Page 27 of King of the Weld
After several moments of stillness, joined as completely as two people can be, Ethan pulls out and falls back against the wall, his chest heaving with exertion.
"God, look at you," he breathes, his eyes fixed between my legs. "So fucking gorgeous."
Feeling bold, empowered by his obvious appreciation, I spread my legs wider, letting him watch as his seed trickles out of me. The sight seems to entrance him, his eyes widening once more with renewed desire.
"You're gorgeous," he says, his voice rough with emotion. "And I was wrong to fear what might happen between us. There's no way I'm letting you go anywhere, Sophia. No matter who comes looking for you."
"What does that really mean?" I ask, needing to hear him say it explicitly.
"It means you're mine now," he states simply. "And as long as you want to stay, you're free to do so. Here. With me."
Joy bubbles up inside me, expanding until I feel I might burst with it.
"I'm staying forever," I declare, rising from the bed despite the pleasant ache between my legs, his essence still warm against my thigh as I throw myself into his arms.
Ethan catches me easily, kissing me with surprising tenderness given the passion we just shared. "We should shower," he suggests, his hands sliding down my back to cup my ass.
"Together," I agree with a smile. "Just to be sure I'm very safe."
"You're right," he replies, a teasing light in his eyes that I've never seen before. "You're not leaving my sight. Ever."
The shower becomes its own adventure. Ethan washing every inch of my body with reverent hands, teaching me how to touch him in return. We make love again under the spray of hot water, slower this time, more passionate, learning each other's bodies with growing confidence and joy.
The day after
Morning finds us tangled together in his bed, my head on his chest, his arm wrapped around me. The ringing of his phone disturbs our peaceful cocoon, and Ethan reaches for it with a grunt of annoyance.
"Michael," he says by way of greeting, his voice still rough with sleep.
I can't hear what his brother is saying on the other end, but I watch Ethan's expression grow serious, focused. He asks a few short questions, his body tensing slightly beneath mine.
"And they agreed to that?" he asks after a moment, sounding surprised. "Just like that?" Another pause. "No, I understand. Thank you, Michael. I mean it."
He ends the call and turns to me, his expression unreadable. Fear immediately floods my system. Has something gone wrong? Has my father found some new way to force my return?
"Whatever it is," I say, trying to keep my voice steady, "we'll get through it together."
To my surprise, Ethan's face breaks into a rare, genuine smile.
"You don't need to live in fear anymore," he tells me, brushing hair from my face. "Everything's been taken care of."
I sit up, not caring that the sheet falls away, leaving me naked. "What do you mean?"
"Michael spoke with your family," Ethan explains. "Made sure they understood exactly what was at stake if they continued pursuing you. They've agreed to leave you alone." His smile widens slightly. "In exchange, they'll give you half your trust fund now. The rest they'll keep for themselves."
I laugh, the sound bubbling up from some deep well of relief inside me.
"I couldn't care less about the money," I tell him honestly. "But I'm free? Truly free to live my life?"
"Completely free," he confirms, “And a millionaire.”
I throw my arms around him, overwhelmed with emotion. Ethan's strong arms encircle me, holding me close against his chest.
"You're about to start a second life, Sophia Valentine," he murmurs into my hair.
"I couldn't be happier to have this chance with you," I whisper back, meaning every word.
"My brothers aren't going to believe this," he says, a playful note in his voice I've never heard before. "That I'm the first one to actually get a girl."
