Mended

17

Ethan's POV

I left Izzy behind with Julian, even though every instinct in my body was telling me to go back and watch over them to make sure she was safe. To go back and make sure everything was alright between them, and that he was treating her right. That he would continue to treat her right.

I knew the kid. He'd become a familiar face over the years, and aside from the very start when I'd first met him, I'd never feared that she was in actual danger with him. I was good at telling apart good people from bad, and I knew Julian was good, especially for Izzy.

But I still couldn't help but always worry because I knew that no matter how long you knew someone, they could still surprise you.

I reached the kitchen and placed my hands on the edge of the counter, taking a deep breath. I reminded myself of the one thing that was helping me get better at keeping my cool, especially now. There was too much noise and stimulation around me to fully relax, but I felt the tension palpably leave my shoulders as I remembered.

I startled slightly when hands gently touched my back, glancing over my shoulder to see Rose standing behind me, her brows furrowed in concern.

"You okay?" She asked, leaning closer.

I scanned her face once, before my gaze lowered to her neck where the evidence of what we'd done earlier was visible. Rose rolled her eyes and let her hair loose, allowing the tawny curls to cover the marks I'd left. My lips twitched as I lazily met her gaze. "Yeah," I said, reaching for her waist to tug her into my body. She placed her hands on my chest as she gazed up at me. "Are you?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" She questioned, her full lips shaping into a small frown.

"With what happened earlier," I asked, referring to when I'd locked us away in my room.

She blinked, but nodded. I caught the blush creeping onto her cheeks before she looked away, trying to hide it. I couldn't help but smile at how despite the years we'd known each other, I still had the ability to make her go all shy on me.

"You're cute," I chuckled and Rose rolled her eyes again, but made no effort to pull away. Using one hand to tug her chin towards me, I let my other drift down to grip her ass. She sucked in a sharp breath as I roughly yanked her closer until she was molded against me. Leaning down, I let my lips graze the shell of her ear. "Just so you know, it was the best birthday present yet."

Rose laughed and clasped her hands around my neck. "I'm glad," she whispered, leaning up to brush her lips against mine, slowly growing more confident despite us not being alone.

"I want more of it later," I murmured against her lips, nipping at her bottom one with my teeth before soothing the sting with my tongue. Rose's hands tightened around my neck.

"We'll see," she mumbled against my mouth, before she pulled away slightly, her eyes finding something behind me. I followed her line of sight to gaze out the window that overlooked our balcony, giving me a clear view of Julian and Izzy, who were still out there. I clenched my jaw. When I looked back at Rose, she was smiling knowingly. "What?" She mocked. "Not gonna storm out there and demand that they keep five feet of distance between them at all times?"

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up." She had no idea how much restraint it was taking to not go back out there and babysit them, but I kept that to myself.

Rose laughed and tapped my chest. "I'm just saying. I like the growth, Ethan. The tantrums were growing old."

I glared at her, but still kept her close. "I don't throw tantrums. Why does everyone always fucking say that?" It was always either that or me being called a brat.