Singer

Ethan has been weighed down in work and his trial, but three nights away from him is too long. That’s what worries me. I openly admit to myself that I’ve completely fallen for him. I didn’t expect a floodgate of romance and swoons to follow. It’s like he’s been freed from some invisible shackles that had been holding him back, and now he’s sweeping me right off my feet. Who does that?

Ethan Everest.

That’s who.

The minute Aaron drops me off in front of my building I dash inside and run up the stairs to the apartment. I want it to look as nice as it can, and considering I was like a tornado this morning before leaving for the office, I know I have some work to do. With Melanie practically living with Mike these days, I don’t have to worry about us being interrupted.

I hang the jacket to my suit on a hook inside the closet door, step out of my black heels, and then work on the zipper on the back of the skirt. It seems to be stuck though. Shoot. Running into the tiny bathroom, I turn around and try to see what the problem is. But the mirror is too high and even on my toes I’m not tall enough.

With no time to waste, I take my blouse off and pull on a tank top. I rush back into the living room and grab the mug I used this morning and an empty Little Debbie donut wrapper. I deal with those and grab the four pairs of shoes that have been left by the door, tossing them into the closet. I run back out and fluff the pillows, light a candle, and start the oven.

I’m breaking into a sweat, but time’s ticking.

In a bowl, I mix half a cup of milk with a bag of blueberry muffin mix and whisk furiously. I pour the mix into the muffin pan and shove it into the oven before it’s even preheated. I need it to start baking so the magic waft begins.

A knock on the door causes me to pop up and look. Shoot. That was fast. Bending over, I run my fingers through my hair and shake my head to fluff and give it body. I stand up and pinch my cheeks and then with my hand on the door, I take a deep breath.

When I open it, there he is. Smiling. Handsome in his suit with eyes that strip me of another item of clothing with each slow, devouring blink.

I pull him in by the lapels and land my lips right on his. Without a second to spare, our lips part and our hands are frenzied to touch. He charges forth with me guiding him inside. The door is kicked closed, the back of my knees hit the couch, and I’m on my back before we even say hello. My need for air causes me to gasp, and I look up at this gorgeous man and take a deep breath. Hovering above me, he says, “Hello, Singer.”

My lips tingle. My body hums. And I feel it, his love for me growing. Not just against my leg physically, but inside—passion blooms. “Hello.”

Still staring at me, he smiles. “So this is your place?”

Although I’m in a compromising position, I laugh, then offer, “Yes, would you like a tour?”

He pushes up and takes my hands, helping me to my feet. “I would.”

Leading him just four feet, I say, “This is my kitchen. I like to cook, but I don’t cook all the time.”

“What’s that smell?”

“Oh. You just reminded me.” I bend down and peek at the muffins through the oven door. Almost ready. “Muffins. Do you like muffins?”

“I love muffins, especially yours.” There’s a devious glint in his eyes.

“You haven’t even tried my muffins.”

“Oh, I’ve tried them.” He licks his lips, and it’s so seductive I’m not sure if my panties will survive. “And I can’t wait to eat more of your muffins . . .”

Oh.

My.

God.

I fan myself with my hand, but his body blocks me in, cornering me. The back of his finger grazes along my jaw, his thumb toying with my bottom lip. “Is it hot from the oven? I’m feeling heated.”

“It’s not the oven, baby.”

His other hand slides up my waist, exposing my midsection. My gaze finds that Adam’s apple of his, and damn if I don’t lose all train of thought. “We should, um . . . what were we doing?”

“You were giving me a tour of your . . . apartment.”

“Right,” I breathe out before slipping around him. “If you keep this up, we won’t make it past the kitchen counter.” And I’m totally not against this idea . . .

“And the problem is?”

“The bedroom is back here.” I grab his hand and drag him past the bathroom and into my bedroom. “And that’s my bed,” I say in an eager-beaver voice.

Ethan turns to look at me because I’m all pitchy, and my hand is now sweating. I try to shake his off, but he holds mine tighter, causing my temperature to rise even more. “I should turn on the fan.”

“I’m comfortable,” he replies. “Are we alone?”

“Melanie is at her boyfriend’s place.”

Eyeing me head to toe, he definitely notices my weird ensemble. “Nice outfit.”

“It’s the zipper. It’s stuck. Do you mind helping me out of it?”

An eyebrow is raised in my direction. “Is that a serious question, because the answer is no, I don’t mind one tiny bit. Turn around.”

I do, but he doesn’t start on the zipper like I expect. So I look back at him and ask, “What are you doing?”

