Chapter 20

Twenty

Natalie

The bathroom was a sanctuary, enveloping us in a cocoon of steam and warmth. The outside world faded away as Ethan's skilled hands worked shampoo through my hair, each touch sending shivers of pleasure down my spine. His fingers intently danced over my scalp, igniting a fire within me.

As he leaned close, his breath hot against my skin, a whispered promise hung in the air, binding us together in a moment of pure intimacy. Ethan's desire pressed against my back, a wordless confession of longing that heightened the anticipation. Despite the simmering heat, his gentle touch sought to erase not just fatigue but also any lingering barriers between us.

"You like it when I touch you like this?" Ethan's voice was low and husky, sending chills down my spine.

I gasped softly, feeling the passion in every caress. "Yes," I managed to breathe out.

His lips brushed against my ear as he murmured, "Tell me what you want." Each word dripped with seduction, igniting a fire within me.

My heart raced as I leaned back into him, surrendering to the intoxicating mix of desire and vulnerability that enveloped us both. Ethan cradled my head, the water cascading down, his touch firm yet gentle. "I've missed you," he murmured, his words a soft caress.

I released a contented sigh as I shifted within his arms. My fingertips gently stroked his bulging cock. With his firm hands cradling my face, I eased the pace of my caresses, relishing the profound bond we shared. Each touch between us sparked a fiery connection, imprinting this unforgettable moment in my mind. "I missed you," I whispered.

As he stepped back, his lips met mine in a deep, passionate kiss that sent shivers down my spine. His hands gently cupped my breasts, massaging them with care as his lips moved to my pulse point, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. He then knelt before me, trailing kisses along my belly and over my mound. With his tongue, he parted my sensitive folds, sending a rush of pleasure through my body. "God, Natalie," he moaned, enraptured by the taste of me. Each touch and each kiss felt like an electric shock, igniting every nerve inside my body.

My hands trembled as I moaned—my back pressed against the cool tiles of the shower. I could feel every drop of water cascading down my skin, mimicking the sensation of Ethan's touch. With a hand under my leg, he lifted it and placed my foot on the edge of the shower, exposing myself fully to him.

"Like this?" he teased, spreading me open with his fingers. My heart raced as I felt his hot breath against my skin.

I held onto his broad, muscular shoulders as he stood. My body trembled with anticipation as he slowly entered me, teasing me with the tip of his cock. And then suddenly, in one swift movement, he thrust inside me completely, filling me with a mixture of pleasure and surprise. Sparks of passion shot through my body as we moved together in perfect harmony.

"Is this what you want?" Ethan growled as he bit his lip, focusing on our shared desire.

"Mmm, God, yes," I moaned softly, arching into his touch.

He ignited a fire within me with every movement, and pleasure coursed through my body as I gasped and moaned in response to his touch. We moved together in perfect sync, the steam from the shower enveloping us in a sensual haze. His words fueled the flames even further, building our desire higher and higher until we both collapsed into each other's arms in a state of pure ecstasy. The water poured down on us, washing away all inhibitions and leaving only our primal desires for each other. At that moment, the shower became our sanctuary, and our love became our salvation.

After the water turned cool, we wrapped ourselves in plush robes, the velvety fabric a comforting contrast to the lingering warmth on our skin. We exchanged a tender smile, the kind that spoke more than words ever could. This moment wasn't just about the physical connection—it was about mending the fractures in our relationship and rebuilding trust and understanding.

Hand in hand, we left the bathroom, silently agreeing that the night wasn't over yet. "How about some hot chocolate? We have so much to talk about," Ethan suggested.

I nodded, "You read my mind."

With a quiet understanding between us, we headed to the kitchen, ready to share more than just a drink. Together, we were ready to explore what the future might hold.

Ethan busied himself making the cocoa, his motions smooth and steady, but the unspoken questions lingering between us created a noticeable unease. The sleek marble countertops and high-end appliances made the kitchen feel like a world apart from the small, homey kitchens I was used to. Yet, oddly enough, it also felt like a sanctuary—somewhere we could finally have the conversation that had been hanging over us.

I leaned against the counter, watching as Ethan expertly mixed the cocoa powder and milk in a saucepan. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable but heavy with anticipation.

"Ethan," I began, my voice soft, testing the waters. "Can I ask you something? Hypothetically, of course."

He glanced up at me, a small smile playing on his lips. "Hypothetically? Sure. Ask away."

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "If we were to really move forward with…us, what would that look like for you? I mean, I love Cedar Cove, but I also know that your life is here in Dallas. How would that work?"

