In the picturesque town of Leavenworth, Washington, 27-year-old Sofie Bennett leads a life marked by its comforting predictability. As a sweet-natured waitress at The Alpine Tavern-a cozy haven where locals come together for hearty meals and lively...
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*chapter includes sexual content*
As I sat beside Ethan, the tension between us simmered just beneath the surface, igniting a fire that had been growing since the moment we met. Our hands were still intertwined, his calloused fingers rough against my softer skin, sending sparks of electricity up my arm. The warmth radiating from him sent shivers down my spine, a delicious contrast to the cool night air seeping through the thin walls of the apartment. I could feel the weight of unspoken words and hidden desires hanging in the air, thick and electrifying, like the charge before a storm. Ethan's gaze lingered on my lips, a mixture of longing and hesitation flickering in his hazel eyes. Those eyes, I realized, held depths I was only beginning to fathom—flecks of gold amidst a sea of green, hinting at the complexity of the man beside me. My heart raced as I leaned closer, drawn to him like a moth to a flame. The world outside faded away, the distant rumble of traffic and the soft patter of rain against the windows melting into insignificance. All that remained was the two of us in this small apartment, filled with the promise of something more.
"Ethan," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. The intensity in his eyes deepened as he studied my face, searching for something—permission, maybe? Or perhaps a sign that this wasn't just another fleeting moment. My heart pounded in my chest, its rhythm echoing in my ears as I dared to inch closer. The space between us shrank until I could feel the heat radiating from him, smell the intoxicating mix of his cologne and something uniquely *him*.
He reached up, brushing his thumb along my cheek. The slight callouses on his skin sent a jolt of electricity through me, igniting nerve endings I didn't even know existed. "Sofie," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, deeper than I'd ever heard it. "Are you sure about this?"
The question hung in the air between us, weighted with unspoken implications. This wasn't just about tonight; it was about crossing a line we couldn't uncross, about letting down walls we'd both carefully constructed. I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry as I considered the magnitude of this moment.
"I've never been more sure of anything," I replied, my breath hitching in my throat as I felt the pull between us grow stronger. My voice gained strength as I continued, "I want this. I want you, Ethan."
