When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 144

Amelia

Ethan's eyes traveled down my body, a slow journey that left heat in its wake. His voice dropped to a husky whisper that sent shivers down my spine. "Last time you helped me with my... physical needs. Now it's my turn to return the favor."

I felt my skin grow hot beneath the thin silk robe. The bathroom was still steamy from my shower, but that wasn't why my cheeks burned. "Not happening. Keep talking like that and I'll kick you out." My voice lacked any real conviction, and judging by the smirk on his face, we both knew it.

Ethan loosened his tie with his good hand, his injured one still bandaged. His gaze never left me, intense and hungry. "At least give me something to sleep in. I can't exactly get into bed wearing a suit." The way he said "bed" made it sound like so much more.

I walked to the closet, my legs unsteady, and retrieved the shirt of his I'd worn the night before. "Here's your shirt back." I tossed it to him, still warm from my body and carrying my scent. Our fingers brushed during the exchange, and that brief contact was enough to accelerate my pulse.

Ethan slowly unbuttoned his shirt with his uninjured hand, revealing his muscled chest and abs. His eyes remained locked on mine the entire time, as if daring me to look away. I pretended not to care, busying myself with arranging the pillows, though I couldn't stop myself from stealing glances at him, my heart racing each time I did.

I wrapped myself in the bedcovers, feeling the mattress dip as Ethan, wearing only his boxers, slid under the sheets beside me. The warmth of his body radiated through the thin barrier between us.

He moved closer, his breath hot against my neck. "Aren't you going to share some of that blanket? I might catch cold." His fingers tugged gently at the edge of the comforter, his touch deliberate and teasing.

I loosened my grip slightly, but Ethan seized the opportunity, grabbing both me and the blanket. We tumbled onto the plush carpet, with me pinned beneath his strong body. I could feel his hardness pressing against me, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.

Ethan's hand slipped inside my nightgown, his voice low in my ear. "I'm not letting you go tonight." His tone was thick with desire, a promise and a plea wrapped in four simple words.

A current of electricity shot through my body, and I trembled involuntarily at his touch. My body responded to him of its own accord, betraying my attempt at resistance. I'd spent so long fighting this attraction, and now I was too tired to keep pretending.

His kisses traveled from my lips downward, my nightgown now pushed up around my waist. As his hands explored me, I felt years of loneliness and restraint dissolving.

"Do you have any idea what these years have been like for me?" I gasped as his fingers moved between my thighs, touching me exactly how I needed. "Raising our children alone, wondering if what we had was ever real?"

Ethan paused, lifting his head to look into my eyes. "I know I hurt you. Let me make it up to you now."

When he entered me, I cried out, clutching his back, my nails digging into his skin. It had been so long—years of emptiness suddenly filled. I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him deeper.

"Tell me you love me," I demanded, my voice breaking. "Tell me it's only me you want." I needed those words, needed that security after everything we'd been through.

"I love you, Amelia," he whispered against my ear, his movements becoming more urgent. "It's always been you. Only you."

I felt tears spring to my eyes as our bodies moved together. This wasn't just sex—it was reclaiming something I thought I'd lost forever. With each thrust, each whispered promise, the distance between us narrowed.

"Don't leave me again," I pleaded as the tension built inside me. "I can't do it again, Ethan. I can't."

"Never," he promised, his voice strained as we both approached the edge. "You're mine. We're a family."

When release finally came, it was overwhelming—years of pent-up emotion and desire crashing through me. I cried out his name, clinging to him as if he might disappear. Ethan followed moments later, holding me tightly against him as if he never intended to let go.

In the aftermath, we lay tangled together, my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. His fingers traced patterns on my back, soothing and possessive.

"I need you to be sure this time," I whispered against his skin. "The children need stability. I need stability."

He tilted my chin up, making me meet his gaze. "I'm sure, Amelia. I've never been more certain of anything in my life."

When I woke the next morning around nine-thirty, the space beside me was empty. I stretched, feeling pleasantly sore, memories of the night flooding back...

I heard the door open and looked up to see Ethan entering. He caught me lost in thought and a small smile played on his lips. "Deep in thought so early in the morning, hm?"

"Where were you?" I asked, pulling the sheets higher, suddenly self-conscious despite what we'd shared.

"Making breakfast for the kids," he explained, sitting on the edge of the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight. "They were hungry."

"What did you feed them?" I asked, suddenly concerned about Lucas's picky eating habits.

Ethan leaned in, kissing the corner of my mouth. "Oatmeal." His lips lingered just long enough to make my pulse race again.

I couldn't help but tease him. "That's it? You gave Lucas plain oatmeal? He needs more than that." Lucas had always been particular about his food, something Ethan was still learning.

"I'm his biological father, not his stepfather," Ethan replied with a slight edge to his voice. "I know what he likes."

I bit my lip, recognizing that Ethan still lacked some understanding of Lucas's needs, but I let it go for now. This morning was too perfect to spoil with an argument.

Ethan's eyes dropped to my neck, where I knew he'd left several marks the night before. He moved closer, his fingers tracing one particularly vivid spot. "What would you like for breakfast?"

I swallowed hard, his proximity making it difficult to think clearly. The heat of his fingers on my skin brought back vivid memories of the night before. "I'm not sure. What are my options?"

Ethan backed away slightly. "I'll go down to the restaurant and bring something up for you. Any preferences?"

"Surprise me," I said, watching as he stood to leave. His shirt was half-buttoned, revealing glimpses of his chest that made my heart race all over again.

As the door closed behind him, I sank back into the pillows, lost in the memory of our intimacy last night.