Page 16 of Fake Married to the Grumps

“You smell heavenly,” he mutters, dropping a simple kiss to my neck before he moves and brings his eyes to mine. I’m drowning in the flood of hunger rising in me and it’s worse because I know I won’t be stopping him.

His nearness is a sweet torment, a pulsating surge of desire hums inside me because of it, its threat is very clear. It will consume me if I don’t back away right now.

Everything in me strains to give in to this madness this one time.

I can worry about the consequences tomorrow.

Something snaps in the air between us then and I can’t tell which of us moves first before our lips touch in an explosive meeting.

Ethan's lashes flutter closed as he finally claims my lips. My lips part for him and I shudder as his hands sweep around my waist, drawing me closer.

His lips are warm and soft. His taste arouses me, shunning every reasonable thought that comes to mind. I give into the moment, my blood roaring out of control when his tongue slides into my mouth.

This is more than I imagined.

My hand moves around his neck as he deepens the kiss and the sound of Ethan’s phone ringing shocks us back to reality.

We split apart like we’ve been burned and he backs away from me, eyes wide in shock.

“I …We …” I stutter.

“I’m sorry,” Ethan blurts. His words send a chill through me and I gasp for air again, trying to find my words. “I shouldn’t have done that … I’m so sorry,” he rambles before rushing to pick up his phone.

Chapter 6

Ethan

Nelly is fast asleep in her room, and all I can do is think about her lips on mine.

Why did I do that? Why did I kiss her?

I can’t explain the rush of adrenaline that surged through me or the fierce burst of anger that surmounted every other feeling when I saw those men putting their hands on her.

I’ve stayed away from Nelly and stopped myself from wanting her because I think she deserves a better man.

One who will want romance and love like she does.

It’s why I blanked her out five years ago and dated some random woman when I knew my feelings for Nelly were becoming intense.

That's why I ran away from her.

I should have known being close to Nelly all the time now will be tricky, but I assumed I had my feelings under control.

Time should have resolved these irrational stirs of hunger she ignites in me.But it hasn’t.Our kiss proves I still want her.

My feelings for Nelly grew over the years. Seeing her dedication to her parents' company now only reminds me of how hard she studied to make it through college and business school.

I have always admired that about her, and being by her side and supporting her dreams is something I dreamed of doing.

The burn sliding through me is intense, and there’s no fighting it. Curious to know if she’s asleep, I walk over to her room and knock softly.

When Nelly doesn’t reply, I open the door slowly and peep into the room.

“Nelly?”

Her response is a soft sigh. She is curled into a ball under her duvet, her upper body exposed.

Sighing, I walk into her room and pull the duvet fully over her body. I’m tempted to stay longer and admire her as she sleeps.

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