Page 458 of One More Kiss

VADA

Good morning,”Ethan says, handing me a cup of coffee while I’m still lying in his bed. Sitting up, I take it from his hands while trying to pat the hair down on my head because it’s all crazy and wild. My eyes are barely open, and I feel like I could sleep for days. After last night, I could probably sleep for weeks, but that wouldn’t work because I have a book to finish.

“I’ve been thinking about something,” I admit, clearing my throat with a sip of steaming hot coffee.

“Yeah?” He perks up. “You’ll walk around naked the rest of the time you’re here?”

I playfully roll my eyes at him. “Not quite, but I was thinking about extending my stay.”

Ethan takes the cup of coffee from my hand, sets it down on his nightstand, and within two seconds his lips are on mine. I’m moaning against his mouth before he releases me.

“That makes me so damn happy, Vada. You have no idea.” He brushes the outside of his fingers against my cheek then stands and returns my coffee.

“I have to call my neighbor about feeding my cat and get in touch with the airline. Lots of stuff to do in so little time,” I tell him, finally feeling awake and taking another sip of coffee. I’m going to need all the caffeine today.

“And you have to come to the studio today to watch the live show.” He winks.

“I already told you I wouldn’t miss that for the world. Plus, I need to stock up on mugs. I seriously need a hundred of them,” I say holding a blue and purple handmade mug in my hand. “I love them so much.”

Ethan grins at me proudly, then begins pulling clothes from a drawer and getting dressed. I watch his muscles flex as he puts on a shirt, and all I want to do is tear it off him. The man should walk around shirtless with a body like that, but then again, I’m good with keeping him all to myself.

“You said it starts at eleven, right?” I ask again, confirming.

“Yes, and lasts until five. So anytime today. I just want you to see everything. Maybe you can write it into one of your books one day,” he suggests with a wink. I can tell he’s in a good mood, and him being so damn happy is contagious.

“Okay, great. I’m going to try to get some words in and then I’ll Uber down there.” There’s so much inspiration in me from last night that I have to get some writing in today, or I’ll internally combust.

“I can ask Aunt Millie to pick you up,” Ethan insists.

“That’s sweet of you. But I have a feeling she’d ask me five thousand questions, and I don’t know when I’ll be finished with this chapter I’m working on.”

He lets out a laugh then walks toward me. Leaning down, he places his hand around the back of my neck and kisses me. “I’ll see you there, babe.”

“Save me a seat,” I tell him, not really sure how this demo thing works.

“I’ve always got a seat saved for you on my face.” He kisses me again, before saying goodbye. Once I’ve finished my coffee, I slip on my dress and head downstairs. I refill my cup before heading to the cottage to get some words down after I take a shower.

Once I’m dried off, I put on one of my favorite A-line skirts and a tank top, then sit down at my computer and the paragraphs pour from me. The words won’t stop coming. It’s a high like no other.

I feel like I’ve ripped my soul open, and though I don’t want to jinx myself, this might be the easiest book I’ve ever written. I’ve never been this inspired, and I’m pretty sure Ethan is to blame. Actually, I know he is.

Hours pass, and I know I’ve lost track of time again and my coffee has turned cold.

Looking at the time, I realize it’s just past one. “Shit,” I say aloud, grabbing my phone and scheduling an Uber. As I wait around, I call Nora.

“Oh, so you’re alive,” she says with a hint of accusation in her tone.

“Wow, no hello or anything? I see how it is.” I laugh, used to her attitude. If she didn’t act like that, I might actually think there’s something wrong.

“Glad to know you weren’t chopped up into a million pieces,” she says.

“You’re so dark and need to lay off those CSI shows. Geez. I’m alive, so there’s that. Okay, nice chatting with you!” I kid.

“Not so fast young lady. You left me on a cliffhanger yesterday, so I’m going to need you to go ahead and let me know how the date of the century went.”

“Well…” I begin, replaying last night in my head and grinning like an idiot.

Nora clears her throat.

---