Chapter 27

Sliding my other palm onto Ethan's remaining shoulder, I felt the heat of his skin seep through the fabric of his shirt, igniting a fiery sensation within me. The sultry rhythm of the music enveloped us as we swayed in perfect harmony across the dance floor, our bodies moving as one. But our dance was abruptly cut short when the song came to an end, eliciting a low growl from Ethan's throat. I shared his frustration, my desire echoing in sync with his. The room plunged into darkness, a single spotlight illuminating a man sitting on a stool at the edge of the floor. His velvety voice serenaded us with a slow, romantic melody, causing my senses to come alive.

As Ethan pulled me closer, my body tingled with anticipation. "Screw it," he whispered, his voice laced with longing. We continued to move, our bodies teasing and enticing each other. Soft touches and gentle brushes of our thighs sent waves of desire coursing through me, my heart pounding against my chest. The hunger to taste his skin overwhelmed me, and I leaned in, pressing my lips against the rhythmic pulse in his neck. A low, primal groan escaped Ethan's lips as I nibbled and soothed the marks with my tongue. With each bite, my seductive intentions grew, tracing a path along his jawline. As my teeth grazed his flesh, Ethan's trembling intensified, revealing his growing arousal.

In an instant, our movements shifted, guiding us towards a secluded corner. Turning my face towards his, his lips crashed onto mine with a burning intensity. His tongue demanded entrance, and I willingly obliged, allowing him to explore the depths of my mouth. A deep, guttural growl reverberated from his chest.

Unable to control my own desires, I instinctively pressed my hips against his, seeking the intimate connection we both craved. He responded by rocking his hips against mine, a symphony of need and pleasure echoing in the room.

Soft whimpers of longing escaped my lips in time with our thrusts, intensifying the hunger within us. Ethan's breath hitched at the sound, and he reluctantly pulled away, his eyes filled with a hunger that mirrored my own. "If we keep this up, I'll have no choice but to take you right here," he whispered in a voice both deep and gravelly.

With one final longing look, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone, consumed by the lingering heat of our encounter.

Unsatisfied desire pulsed through my body, sending shivers down my spine. The thumping music reverberated in my ears as I exhaled sharply, feeling the rush of adrenaline in my veins. I made my way off the crowded dance floor, my fingertips grazing the smooth, polished surface of the bar.

The bartender's gaze assessed me, concern etched on his face, before he asked if I was alright. My voice emerged hoarse and raspy as I nodded, requesting another drink. The bartender's playful wink accompanied the complimentary drink he placed in front of me.

As I lifted the glass, my eyebrows shot up in surprise when I noticed a name and phone number scribbled on the napkin beneath it. Acknowledging the bartender with a nod, I turned to head back to my table, intentionally dropping the napkin along the way.

Settling back into my chair, my eyes darted towards Ethan who was engaged in a deep conversation with Rick, abruptly ending it with a hint of rudeness. His gaze locked onto mine, filled with intense desire, and he mouthed the words "Stop that."

My cheeks flushed as I realized I had been unconsciously licking my lips, savoring the taste of his skin and kiss. Jerking my tongue back into my mouth, I averted my gaze, focusing on my glass as I took a sip. The longer I sat there, the more my longing for Ethan intensified.

Shifting uncomfortably in my chair, I crossed my legs tightly, seeking some relief. Every fiber of my being screamed for him, a realization that had become my new reality. Inhaling deeply, my breath quickened, bordering on panting with lust. Placing my glass on the table, I jumped in surprise when I noticed a handsome cowboy hovering over my shoulder.

Meeting his gaze, a smile graced his face, revealing a set of perfectly white teeth as he extended his hand towards me. "Would you care to dance?"

Glancing towards Ethan, who seemed oblivious to my presence, engrossed in Ember's conversation, a surge of jealousy surged through me. Without hesitation, I stood up, taking the cowboy's hand.

Stepping onto the dance floor, I rested my hands on his strong shoulders and examined his face. A smile curved my lips as I admired his striking blue eyes. "You have a name, cowboy?"


Returning to my seat, I glanced over at Ethan, who was engaged in a deep conversation with Rick. Abruptly ending the discussion, he turned his head and locked eyes with me, his gaze filled with desire. I blushed, realizing that I had been unconsciously tasting his kiss on my lips. Quickly retracting my tongue, I looked down at my glass and took a sip.

As time passed, my craving for Ethan intensified. Shifting in my chair, I crossed my legs tightly, seeking some relief. Every fiber of my being screamed for him, becoming my new state of existence. Taking a deep breath, I found myself almost panting with lust. Placing the glass back on the table, I jumped in surprise when I noticed someone hovering behind me.

Turning, I came face to face with a stunning cowboy. A smile graced his face, revealing a perfect set of white teeth as he extended his hand towards me. He asked if I would like to dance, and glancing at Ethan, who seemed completely oblivious to my presence as he focused on Ember, a surge of jealousy washed through me.
Standing up, I took the cowboy's hand and stepped onto the dance floor, placing my hands on his shoulders. “You got a name, cowboy?”I asked.

Flashing that devastating smile at me again, he leaned close so I could hear him. “Derek Peters, and you are?”

“Just me,” I laughed, teasing him.

“Well, hello, Just Me, I don’t believe I’ve seen you around here before.” His breath brushed across my ear with his words, however, did nothing to my insides the way Ethan’s had.

*Jesus! Ethan—the bastard—had me all fucked up*.
I shook my head. “Not often. And the name’s Nicole. How about you, you come here often?”

Derek raised a shoulder beneath my hand. “Too often, to be honest, think you’ll be back?”

I considered his words. “I’m not sure. Maybe.”

He gave a nod, an easy smile spreading across his lips. “You work?”

My head imitated his earlier move. “Yeah, I’m in the crimes unit with the FBI.”

Derek let out a whistle, obviously impressed. “No, shit! I’m with the Thirty-Second precinct—burglary division.”

However, even as he said the words, he seemed a little distracted.

“Um, hey, Nicole, the man who was sitting across the table from you—is he your boyfriend or something?” Derek asked, gaze penned on something over my shoulder.

“No. Why?” His question puzzled me.

“Because he’s coming this way, and I’d say by the look on his face, he might think differently.”

I gasped. “Shit, you’re joking, right?”

“No, and not to hurt your feelings or anything, but I’m kinda fond of what I see in the mirror of a morning—” Derek’s words cut off just as a hand landed on my shoulder.

Derek released me and stepped away, and I found myself whirled around into Ethan’s arms as he glared at Derek’s departing figure.

After a few seconds, Ethan refocused his attention on me and moved us around the floor. We’d made it halfway when he exploded. “He had his goddamn hands all over you.”

I scowled at him. “He did not!”
Ethan’s jaw was ticking rapidly, and his lips curled into a slight snarl. “The fuck if he didn’t. He had no right touching you like that—you’re not his.”

I stared at him nonplussed for seconds, then lightly shook my head as my voice came out in a whisper. “But I’m not yours either.”