Page 44 of When We Ignite
My Pet
can I call you?
I stared at the message, my heart skipping.
Me
of course you can
but we’re in the same house and can see each other
My Pet
ok I’ll see you in the kitchen
My eyes widened.
Tossing the covers aside, I hurried to throw on some clothes, moving as quietly as possible to avoid waking anyone.
When I got to the kitchen, it was empty. Flicking on the light, I leaned against the counter and waited. A minute later, he appeared, stepping softly into the room. He wore a thin white shirt and black sweatpants, his hair tousled like he’d been tossing and turning in bed.
He looked fantastic.
I stayed rooted to the spot, giving him the space to make the first move.
Ethan sighed, his shoulders rising and falling heavily as he walked toward me, his steps slow and deliberate.
“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked, breaking the silence.
He shook his head, running a hand through his messy hair. “Couldn’t sleep,” he repeated, his voice low and rough around the edges.
Stopping just in front of me, he let his gaze drop to the floor. “I’m sorry I freaked out,” he said quietly.
I exhaled, the tension in my chest easing. “I’m sorry I freaked out too.”
Ethan’s eyes flicked up to meet mine. He still seemed unsure; overwhelmed. “Sebastian.” He placed a hand on the counter for support, his fingers tapping lightly against the surface. “I don’t know what to do. Honestly, I’m not surprised, but it’s…different hearing you say it. I sort of figured you might be into that because of the way you act, but hearing it’s another thing entirely.”
“That’s not how I wanted to tell you,” I admitted.
He nodded slowly. “How did you want to tell me?”
It was odd to see this change in him after his earlier reaction.
“Ideally, when I could show you,” I said, chuckling softly.
Ethan’s fingers resumed their tapping, his focus shifting to his hand. “Show me what?”
My heart skipped a beat. What was this?
He raised a hand, rubbing his nose.
A smile spread across my face. “How good it can feel.”
He exhaled sharply. “Can I just...” He trailed off, clicking his tongue.
“What?”
“I hate that you make me ask for things,” he muttered.
