Between Then and Now (Hallow’s End #1)

22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

D INNER HAD BEEN A SUCCESS and, as we began to clear the table, I reached for the plates, but Ethan gently caught my wrist, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

“Oh no, you don’t,” he teased. “Tonight, you’re supposed to relax, remember? Let me take care of it.”

I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. “I appreciate the gesture, but I’m not about to let you do all the work.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, enjoying the playful banter. “I had a whole plan, you know—wine, a good meal, and absolutely no work for you. But, if you insist . . .” He handed me a dish towel, our fingers brushing.

“I like doing this with you. It’s nice.” I said, smiling as I dried the dishes

“ Nice , huh?” he echoed, his voice teasing as he handed me a plate. “That’s not quite what I was going for, but I’ll take it.”

I laughed, nudging him with my hip. “Fine, it’s more than nice. It’s . . . comfortable. Like we’re just . . . doing life together. It feels good.”

Ethan’s grin turned wicked as he leaned in closer. “But you know,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a playful tone, “if you really want to help, I can think of a few things that are a lot more fun than dishes.”

I raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on my lips. “Oh really? Like what?”

Instead of answering, he took the dish towel from my hand, tossing it aside with a casual flick as he backed me against the sink, his hands sliding to my waist. The heat of his body pressed against mine, and I could feel his breath on my neck as he leaned in, lips brushing against my ear.

“Like this,” he whispered before leaning in to capture my lips with a tenderness that took me by surprise. The kiss was gentle, almost reverent, his lips moving softly against mine, igniting a warmth that spread through my chest. I responded just as gently, my fingers curling into his shirt, pulling him closer as a sweet, comforting connection blossomed between us. When he finally pulled back, Ethan’s eyes were dark with desire, a devilish glint shimmering as he leaned in.

A breathless laugh escaped me, my chest rising and falling rapidly. “You’re not exactly relaxing me here, Ethan.”

He smirked, his lips hovering just inches from mine. “Good,” he breathed, the word dripping with intent. “Because relaxing isn’t what I had in mind.”

Without warning, his mouth claimed mine in a kiss that was more demanding. His hands slid down my sides, fingers digging into my hips as he pressed me firmly against the counter. The cool surface contrasted with the warmth of his body, igniting a fire deep within me.

I responded eagerly, my fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer, desperate to erase any space between us. Every brush of his tongue, every nip of his teeth, sent electric currents coursing through me. But, even as the kiss deepened, there was a care in the way he touched me—a softness that told me this was more than just lust for him.

He pulled back slightly, his lips trailing down my jawline to the sensitive spot just below my ear. His hot breath against my skin made me gasp, knees weakening as he continued his assault, but his touch remained gentle.

“You’ve been driving me crazy,” he whispered, his voice thick with longing. “Every time I see you, all I can think about is how much I want you.”

I let out a soft moan, the confession fanning the flames of my own desire. “Ethan,” I breathed, hardly recognizing my own voice.

He chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against my neck. His hands roamed upward, fingers lightly brushing the hem of my shirt, but never quite crossing the boundary. It was maddening, the way he teased, building me up only to hold back.

Swallowing hard, I mustered the courage to voice the truth. “I want you,” I whispered, the admission hanging heavy between us.

A growl rumbled deep in his chest, his eyes flashing with renewed intensity, but there was still a gentleness in his touch as he cupped my face. “Say it again,” he asked softly, his thumb brushing tenderly over my cheek.

“I want you,” I repeated, louder this time, confidence growing.

In an instant, his lips were on mine once more, the kiss searing and possessive, but filled with an underlying sweetness that made my knees weak. His hands slid beneath my thighs, lifting me effortlessly. Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around his waist, the new position pressing us even closer together.

As Ethan carried me from the kitchen to the living room, the tension between us coiled tighter with each step. His strong arms held me close, and the feel of his body, firm and powerful against mine, sent shivers down my spine. The anticipation was almost too much to bear. Every second that passed heightened my need; my longing for him.

When he reached the couch, he settled down with me straddling his lap, and I could feel his arousal pressing against me, hot and insistent, even through the fabric of our clothes. It made me gasp, a flood of heat pooling low in my belly. Ethan’s hands were everywhere, exploring my body with a hunger that matched my own. He started by sliding his hands under my shirt, his fingertips grazing my bare skin.

His touch was electric, each stroke of his fingers igniting a trail of fire across my skin. I was achingly aware of how little separated us, how the dress I wore offered only the thinnest barrier between his hands and my bare skin. Beneath it, I had chosen to wear my nicest lacy underwear, a decision I now felt grateful for. The soft fabric brushed against my skin, adding to the sensuality of the moment, making every touch from Ethan even more tantalizing.

