Page 11 of Watcher

“You made coffee.” I sneak around him, reaching into the cabinet for a mug. He promptly makes room. In silence, I pour myself a cup and add my creamer. He still hasn’t said a word by the time I cozy up to the kitchen table. After I take the loudest sip of coffee on the planet, my anxiety level gets to be too much.

“Okay, what gives?” I try to keep my tone light.

“Last night.” He starts. I wait for him to continue, but it never happens.

“Yeah,” I say, my tummy erupting in warmth just thinking about it. “It was fantastic.”

“It shouldn’t have happened,” Ethan speaks at the same time.

“Wait…what?” My brain spins. “You seemed to have enjoyed yourself.” Ethan turns to face me. His white t-shirt fits him like a glove. My panties immediately drench, and I’m ready for a little morning session…stat.

“I put you in danger.”

“With your massive cock?” I tease, winking at him. “It was a lot, but I think I handled it well.”

“Can you be serious for a second?” My smile fades.

“Anyone could’ve snuck up on you last night because I wasn’t on guard. I wasn’t doing my duty.” I want to interject a quip about how he wasdefinitelydoing his duty, but I refrain. “I can’t stop running through worse-case scenarios in my head.”

“Are you serious?” I laugh. He doesn’t. “Ethan, nothing bad happened. In fact, something good did.” I walk to him and press my palm against his chest. “Something really good. Tell me you didn’t feel it too.”

He won’t meet my gaze. I leave my hand pressed against his heart until he does. “I did.” He puts his hand on top of mine. “I do.”

“Then there’s no harm, no foul.”

“I feel like I failed you. Like I failed your father.”

“Stop!” I step away, throwing my hands to the side. “You have to stop. You haven’t failed anyone, and the way that you’re talking makes me think you regret everything that happened between us last night.”

“Avery, that’s not it.”

“It feels like it is.”

He runs his hand through his hair. I wait for him to collect his thoughts. In that short amount of time, I see him as Ethan the Marine. A man dedicated to duty, who’ll stop at nothing to see things through. Loyal, brave, sexy as all get out. Be still, my fucking beating heart.

“I feel dumb saying this.” Ethan leans against the counter, crossing his massive arms across his chest.

“Say it anyway?”

He nods. “I’m not a sleep with someone once type of guy. In fact, all I’ve ever wanted since I left the service was to gain financial independence and have a family of my own.”

This is not at all what I expected to hear.

“And us? We don’t fit.”

“Says who?” I shrug, my voice soft.

“Everyone around us, I’m sure. We’re from two different worlds. I can’t provide for you like you’re used to being provided for.” He looks like a wounded puppy. A giant, muscular wounded man. I want to run and cradle him. Never let go. “Hell, I don’t even know if you want to be with a man like me. If you couldbewith a man like me.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Ethan’s head snaps in my direction. “Not about me being with you.” I let out a little laugh, feeling more awkward than I ever have in my life. “It will be weird for people to understand us, but honestly, who gives a fuck?” I bite my inner cheek, not knowing if what I’m about to say should die on my tongue. “I think there’s something between us that’s more than just raw sexual attraction. Though, that’s definitely there, too.”

“Definitely.” He echoes, and my brain goes back to dirty, naughty thoughts about making him fuck me senseless on the kitchen table. “I just keep thinking about what would’ve happened last night if—“

“Ethan.” I cup his face, feeling the stubble from what’s probably only one day without shaving. “It didn’t. But what did happen was pretty fucking special. Let’s just focus on that.”

He pulls my hand from his face and brings my fingertips to his lips. “You’re right.”

“Besides, how can anyone hurt me when you are by my side all the time?” His blue eyes darken; he knows what comes next.

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