Right. Then.
The instant she hit the mattress, he was there with her. Allowing enough distance to remove clothing nearly broke him, but none so much as the sight of her lying there, moonlight filtering through the open blinds, body open and receptive to him. A distant warning sounded, but he tossed it to the floor with his jeans and nudged between her legs.
“In the drawer by the bed,” she said. “Any day now.”
He laughed, and it hit him how happy he really was. Happy. Fucking hell, why did it have to be with her? With the woman he knew he’d never have? And shouldn’t. He squashed the thought, grabbed the condom, and was buried between her thighs before the second thoughts hit. He rolled into her, feeling raw and wild as he surged deep inside her while she tore at the sheets, fisting them again and again. His name was a plea on her lips, her body a torrent of surrender when he planted his hands on either side of her head and drove hard, rocking the bed against the wall while she begged for more. Begged for harder. He didn’t know anything like it. Never had. And when she shuddered and seized beneath him, she took him with her, pleasure exploding into bright points of light that left him dizzy and lost.
Lost. Yeah, there was a word for it.
He managed to fall to the side, sweat drenched, chest heaving, world turned upside down. Again. His lips stung with her kisses, and his blood ran like hell through his veins.
He could chase that feeling every day for the rest of his life.
“I get it,” he said. “I get why you’re leaving.”
She turned her head and, looking at him across the pillow, smiled, so soft and sweet he ached inside. Then she curled her fingers around his and ripped out his heart.
“My mother?” she asked with a grin.
“No. The rush. The freedom. I envy you, you know. The world is yours, and I don’t think you’re afraid of anything.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m not afraid.”
“But you know you’ll be okay.” And wasn’t that the damned difference? He squeezed her hand, then extricated himself from her touch and then her bed. She stared openly while he dressed, never once asking him to stay. That was who she was, though, and whether or not he appreciated it, he got it.
Not that it mattered.
She had a flight to catch.
He’d be better off to stop worrying about her and start figuring out how to get through the gala. Once that was over, he could go back to his safe, normal life. The one without the quirky, car-kicking brunette with the scary clown pajamas.
He’d be able to breathe again.
Whatever that was worth.
Chapter Thirteen
Ethan hadn’t talked to Rue since he’d left her bed without a word, but he had texted to tell her what time he’d pick her up for the gala, and she hadn’t told him to go to hell. That was a good sign, but he was still nervous. Whether it was because he felt like a jerk for leaving like he had or because he had to make his grand back-in-a-relationship public debut, he wasn’t sure…but truth be told, he cared more about what Rue felt than he did everyone else at the gala put together. He never had been concerned about moving on or who thought he should. He wasn’t looking forward to the scrutiny of having done so, but he sure as hell hadn’t cared when they’d gawked at him before. This would be no different.
At least not in that regard.
But he was in familiar territory nonetheless. The last time he’d had a date for one of these fundraisers, he’d been letting her go, too.
He tugged at the collar of his rented tux and cursed the dress code of the city’s elite as he steered onto Rue’s road. Funny how he thought of it as hers now. He was still thinking about that as he parked and cut the engine, and on the walk to the house, he automatically searched for the water-pistol packing granny next door. Before he could knock, the door opened.
And he lost his breath.
Rue stood before him wearing a stunning blue gown that perfectly matched her eyes. The floor-length dress followed her curves, but wasn’t the least bit immodest. It was classic and gorgeous, just like her.
“No one will be looking at me tonight,” he said by way of greeting. “That’s for damn sure.”
She smiled and her dangly diamond earrings danced. “That’s because you’re not shirtless and sweaty with moonlight gleaming off what happens to be a seriously smokin’ bod, all predatory and wild. And don’t get me started about what’s below the belt.”