Chapter Thirteen
Angel stood with Ethan in his kitchen in Boston, wrapped in his plush, black bathrobe, the sleeves bunched around her wrists. “Oh no, is that the time?” she said noticing the clock on his microwave. She set her coffee on the island. “I need to get dressed for work.”
They had arrived home that afternoon from the mountains and had done little more than soak together in his tub. Aspirations to hunt through Ethan’s refrigerator for something to eat were soon forgotten when he turned her around, bent her over the kitchen countertop until she cried out with agonizing pleasure.
Her orgasm had left her weak-kneed and lazy. More than anything, she wanted to remain in Ethan’s soft bathrobe, eat take out, and soak in another bath. But, unfortunately, her holiday from work was over.
“Are you excited to go back?” He pulled her close and untied his robe, his hands gently gripping her bare waist. “I ask, because you seem to like your job.”
She smiled at him. “I do like aspects of it, but the hours are awful. I would much rather stay here with you and take another bath.”
He pressed her close and kissed her, his tongue demanding every last drop of sweetness from her mouth. Then he pulled away, his eyes searching and intense. “Then stay. I’ll take care of you,” he rasped. He lowered his forehead to hers. “Stay with me.”
She knew he did not just mean for the night. Ethan Calloway was asking her to be his. Her heart swelled in her chest. She thought she might burst with happiness. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and squeezed with all her might. “I’ll stay.”
He lifted her feet off the ground and kissed her lips, his tongue teasing, stroking. His lips moved to her throat.
She groaned. “But I have to give Suzi notice, which means I still have to work tonight.”
He blew out a long breath. “As much as I want you just to quit, giving your two weeks is the right thing to do.”
She nodded. “Suzi’s been good to me.”
He took a deep breath and straightened, then dropped his hands to his sides. “Okay, go ahead. If I keep holding that ass, you won’t be going anywhere.”
He followed her to his bedroom and watched her search for clothes. She grabbed her jeans and started to turn them right side out while her eyes darted around the floor. “I can’t find my bra.”
He took her hand. “Follow me.”
“I can’t, Ethan. I have to get dressed.”
He smiled back at her. “Trust me.”
He led her down the hall and opened the door to what used to be a guest bedroom. She stepped into the room, her brows drawn, clearly confused. He watched her consider the space. While they were up at the mountains, he had made a call to have the room redone. The extra bed was removed. There was a desk with a new laptop and a dressing table. She went to the table and picked up a perfume bottle. “Lilacs and vanilla, my favorite.”
He crossed the room and opened a door, revealing a large walk-in closet.
“Oh my God, Ethan,” she said, her eyes wide. “This is amazing.”
He smiled. “You now have an array of bras and panties to choose from in those drawers.”
She quietly wandered the space. Then she stood, her fingers absently feeling a pair of jeans. He stepped toward her when he noticed her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“What is it?” he said. “If you don’t like something, we can change it.”
She wiped at her eyes. “No, it’s perfect. Everything is perfect. I would have bought everything in this room—you’ve captured my style. You’ve—” She turned away. “You’ve thought of everything.”
“Look at me, Angel,” he said softly. She turned to face him, her lips trembling.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. “I want you to live here with me. I want to make you happy and keep you safe.”
“Really?” she said. “You really do?” He could see her fear.
“More than anything.” He smiled and untied her robe again. This time, he let it fall to the ground.
She splayed her fingers wide across his chest, a look of hunger brightening her amber eyes. He picked her up so that her legs wrapped around his waist. She smiled down at him. “It looks like I’m going to be late.”