‘Ice cream. Have you got any?’
She jabbed her finger against his shoulder. ‘Do I have ice cream? I just made love with you. Don’t make me think you don’t know me at all.’
‘I thought you might have eaten it all.’ He laughed, pulling her close for a kiss. ‘How many flavours?’
‘Three.’
‘Chocolate.’ He brushed his lips against hers, and she felt a tingle run up her spine. This was actually far better than chocolate ice cream. ‘Caramel?’
‘You do know me, then.’ It felt as if Ethan knew her better than anyone. ‘Care to take a guess at the other one?’
‘Passion fruit?’ His innocent blue eyes suddenly turned wicked, and Kate felt his hand slide down her back. This was a new Ethan. One who didn’t hesitate, but who trusted himself enough to take what he wanted. That was a good thought.
‘No passion fruit. I have strawberry, though.’
‘Just as good.’
He made it better than Kate could ever have imagined. A cold spoon trailed across her skin. Ethan’s lips made her shiver and melt, all at the same time, and when he rolled her onto her side, running his tongue down her spine, she gasped.
‘You like that?’
No need to answer. Kate felt him brush her hair forward, over one shoulder, exposing the back of her neck. Then his arms slid around her, one around her waist, the other hand cupping her breast. Heat engulfed her and she relaxed in his arms as he kissed the back of her neck.
‘Not fair...’ She wanted him to feel this trembling desire too.
‘What isn’t fair?’
‘I can’t touch you...’ Her hands groped for something to hold on to and found only a pillow to grab. His hands moved, caressing her, and another jolt of pleasure made Kate squirm.
‘And when you do?’
‘I’ll pay you back, Ethan.’
‘Oh, yes? How, exactly?’ He rolled her onto her back, covering her body with his. ‘I want all the details.’
He loved this as much as she did. This long, slow burn, which turned the ache of wanting him into drawn-out pleasure. It ebbed and flowed between them, whispers and kisses, caresses. When finally Kate pushed him down onto the bed, reaching for the condoms on the bedside table, her shaking fingers fumbled with the foil packet and he took it from her.
He pulled her on top of him, a sharp sigh escaping his lips. ‘Let me look at you. Just for a moment.’
His clear-eyed gaze said the words before he could speak. ‘You’re so beautiful, Kate.’
She believed it. Somehow making do with a glance in the mirror had slipped away, and she knew that in Ethan’s eyes she was beautiful. And she trusted Ethan.
‘And you are...perfect.’ She ran her fingers across his chest. ‘Just perfect.’
He moved beneath her and the slow burn began to turn into a fever. He was just perfect.
* * *
Well-made beds were over-rated. Cushions and pillows in complementary colours piled at the head were just an unnecessary complication and had found their way unheeded onto the floor. Just two crumpled sheets mapped out the course of their love-making last night and they were more than enough to make Ethan smile this morning.
He disentangled his foot from the corner of the sheet that covered them. Almost covered them. Kate looked like a Botticelli angel, white fabric draped around her body, her arms and legs bare. Ethan leaned over and kissed her, and she opened her eyes.
‘Sorry to wake you this early. But I’ve got to go.’
She nodded sleepily. ‘Sam?’
‘Yes. It’s a thing we have—breakfast.’