Chapter 3

I was thirty and recently divorced.

My ex-husband was a personal trainer, all muscles and testosterone.

But he looked much better than he performed.

In three years together, I'd never once experienced real pleasure with him.

I'd even wondered whether he had someone else and was just going through the motions with me.

If our sex life had been the only problem, I wouldn't have divorced him.

But a few months earlier, I'd discovered he'd been gambling online behind my back.

He'd lost three hundred thousand dollars.

I must have been blind to marry a man like that.

I divorced him without hesitation.

As I drifted between sleep and waking, I dreamed about Ethan.

It felt so real. I could even feel the shiver as his rough fingertips brushed my skin.

We'd arranged for me to tutor him at his place that day. Remembering that dream made me impatient to see him.

"You're here. Come in." Ethan opened the door, a faint smile lifting his lips when he saw me.

I nodded and stepped inside.

The place wasn't big, but it was clean, with exam prep materials neatly arranged on his desk.

He shared the apartment with someone. One door was shut, which I assumed led to his roommate's bedroom.

I followed him into his room and tried to focus on tutoring.

I set the study materials on the desk and carefully walked him through the questions.

"This question..." I tried to keep my voice steady, but my heart kept beating faster.

Then rustling sounds came from the room next door.

Ethan looked embarrassed. "My roommate's girlfriend is here."

A moment later, muffled panting and the creak of a rocking bed drifted through the wall.

My cheeks began to burn. I couldn't decide where to look.

I glanced awkwardly at Ethan.

His eyes burned with heat, and his hands were clenched. He was clearly fighting to control himself.

I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry.

"Um... would you... like some water?" I stammered.

"No, thanks." His voice was rough. He drew a deep breath, as though struggling to hold something back.

Caught up in the moment, I leaned against him without realizing it and felt the solid muscles of his chest.

His fresh, soapy scent filled my senses, making me dizzy.

"You..." I lifted my head and met his dark gaze.

Ethan said nothing. He simply lowered his head and kissed me.