“Jesus, Lacy, I need to slow down, but I don’t think I can. I was so worried when Gus showed up and told us there’d been another victim. When he said it was a woman, I thought I might pass out.” His forehead resting against hers, their quick breaths mingling, as he confessed his feelings for the first time. “I realize now that I’ve fallen for you harder than I first thought. I was desperate to get to you, to see for myself that you were safe. When I got to the bar and saw the way all those other men were leering at you, I snapped. I had to show them that you’re mine.”
Their eyes met, and Lacy gasped at the yearning she saw there. He truly wanted her, and for more than a passing fling, if she wasn’t mistaken. “I want to be yours, Ethan.”
His smile told her she’d spoken her thought aloud, and she realized she meant it.
Lacy had already decided this would be her last case, but now, her decision was set in stone. She wanted to be here, in this small town with Ethan and she would do everything in her power to see that happened.
As if he read her mind, Ethan nibbled the lobe of her ear and whispered, “Stay here with me. Don’t go when this case is over.”
“Yes, I’ll stay.”
Before the last word even left her lips, she felt herself being lifted and carried to the bed. Ethan made the movement seem effortless, his strength surprising and thrilling all at once.
He crouched over her, his arms keeping his weight off, as he simply stared into her eyes. The sheer volume of emotions she saw swirling in his gaze left her breathless, her body humming like a live wire, tingling, gooseflesh spreading, as a steady pulse took up in her core.
“Ethan?” Her voice betrayed the need coursing through her being, and she wasn’t sure how much more she could handle without him touching her again.
“Tell me again.” His voice was hoarse, almost gruff, his own desires showing. “Tell me that you’ll stay, that you’ll be with me. Tell me that I get to keep you.”
He wanted to keep her? It was one of the sweetest things a man had ever said to her, and she had no words. The only thing she knew was that he was perfect for her, the best thing to ever happen in her life, and she wasn’t about to let him go.
Reaching up, Lacy ran her fingers through his hair and tugged him down for a deep kiss. Their tongues met, teeth nibbling, as they tasted one another, pouring their emotions into the act.
It was amazing. Ethan had never felt so in tune with a woman in his life! The way her body responded to his touch was amazing. Every arch of her back, every purr, every gasp spilling from her tempting lips only served to spur him on. It was as if he could feel how much she enjoyed all he did to her, and now, he was left struggling for control.
Ethan was bound and determined to make sure their first night was as special for her as she was to him, so he set out to worship her body. “Lacy, I’m going to kiss you again.”
“Please,” she whimpered.
“Every inch of you.”
She squirmed beneath him, and Ethan groaned. He reached for the hem of her shirt, lifting the material until she rose up enough to bring it over her head, her chestnut hair falling in gentle waves around her head. Next, he skimmed his fingers over the scalloped edge of her black bra, loving the way her dusky nipples beaded under the lacy material. “So pretty. Like little berries, just waiting to be nibbled.” His voice was rough and husky as he unhooked the front clasp and spread the material, freeing her full breasts. Lowering his head, Ethan swiped his tongue over one pink nub and was rewarded with a throaty moan as she arched in an attempt to draw him closer, to bring his lips to her breast again.
Claiming her mouth once more, Ethan savored her unique taste before moving on, placing tender kisses down the side of her slender neck, across her collarbone then down the valley in the middle of her ample chest. Her panting breath puffed out in a rush as he closed his mouth over one puckered peak, drawing the tender flesh into his mouth before biting down ever so gently.
“Oh, God! Ethan!” she cried out, her body bowing beneath his.
Satisfied, he moved to the next, as his hands skimmed down her trim stomach and began to unfasten her shorts. Her hands ran down his back before she tugged his shirt free of his pants. Wanting to feel her skin against his own, Ethan halted his loving long enough to pull free of the garment and fling it across the room.
Instantly, he found Lacy’s mouth at his neck, traveling over his chest, before giving his nipple a little nip. Sucking in a ragged breath through clenched teeth, he struggled with his control. He practically shook with the effort to go slow and easy, the way she deserved to be loved.