My breath caught as his hands moved higher, brushing against the curve of my breasts, his touch light and teasing. My pulse quickened, the anticipation building to an unbearable peak.

Ethan leaned in, his lips finding mine in a kiss that was tender and demanding. His tongue teased the seam of my lips, seeking entrance, and when I parted them, he deepened the kiss, his mouth hot and insistent against mine. His hands continued their exploration, fingers tracing the line of my spine, then moving down to cup my ass, pulling me closer until I was pressed tight against him. The friction between the lace and his firm touch sent a jolt of pleasure through me, making me moan softly into his mouth.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes dark with hunger as he looked at me. “God, Vinnie. You have no idea how much I’ve wanted this. Wanted you . ”

I responded by grinding my hips against him, desperate for more contact, more of him. His hands tightened on my hips, guiding me as I moved, the friction between us building a delicious pressure that made my head spin. But, just when I thought he would give in, he slowed, his hands sliding back up my body, tracing the curve of my waist, the swell of my breasts, teasing me, making me ache for more.

He kissed me again, his lips moving from my mouth to my jaw, then down to my neck, sucking and nipping at the sensitive skin there. I tilted my head back, giving him better access, my fingers tangling in his hair as I tried to pull him closer, to urge him on. But Ethan was in control, his pace slow and deliberate, driving me to the edge without ever letting me fall.

“You’re killing me,” I gasped, my voice trembling with a mixture of frustration and need. “Ethan, please . . . I need you.”

He chuckled, the sound low and rough against my skin as he nipped at my collarbone. “Patience, Vinnie,” he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. “I want to savor every inch of you.”

But patience was the last thing on my mind. The need between my thighs had become a dull ache, the anticipation almost painful. “Ethan . . .” I pleaded, my voice a desperate whisper. “ Please .”

His hands moved lower, sliding beneath the dress I wore, his fingers tracing the smooth skin of my stomach before moving up to cup my breast. His touch was both gentle and possessive, his thumb brushing over my nipple in a way that made me gasp. The sensation was exquisite, and a jolt of pleasure shot straight through me, making my hips buck against him. He groaned softly, his control slipping as he began to knead the soft flesh. His fingers rolling my nipple between them through the lacy fabric of my bra, sending waves of pleasure coursing through me.

Without breaking eye contact, he slowly lifted the dress over my head, tossing it aside, and the cool air hit my skin, making it tingle in contrast to the heat radiating between us. His eyes darkened as they roamed over my body, taking in the sight of the lace that clung to my curves.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he leaned back to fully admire me. His gaze was full of desire, but there was something else there, too—something deeper, more tender. “Every inch of you, Vinnie. I want to take my time with you.”

With that, he gently lifted me off his lap, laying me down on the couch. I watched him through half-lidded eyes, my breath coming in quick, shallow gasps as he knelt between my legs, his hands sliding up my thighs, parting them. The anticipation was almost too much to bear, as he pulled down the black lace that barely covered me. When he finally touched me, his fingers brushing over the wetness pooling between my thighs, I couldn’t hold back the moan that escaped my lips.

Ethan looked up at me, his hazel eyes connecting with mine. “I want to make you feel good,” he murmured, his fingers moving with agonizing slowness, tracing circles around my clit. His touch was light and teasing, just enough to drive me wild with need. “I want to see you come undone for me, Vinnie.”

My body trembled with anticipation as his fingers danced around the most sensitive part of me, building the tension with each gentle stroke. He wasn’t in any hurry, savoring every moment as he watched me squirm beneath him, drawing out my pleasure until I was teetering on the brink of madness. Every touch, every subtle movement of his fingers, sent ripples of heat through me, tightening the coil of desire deep within.

“Ethan . . . please ,” I gasped, my voice laced with desperation as I arched into his touch, my body craving more, needing him to take me further.

He leaned down, capturing my lips in a kiss that was slow and sensual, filled with unspoken promises. As our tongues tangled, his fingers slipped inside me, and I gasped at the delicious intrusion. The sensation was overwhelming; the way he filled me, stretching me in just the right way. But he didn’t rush. His movements were measured and deliberate, his fingers curling inside me with a precision that made me see stars. Each stroke was a gentle nudge toward the edge, and I felt myself unravelling with every slow, purposeful thrust.

His lips never left mine, swallowing my moans as he brought me closer and closer to release. The pressure inside me was mounting, each wave of pleasure pushing me higher, and when his thumb brushed over my clit with just the right amount of pressure, I shattered. The orgasm tore through me, my body convulsing around his fingers as I cried out his name, the sound muffled against his lips.

“Ethan!” I gasped, my voice a breathless moan as I clung to him, riding the intense waves of pleasure that surged through me. My entire body trembled, every nerve ending alight with the aftershocks of my release.

