When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 145

Amelia

I had just finished washing my face when I heard the door to the suite open. Running my fingers through my damp hair, I tightened the belt of my silk robe and stepped into the hallway. There stood Ethan, balancing a brown paper bag in his good hand, his bandaged right hand held carefully away from his body.

His eyes lit up when he saw me. "Morning," he said, his voice still husky with sleep. "Already rushing into my arms this early?"

"I was checking on the kids," I said, trying to hide my smile and failing miserably. "Not everything is about you, Ethan."

"The kids are fine. Lucas is watching some detective show, and Ella's still sleeping." He leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. "Should we be worried that Lucas might see us?"

I glanced toward my son's room. "Ethan, he's right there..."

"He's three, Amelia. He doesn't understand anything yet." Ethan smirked, stepping past me toward the small dining area.

The smell coming from the bag made my stomach growl. I followed him, watching as he unpacked what appeared to be a gourmet breakfast. My eyes widened when I spotted whole wheat muffins—my absolute favorite.

"You went out for whole wheat muffins?" I asked, genuinely surprised he'd remembered such a small detail about me.

Ethan shook his head as he continued setting out containers. "The apartment has its own chef. I had him make them fresh."

"Of course it does," I murmured, still not fully adjusted to the extravagance of Ethan's lifestyle.

Lucas padded into the room, his Spider-Man pajamas rumpled from sleep. "I'm hungry," he announced, eyeing the spread with interest.

"You just had a bowl of oatmeal, buddy," Ethan said.

Lucas's face immediately fell. "But I want a muffin like Mom! Why do I have to eat this yucky stuff?"

"Mom, tell him I can have a muffin!" Lucas looked at me pleadingly.

I placed a protective hand on my son's shoulder. "Ethan, please don't push him too hard. He's still little, and forcing him will just make him resist more." I paused, giving him a meaningful look. "Besides, if my children end up hating you, I'll absolutely choose them over you without a second thought."

Ethan's eyes widened dramatically. He immediately wrapped his arms around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. "Message received. I'll follow your lead completely." His voice dropped to a theatrical whisper. "Just please don't abandon me."

Despite myself, I laughed, patting his cheek. "You're impossible."

After breakfast, I helped Ethan to the sofa to check his hand. I carefully unwrapped the bandage, revealing the healing wound across his palm. The angry red line had begun to scab over properly.

"It's healing well," I said, examining the cut with professional detachment. "We could try some of the hospital's newest scar reduction products if you want."

"I think I'll keep it," Ethan said quietly. "It's a good reminder of mistakes I've made."

I looked up, meeting his gaze. "I've already forgiven you, Ethan. We shouldn't let ourselves be trapped by past mistakes."

His eyes glistened slightly. "Have you really? Forgiven me for everything?"

"I have," I answered, surprised by how true it felt. The weight I'd been carrying for so long seemed lighter now.

Ethan leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine, the kiss gentle and filled with gratitude. "Okay," he whispered against my mouth.

As I finished applying ointment to his hand, I decided to address something that had been on my mind.

"In this relationship, Ethan, we need to be equals," I said, my fingers working methodically. "I don't want you feeling guilty forever or walking on eggshells around me. That's not healthy for either of us."

"Is that what you think is happening?" he asked, brow furrowing. "That I'm just with you because I feel guilty?"

"Sometimes I wonder," I admitted. "I need to know we're building something real, not just trying to fix what broke before."

Ethan took my hand with his uninjured one. "The expiration date on this relationship is entirely up to you," he said seriously. "But the preservation methods are my responsibility." His mouth quirked up at the corner. "And I have very advanced techniques."

"I bet you do," I laughed, feeling the tension dissolve. "So what's the plan for today? We should explore Manhattan a bit before my vacation ends."

My gaze drifted to Lucas, who was completely absorbed in what looked like a complex detective show. "Is that really appropriate for him?"

Ethan shrugged. "By the time I was his age, I was already reading children's encyclopedias."

"There are plenty of braggarts on Wall Street," I said dryly, "but none quite like you, Mr. Black."

"He's my son," Ethan replied simply. "He's going to be just as smart as I am."

The casual way he claimed Lucas as his own made something warm bloom in my chest. In that moment, Ethan looked so content, so at home with us, that my heart seemed to swell. Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, "I love you."

Ethan went completely still, his blue eyes widening. For a terrifying moment, he said nothing, and I felt heat crawling up my neck. Then slowly, a smile spread across his face.

"I love you too, Amelia. I always have."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "I know," I said softly, pulling him closer

He pulled me against his chest, his good arm wrapped tightly around me. We stayed like that for a long moment, just breathing together.

Finally, Ethan broke the silence. "How do you feel about a trip to Long Island? We could take the yacht out, spend some time at the beach."

"That sounds perfect," I agreed, pulling back to look at him. "Should I let the others know?"

He nodded, reluctantly releasing me. "I need to pack a few things anyway."

As Ethan headed to his suite, I pulled out my phone and opened our group chat with Olivia, Sophie, and Rachel. I quickly typed:

*Beach day tomorrow! Long Island, Ethan's yacht. Who's in?*

The responses came almost immediately:

Olivia: [OMG YES! I'm bringing so many cute bikinis!]

Sophie: [Is James coming?]

Rachel: [If James is coming, I'm not lol]

I set my phone down on the coffee table, a small smile playing on my lips.

Standing there in our temporary home, surrounded by the simple evidence of our family life—toys scattered across the floor, breakfast dishes on the table, Ethan's jacket thrown carelessly over a chair—I felt a sense of rightness I hadn't experienced in years.