AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’d love that,” Sasha responded with a big smile.
I stood and grabbed her hand as we headed out into the street.
Chapter 18: Ethan
The soft petals danced in the wind, finding a home in Sasha’s auburn curls as she tilted her face towards the sky, reveling in the embrace of the warm sun. It’d been a long winter in DC, and though I’d missed some of it hiding in Ireland, the sunshine brought out all of the city goers eager for spring.
“There’s just nothing like spring in DC,” she murmured, her eyes closed, soaking in the sunlight. When her eyes reopened, they met mine, and a smile played on her lips.
With a wide grin, she stepped forward, pressing her body gently against mine. Rising on her tippy toes, she planted a tender kiss on my lips. As she pulled away, our eyes remained locked, and my hand instinctively gripped her waist, pulling her back in for a more passionate kiss.
Whether it was the sunshine breaking through days of rain, the flowers stuck in her hair, or the warm spring breeze, my heart recognized it before my mind did—I had fallen for Sasha. And it hadn’t happened today, it had happened weeks ago when we met in Ireland.
Our relationship felt comfortable and easy, having already shared our most vulnerable moments the night we met. The pressure to pretend we weren’t two broken souls navigating complicated pasts while building futures seemed to dissolve. And having seen each other naked already took the edge off the uncertainty of where our date might lead. Or at least, where I hoped it might lead. I couldn’t keep my eyes or hands off her, stalling so that the day wouldn’t end.
Meeting Sasha in Ireland ignited a desire to start afresh, return to the States, and embark on a new business venture with Ryan. But being with her now motivated me to make peace with my past—Sasha made me want to be a better person. I felt a renewed sense of possibility and hope for the future that awaited us this spring.
“What’s on your mind?” Sasha asked, wrapping her hands around my neck, her eyes locked with mine.
“I’m thinking about you saying time spent with me felt dangerous. I believe you’re the one who is dangerous for me,” I replied.
Her laughter echoed like sunshine in a spring shower.
“And why do you think that is?”
“Because I’m not in the process of falling for you; I’ve already fallen, and frankly, I'd like to stay down here,” I confessed, my voice low as I brought my lips to the soft skin on her neck, gently tracing her pulse line with my nose and ending on the corner of her red pout.
Sasha gazed back at me, her fingers gently unwinding from around my neck as she took a small step back, creating a momentary space between our bodies. For me it was too much space and I instinctively reached out for her hand holding her close.
“We can take things slow, Sasha. I know you’re working through a lot of healing, and I respect that. But ever since you hopped in my Uber in Ireland, I can’t imagine life without you. I want to be with you through the healing, not just on the other side.”
Her eyes looked back in mine, full of nerves. I knew she had every right to be, the men in her life had disappointed her relentlessly but I was determined to show her that I was worth trusting. Slowly, a small smile appeared across her face.
“I’d like that, Ethan. Let’s try slow.”
Chapter 19: Sasha
“Sasha!” Ella squealed excitedly as she jumped up from the table at District Heat Lounge and ran across the restaurant to hug me. “I know it’s only been a month since you left London, but that’s been a month too long.”
“I’ve missed you. This spring has really flown by,” I said, smiling back at my friend who was sporting a short, blonde bob and a pair of leather pants and lowcut black top today.
“Good to see you again, Sasha,” Ryan spoke from behind Ella as he pulled me in for a hug. “I wasn’t sure if you and Ethan would make it in, considering the way you two can’t keep your hands off of each other.” He wagged his eyebrows at me suggestively as I chuckled. “Where is my friend at anyways?”
Just then, I felt a heated presence come up behind me as Ethan entered the restaurant, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me flush to his chest. “Hey, baby,” he whispered in my ear as he nibbled on it gently and then turned me to face him with a kiss.
This was one of the things I adored most about Ethan. He didn’t care where we were, or who was watching. He always found a way to show me how much he cared for and missed me after we’d been apart.
When our kiss broke, I felt dizzy from the passion and intensity and had to steady myself against his chest.
“Wow, I should have evening classes more often if that’s what I get to look forward to.”
Ethan smiled, “don’t even think about it. I prefer to spend my evenings inside of you, instead.”
I turned to take a seat but caught Ella’s eyes from across me as she grinned widely. After the server arrived to take our drink and food orders, Ethan and Ryan became engrossed in a heated debate over some new features they were adding to the WanderHub app while Ella leaned across the space to whisper to me.
“I knew you had it bad for Ethan from the moment you two battled it out over darts. I’m so glad this is happening.”
I smiled. I did have it bad for Ethan. Though we’d agreed to take things slow, things between Ethan and me could have never been a slow burn. There was too much passion, desire, and intensity when we were together.
