Page 124 of Ethan's Sky

I can’t bring myself to look up, to see if the pain and hate are still there in his whiskey eyes. He’s been saying all the right things, but is this for real? Convincing myself if he can’t see my face, he can’t crack my armor any more than he already has, I lay still. I need more time to shore up my walls. Still feeling too raw and uncertain from the events of the day.

“Cash isn’t coming, babe.” His voice sounds closer. “Gabe and the guys agreed. It’s just you and me. I’ll be by your side, wherever you go from now on.” That gets my hackles up.”

“What do you mean?”Did they decide they don’t want to go to war and they’re letting me go on my own?

My heart starts to pound rapidly as panic begins to stir inside me. I move to sit up, but find my hands are caught on something. The clanking noise, and tight pull cause my panic to rise, only to be replaced by rage when I see the problem.

“What the hell? You cuffed me to the bed?” I screech.

Ethan’s chuckling. The twisted fucker ischuckling.

I’m going to hurt him. And I’m going to enjoy the hell out of exacting his pain.

“I wouldn’t have to restrain you if you weren’t so hellbent on running away all the goddamn time. But here we are.”

“Santiago!”I shout, but there’s no response. The house is empty. Santiago’s words about Ethan spanking my ass come to mind, and why do those thoughts make my panties wet.

He did say he would tie your ass to his bed.

My thighs clench together.

I finally look up to see him standing shirtless, staring at me. A shirtless Ethan prowls into the room, stopping at the foot of the bed. His heated gaze dragging down my body feels like he’s peeling off every inch of my clothes with only his eyes, making me feel vulnerable and aroused at the same time.

“Your co-conspirator has left, and yourbestiewon’t be coming to bail you out either.”

I move my legs back, not sure if I’m making more room for his body or retreating from his touch. My mind and body are at war with each other, but Ethan is quick with his hands, pulling my ankles toward him, forcing me flat on my back while he holds me in place. The searing touch of his hands giving my body the lead over my mind momentarily.

“It seems you’re full of more secrets than I thought, Sunshine. A secret identity. Friends in the mafia. Sacrificing yourself to protect your uncle and my brothers. But there’s more isn’t there?” His eyes are full of purpose and resolve. “It’s okay, baby. Because I’m going to work them all out of you. One…”kiss to my ankle. “At a…”another kiss to the opposite ankle. “Time.”

I squirm. Thrashing my hips, fighting to pull my legs out of his grip, but the bastard doubles down. The bed dips as he climbs up on his knees, caging my legs between his. His jeans rough against my smooth bare skin. I pull at the cuffs, but they don’t give. The chain is longer than those a cop would have, but not long enough for me to reach him. It’s only enough I can shift my chest without hurting myself.

“Ethan, you need to unlock the cuffs and let me up.” I suggest, hoping I can negotiate with his rational side. “I’ll make some coffee and we can discuss whatever you want at the table like adults.”

“Not buying it Sky. I wouldn’t have had to cuff you if you would’ve stayed in my room at the clubhouse like I told you to.” He scoots back, his hands cupping my hips. His thumbs rubbing soft methodical circles on my skin causing goosebumps to spring up all over my body and an electric current zapping every cell to life.

My hips buck of their own accord, seeking more. Ethan chuckles.

“See, your body knows who you belong to Sunshine.” His soft lips brush light kisses across my stomach, his nose nudging my shirt up higher, and higher until he reaches my breast. “Look at how responsive it is to my touch.”

He nuzzles my right breast, leaving a trail of soft kisses and licks but not latching on or giving my nipple the attention it so desperately craves. I let out a long, frustrated breath.

“I want to give you what you want, baby. What we both want, but I’m afraid I can’t do that until you give me what I want.” Ethan sits up, leaning back on his haunches, his hands now resting on my thighs as he stares down at me expectantly.

“I don’t know what you want from me Ethan.” Although, if he was to say another night of mind-blowing sex, I’m sure I could let him give me that.

NO! NO! Damnit Skyler! Focus.

“Yes, you do. I want you, Skyler.Allof you.” His magic hands start moving up and down my inner thighs, pushing my silk shorts up higher and higher, never touching my pussy. Only grazing the outer edge of my panties. My core is on fire. My clit pulsing with need.

“I don’t know that I can give you all of me. I don’t know if this is even real.” The words are shaky as they leave my lips.

Ethan’s head snaps up, his eyes holding mine. “Oh, this is fucking real.” The edge to his voice, the anger brimming in his eyes, the intensity of all that is Ethan, thickens in the air around me. “You and me, we’re very fucking real.”

Shaking my head, I turn to look away. Ethan’s hand firmly grasps my chin, forcing my face back to his.

“Yes, Skyler.” His mouth descends on mine and he’s kissing me hard and deep. Stealing my breath, scattering all my thoughts, sending my libido into new heights of want and desire.

I pulled at the handcuffs, wanting to touch him. To grip his head and hold him to mine. To keep this kiss from ending and reality from crashing back in on me.

---