“Harper,” he murmured in her ear as he joined their bodies.
She clung to his shoulders, dropping her head back against the wall. One of his hands rested beside her head while the other held on to her backside. His hips jerked, making Harper cry out. Every single time with Ethan was magnificent and unlike anything she’d ever experienced.
He whispered things to her, nothing she could make out, not when her entire mind and body were absorbing all of the tantalizing emotions.
The swirl of her climax spiraled through her, hitting her fast and hard. Harper bit down on her lip and shut her eyes, wanting to hold every single moment of this bliss inside her without allowing any to escape.
“Harper.”
The demand had her jerking her attention to Ethan, whose face was a breath from hers. His body had stilled as hers ceased trembling. She’d shut her eyes, her lashes fanning over her cheeks.
“Look at me,” he demanded.
Harper stared into those captivating eyes. Only the light from the main living area filtered down the hallway, leaving half of his face in the dark.
The intensity of his gaze had her wondering what his thoughts were. Was he feeling more for her than lust and camaraderie? Was he ready to take this beyond sex and a business-type marriage?
The flash of vulnerability and emotions vanished from his expression just as quickly as she’d seen them. Ethan started moving once again, but he kept his attention all on her.
Harper threaded her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck and jerked him in for a kiss. She wanted every part of him he was willing to give...and more.
Ethan opened for her, inviting her lips, just as his body jerked and his hand on her tightened. She swallowed his cry of pleasure and gave a slight tug on his hair.
When he lifted his head, Harper watched as the wave of passion swept over his face. There was something so intimate, so bonding about holding the stare of someone during their most vulnerable moment.
Gradually, Ethan’s grip on her lessened as he leaned forward and dropped his head onto her shoulder. The warm breath that hit her bare skin had her shivering and trailing her fingertips up and down his back.
If they could stay like this, maybe she could believe just for a moment that he cared for her the way she desired, the way she’d dreamed of someone loving her. Could he ever? Would he eventually want a deeper connection? She thought she’d seen a glimpse of something in his eyes earlier...but maybe it had just been wishful thinking.
Slowly, Ethan released her. Harper straightened out her legs and dropped them to the floor. Her muscles protested, and she held on to his biceps.
“Not too steady?” he asked.
Harper shook her head. “Give me a second.”
Ethan scooped her up in his arms. “I’ve got you.”
Harper wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. No matter how independent, how strong-willed any woman was, when a man pulled the ultimate romantic move, it was time to settle in and enjoy the ride.
She only hoped this would last longer and grow to mean more, because she couldn’t have a one-sided relationship. She deserved more.
Twelve
“You look good wearing that ring.”
Ethan crossed his arms behind his head and admired Harper as she walked bare, save for the ruby ring and the gold bracelet she always wore, into the adjoining bath.
“Do you think we missed the entire party?” she asked, grabbing a short red robe from the back of the door.
That woman made the color red look damn good.
Ethan laughed. “I’m pretty sure the party wound down a couple hours ago.”
Harper pursed her lips as she knotted the tie at her waist. “Hmm... I was looking forward to the casino night. It sounded fun.”
“There will be other fun theme nights,” he assured her. “I believe next week there will be a Mardi Gras party in the courtyard.”
She adjusted the V on her robe and sighed. “I suppose I could order a mask to match my dress. It’s a shame to let it go to waste.”