After we’ve had a perfunctory shower, we crawl back into the sex-covered sheets and fall asleep, heavy-limbed and sated.
“I can feel you starin’ at me,” I mutter sleepily with my eyes still shut.
Ethan runs a finger along my nose. “You have the cutest freckles.” I peek one eye open at him and can't fight my smile at his gorgeous, cheery face. Nobody should be that fresh-faced as soon as they wake up."Oh god, and these," he says, poking the tip of his finger into my dimpled cheek. I turn my face and nip at the offending finger.
“You’re a mornin' person, aren’t you?” I ask.
“When there’s a hot naked man in my bed, I am.” He winks.
“What time is it?”
“Eight.”
“Ugh. I need to go soon. Gotta check out of the apartment and be at the airport by noon,” I groan, not wanting to leave the warm cocoon of Ethan’s bed.
“I’ll go make us some coffee.” Ethan leans over and kisses me softly before going in search of some underwear. He has a great bum, I think, ogling it in the tight pair of briefs he puts on.
I’m scrubbing a hand over my face when there’s suddenly yelling coming from the next room. I shoot out of bed to see what’s wrong, stark-bollock-naked, to find Ethan shouting, and—of fucking course—Noah sitting on the kitchen counter, grinning like this is the greatest day of his life. It probably is.
Grabbing Ethan by the shoulder, I explain that the intruder is, in fact, a relative of mine.
“You,” I point at Noah, “Can get the fuck out. I’ll deal with you in a minute.” Noah shrugs before vanishing from right where he was sitting.
“What. The. Fuck?” Ethan spits out, face drained of colour like he’s seen a ghost.
“I’m so, so sorry. He’s such a dick,” I groan.
“How did he just… disappear?”
“It’s pretty much his party trick. I’ll be right back; I really don’t wanna discuss my cousin while I’m naked in your kitchen.” Ethan nods, still looking shell-shocked, while I dash back to his bedroom and gather my clothes off the floor.
When I return, Ethan’s got as far as putting his coffee maker on.
“Given I can literally turn into an animal, I shouldn’t be so shocked that a witch can, like, vanish into thin air, but it’s kind of freaky.” He passes me a mug of coffee.
“Yeah, it’s pretty rare. I actually don’t know any other witches who can do it, so it’s understandably disconcertin’,” I try to reassure him.
We drink our coffee and cuddle on Ethan’s sofa for what feels like no more than ten minutes when my phone alerts me to the fact I really should be getting a move on.
“I’m sorry, I really gotta go.” I wince, feeling like a total piece of shit to be dashing off first thing after the amazing night we had.
Ethan just gives me a soft smile. “That’s okay. I’m glad you came to my little surf shop this week.”
“Me too.” I lean forward and press a gentle kiss to his mouth before pulling away. “Thank you for the lessons and for… you know. Last night.” My face must be crimson.
“You’re welcome, believe me.” Ethan chuckles.
Once I’ve grabbed the rest of my things, I kiss Ethan goodbye and tell him to text me if he’s ever in England. When I exit the main door to the building, I find Noah leaning against the wall.
“Don’t. Fuckin’. Say. A word,” I bite out.
He pretends to wipe tears from under his eyes. “My lil’ boy is all grown up,” he says in a fake Southern drawl. I shove him into the empty road and stomp off as he cackles behind me.
Chapter Eight
Silver Rapids, AK
It’s dark outside when our flight lands in Anchorage. It’s the quietest airport I’ve ever been to. Stepping outside is like entering into a snow globe. The ground is blanketed in cold white powder, and Noah’s dark hair is already glittering with snowflakes.
