Chapter 9

nine

. . .

Lila

The door bursts open and I jump back from Ethan's embrace, heart pounding. Mom and Richard stand in the doorway, expressions shifting from surprise to anger as they take in the scene.

"What the hell is going on here?" Mom demands, voice shaking.

Before I can find my words, Ethan steps in front of me, one arm held back protectively. His broad shoulders are tense, muscles coiled beneath his shirt.

"Lila and I are in love," he states calmly, but I can hear the undercurrent of defiance. "I'm in love with your daughter."

Mom's eyes widen and Richard's brow furrows. The room crackles with a tense, electric energy. My heart races, hands trembling at my sides.

"Is this true?" Mom turns to me. I see shock and confusion warring on her face. "Lila?"

I freeze, and I can sense the tension in Ethan too. He knows the truth, but he’s wondering if I’m going to deny him again.

I swallow hard and nod, meeting her gaze. "Yes, it's true. Ethan and I...we have feelings for each other."

I can practically feel the joy radiating from Ethan. His hand finds mine, lacing our fingers together. His touch grounds me, lending me strength.

"This is unacceptable," Richard booms. "You two are practically siblings! It's...it's wrong!"

"You can't help who you fall in love with," Ethan retorts, voice like steel. "Besides, it’s not my fault you married her mom. That doesn’t make us blood-related. Lila is everything to me. I won't let anyone keep us apart, not even you."

Mom drags a hand over her face, looking weary. "I suppose you’re right…"

She looks helplessly at Richard whose lips finally relax from the thin like they were in. “No, you can’t help who you fall in love with, can you, dear?” he muses as he looks at my mom with a look that makes me want to gag.

Ew .

“Good. Glad you two have comes to terms,” Ethan says irritably, “because this is happening. With or without your blessing, though I think we’d prefer to have it.”

My mom shrugs. “What the hell.”

“What the hell,” Richard adds with a laugh.

I grin and Ethan.

“Come on,” he says as he takes my hand and leads me out of the room.

He leads me to a private spot in the backyard and backs me against a tree, his body pressed against mine.

"I meant what I said earlier," he growls, voice low and rough in my ear. "You're mine, Lila. And I won't share you with anyone."

His possessiveness should frighten me, but instead, it sends a shiver down my spine. "I'm yours, Ethan. No one else's."

His lips crash onto mine, claiming and hungry. My senses reel as his tongue explores my mouth, tasting of heat and longing. His hands roam my curves, possessively, as if memorizing every inch of me.

This may be forbidden, this lust between us. But as our bodies meld together, I can't find it in me to care. All I know is the fire Ethan ignites in me is a blaze that refuses to be tamed.

Our hands fumble with buttons and zippers, desperate to be closer. Our clothes pool around our ankles, revealing our nakedness to each other. His eyes darken as he takes in my voluptuous figure, and for a moment, I'm self-conscious.

"You're so beautiful," he whispers, his voice thick with desire. "This is all I want for the rest of my life. You .”

His words fan the flames of my arousal. I bask in his admiration.

Ethan cups my face in his strong hands, his gaze intense. "I want you, Lila. All of you."

I nod, my breath coming in pants. "I want you too."

With a growl of hunger, Ethan lifts me up, my legs wrapping around his waist. He carries me to a nearby bench, laying me down gently. He kneels between my thighs, his heated gaze raking over my body.

"You're mine," he growls again, and then his lips are on my neck, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down my collarbone. His hands caress my breasts, teasing and pinching my nipples until I moan his name.