Just for the hell of it, I start looking at jobs in Orange County too.
It's not for Ethan.
It's for me.
In case I want to be near home.
I'm not going to
be around Ethan unless he's willing to meet me halfway.
If he is…
It's always good to have options.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ethan
Violet works all morning and afternoon. She only gets up to make tea, grab a snack from the fridge, or to use the bathroom.
Long days on the bus always make me stir crazy. They always make my body crave motion.
Today is worse. I want to be the fuck away from everything else with her. I want to take some long walk on the beach, or swim after her in the pool, or throw her against my bed and fuck her until she's screaming my name.
I settle for stretching on the couch with my eyes on Violet.
It's not that I'm watching her. It's more that she's ten feet away. She's close enough I can see her brow furrow with concentration. I can see her chewing the cap off one of her pens. I can see her eyes light up when she works something out.
Damn, I could get lost staring in those green eyes.
I manage to pay attention to the game we're playing when it's my turn. Yeah, we're taking turns, the same way Piper and I did when we were kids.
When it's not my turn, it's hard keeping my eyes on the TV. They want to be on Violet. Can't blame them. The woman is gorgeous and her sweater is tight on her curves.
Already, I want her body against mine, under mine, on top of mine… doesn't matter as long as I can get her eyes rolling back in her head.
Can't rush this. She's still hurting over Asher's death. As much as I'd like to use my mouth to make her come, she needs me using it to reassure her this is okay.
I can't sit here and watch her hurt. I'm not making the same mistakes. This time, I'm doing something to help.
I let my mind wander as I take my turn. By the time I hand the controller over to Kit, I've got it. This might not be what Violet wants, but it's something she needs to do. She needs someone to push her to do it. She needs someone there, holding her hand.
Fuck, I want to be that person.
I arrange everything on my phone. It takes half an hour and a few favors, but I work it out. Perfect. This will be a surprise.
"Earth to Ethan." Joel taps me on the shoulder.
"What?" I ask.
"It's your turn." Joel waves the controller.
"Skip me this time." I push myself off the couch. I'm about to take a step towards Violet.
"Ahem. A word, Ethan." Joel grabs me by the back of my shirt and pulls me onto the couch.
"Didn't realize you felt this way about me." I look to Kit for backup.