Perfectly Toxic (Sterling Shore 9)

“We’ll give you two some time alone,” Kade says, taking Raya’s hand.

Allie stands and walks toward me, but she just pats my arm on her way out. As all our friends leave the room, my eyes take in everything. Ethan probably bought the entire store. Or Arlene. Or someone.

There are so many things just waiting to be put into place.

Ethan walks me over to the rocking chair, and gently places me in the seat. It looks antique, but feels brand new. It’s perfect.

My hands glide down the smooth, polished wood of the armrests, and Ethan kneels beside me, brushing a piece of hair out of my face.

“I started this project the night you admitted you were pregnant. I cleared out everything in this room. I want this baby, Bella. I want you. I want us together.”

“Because you love me?” I ask, smiling like an idiot.

He groans while rolling his eyes. “Because I love you so much that I can’t even function without you. You’re like a virus that won’t go away.”

He smirks, and I grin broader. “But you have an excellent immune system,” I quip.

“Lies. All lies,” he says quietly before his lips brush mine. “I love you.”

Those three words kill the humorous turn, and I grip the back of his neck, pulling him closer so I can kiss him like he deserves to be kissed. He’s lifting me from the chair and cradling me to him, but the action barely registers, because I’m too busy getting reacquainted with his mouth.

“I love you too,” I say against his lips when we’re forced to break apart and breathe.

His breath catches, but he recovers quickly as he runs his nose along mine, nuzzling me sweetly.

“I want you to move in with me. Your house is too small, and considering the fucked up plumbing in the ceiling, I don’t trust it.”

My smile only grows. He’s lucky I like his house. And my house isn’t small; he’s just a little spoiled to more luxuries and space.

“Okay,” I whisper, not feeling the least bit argumentative.

He leans back, and his eyes narrow. “On one condition,” he states suddenly.

My eyebrows go up in confusion, considering he’s the one who asked me to move in with him and now he’s laying out stipulations.

“Okay…”

“Communication,” he announces, and my heart squeezes. “Every healthy relationship has open communication. Always tell me everything, Bella. Never hold back.”

I nod, but he’s kissing me before I can verbalize my agreement as well. When I moan into his mouth, he curses, breaking the kiss again.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“I can’t fuck you until your leg heals. Allie let me know I could pop a stitch.”

I bet Allie was five shades of red when she doled out that information. Wish I had been there for that.

“We could do other things,” I point out with a smile. “There’s nothing wrong with my mouth.”

He groans like he’s torn, but then a devilish little smile curves his lips.

He starts carrying me through the house, and I note that everyone has left when we pass by the windows. The driveway only holds Ethan’s car now.

When we reach his bedroom, he gently puts me on the bed, and then he disappears into his closet. A few seconds later he emerges, and he’s holding a shiny new Magic Wand.

“I’ve already charged it.”

My eyebrows go up in surprise, but a twinge of excitement hits me.