Beautifully Destroyed (Beautifully Broken)

Chuckling, I tilt my head back and look up at Ethan. “My dad loves you.”

He wags his eyebrows at me. “I’m loving the attention.”

“I bet you are.”

He presses a kiss to the tip of my nose. “I talked with your dad, and he said it’s okay if you sleepover on Saturdays.”

“Yeah?” I murmur. “So I’m spending the night?”

He nods, then presses a kiss on my cheek. Turning his head more, his breath fans over my ear. “Can’t wait to have you in my bed again.”

“Me too.”

The next moment, Ethan grabs hold of my waist, and I’m airborne as he throws me over his shoulder like a damn caveman. I shriek with laughter until he starts walking toward the waves rolling in.

“Don’t you dare! It’s cold.” I slap his back and wiggle my butt, trying to get free as he carries me down the beach. “Ethan!”

Laughing at my reaction, he slaps my butt before tugging me down. Heat licks at my insides as I slide down against his muscled chest. His hands frame my face, and I’m still sucking in a breath when his mouth crashes against mine in a dizzying kiss.

Clutching his shoulders, my knees go weak. Ethan’s one hand slips away from my face, then he wraps an arm around me to keep me standing.

Every single inch of me focuses on Ethan’s mouth, the way his tongue moves, and his lips brush and nip mine. He has a way of kissing me until I feel delirious.

When I’m totally breathless and clinging to his shoulders for dear life, he lifts his head, grinning that super hot grin that makes me stupid.

Catching my breath, I lick my lips to swipe up the taste of him left behind.

Ethan’s eyes are locked on my mouth. “Just wanted more privacy so I could kiss you.”

I link my fingers behind his neck, and grinning happily, I stare deep into his eyes.

Lying on my stomach, I’m stretched out over Ethan’s bed, my face planted in his pillow.

God, I love his scent.

The bathroom door opens, and I crack an eye open. Steam billows from the doorway as Ethan steps out, wearing only a pair of dangerously low-hanging sweatpants.

His eyes land on me, and letting out a chuckle, he asks, “Comfy?”

“Hmm… Love your bed.”

Ethan gestures with a thumb to the living room. “Should I give you and the bed some privacy?”

I laugh into the pillow, then flop onto my back, moving to the side to make space for him.

Shamelessly, my eyes drift over his chest and abs while he switches off the lights. His weight sinks down on the bed, then he flicks on the bedside lamp, the soft glow falling over him.

Lifting a hand, I brush my finger over his jaw and cheek. “Looks much better.”

Ethan turns his face into my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. Turning onto his side, so he’s facing me, he pops his head up on his hand. His eyes drift over my face, the corner of his mouth turned up in a slight smile.

When he just stares at me, I ask, “What’s that look for?”

“It’s weird. It feels like I’ve known you all my life, then there are moments like this where I can’t believe you’re mine.”

“Yeah?” Lifting my head, I press a kiss to the corner of his mouth. He nods, chasing my lips for another quick kiss. My eyes find his again, then I admit, “It’s different for me.”

“How so?”

“There’s before and after. Before you, it feels like a shadow’s cast over those memories. After you, everything is bright and filled with life. Like you shine a spotlight on me.”

Ethan pushes his arm beneath my shoulders, and curling it around my body, he draws me right against his chest. I flatten my hands against his chest, soaking in the hard but silky feel of his skin.

His eyes capture mine, and minutes pass. Hell, it could be hours. I don’t know. I lose track of time, too caught up in the man holding me to care.

“Live you, baby,” he murmurs, his voice filled with all the love he feels for me.

I feel so blessed. I’m not going to lie, there were moments I considered ending my life. It was touch and go. But Ethan, he became my reason to fight, to just keep going. His strength kept me standing. His patience comforted me. His love pulled me through the hell. He slayed my demons.

Trying to think of a way to tell Ethan just how much he means to me, my eyebrows draw together.

He brings his hand to my face, brushing a fingertip over the line between my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m trying to think of a way to tell you how much you mean to me. I love you, and I live you just doesn’t cut it.”

His lips curve. “Don’t worry about words, Fin. I can see it in your eyes.”