He groans, but there’s lightness to it-a hint of yfulness. So I reach down and run my fingers along the length of him, and it twitches to life at my touch. “Besides, I know you have something to offer.”


    Ethan pulls me closer. “Perhaps the only thing,” he says, bucking his hips into my grasp for added effect. He’s growing harder by the second.


    “And very eager,” I tease, tightening my grip. He hisses out a breath.


    “And sensitive. And very, very keen on you.” He flips me over, lips on my neck as I continue to stroke him. He hardens in my hand.


    “Ready again so soon?” I murmur, my breath speeding up as his lips find one of my nipples.


    “I’ve thought a lot about how I want to take you,” he says against my skin. “No time to spare.”


    But despite that, the second time is slower-Ethan takes his time, shifting me into different positions, coaxing me through it, always with the same glowing desire in his eyes. I copse on his bed after we’re done. Not for all the world could I move-not with the aftermath of that many orgasms coursing through my body.


    A thump upstairs.


    Ethan springs to life. One second he’s sprawled with a leg over mine, the next he’s standing, pulling on his clothes.


    “Haven sometimes has nightmares. Evie sometimes wakes up. They mighte down here.”


    I grip theforter, pulling it up to cover me. Damn.


    Ethan pauses by the door to his bedroom, ncing back to me. “Go check on them,” I tell him. “I’ll get dressed and slip out.”


    He frowns, clearly conflicted, but what I’m saying makes sense. “All right. I…”


    “I know. We’ll talkter.”


    Another nod, this time with a smile. “Text me when you’re back home safe,” he teases, slipping out and closing the door behind him.


    I snort, reaching for my clothes. The walk is what, fifteen feet? But when I finally make it back to my oversized mansion of a house, Toast meowing his displeasure at his evening meal beingte, I do just that.


    Be Simmons: I’ve braved the streets of Greenwood Hills and made it home safely.


    Ethan Carter: Thanks for letting me know. I’ve heard the gangs are notorious around here.


    Iugh quietly to myself, my body still tingly with residual pleasure.


    Be Simmons: Was everything okay upstairs?


    Ethan Carter: Yes. Haven had a nightmare and asked me to stay with her. I’m texting from the chair in her room now.


    Be Simmons: Poor thing. Good thing you’re there. Thanks for tonight.


    Ethan Carter: No, thank you. Sorry about how it ended.


    Be Simmons: No need to apologize. I’ll sleep well now.


    Ethan Carter: Good. I know I most definitely will. Theing days are a bit busy, but I want to see you again.


    My heart does a little double take at that.


    Be Simmons: So do I. Let me know when it would suit you?


    Ethan Carter: Will do. Sleep well, Be. Dream of me.


    I put my phone down with a smile.


    I have no idea where this is heading. He’s rified that he doesn’t either, that he’s busy, that he doesn’t have the time for rtionships.


    And yet, I’m pretty sure I will dream of him.


    “Let me get this right,” Trina says. “So not only did you not tell us that the two of you have be friends, you also didn’t tell us that you kissed, even though it was days ago. You’ve also now slept with him? And you’re telling us two days after?”


    “Inexcusable,” Wilma says. “This is grounds for emunication.”


    Laughing, I arrange the ingredients I need on the giant kitchen ind. “I wasn’t sure where it was heading, or if it was even heading anywhere at all. I couldn’t jinx it!”


    A derisive snortes through the phone-Trina. After years of friendship, we’ve perfected these three-way conference calls.


    “Look,” Wilma says, and it’s clear in her tone that she’s not talking to me. “You can be upset with Beter. For now, we have so many more important things to ask.”


    I groan. “Don’t.”


    “I have to! How was it? Who initiated it? Do you want to sleep with him again? What does this mean? Are you two dating? How big was he?”


    “Wilma!”


    “Sorry,” she demurs. “I mean, was he well-endowed?”


    Laughing, I start measuring out the ingredients for chocte muffins. “I don’t know.”


    “You don’t know?” Trina says. “What, did you do it in the dark?”


    “No, no, I know the answer to that question, and I’m not sharing it with you. I meant all the others. I have no idea what it means. He’s made it very clear that he can’t offer any kind of real rtionship.”


    “Boo,” Wilma says.


    “No, no, it makes sense. He has two kids,” I point out, scooping up a cup of flour.


    “Exactly,” Trina chimes in. “And Be is far too young to be a stepmom.”Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    I frown down at the mixing bowl. Stepmom. The word… wow. The idea hadn’t urred to me. “The girls have a mom,” I say.


    “Yeah, but one who’s not around. Come on, Be. Did you enjoy it? Do you like him? Tell us something at least.”


    “I do like him,” I say. Probably too much. Definitely more than he likes me. “And I did enjoy it. But I’m trying very, very hard not to get my hopes up or get my emotions too involved.”


    “Smart,” Trina notes. “No repeat of this spring.”