Page 422 of One More Kiss

VADA

I wakeup refreshed and happy with my word count for the night. It wasn’t my personal best, but the few thousand words I was able to type bring me closer to my goal.

The morning starts off hectic with a call from my agent. Hannah is one of those ladies who is all business, and for most of the call, she hounds me for my manuscript, but it’s still in draft mode, so I can’t send her what she wants just yet. She really has my best interest in mind, but considering I’m already behind, it all adds to my stress level. I’ve never been late sending a book to my agent, and I don’t plan on starting now. By the time I get off the phone, I’m a bit deflated and realize how badly I need coffee. The day just started, and I can tell it’s going to be a long one.

After I brush my teeth, I head over to Ethan’s house to grab a cup of coffee. Before opening the door, I look through the window and see he’s standing at the stove scrambling eggs and frying bacon, and it smells so divine.

Unfortunately for me, he’s wearing nothing but a pair of jogging pants that are hanging off his hips. Muscles cascade down his back, and I can’t help but admire his biceps. Realizing I’m staring just a little too long, I make my presence known.

“I didn’t realize you were so domestic,” I say, entering like I own the place. He watches me as I walk to the cupboard, grabbing one of his beautiful mugs from the cabinet and pouring myself a hot cup of coffee. As soon as the caffeine hits my lips, I can’t help but let out a moan. It’s hot and strong, just the way I like the heroes in my books.

His brows shoot up as he continues studying me. “Do you always moan so loud in the morning or do you reserve that for when the sun goes down?”

I roll my eyes as I take a seat at the bar. I don’t know what the hell he’s referring to, but I’m not taking any of his crap this morning. Soon he’s plating the food, sets it in front of me, then proceeds to cook himself more.

“You didn’t have to. I was going to go out and grab some breakfast,” I tell him, forcing myself not to devour it with my hands like a savage because it smells so good.

He looks over his shoulder and speaks. “Down here, we just say thank you. Now eat it. Swear it’s not poisoned.”

When he turns back around to flip the bacon, I can’t help but smile. You don’t have to tell me twice. “Fine.” I swallow hard, forcing my eyes to look away from him. “Thank you.”

The eggs practically melt in my mouth, and the bacon is the way I like it, not burnt but crisp. By the time I’m halfway done eating, he finishes cooking and sets his food down across from me at the table. As he walks over to pour himself a cup of coffee, his bare chest and the muscles on his stomach taunt me. Seriously, this man should be on the cover of a book. Hell, he should be in a book.

“So’d you have a late night last night?” Ethan asks as he takes a bite of his eggs. The tone of his voice makes me narrow my eyes at him. After being a complete ass yesterday, I’m trying to not let out every thought that’s on my mind.

“Actually, I did. Finished a chapter I’ve been working on for a few days. I think the fresh air and country living atmosphere is really helping me,” I say honestly, trying to keep it cordial.

“Hmm.” Ethan snaps a piece of bacon in half and takes a bite. “Want to know what I think is helping you?”

I roll my eyes again, knowing some smart-ass comment is about to come from his mouth. “Please, Casanova. Enlighten me,” I say, taking a big gulp of coffee.

“Maybe it was that intense orgasm you gave yourself that helped you write all night.”

I almost spit my coffee out all over him and hurry to swallow it down. My eyes nearly bug out of my head, and I’m tempted to slap that smirk right off his face. I’m shocked and somewhat embarrassed.

“What?” I shake my head at him, trying to deny it. “What are you talking about?” I act dumb, hoping he’s just messing with me and trying to get me all riled up like usual. I try to pretend last night never happened. But what the fuck? Does he have cameras in there or something? Sometimes when the words aren’t flowing, having a release helps loosen me up. When I get tense or stressed, I tend to get blocked. So, last night it really helped.

“Come on, Vada. You don’t have to get all uptight.” He continues eating, his eyes meeting mine. “Honestly, I thought it was pure fucking perfection. So damn hot.”

My body is on fire because no one has ever watched me touch myself. Often when it comes to sex, although I write about it all the time, I’m a private person. Heat rushes to my face. Ethan saw me completely exposed and vulnerable.

I stand, getting ready to walk away when he comes around the bar and grabs my hand. With strong arms, he spins me around until my body is close to his bare chest. He smells like vanilla and holds me in place, not allowing me to move.

“You’re an asshole for watching. Do you have a spy cam in there or something? Are you some sort of perv who likes to watch his renters?”

Ethan tightens his grip on me, and his arms fall to his sides. “Did you feel the sun beat down on your body this morning?”

That’s when the skylight above the bed dawns on me. “So you played Spider Man and was climbing on the roof? That’s so creepy.”

Shaking his head, he smiles. “My work area is in the tower on the third floor. There’s a direct view into the cottage. I couldn’t take my eyes away from you. The look on your face as you came; so fucking hot. But I couldn’t help noticing that you could’ve used some help. There’s nothing like the real deal, sweetheart.”

“And what, you’re the real deal?” I bark out a laugh. “You’re a dickhead for watching.” I glare at him and wait.

“Okay, I’m sorry,” he finally says, sincerely. I can tell he means it, but it still doesn’t take away what he saw. I never would’ve imagined I could be seen from a distance like that. Otherwise, there’s no way I would’ve put on a show. Especially for him.

“That was private and not for you.” I poke my finger hard into his chest to really get my point across. “Southern gentleman, my ass. A gentleman would’ve walked away.”

He laughs out loud. “No way. No man would’ve turned a blind eye to that unless the ladies aren’t his thing. That’s the only way. So yes, even a gentleman would’ve watched. In fact, if I weren’t a gentleman, I would’ve stalked over and joined in.”

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