“I’m here for you and David,” he whispered against her skin. “Whatever you need, I’ll do my best to provide.”
She tilted her head back to see his face. “You’re the best gentleman I’ve ever met, and I love and trust you with all my heart.”
He dipped his gaze to her lips, causing them to itch a little. She darted out her tongue and ran it over her bottom lip. Pure hunger ignited his stare as he watched the gesture with predatory intent. He inched closer and paused a breath away from her lips. His whole body tensed as he waited for her permission. She rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. A low growl rumbled from his chest. He kissed her back, cradling her body as if it were the most precious thing he’d ever touched.
She parted her lips and stroked his with the tip of her tongue. Another growl came out of him as he opened his mouth to devour hers. She welcomed him into hers, and the moment their tongues touched, something broke in her chest. All her need for love and care burst out of her. Not only that. She wanted to give him love and care too.
She gripped his head and tangled her fingers through his thick hair. His passion exploded too as he thrust his tongue into her mouth and conquered it with dominant lashes. He gently pushed her against the wall, caging her with his body and arms. Desperate for more closeness, she shoved aside his jacket and ran her hands over his chest. She wanted to feel his warm skin under her palms and his firm lips on her neck.
He kissed her deeper, trailing a hand up her waist to her breast. “Cora, I want you in my bed.”
“I want to be in your bed, too.”
“I want to wake up next to you every morning and?—”
Whatever he meant to say was cut off by the sound of angry steps stomping towards them.
“No,” David shouted, his face reddening. “You promised. You’re a liar.” He lunged and tackled Ethan hard enough to force him to step back from Cora. “You lied.” He shoved Ethan with his clenched fists.
“David, stop.” She tried to pull him back, but he didn’t budge.
“He gave me his word that he wouldn’t touch you.” He pointed an accusatory finger at Ethan. “That he wouldn’t expect you to… to…”
“David, it’s not what you think.” Cora grabbed his arm, but he shrugged her off.
“How could you!” David shook with rage.
Ethan shook his head. “I didn’t break my promise. I didn’t touch her against her will.”
“I trusted you.” David’s voice quivered. “I thought you were different.”
“I swear it,” Ethan said, his voice cracking as well. “I didn’t force her.”
“Liar.” David’s eyes ignited. He obviously wasn’t listening.
Enough. Cora stepped in front of his son and took his shoulders, forcing him to stare at her. “Ethan didn’t do anything wrong. He didn’t force me. You misunderstood what happened. He would never hurt me.”
Tears hung on David’s eyelashes. “He was all over you.”
“And I wanted it.” She cupped his heated face. “Ethan is an honourable gentleman. He kept his promise. I’m not completely inept. If I hadn’t wanted to be kissed by him, I would have fought him. Did you see me fighting him and screaming? You know I can do that. You’ve seen me countless times screaming at your father.”
“I would never touch her inappropriately,” Ethan said. The hurt in his expression upset her. “I care deeply about you and your mother.”
“Is it true?” David asked. “He didn’t force you?”
“He didn’t. I’m telling the truth. I would never lie to you, sweetheart.”
“I’m sorry.” David rushed out of the room. His footsteps echoed from the hallway and died down.
Ethan ran a hand over his face. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologise. You did nothing wrong.”
“I should have talked to him.”
She loved how David had the courage to stand up against Ethan to protect her, but he’d misunderstood what had happened.
“I’ll talk to him.” She started to go after David, but Ethan stopped her.