He didn’t stop, his fingers still gently stroking me as I came down from the high, coaxing every last bit of pleasure from my trembling body. When I finally stilled, breathless and spent, he pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

“You’re incredible, Vinnie,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he brushed a stray strand of hair from my face. “I’ve imagined you saying my name like that, but hearing it— feeling it—it’s even better than I could’ve ever dreamed.”

But I wasn’t done. The hunger inside me still burned. A deep, aching need that only he could satisfy. I shifted beneath him, pulling him closer, my voice breathless as I whispered, “I need more, Ethan. I need you inside me.”

He hesitated, his eyes searching mine as if to make sure, the last bit of control hanging by a thread. “Vinnie . . .” he started, but the plea in my eyes, the raw need, broke through his resolve .

“Please,” I begged, my hands gripping his shoulders, urging him closer. “I want you. I need you.”

Something inside him snapped and, with a groan that was full of both desire and surrender, he captured my lips in a searing kiss, the last of his control slipping away as he pulled back to shed his clothes completely. I watched as his shirt joined my dress on the floor, revealing the broad expanse of his chest, the muscles beneath his skin rippling with each movement. His pants followed, and I couldn’t help but reach out, my fingers exploring the hard lines of his body, tracing the path of his muscles, feeling the heat of his skin beneath my touch.

“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice husky, full of restraint as he hovered above me. “Should I go and grab a condom?”

I shook my head, the decision clear in my mind. “I’m on birth control,” I whispered, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me. “And I trust you, Ethan. I don’t want anything between us.”

The weight of those words seemed to hit him hard and, for a moment, he just looked at me, his expression full of emotion. Then, with a soft kiss pressed to my lips, he positioned himself at my entrance.

He entered me slowly and deliberately, like he was savoring every moment, and the sensation of him filling me made me gasp. But it wasn’t enough. Not for me. Not after everything that had led up to this moment. I clung to him, my nails digging into his shoulders as pleasure rippled through me. But even as I urged him on, he kept his movements slow, controlled, drawing out the pleasure until I was begging for more.

“Ethan,” I whimpered, my voice trembling with desperation as I nipped at his neck, feeling the heat of his skin against my lips. “I need more. I need you deeper. Please . . . ”

The words spilled out of me, raw and unrestrained, each one a desperate plea driven by the overwhelming need building inside me. His breath hitched against my ear, a shudder running through his body.

“ Please ,” I gasped, my voice thick with longing. “Don’t hold back.” I begged, my body arching into him. My nails dug into his back, holding him to me like I never wanted to let go. I could feel him trembling with the effort to maintain control, but the moment I clenched my legs around him, pulling him even deeper, a guttural groan escaped his lips. The sound was raw, filled with desire, and I could tell his last shred of restraint was slipping away.

“Fuck, Vinnie,” he rasped, his voice rough and thick with emotion. The way I clung to him, the way I pleaded for more, it pushed him to the edge. He loved hearing it—loved knowing just how much I wanted him, how desperate I was for him to lose himself in me.

I felt the shift in him, the way his body tightened, his muscles tensing as he finally let go of the control he’d been clinging to. He drove into me with a new intensity, his thrusts harder, deeper, each one sending a jolt of pleasure through me that left me breathless and wanting more.

“Yes, Ethan, just like that . . . don’t stop,” I begged, my voice breaking as I pressed my hips up to meet him, urging him on. The feeling of him moving inside me, the way he filled me completely, was intoxicating, and I could feel myself unravelling under his touch.

His hands gripped my hips tightly, holding me in place as he pounded into me, each thrust driving us both closer to the edge. The rhythm was relentless, the pleasure building and building until it was almost too much to bear.

“Vinnie, you feel so good,” he groaned, his voice thick with pleasure.

His words, and the sound of my name on his lips, sent a thrill through me, and I cried out, my body tightening around him as the tension inside me reached its breaking point. Heat pooling low in my belly, the pleasure spiralling higher and higher with each thrust until finally, with a desperate cry, I shattered again beneath him, my orgasm tearing through me like a wave.

Ethan followed me over the edge, his release crashing through him as he buried himself deep inside me, his body trembling with the force of it. We clung to each other, our bodies locked together as the aftershocks rippled through us, leaving us both breathless and utterly spent.

Ethan collapsed against me, his breath ragged, his heart pounding in sync with mine. “You’re undoing me, Vinnie,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

I laughed softly, but the sound turned into a moan as the movement made us both aware that he was still inside me. “It was perfect,” I whispered.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes softening as he looked down at me with a tender smile before leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. “I’m not done with you yet.”

