Page 443 of One More Kiss

I run my fingers through my hair until it’s halfway workable and throw it up into a messy knot before taking the stairs down and walking into the kitchen. Ethan’s leaning against the counter showcasing his bare chest and hard muscles with a cup of coffee in his hand. His hair is a mess, but he easily swipes a hand through it, making it look as desirable as always. His lips move, flashing his perfect white teeth, and soon he’s laughing at something and so is Millie.

“So, Vada,” Millie drawls in a deeper accent than Ethan’s. She pours coffee into one of his beautiful mugs and hands it to me. “Ethan tells me you’re an author and write those romance books I like to read.”

My cheeks heat and my eyes go wide. I met this woman ten minutes ago, naked in her nephew’s bed, and now the only thing she knows about me is that I write steamy romance. Worst first impression ever.

“Actually, I told her you write smutty romancebooks,” Ethan corrects with a grin. “But she knew what I was talking about. Millie’s a dirty old woman, so don’t let her sweet face and southern drawl fool you,” he warns, teasing us both. “She probably even has one of those red rooms of pain in her house.”

I narrow my eyes at him, and I’m halfway certain Millie is going to slap him upside the head again, but instead, she sets a plate in front of me with the breakfast works—bacon, eggs, and toast. Ethan sits next to me and smiles as Millie works around this kitchen like she owns the place, setting out salt, pepper, butter, and jelly in the middle of the table.

“I do like those romance books. An old woman like me can use as much loving she can get, even if it’s through fiction. I love me some Danielle Steele and that E.L. James,” she laughs, pretending to fan herself. “Ethan dear, you talk about the red room of pain as if you’ve read Fifty Shades.”

He shuts up, which only causes me to burst into laughter.

“Did you really read it?” I ask, intrigued, and remember our safe word conversation from last night. He totally did.

“He likes to act like he’s some hotshot, but I’m pretty sure I saw a few copies of it floating around the studio,” Millie tells me matter-of-factly. “And, he has a Fifty Shadesof Grey inspired mug, too.”

“I was capitalizing, Aunt Millie. Research. And honestly, who hasn’t read it? The FedEx guy told me he read it five times,” he tells her, talking with his mouth full.

“Ethan Booker Rochester! I know your mama taught you better manners than talking with a mouth full of food.” She scolds him like he’s twelve, and it warms my heart that she doesn’t take his shit either.

“Booker?” I arch a brow, teasingly.

“Family name,” he explains, shrugging.

“Never would’ve taken you for a romance reader,” I tease. “You seem more like the kind of guy who prefers pictures.”

Millie smiles and sips her coffee, eyeing the two of us behind her mug. “So what’s the story between you two anyway?”

I was waiting for her to ask. Actually, I’m surprised it took her this long. Curiosity fills her face, and I continue eating, focusing on my food, not really sure what to say.

“She’s renting the cottage while she finishes her manuscript. Apparently, she’s on a major deadline and came here for inspiration. I think she may have found it, Aunt Millie.” Ethan pops an eyebrow up at me, and before I can even respond to his sexual innuendo, Millie continues with her questions.

“So you’re one of Ethan’s tenants?” Millie’s trying to piece together the clues of why we were naked in bed this morning. She raises her eyebrows and waits for me to respond.

“Yes, that’s correct.” I clear my throat and speak up. “I’m from Chicago.”

“Okay,” she says, her smile not faltering a bit. “Well, you two look like you’ve hit it off pretty quick. Ethan is a good boy, though sometimes he can be…arrogant.”

“Aunt Millie! I am most certainly not,” Ethan protests as he laughs.

She playfully rolls her eyes at him. “You know, I don’t like to use those swear words because it’s not ladylike, but many people, especially those of the opposite sex, believe you are.” She looks at me, then whispers, “The ladies are always chasing him, but he’s too busy shooing them away.”

“So you’re gonna blast all my secrets to Vada, are you?” He pushes himself off the counter and pours himself more coffee. “I see how it’s going to be.”

Millie winks at me, and I can’t help but smile as she removes my empty plate. I realize I do need to get to the cottage to write. My laptop is calling me, and inspiration is basically bursting from my fingertips. I’m still smiling thinking about all the words I’m about to write. I haven’t felt this excited to work in weeks.

“I should probably get to the studio. I’ve got some things I need to take care of before lunch,” Ethan says, giving Millie a sweet kiss on her cheek.

I stand, taking that as my cue to leave. “Thank you for breakfast. I really enjoyed it. It was nice to meet you.”

“It was so nice meeting you, darling. Now, don’t you be a stranger for the rest of the week. Remember to come out every once in a while to eat and give Ethan a dose of his own medicine.” She walks over to me and opens her arms to pull me into a big hug. I’m not expecting this at all, so I awkwardly hug her back. Southerners—I seriously love their friendliness—but I’m not used to it. Before I head out, I grab my cup and refill it with coffee.

“Bye,” I say with a small wave. “Thanks again for everything.” I smile at Millie before glancing over at Ethan who’s watching me with heat in his eyes.

His dark hair stacks on his head, and I have the urge to run my fingers through it. My body knows what it had and wants more—lots more. I swallow hard, a small smile playing on my lips as I replay last night before I turn around and leave.

Walking across the cobblestone that leads to the cottage, I hold my mug with a death grip and hope Ethan’s huge cock doesn’t come after me again. Just the thought makes me laugh.

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