Page 85 of The Damaged Billionaire's Obsession
“Hey, in my defense, I only got to see it for the first time last year. And I didn’t end up doing the website thingy. I feel it’s important to highlight that redeeming fact.”
“That’s extremely reassuring,” I say.
I’m not telling her that she and the women in my life have that in common. They will discover that fact by themselves inevitably, but I'm going to stick with the guys and not expedite that event in any way.
“But seriously, Ethan, I wondered about you a lot. You were really strange,” she continues.
I'm pleased she freely admits that she thought about me. It's only fair since she's had me under her spell for ages. “I still am, babe, although I’ve come a very long way if I do say so myself. Especially in the last six months. I’m so much better now.”
And a lot of it is down to you. You’re fucking exposure therapy, Bonnie Russo.
“Really? You've come a long way from "Take out your trash" Ethan?" Her impression of me is hilarious.
"I do not look or sound like that"
"Well maybe I didn't get the baritone right, but the constipated scowl is spot on. So you're past all that."
I laugh, shaking my head. "I'd like to believe so. Yes."I think.
"So, if I were to throw that potpourri bowl sitting on the dresser in the air and let its contents fall like confetti, you wouldn’t go bonkers?”
She’s referring to the bowl of scented flowers Ingrid likes to leave in rarely-used rooms like this one. Already, the thought of her doing it kicks up my heart rate.Whoa.
This woman is diabolical. “Why would you even think of doing that?”
She shrugs. “To prove a point. And to piss you off. You’re so damn easy and fun to rile Ethan. And I’ve never seen a hotter scowl than yours. But never mind, you're better now.” She pats my arm and yawns.
I’m still trying to get my breathing controlled, telling myself that she’s only kidding when she pauses. I see the second she makes up her mind and tries to run off the bed. I grab her ankle just before she clears the bed and easily yank her back, pinning her with my weight while she squirms.
“Calm down, Ethan. I swear I was only going to the bathroom,” she lies.
“No, you fucking weren’t.”
“I haven’t yet been this morning. I have a full bladder, and I will pee myself on this bed if you don’t let me up,” she argues. Seeing my eyes widen in horror, she shouts, “I’m kidding! I’m kidding! You should see your face.” She cackles.
“Jesus Christ, Bonnie, can you please stop winding me up? You act like a two-year-old sometimes, you know.”
“Whatever. And you could pass for two hundred, you freaking vampire…bat.”
We start sniggering while I’ve got her pinned down. She snorts loudly, and I howl at how ridiculous the sound is coming from her delicate frame.
She blushes but can't stop snorting with her laughter, which makes me laugh even harder until our gazes meet. Slowly, the laughter dies as awareness heightens between us.
“You snort like a giant stallion, Bonnie.” I’m looking at her full, parted lips as I tease her.
“And you’re such a jackass to point that out,” she whispers, panting faster.
I lower my head the moment she raises hers, and our lips collide.
Chapter 25
Ethan
The first time wewere together was a slow burn. This time, it’s like a raging inferno. Three weeks of longing suddenly detonates and engulfs us in flames.
She’s ravenous, with no hesitation or fear, straining to get closer to me, even though she’s pinned under my weight. I deepen the kiss, stroking her tongue with mine and enjoying her smell and taste while she moans into my mouth and kisses me back with abandon. It’s carnal and decadent and perfect.
She pulls at my shirt, trying to get it out of the way, and I oblige her, fisting the material in one hand and yanking it over my head. She pauses at the sight of my chest. I can’t see much of her face, but I feel her hands running all over my torso in lustful appreciation.