His words made my heart swell. In the warm afterglow, wrapped in his embrace, a deep contentment settle over me. This wasn’t just about the physical connection. There was something more here, something that went beyond the heat of the moment. As I looked into his eyes, a thought crept in. Almost too soon, too unexpected.

I might be falling in love with him.

The realization made my breath catch, but I kept it tucked away, not wanting to rush into something so profound while still caught up in the moment’s bliss. Yet, the feeling that being with Ethan felt right—like this was where I was meant to be—lingered, warm and reassuring.

I smiled up at him, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw as I whispered, “I’m not done with you, either. ”

After a moment of shared smiles and lingering touches, Ethan gently scooped me up, carrying me to the bedroom. The atmosphere had shifted—still charged with desire, but softened by something deeper, more intimate. He laid me down on the bed with a tenderness, his gaze never leaving mine.

This time, there was no rush. We took our time, exploring each other with a newfound curiosity and reverence. His hands traced every curve of my body, his touch feather-light, as if memorizing every detail. I responded in kind, letting my fingers glide over his skin. Our lips met in a kiss that was both soft and deep, filled with all the emotions we couldn’t— wouldn’t —yet put into words. His hands cradled my face as he kissed me, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks, grounding me in the moment.

Ethan took his time as he entered me, moving with deliberate care, each thrust slow and measured. The pleasure built gradually, a slow burn that spread through my body, making every nerve come alive. We moved together in perfect sync, the world outside the bedroom fading away as we lost ourselves in each other. It wasn’t just about physical pleasure. It was about being seen , being known—and knowing him in return.

When we finally reached the edge together, it was with a sense of completion, of having shared something profound. We held each other close, our breaths mingling as we came down from the high, the intimacy lingering in the air like a sweet memory.

Ethan kissed my forehead and whispered, “Let’s get cleaned up.” His voice was soft, and full of affection. He led me to the bathroom, where we stepped into the shower together. The warm water cascaded over us, washing away the remnants of our passion, but not the connection we’d just deepened .

I moved with deliberate care, my hands exploring every inch of Ethan’s skin as the steam wrapped around us. My fingers traced the contours of his muscles, feeling the strength beneath his skin. His breath hitched as I continued my exploration, the tension in his body evident as he leaned back against the shower wall. His eyes were dark with want, but there was something else there too—a flicker of hesitation, as if he wasn’t sure he should let me continue.

“Vinnie . . .” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. “You don’t have to do this. Tonight was supposed to be about you.”

I met his gaze, my heart swelling with affection for this man who was always thinking of me, even in a moment like this. “I want to,” I whispered, my voice steady despite the flutter of excitement in my chest. The simple declaration seemed to break something inside him, his control slipping as a groan escaped his lips. The desire in his eyes deepened, and he nodded, the last of his resistance crumbling.

I wrapped my hand around him, feeling the length of him against my palm, and stroked him slowly, matching the rhythm of the water as it streamed down over us. His head fell back against the wall, his eyes fluttering shut as he gave himself over to the sensations.

With each slow, deliberate movement, I watched as his control unravelled. His breath grew ragged, his muscles tensing beneath my touch, and the intensity of his reaction, the way his body responded to me, only fuelled my desire to give him everything.

I leaned in, capturing his lips in a kiss that was deep and unhurried, our mouths moving together in perfect sync. His hands gripped my hips, his fingers digging into my skin as if he needed something to anchor himself to. The feel of him trembling beneath my touch, the raw need in his kiss, sent a thrill through me that made my breath catch .

As I worked him closer to the edge, Ethan’s moans muffled against my lips, each sound sending a jolt of pleasure through me. The tension in his body wound tighter and tighter, the pressure building with every stroke of my hand, every kiss we shared.

Finally, with a shuddering breath, he came undone in my arms, his release mingling with the water as his entire body trembled with the force of it. Just before the intensity overwhelmed him, he murmured, “Vinnie . . . you’re everything.” The words slipped out, heavy with meaning, but not quite crossing the line.

His head dropped to rest against my shoulder, his breath warm against my neck as he clung to me, his heart racing against mine. I held him close, feeling the unspoken depth in his words.

When his breathing slowed, Ethan pulled back, his eyes finding mine with a look that was both tender and full of wonder. “You’re amazing,” he whispered.

A soft smile curved my lips as I reached up to brush a strand of wet hair from his forehead. “So are you,” I replied, my voice equally soft, the words carrying a depth of emotion that I couldn’t quite put into words.

We stood there for a moment longer before Ethan leaned down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Let’s get out of here before we turn into prunes,” he said with a soft chuckle, the warmth of his smile lighting up his eyes.

I laughed, nodding as I reached for a towel, my heart full and content as I realized that what we had just shared was more than just a moment of passion. It was a connection, and a strengthening of a bond that was growing stronger with each passing day