greeted as Ethan approached, but Ethan only gave him a nod, his focus already on me.

“I thought you’d skipped town,” Ethan said, trying and failing to hide his smile.

“I’m sorry, darling. I’m all yours now,” I replied, and the faint blush creeping across his cheeks made me grin.

He darted a quick glance at Henry, embarrassed.

“I’ve got press here, so behave yourselves. The office is open,” Henry said without looking up from his phone.

I grinned wider as Ethan gave me a small nod and headed toward the door. I followed, slipping inside and shutting the door behind us.

“I’m mad at you,” Ethan announced, though there was no real heat in his tone.

I stepped closer. “Are you?”

“You said you’d be back on Monday, and you didn’t even tell me about the delay. Ari did,” he accused, crossing his arms.

“I’m sorry, I got held up?—”