Complimented, nevertheless, I couldn’t even count to ten let alone make a sensible comment.
He took me into his arms and kissed me tenderly while stroking my hair. Feeling too many emotions to deal with, I wanted to cry. What he didn’t know was that I’d never orgasmed while being penetrated. Ethan had opened me up, stirring something inside that I couldn’t quite understand.
“This was not meant to happen,” I said.
He frowned.
Looking at that just-fucked hair, dimples, chiselled jaw, and large brown eyes, I thought I was hallucinating.How did this ridiculously good-looking man end up in my messy bed?
“I’m glad it did.”
The serious glint in his eye had me spellbound. I was searching for the version of him that rambled on about silly nonsense, with a hint of sex. Always sex. Although I called him a conceited prat, I secretly got off on his flirtatious banter.
His father just died. This is Ethan as you’ve never seen him before.
“I hope you don’t think I took advantage of you,” he added, caressing my arm. His lulling, feathery touches were too addictive to roll away from.
“No.” I smiled meekly.
“You can hate me tomorrow,” he said with a sad smile. “Remind me why again?”
He looked into my face. A line formed between his dark brows. Normally, he would chuckle at my little digs, but this was different. His fingers slid up my arm and over my shoulders, robbing me of sanity again.
“Um… You’re spoiled and a womaniser and…”
His finger kept moving over my puckering skin. “Continue…”
“I can’t think straight with you doing that.”
“I like it too.”
“You like touching me?”
“That too. But I meant I like it when you spit vitriol at me. It’s kinda hot. Your eyes get this sexy spark.”
I had to laugh at that.
He smiled tightly, and we held each other.
“I’m sorry. You’re grieving. I shouldn’t poke fun at you.”
“Hey, I asked,” he said then kissed my cheek tenderly. “Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For being here for me.”
We continued to hold each other, and I rocked him gently in my arms. A tear dropped onto my skin. Yes, he was heartbroken. Having lost my parents, I understood that grief only too well.
My heart ached for Ethan and the Lovechildes. His father was a good man. Despite our differences, I’d grown up around that powerful family and felt a connection of sorts with them.
Chapter 2
Ethan
Everythingseemedabluras people poured into the church, filling the pews. I’d struggled to even get out of bed, let alone face people. Smiling was out of the question. That was even more painful than trying to remember the names of family and friends I’d known since childhood.
Theadora close by his side, Declan stood at the church entrance, holding out his hand and welcoming people, while Savanah and my mother hid their faces behind black-veiled hats.