Beautifully Destroyed (Beautifully Broken)

I wrap my arms around Ethan’s neck, then he chuckles. “Let me just get us to a safe spot, or I’m crashing the boat.”

Lifting onto my tiptoes, I press my mouth to his throat, which has him joking, “Okay, crashing it is.”

I move my arms down and wrap them around his waist, and resting my cheek against his chest, I let out a happy sigh. A carefree feeling washes over me, and I wish I could bottle this moment. I want to keep it for when life gets hard, so I can take it out and let it calm me.

The relationship I have with Ethan is what I always dreamt about, but I thought it only happened in movies. Everything between us feels natural like we don’t even have to try, it just comes easily.

Ethan finds a calm spot, and switching the engine off, I feel his muscles ripple against me. It reminds me how strong he is, making the butterflies stir in my stomach.

He pulls me away from the wheel, and we take a seat on a wooden bench that runs around the inside of the deck. Turning sideways, I grip hold of the worn wood and look over the side. The dark blue water makes it hard to see anything.

“Do you think there are sharks?”

“Probably.”

I pull back, and it has Ethan chuckling at me. “You’re so small, the shark will probably use you as a toothpick after eating me.”

I playfully slap his chest. “Don’t say that. No one’s getting eaten today.”

Ethan almost says something but then snaps his mouth shut.

“What?”

He shakes his head, a hot grin spreading over his face. “Nothing.”

“Now I really want to know.” I scoot closer and give him a cute, wide-eyed, pleading look. “Tell me.”

He leans down until I feel his warm breath on my ear. “I wouldn’t mind eating you.”

I let out a chuckle, but then I realize what he’s saying, and my cheeks steal the heat from the sun.

That’s something I’ve never experienced.

Ethan presses a kiss to my red cheek. “So cute.”

The wind whips over us, tossing my hair all over my face. With a burst of laughter, Ethan fights the wind to gather all the strands, then pulls the hoodie of the jacket over my head, tucking my hair inside.

My eyes lock on his, and then I admit, “I love how gentle you are with me. You make me feel special.”

“That’s ’cause you are special, Fin.”

A current passes between us, and even though I want to kiss him, I keep still, not wanting to be the instigator.

Ethan trails his fingers over the side of my face, pure adoration for me in his gaze. I fall into the icy pools of his eyes, and a million dreams form around him.

“This is probably too soon,” he murmurs. “Don’t freak out.”

My eyebrows lift, wondering what he’s talking about.

“I live you, Fin.”

A frown forms on my forehead. “Live?”

Ethan nods. “When you find that one person who changes everything, who steals your heart and becomes the reason for every breath you take, you live for them. You’re that person for me. I live for you.”

The words settle deep in my heart, making the organ beat stronger. Then a smile spreads over my face, and it makes a relieved expression wash over his features.

“I like that.” Moving onto his lap, I straddle him. “A lot.” Lifting my hands, my fingers brush over his jaw before slipping into his hair as I stare deep into his eyes.

Ethan’s hands settle on my hips, the intense moment between us growing until my breaths rush over my lips from the excitement.

“You plan on kissing me, or are you just going to drive me wild?” he asks, his voice low and deep, sending tingles zapping over my skin.

“Hmm… what do you look like when you’re wild?” I tease him. My palms itch for more, and I move them down to his neck, his broad shoulders, then finally his chest.

“You keep doing that, and you’re going to find out,” he warns me, the desire in his tone hot and sexy.

The fresh air, the sound of the water lapping against the boat, the gentle sway, it all carries me to a magical world where it’s just Ethan and me.

“Christ, then you look at me like I performed some miracle,” he groans, his fingers tightening on my hips. “Driving me wild, baby. So fucking wild for you.”

“You are a miracle to me,” I whisper, my eyes lowering to his mouth. “My angel.”

ETHAN

I’ve been called many things, but never anyone’s angel.

And right now, I’d rather be a devil, but the trust in Finlay’s eyes keep me from giving in to my own needs.

The intense intimacy between us wraps us in a bubble. I hear every breath she takes, marvel at the way her lashes flutter when she blinks, the feel of her hands against my chest.