Chapter 131: Just a Matter of Time

ETHAN

Slowing down, I brought my hands to my mouth, trying to warm them with a breath of hot air. Fuck, I should’ve worn gloves. Going for a run in the freezing cold hadn’t been my best idea.

But I was so upset I had to get out before I said something I’d regret. Especially when I didn’t have any real reason to be angry.

She, on the other hand, had every reason to hesitate, after everything I’d done. Still, it was hard not to believe her hesitation might mean doubt—or even that she might walk away.

But that was just my fear talking again, trying to take over. She’d never given up on me, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to now. That’s what I needed to remember.

There was no reason to pressure her—she had already said yes. All she was asking for was time. Maybe a few months, maybe a year. I just hoped it wouldn’t be more than that.

The problem was, I had never been so sure about anything in my life as I was about wanting this now, and her hesitation was making me a little insecure, even though I understood her reasons.

But it seemed like I had no choice but to be patient and deal with it.

Heading back onto the trail through the trees, I tried to figure out how I was going to apologize.

✽

Wearing nothing but the oversized sweatshirt that covered halfway down her thighs, she was preparing something in the small kitchen area when I walked in, catching her eye.

There was a hint of apprehension in her gaze as she watched me take off my jacket.

“Made some hot chocolate. Want some?” she asked, turning her attention back to what she was doing.

Walking up to her, I wrapped my arms around her from behind.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left like that,” I said, breathing in her scent mixed with the lingering smell of sex we’d had earlier and the aroma of chocolate.

“No. You shouldn’t have.” She pulled my arms away and turned to face me, holding a steaming cup of chocolate. “Only assholes leave right after sex.”

“Okay, I’ll remember that.” I pressed my lips together, trying to stay serious in the face of her comment. “I’m sorry. You were right—I was upset.”

“And you’re not anymore?”

“No. Maybe still a little frustrated. But I want you to know I understand your reasons, and I’ll give you all the time you need.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, frowning skeptically. “Or are you going to forget that and freak out again in a month?”

“I promise it won’t happen again.”

She nodded, but she couldn’t hide the disappointment in her eyes.

“You know… What hurts me the most, after everything, is that you still question my feelings. I’m here… What more do you need?”

“Nothing.” I cupped her face in my hands, feeling like a complete idiot when I saw the hurt in her eyes. “I just need this. Just you,” I whispered, holding her gaze. “I love you.”

Giving in, she wrapped one arm around me and rested her head on my chest.

“I love you too,” she sighed, finally relaxing. “Just give me some time. Just until things settle down, okay?” She pulled back to look at me. “I mean, not just between us—you know, there’s work, and there’s so much to plan.”

“That’s fine.”

“So… can we go back to bed now?” she asked with a weak smile.

“To sleep or…?” I teased.

“You can’t be serious—we were only apart for like twenty minutes.”

“To me, that’s a long time.”

Smiling and shaking her head, she turned to grab the second cup of hot chocolate she had made. That gave me a few seconds to admire her toned legs and made me want to slide my hands under that sweatshirt and grab her ass.

When she turned back toward me, still smiling and handing me the cup, those twenty minutes started to feel like an eternity.

“How am I supposed to resist when you’re this beautiful and tempting all the time?” I said, devouring her with my eyes as she walked toward the bed.

Leaning against the wall, I savored a sip of the chocolate and the view of her ass as she climbed onto the bed.

“Keep looking at me like that and I might change my mind,” she teased, sitting back against the headboard.

“About what?” I asked, confused.

“Twenty minutes being too short.” She said it with a smirk that made my grin widen.

Leaving my cup wherever, I moved toward the bed, slipping under the covers and between her legs, making her laugh.

✽

She seemed happier than ever, despite our earlier disagreement. She was smiling and chatting nonstop with the other girls as we went on our final walk through the village.

Over lunch, we’d agreed to visit a few more places we hadn’t seen yet, since we were heading back to London the next day.

The treacherous sun had decided to show up right after we left the cabin, even though it was still freezing outside.

But I knew that wasn’t what was really messing with my mood—and it wasn’t because we’d actually just slept before heading back to the hotel, either.

Part of me was happy to see her so radiant, but another part was still a bit frustrated by not knowing how much time she was going to need.

And as hard as I was trying to hide it, I knew it wouldn’t be long before she noticed—and I hated the idea of anything ruining that amazing smile on her face.

Suddenly stopping on the sidewalk in front of us, the three girls were staring at what looked like the front of a souvenir shop.

“Let’s go in,” Rosie said, stepping toward the entrance, followed by the other two.

I heard Jason sigh and grumble a little behind me, probably tired of trailing after them like a puppy.

It almost made me laugh, because even though I got it, right now, the only thing that mattered was that she was happy.

“So, does that smile mean you two finally worked things out?” Neil asked, stopping in front of me and leaning against the wall beside the store’s entrance.

“What are you talking about?” I did the same, leaning next to him.

“I don’t know—maybe the unexpected presence of you-know-who. I admit I was a little worried about how you’d react.”

“Don’t worry. It’s all good now.”

“Really?”

“See that smile?” I pointed toward the inside of the store. “That’s all that matters to me right now.”

✽

Five minutes later, they finally came out of the shop, carrying small bags and whispering among themselves.

Breaking away from the other two, she walked over to me with a timid and suspicious smile. Standing beside me, she linked her arm through mine.

“So, what are you up to?” I asked, eyeing her with narrowed eyes.

“Nothing.” She shrugged, trying to look serious but sounding far from convincing. “But there’s one last place we haven’t visited yet, and I think you’re going to like it. So let’s go,” she said, sparking my curiosity and making me follow her down the sidewalk.