Page 132 of Ethan's Sky

As I make my way back into the living room, I find Cash and Ethan in a heated debate.

“Have you told her yet? She’s not going to like being told to leave this place.”

“No. But I’m sure she’ll be fine with it. She’ll have to be.”

Cash looks at Ethan like he’s an idiot. I lean against the open doorway, anger simmering below the surface.

Leave? What the hell?

“If you think demanding Skyler do anything is going to go over, you’ve taken more hits to the head than I thought.” Cash shakes his head. “That’s what started all this shit you two are trying to fix between you, isn’t it?”

Having heard enough, I make my presence known.

“I’mnotleaving.”

Ethan stiffens. Cash asks if we have any popcorn feeling suddenly hungry and ready for the entertainment.

Ethan scrubs his hand through his hair. The same hair I was dragging my hands through, grasping, and pulling while his tongue did all those wicked things, he reminded me he could do to me.

Now’s not the time.

Shame. If Cash hadn’t shown up, I bet we could’ve…

Damn that man and his wicked talents.

“Baby, hear me out.”

“No. There’s nothing to hear. I’m not leaving my home again. I left Oak Ridge once, and look what it did to you, to me. Is that why you…” I point down the hall, unable to bring myself to say the words.

“What? Fuck no!”Ethan is on me in two strides. His hand gripping the nape of my neck, the other on my hip. He bends slightly, putting us eye to eye. “What happened in there hasnothingto do with what we’re talking about here. Mostly.”

I pull back, pushing against his check trying to break free of his hold. My chest constricting with the realization Ethan tricked me. “You son of a bitch!”

His grip tightens holding me in place.

“Hear me out before you go losing your shit woman.” Ethan ground out. “I meant every word I’ve said to you, and nothing is going to change any of it. You aren’t leaving Oak Ridge. But we do need to get you out of this house and into some place you’ll be safe.”

Keeping my scowl trained on him, I let his words sink in. Then another thought I didn’t like crossed my mind.

“I’m not staying at the clubhouse.” Not while Candi was there scheming to get her claws into him. Eli may not have thrown my ass out for putting their best blowjob professional out of business, but I can’t guarantee Gabe will be as forgiving. But I’ll be damned if I let anyone touch Ethan now that I finally have him back.

Holy shit.

The realization hits me hard enough, I physically jump a little while still in Ethan’s hold. My eyes are wide, my mind catching up to my heart and the fact I just admitted to myself that I’ve accepted Ethan’s declaration.

We’re real. What we have is real.

Ethan’s ever watchful eyes are studying me, suspicion, and concern both staring back at me.

“You’re right. You’re not staying at the clubhouse. You’ll be staying with me in my apartment above the gym. It will be harder to get to you with so many people constantly moving about, and you’ll still be in accordance with Gabe’s rules about always having a brother with you.” Smiling in amusement, Ethan leans in closer, his thumb now caressing my cheek. “You’ll have me by your side twenty-four seven.”

I swallow hard. The promise in his eyes and that devilish smile speak of all the deliciously dirty things he plans to do to me while having me within his grasp at all times.

Heat pools at my center.

Probably shouldn’t have worn the thong. It’s not doing a damn thing to catch the wetness between my thighs.

I say nothing, not sure what I should say. Do I tell him I’ve acceptedusas reality or make him think I’m still pissed? I have zero objections to staying with Ethan at the gym. Truthfully, it would do me a world of good to be able to work out whenever I want and not have to worry about whether a prospect can keep up with me in the woods. Plus, I already know Kieran and Anna will train me and keep my skills shape while giving some place to focus my energy. If I stayed here, I would probably spend most of my time plotting and worrying about, well,everything.

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