Chapter 309

Ethan chuckled silently, amusement flickering in his eyes. His long, slender fingers gently tilted Clara Walton’s chin up. Then he leaned in and kissed her, soft and tender, like he was coaxing her, like he was trying to melt into her breath. It wasn’t intense—it was light and teasing, almost hypnotic—but underneath, there was that unmistakable pull, deep and intense. He didn’t kiss her for long, but long enough that Clara felt like the air had been sucked from her lungs. Only then did Ethan let her go. She was panting, barely catching her breath—and Ethan didn’t look much better—but he only tightened his hold around her waist. There was a heat building between them, thick and lingering in the master bedroom. Something unspoken yet undeniably present hung in the air. Finally, Ethan whispered, "I'll stay with you tonight." Clara just murmured a quiet "okay" and didn’t resist at all. That little act of submission made Ethan’s breath catch—something in him stirred again. The lights dimmed