CAN’T WALK

CHAPTER 3

The car's engine made a steady humming noise. But Amelia couldn't focus on it. She felt very aware of the man sitting next to her. Ethan's hand was on the steering wheel. His fingers were tapping on it. But Amelia noticed that his hand tightened slightly every time she moved in her seat.

She crossed her legs, trying to find some relief from the aching warmth between her thighs. It didn’t help.

The fabric of her dress brushed against her skin, teasing, making her all too conscious of her own body.

Ethan caught the movement. A slow smirk curved his lips as he turned his head slightly, his dark eyes glinting in the dim glow of the dashboard.

“You’re squirming, sweetheart.” His voice was deep, taunting, thick with amusement. “Still thinking about how I’d feel between your legs?”

A sharp breath escaped her, but she refused to let him see how easily he unraveled her. She tilted her head, forcing a smirk of her own. “You talk a lot, Ethan. I bet you don’t have the strength to back it up.”

The air in the car shifted. His smirk faded, replaced by something far more dangerous—something that sent a shiver down her spine. His fingers flexed on the steering wheel, his jaw tightening just enough for her to notice.

“Is that a challenge?” His voice was low now, quiet, but laced with a promise that made her stomach flip.

She leaned back against the seat, feigning innocence. “Maybe.”

Without warning, Ethan veered off the road.

The car jerked as he swerved off the road, tires crunching over gravel before coming to a sudden, forceful stop. Amelia's breath hitched, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat as the world stilled around them.

Her pulse thundered in her ears. The air inside the car felt charged, heavy with something dark and unspoken.

Slowly, she turned to him. "What the hell was that?"

Ethan didn’t answer. He leaned back against his seat, one hand still gripping the wheel, the other drumming against his thigh. His expression was unreadable calm, like a predator right before the kill.

Then, he smirked. "Can I see your strength?"

Amelia swallowed hard. This was dangerous territory. She felt it. It was like a rope getting tighter and tighter around her.

Her heart pounded against her ribs. Oh my gosh, I haven’t done this before.

She sucked in a breath, forcing a light laugh. "Ethan, this is ridiculous—"

He turned his head slowly, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Is it?"

Something inside her clenched. Sarah, if I get home, I’ll kill you. You sent me here to die.

Her fingers clenched around the hem of her dress, nerves warring.

Ethan watched her closely, his gaze flickering down to the way her fists curled against the fabric. His smirk deepened.

"Scared, sweetheart?"

She lifted her chin. "Of you? Please."

His chuckle was low, deep, and utterly predatory. "Good."

Before Amelia could react, Ethan unbuckled his seatbelt, pushed open his door, and stepped out into the night. Her heart pounded, her instincts were yelling at her to get away. But before she could move, her door flew open.

Ethan stood there, towering, his silhouette framed by the dim glow of the car’s interior lights. His gaze locked onto hers, dark and unreadable. Without a word, he reached in, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her out.

“Ethan—” she gasped, stumbling as he pulled her to her feet.

He didn’t give her time to protest. With an effortless tug, he spun her around and shoved her toward the back of the car. The cool night air rushed against her heated skin, but she barely registered it. Her pulse hammered as he yanked open the back door and, in one swift move, guided her inside.

The door slammed shut behind them.

She barely had time to catch her breath before Ethan followed, sliding in beside her. The soft click of the lock made her heart raced.

She was trapped.

Amelia pressed her back against the seat, her chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. “You’re insane,” she whispered.

Ethan’s smirk was slow, wicked. “And you love it.”

She glared at him, but the heat in his gaze stripped away any semblance of control she thought she had. He leaned in, his scent wrapping around her, it was so intoxicating she can't get away.

"Let’s see how you can satisfy me, little dummy.” His voice was a sinful promise.

Her breath caught. Oh, hell.

Before Amelia could process his words, Ethan’s hand slid under her chin, tilting her face up to his. His touch was firm, leaving no room for hesitation.

Then he kissed her.

It wasn’t soft or gentle, his lips crashed against hers, stealing her breath, claiming her completely. Amelia gasped, but he didn’t give her a chance to pull away. His fingers tightened on her chin, holding her in place as his tongue parted her lips, deepening the kiss with reckless hunger.

Her body reacted before her mind could catch up. Heat coiled low in her stomach, an undeniable ache spreading through her limbs. She grabbed onto his shirt, fisting the fabric, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

Ethan groaned against her mouth, his free hand sliding down to grip her thigh. His touch was possessive, teasing as he pulled her toward him. She found herself straddling his lap, her dress riding up as she pressed against the hard planes of his body.

He moved his lips from her mouth to her jaw, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down her neck. His teeth grazed her skin, nipping lightly before sucking, sending a sharp jolt of pleasure through her. She shivered, fingers digging into his shoulders.

“Ethan—” her voice broke, breathless, needy.

He chuckled, the sound dark and knowing. “What is it, sweetheart? Already losing control?”

His hands slid higher, teasing, exploring, pushing her further into the haze of desire.

Amelia’s mind wanted her to stop this madness, to push him away before she drowned in the intensity of it all.

But her body wanted more.

Amelia’s nails dug into Ethan’s shoulders as she fought to steady herself, but he wasn’t giving her a chance to regain control. His hands gripped her hips, guiding her movements, making her feel every hard inch of him beneath her.

A low, satisfied growl rumbled from his chest. “You want to play, sweetheart?” His voice was a dark caress, teasing yet laced with warning. “Careful darling I don’t play fair.”

Challenge flared in Amelia’s eyes.She rolled her hips deliberately, grinding against him in a slow, torturous rhythm. A sharp inhale left his lips, his grip tightening in response.

“You think you can tease me?” he murmured, his voice strained, yet laced with amusement.

A smirk played on her lips. “Maybe.”

His expression darkened. In a blink, he flipped their positions, pinning her against the leather seat. His weight pressed down on her, his breath hot against her ear.

“Say my name,” he commanded, his voice a low, rough whisper.

She swallowed hard, refusing to submit so easily. Her hands found his shoulders, pushing against him slightly, testing his resolve.

Ethan’s fingers trailed down her thigh, teasingly slow, his touch both gentle and punishing. “Say it, Amelia,” he ordered again, his lips brushing against her jaw, his patience running thin.

Her breath hitched. “Ethan,” she gasped, the sound barely above a whisper.

His smirk returned, triumphant. “Good girl.”

Then he claimed her mouth again, harder this time.

Just as Amelia felt herself slipping into the dizzying haze of his touch, Ethan pulled back.

The sudden loss of his heat left her breathless, her body aching in protest. She blinked up at him, dazed, lips swollen from his kiss, her pulse hammering in her ears.

He smirked, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. “That’s enough for now.”

Her brows furrowed. “What?”

Ethan leaned in, his mouth hovering just above hers, his breath teasing her lips. “Can’t have you breaking too soon, sweetheart.”

Frustration surged through her, mingling with the lingering desire he’d stirred within her. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, but he only chuckled, clearly enjoying her torment.

His fingers brushed down her arm, feather-light, before he withdrew completely, leaning back against the seat like nothing had happened.

“Next time,” he murmured, his gaze flicking over her as he leaned closer and said to her ears

“Next time I’ll ruin you and make sure you can't walk for a week.”