“If you’d been through what I went through, you’d be cautious, too.” She glared at him, teeth gritted and hands fisted, even as pain wafted through her.
“Then trust me, damn it. Trust me like you should have five years ago.”
“I want to. But I am not the same person I was back then. I need time, Ethan. I need to be sure.” Fear clenched her deep inside, terror of the unknown, or maybe it was fear of what she had known and anticipated.
“I’m sure.” Bitterness stung every word, and he stepped back, body stiff, pain radiating from his every muscle.
“Not about you.” She hugged him, even while he remained wooden. “About everyone else.”
“You’re still protecting me.” The realization hit him and he staggered. “I don’t need you to protect me. I can handle it. I could always handle it.”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.” Tears pricked her eyes, and she blinked rapidly.
“So, you broke up with me, breaking my heart. Nice going.” His sarcasm cut at her, sharper than any knife.
“It was better than the inevitable slow hatred you would have felt. You said it last night. Who we would have been if we had stayed the course.” She stepped forward and put her arms around him. “But now we have a second chance. I’m willing to try it, but you have to take it slow. Please.”
He looked at her, eyes softening under her regard. Slowly, he nodded. “Fine, but you’re mine. No hiding, no sneaking around. We’re together and that’s it.”
She ignored the icy tendril of fear, the anticipation of the next two days, and his family’s reaction to the news. It would be okay. It had to be.
* * *
Delaney woke in Ethan’s bed again, tangled in the sheets and his legs, his arm thrown across her middle, anchoring her in place, as if she might escape in the night. She wiggled, trying to slide out from the embrace, but he murmured and dragged her closer to the powerful evidence of his desire. She stifled a grin and turned to face him. His eyes were opened and amused at her attempts to free herself.
“Morning.” His lips curved in a grin, the lines on his face of sleep softened.
She raised her hand to his cheek and rubbed the morning stubble. “Morning, stud.”
His laugh was a rumble deep inside, the rumble setting the fine hair on his chest to run against her nipples, already sensitized from the love play the night before. He slid his hands down and cupped her backside, drawing her closer, rubbing against her. She threw her leg over his hip, pulling him closer to heaven. He grabbed a condom from the bedside table and sheathed himself quickly. He leaned the few inches forward and kissed her deeply, sliding into her at the same moment with a long sigh. She arched her back at being filled so completely, so deeply, in that position. He moved back and forth, with slow, short digs designed to draw out the passion, a long, slow build. It didn’t take long for heat to rise and he shifted on his back, pulling her astride him.
“Ride me, baby.” His voice was husky with passion.
She sank down, feeling him go deeper than ever before. She threw back her head, reveling in the sensation, the connection. His fingers flexed on her hips, signaling his control was at a breaking point. She moved faster, and his finger burrowed between them, finding her clit and flicking it until she came. He followed quickly after and held her close when she slumped against him.
They rested, neither wanting to break the bubble they were living in, knowing the activities for the wedding were ramping up and things would quickly spiral. If they could survive the next two days, they could survive anything.
* * *
Delaney hummed as she made the coffee and cracked eggs in a pan for breakfast. The house was quiet. People might still have been sleeping or were already up and on their way for the day. She heard Ethan’s heavy tread on the stairs as he came down. She smiled to herself and flipped the eggs. He walked into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her, hauling her up against him.
She squealed and wiggled, but his grip was firm. “Let me go, you oaf. Or you won’t have any food for breakfast.”
He grinned against her neck, nuzzling under her ear. “I need all my energy to keep up with you.”
She laughed, but wiggled out of his arms. He poured a cup of coffee and leaned against the opposite counter, watching her. His hair was damp, and he wore loose-fitting shorts and a button-down shirt, only partially buttoned. She almost dropped the spatula at the blatant hunger in his eyes. Not hunger for the eggs but for her.
The front door opened and closed and the staccato of heels on the hardwood floor echoed through the house. Delaney paused, a plate of eggs in her outstretched hand. Ethan also turned to the doorway. A short blond woman stood in the doorway, dressed in a cute floral sheath dress. The image of what Delaney used to be.
The other woman glanced around the room until her eyes landed on Ethan. Her face broke into a broad grin and she opened her arms wide. “Ethan, darling! I came early to help with whatever I can.”
The plate crashed to the floor, shattered in a hundred pieces, along with Delaney’s heart.