4

The room above the bar was surprisingly elegant.

Dark wood furniture, a massive bed, soft lighting. It smelled like him—cedar and musk and something distinctly masculine.

Emma stood in the doorway, suddenly unsure.

"I don't know what to do," she admitted. "It's been... years. And I'm not..."

"Let me take the lead," Ethan said gently. "Just trust me. Can you do that?"

Emma nodded.

He stepped closer, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. The touch was feather-light, almost reverent.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this."

"I can't imagine you've been thinking about me," Emma said, looking away. "Not with all the beautiful women who must throw themselves at you."

Ethan turned her face back toward his. "I haven't thought about anyone else for months," he said seriously. "I've been obsessed with you. The way you move, the way you smile, the way you put passion into everything you do. You haunt me, Emma."

His words stole her breath.

"I'm the one who should be obsessed with you," she managed. "You're... I mean, look at you."

Ethan laughed softly, kissing her forehead. "There's nothing I want more than to hear you say that when I've got you naked beneath me."

Emma shivered.

Ethan noticed. "Cold?"

"No." She shook her head. "Nervous."

"Don't be." His hands found the hem of her shirt, tugging gently. "May I?"

"Please," Emma whispered. "Please, Ethan."

He lifted her shirt over her head, baring her torso. Emma tensed, waiting for the inevitable look of disgust.

It didn't come.

"God," Ethan breathed, his eyes dark with hunger. "You're stunning."

"I'm not—"

"Shh." He pressed his finger to her lips. "Let me worship you the way you deserve."

He pulled her close, his mouth finding hers.

The kiss was gentle at first—soft and patient. But when Emma responded, pressing into him, it turned hungry. His tongue swept across her lips, demanding entry, and she gave it eagerly.

This was what she'd been missing. This was what it was supposed to feel like.

Ethan's hands roamed her back, cupping her curves, squeezing her soft flesh like he couldn't get enough. When his hands found her breasts, she moaned into his mouth.

"Beautiful," he murmured against her lips. "You have no idea what you do to me."

He backed her toward the bed, and they fell onto it together. He was on top of her, his weight a comforting pressure. His mouth moved to her neck, kissing and nipping, leaving a trail of fire.

"Ethan," Emma gasped. "Please. Please, don't stop."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

He worked his way down, pressing kisses to her collarbone, her chest, the swell of her breasts. He unclasped her bra with surprising skill, baring her full breasts to his hungry gaze.

"Perfect," he groaned. "Absolutely perfect."

He took one nipple into his mouth, and Emma cried out.

It had been so long. So long since anyone had touched her, desired her, wanted her. She'd forgotten how good it could feel.

"More," she begged. "Please, Ethan. More."

He kissed his way down her stomach, pausing at the waistband of her jeans. He looked up at her, his eyes dark with desire.

"I want to taste you," he said. "I want to taste every part of you. Can I?"

Emma nodded frantically. "Yes. Yes, please."

He undid her jeans with trembling hands, pulling them down her legs. Emma tensed again, fighting the urge to cover herself.

But Ethan just looked at her with pure, unadulterated hunger.

"Look at you," he breathed. "So perfect. So beautiful."

He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her inner thigh. Then another, higher. And another, until he was right there, his breath hot against her most intimate place.

The moment his mouth touched her, Emma forgot how to think.

He was skilled—so skilled. His tongue found every sensitive spot, drawing out sounds she hadn't known she could make. His hands gripped her hips, holding her steady as he brought her closer and closer to the edge.

"I can't... I can't..." Emma gasped.

"Yes, you can," Ethan murmured against her. "Let go, Emma. Let go for me."

And she did.

The orgasm crashed over her like a wave, pulling her under and leaving her gasping. Her body trembled, her fingers fisting in the sheets.

When she came back to herself, Ethan was kissing his way back up her body. He had a self-satisfied smile on his face.

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," he said.

"I can't believe you just did that," Emma breathed. "I didn't... I forgot it could feel like that."

"Get used to it," Ethan said, his voice dropping an octave. "Because I'm going to make you feel like that every single night from now on."

He kissed her again, and Emma tasted herself on his lips. She'd never done that before. She'd never felt so... desired.

"I want to taste you too," she said, surprising herself.

Ethan's eyes widened. "Are you sure? You don't have to—"

"I want to." Emma pushed him onto his back, feeling powerful for the first time in years. "I want to make you feel as good as you made me feel."

She worked his jeans open, freeing his thick, hard length. She'd seen her husband's body a thousand times, but looking at Ethan made her mouth water.

"Emma," he breathed, his head falling back. "You don't have to—"

She took him into her mouth, and his words died in his throat.

He tasted good—clean and masculine. She worked him with her mouth and hands, drawing out groans and gasps that made her feel drunk with power.

"I'm going to come if you keep doing that," he warned.

Emma pulled away. "Not yet," she said. "I want you inside me first."

Ethan groaned, pulling her close. "Tell me you're sure. Tell me you want this."

"I want this," Emma said. "I want you, Ethan."

He flipped them over, reaching for a condom. She watched him roll it on, her heart pounding with anticipation.

"You're so beautiful," he said again, positioning himself at her entrance. "So perfect."

He pushed inside her slowly, giving her time to adjust.

Emma gasped at the stretch, the fullness. It was overwhelming and wonderful and exactly what she'd needed.

"Ethan," she whispered. "Please. I need more."

He thrust deeper, and Emma cried out.

"God, you feel incredible," Ethan groaned. "Tight and hot and perfect."

He moved inside her, building a rhythm that made her see stars. His body pressed against hers, his skin hot and sweat-slicked.

"That's it," he encouraged. "Take it. Take all of me."

Emma wrapped her legs around him, pulling him deeper. He kissed her, swallowing her moans as he drove them both toward the edge.

"I'm close," she gasped.

"Come with me," Ethan demanded. "Come with me, Emma. Right now."

She shattered around him, her body clenching and pulsing. The feeling of her orgasm triggered his, and he spilled into her with a guttural groan.

They collapsed together, breathing hard, bodies tangled in the sheets.

"Wow," Emma whispered.

"Wow indeed." Ethan kissed her shoulder. "You okay?"

"Better than okay." Emma looked at him, this impossible man who'd just shown her more passion and tenderness than her husband had in years. "That was... incredible."

"It was." He smiled down at her. "And it's not over yet. I have all night, Emma. All night to show you exactly how much you deserve to be worshiped."