“Enjoying the view. I might want you to wear this skirt a little longer. Have you ever played office?” Now I’m the one cocking a brow up. “Can you take dick-tation, Ms. Davis?”

“Depends on the dick-tator.”

My backside is pulled against his front. “I’m very good at dick-tating my commands.”

The oven timer goes off, and I jump. “Zipper?”

The damn thing is broken. I eventually have to take the muffins out and he’s holding pliers to the zippy thing while in the confined space of my kitchen. We stop for a hot muffin and then go at it again. Eventually, it gives but with too much damage to the teeth to save it. “I’ll take it to the dry cleaners. They can put a new zipper in.”

“I want to take care of it for you.” He grabs me around the waist and holds my ass. “You planning on wearing those panties all night?”

“I thought my muffins would be enough to satisfy.”

“Your muffins are delicious. Go lay on the bed and let me take another bite.”

“Biting?” Rawr. “I didn’t know you were so kinky, Mr. Everest.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.” I’m lifted over his shoulder and carried into the bedroom, before he drops me on the bed. I bounce while laughing. Lying in the middle of the mattress, I pull off my top and bra and signal him with my best come-hither. “Don’t keep me waiting, babe.”

His jacket flies off, his shoes are kicked away, and while working on his shirt and tie, he says, “You called me babe.”

Lifting up on my elbows, I ask, “You call me baby sometimes.”

His dress shirt and undershirt come off, and while working on his belt, he smiles. “I like you calling me babe.” The rest of his clothes come off and he climbs onto the mattress. “Now about those muffins . . .”

* * *

His mouth is gloriously talented. After losing myself to the ecstasy of it, twice, I return the favor.

Pinning him down, I kiss him first, my body burning with desire for this man. I rise above him and slowly slide down, his cock stretching me, igniting me in a deliciously different way. With my hands leveraged against his chest, I start to move, slowly at first and picking up speed just to watch his breathing change.

He’s different tonight—direct, but conceding to my sexual pleas for more. Strong and agile, but happy to let me lead. His muscles are relaxed, but his focus intense.

His fingers dig into my hips as I rock back and forth on top of him, watching me take what I want. “God, Singer, you’re so fucking beautiful.” I lean down to kiss him, my nipples brushing against his chest, the feeling incredible.

Reaching above him, I grab hold of the headboard while he takes control, thrusting into me from below. His hands take my breasts and his tongue swirls around one nipple and then the other.

My head falls back, ecstasy seizing my body. His movements become erratic, my own a mess of twisted coiling, so tight I’ll unravel at the hands of this man so easily once again. “Ethan. Ethan. Ethan.”

“Fuck,” he says, his voice riled as he bites his lip and slams me down, holding me in place. His hips press three more times before he falls under the spell that drags me under with him, an orgasm thundering through me as I squeeze around him.

Dropping on top of him, my forehead presses into the pillow under him until each quake subsides, and my breath returns. I lie still, my heart pounding against his, not able to decipher between his heartbeat and mine.

This beautiful man would do anything for me. I feel it with my eyes closed, deep inside. I know it when I open them and see it in the way he looks at me, the way he worries about me, and how he cares about me. I’ve never known such adoration. “I love you.”

His head turns and his hands cover my back. He smiles so much the lines on the outside of his eyes crinkle. He’s the kind of man who gets more handsome every day. Age will only increase this attraction. “I love you, Singer.”

Our lips press together, our tongues mingling, love swirling all around. My arms wrap around his neck, and he rolls us onto our sides. The words have been felt, hanging on the tip of my tongue, but this time it’s different. Not because we just had sex, but because we just made, created, grew our love.

As if he senses the shift like I do, he says, “I love you.”

He loves me. The words heavy and wonderful, weighted in a gentle nature he hides from the world, to protect from getting hurt again. He now realizes I’ll protect his beautiful and damaged heart as well. Saying I love you means we’re a team. I take that commitment seriously and will try my damnedest to heal him with that love. My chest fills with happiness wanting to burst. “I love you, too. So much.”

Maybe Mel was right. Maybe I don’t see myself the way others do. He committed himself when he made his confession, vulnerable to feelings he tried so hard to bury. “Thank you.”

“You have the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met.”

“I think you easily rival it. Reegan asked what charity I wanted to support and told me you were going to donate twenty thousand dollars. Is this true?”

“He lost a bet and I wondered, what would Singer do?”

“I’m afraid you think I’m better than I am.”

“You think I don’t see you, but I do. Your heart shines brighter than the sun, sweet Singer.” He pulls me into his embrace. “Don’t ever let the world dull that shine. Okay?”

I kiss his neck. “Only if you promise to do the same.”

“Together, nothing can touch us.”