Chapter 28

We’d come to a halt, causing the other dancers to bump into us. One couple almost knocked us to the floor, and Ethan let loose with several cuss words. “Let’s get the hell off the floor so we can talk.”

He led me off the crowded dance floor, the pulsating beat of the music fading as we stepped outside into the cool night air. The distant sound of laughter and chatter drifted from the open doors of the bar, mingling with the occasional burst of music.

Suddenly, Ethan's strong grip on my shoulders propelled me against the rough brick wall of the building.

I let out a soft groan, muffled by his forceful kiss. His lips pressed against mine with urgency, igniting a fiery passion.

The taste of desire lingered on my tongue as he whispered,“Dammit, you’ve got me tied in fucking knots.” The words emerged with a husk in between deep kisses. His hand slipped under my shirt, brushing aside my bra, and his thumb expertly teased my nipple, causing it to harden. Waves of heat enveloped me, and I instinctively moved my hips, craving his touch.

I couldn't deny that everything I had yearned for in my adult life was right here in front of me. I surrendered to the overwhelming desire as I pressed my body against his, silently pleading for more. In response, Ethan emitted a primal growl, and he took my hand, guiding me further into the shadows behind the building.

Our mouths melded together once again, his tongue teasing mine with deliberate slowness, torturing me with anticipation. As his fingers deftly worked at the waistband of my jeans, a low moan escaped my lips, and my heart raced with a blend of emotions.

With the button of my jeans undone, he lowered the zipper, causing both my jeans and panties to slide down my hips. His hand slipped between my legs, cupping the softness of my mound. A throaty cry escaped me, and I eagerly pushed against his finger, which had found its way to my core.

"Oh, God," Ethan's voice was a husky whisper, barely audible, as he slowly eased the tip of his middle finger inside me. I couldn't help but tense, despite having experienced similar sensations before. But this was different. Only doctors and I had ever touched that intimate part of me, not someone like Ethan.

Sensing my reaction, Ethan paused, his breath catching before locking eyes with mine. Instead of pushing further, his finger remained just inside, while his thumb returned to my clit, applying gentle pressure.

The intense sensation he was evoking within me sent my senses into overdrive, my heart pounding in my chest. I eagerly pressed my engorged flesh against his digit, craving more.

With a tight grip on his hand, I guided his movements, urging him to go harder, faster, as his finger delved deeper into me with each rotation of my hips. Our eyes locked, and I could hear his sharp, ragged breaths escaping his mouth, adding to the electrifying atmosphere.

As Ethan's free hand caressed the bulge in his jeans, my arousal skyrocketed. "Oh shit, oh my—God—" I gasped, my words cut short as my body tensed, my orgasm crashing over me.

Gradually, I regained my composure, soothed by Ethan's gentle touches. Yet, the desire to touch him, taste him, overwhelmed me. I reached out, running my fingers up and down the hardness straining against his jeans. But he stopped me, his withdrawal palpable as the once-charged air turned distant, separating us.

Despite the gusts of his retreat, he helped fix my disheveled clothing. His face unreadable, his demeanor unapproachable, he placed his hand on the small of my back and silently guided me back to the front of the bar.

Upon reentering, we made our way over to our friends. Ethan scanned the area. "Where's Ember?"

Mark looked up, answering Ethan's question. "She went home, said she wasn't feeling well."

Ethan nodded. "Okay, well, I'm taking Nicole to her trailer before heading home myself." He began to turn away, but hesitated. "Hey, Mark, do you think you could take Nicole's pickup to her place?"

Mark glanced between us, curiosity in his eyes, then nodded. Ignoring the lingering gazes we received, Ethan gave the others a half-hearted wave. "I'll see you all tomorrow. Drive safely."

As we turned to leave, Kindle's eyes locked with mine, and she started to rise from her chair as if to object. With a gentle shake of my head, she settled back down. Leading the way, Ethan guided me out of the bar, settling me into the cab before buckling my seatbelt.

He rounded the front of the cab, climbed into the driver's seat, fastened his seatbelt, and started the engine. Without exchanging a word, he shifted the transmission into gear and smoothly pulled out of the parking area.

The ride home was filled with silence, the tension in the air almost palpable.
I
glanced out the window, my gaze fixated on the passing scenery, as if searching for solace. My heart felt heavy, as if burdened by the wall that Ethan had built between us once again.

Minutes later, as we pulled up in front of my trailer, Ethan parked his pickup and remained seated, his gaze fixed ahead.

The continued silence weighed heavily on me, prompting me to unfasten my seatbelt and prepare to exit the vehicle. But just as I reached for the door handle, a loud sniffle escaped from my lips, betraying my emotions.

"You've never been fucked, have you?" Ethan hissed, his voice cutting through the wet sound of my tears.

I could only shake my head, unable to find the words to respond. "Goddammit, Nicole, if I had known, I would have never let things go this far," he growled.

The weight of his words crushed my heart, leaving me frozen in place as he climbed out of the pickup.

With a forceful slam, he shut the door and made his way around to my side. Despite his anger, his touch was gentle as he helped me out of the vehicle. It wasn't until we stood before the front door of my trailer that he took several deep breaths. Reaching out, he wiped away the tears on my cheeks.

"I can be a prick, a bastard, hell, the truth is I can be a lot of things, Nicole. But one thing I can't be is the man who takes your virginity. Save it for someone who deserves it, because I sure as shit don't," he whispered, his voice laced with a hint of anguish.

Another sob escaped from my throat at his words, uncontrollable and raw.

"Goddammit," he cursed, the frustration evident in his tone. Without another word, he turned and hurried back to his pickup. Starting the engine, he put it in gear and swiftly drove away, leaving me standing there, my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.