Page 174 of When We Ignite

As we exited, I wrapped my arm around Ethan’s shoulders, keeping him close and shielding his face as we headed to the car. Henry, as usual, made no effort at subtlety, and his lack of discretion worked perfectly to keep the focus off Ethan.

Once we were back at the hotel, I got a real taste of Ethan’s hunger. It was staggering how much he had held back before now, only to transform into this insatiable, relentless version of himself. It was another thing we had in common—we could never get enough of each other.

After making a point, quite enthusiastically, about how consensual everything between us was despite the drinks he’d had, he stripped without hesitation. Climbing into my lap, he looked at me with that wicked, knowing smile, leaned in close, and demanded I take him right there on the couch.

But then, without any prompting, he slowed. He kissed me with a kind of intensity that left no room for distraction, and I matched him, savoring every sound, every taste of him. As I worked my fingers into his body, Ethan moaned into my mouth. I couldn’t get enough, couldn’t stop taking him in.

When he finally deemed himself ready, he reached back, steadying me with a sure hand before sinking down in one excruciatingly slow slide. Our eyes stayed locked, the connection between us as tangible as the heat coursing through our bodies.

He adjusted, his breath coming in shallow gasps, and his hands found their anchor in the hair at the nape of my neck. Foreheads touching, he began to move, rocking his hipswith an unhurried rhythm.

Ethan loved this—the closeness, the intensity, the way our gazes never broke. And I loved giving it to him.

Watching him—seeing the way he moved, hearing my name moaned from his lips as he surrendered to the pleasure surging through him—I was struck all over again by just how much Ethan was like fire.

He consumed every inch of me, claimed everything he touched until it was irrevocably his.

I couldn’t control him. He would never allow it.

And I found myself caring less and less about trying.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

ASH

Our last day in Barcelona came, and it was nothing like I had planned.

With Oliver’s wedding a week away, our time together had slipped through our fingers. When we returned to New York, we’d only have four days before heading to the Hamptons for the endless parade of events. I knew this was weighing on both our minds, a silent clock ticking down with every shared glance.

So when Aria casually mentioned over lunch that Elena García was in town and wanted to meet, the disappointment from Ethan was impossible to ignore.

Henry glanced between us as I told Aria to set it up. Ethan pressed his lips into a tight line, trying—and failing—to mask how much it hurt. When Aria added that we’d be meeting Elena at the restaurant, I stood and gently pulled Ethan away from the table.

“I’ll try to get out of it as soon as I can, pet. But it’s important,” I explained.

His voice was quiet. “It’s fine, Ash.”

I took a deep breath, holding his hand and pulling him to sit down beside me. “You can’t tell anybody about this, Ethan,” I began carefully.

His brows furrowed in curiosity.

“You can’t tellHenry,” I clarified.

Ethan nodded, his gaze steady on mine.

“She wants me to leave Langley Enterprises and start a company with her,” I admitted, the weight of the confession settling between us.

His blue eyes widened, his breath hitching slightly. “What?”

“I’ll tell you more about it later,” I assured him quickly. “I haven’t agreed to anything. I’m just listening, but these social meetings are important to maintain the relationship.”

Ethan nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. “Social meeting,” he repeated softly.

“It’s just drinks and conversation,” I added, trying to ease whatever tension was building.

“But I have to leave, right?” he asked, his voice quieter now, his gaze dropping to his lap.

“Yes, darling,” I replied gently. “Go out with Henry. I’ll meet you back at the hotel when we’re done.”