Ethan poured the steaming hot chocolate into two mugs, then walked over to me, handing one over. The heat from the mug seeped into my hands, grounding me as I waited for his response.

He took a sip from his mug, his eyes thoughtful. "Honestly, I've been thinking about that a lot. My life has always been in Dallas, with the business and everything, but I never really thought about what it would be like to share it with someone else—someone who means as much to me as you do."

I felt my heart skip a beat at his words. "I love Cedar Cove and the preschool, and I've worked so hard to build my life there. Leaving all that behind wouldn't be easy."

Ethan nodded; his expression serious. "I understand that. I don't want you to give up something you love. But at the same time, I want you to be a part of my world, too. We could figure out a way to make it work. Maybe we could split our time between Cedar Cove and Dallas, at least at first."

I considered his suggestion, the idea of living between two worlds. It wasn't what I had ever envisioned for myself, but then again, neither was falling for a billionaire. "That could work," I said slowly. "But I have to ask, what would be expected of me? I'm not exactly familiar with the lifestyle of a billionaire. I mean social engagements… stuff like that."

Ethan chuckled softly, setting his mug down on the counter. "Honestly, there's no manual for that. But I wouldn't expect anything from you other than to be yourself. That's all I've ever wanted. The rest, we can figure out together."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "And what about kids?" I asked, my voice dropping to a whisper. "Do you want them?"

He stepped closer to me, his gaze intense yet tender. "Yes, I do. But not right away. I think we need time to really get to know each other, to build a life together before we bring anyone else into it."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "I feel the same way. I want to make sure we're on solid ground before taking that step."

Ethan reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "We will be. We've already been through so much, but we've come out stronger. We'll figure this out, Natalie. Together."

I looked up at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. The fears and uncertainties that had been gnawing at me began to fade, replaced by a sense of hope. "Okay," I whispered, leaning into his touch. "Let's take it one step at a time."

He leaned down, his lips brushing lightly against my forehead in a gentle kiss. His warm breath tickled my skin as he whispered, "Wonderful, I'm all in." Then, with a sudden burst of emotion, he added, almost like an afterthought, "And, by the way, I love you."

I couldn't help but chuckle, the sincerity of his words wrapping around my heart. "I love you too, Ethan. And that's not hypothetical," I replied with a playful smirk.

He laughed softly, his arms tightening around me as he pulled me closer. "Good to know."

As we stood in the kitchen, wrapped up in each other, I felt a lightness I hadn't felt in a long time. The doubts and fears that had weighed me down were starting to lift, replaced by a flicker of hope. This wasn't just a moment—it was the beginning of something new, something real.

"Maybe we're both a little crazy," I teased, resting my head against his chest.

"Perhaps," he agreed, his tone laced with humor. "But at least we're crazy together."

After our conversation, we lingered in the kitchen for a while longer, savoring the moment. Eventually, we headed upstairs, the comforting quiet of the house wrapping around us as we climbed into bed. The night had a sense of peace, a kind of stillness that made everything else fade away, leaving just the two of us.

I nestled into Ethan's side, his arm wrapped around me, the steady rhythm of his breathing lulling me into a sense of calm I hadn't felt in days. Just as I was starting to drift off, the soft buzz of his phone on the nightstand broke the silence.

Ethan sighed, reluctantly reaching over to grab it. He glanced at the screen, his brow furrowing slightly as he read the message. "It's from Sophia," he murmured.

"What's up?" I asked, turning slightly to look at him.

He hesitated for a moment, then read the message aloud. "We need to meet with Whitmore in the morning. He's getting impatient and says he'll find someone else to broker the deal if we don't lock things down soon."

I could hear the strain in his voice, the weight of responsibilities that had been hanging over him for weeks. I was coming to realize the reality of his world was never far away, even in moments like this.

I reached up, gently tracing my fingers along his jawline. "You'll figure it out, Ethan."

He smiled a little. "Maybe. This deal is more complicated... lots of nuances."

Recalling our previous conversation, I hesitated for only a moment before saying, "You know, I wasn't kidding when I mentioned my parents. They really do have a lot of connections in D.C., especially when it comes to government regulations and land use. Maybe we should take a trip there and see if they can help with the Whitmore deal."

Ethan's eyes met mine, surprise flickering across his features. "You would really be willing to do that? To involve your parents?"

"Of course," I replied. "If it can help you, help us, then it's worth it. They will be thrilled for us to visit. "Thank you, Natalie. For everything."

"Always," I whispered back. Nestling against his chest, I felt the comforting rhythm of his heartbeat, a tangible reminder that we had found solace in each other amidst life's uncertainties.