Chapter 77: Heat Rising

The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow across the room. Luca lay beside Ethan, still tangled in the remnants of their intense night. His heart was still racing from the heated passion that had unfolded between them, and the warmth of Ethan's body next to his felt grounding. But there was something else, a growing intensity that bubbled just beneath the surface, one that Luca couldn't ignore.

Ethan's arm draped over Luca's waist, pulling him closer in his sleep. Luca smiled to himself, but his mind wandered back to the night before. The mirror, Ethan's hands on him, the sheer desire that had consumed them—it was almost too much to process, yet it left him craving more.

Luca turned slightly, his eyes tracing the sharp lines of Ethan's jaw as he slept peacefully. His usually guarded expression was softened by sleep, but even in this vulnerable state, there was something commanding about him, something that drew Luca in. The way Ethan had taken control, made him feel things he hadn't even known were possible—it was as if every touch, every look, was designed to set Luca on fire.

His hand moved slowly, lightly trailing down Ethan's arm, relishing the feeling of his warm skin beneath his fingertips. Luca's mind raced with thoughts of how easy it would be to wake him, to reignite the flames that had barely been extinguished the night before.

But he hesitated. It wasn't just lust driving him—it was the intense connection they had shared, the way Ethan had made him feel seen, wanted, even cherished. Luca had never experienced anything like it. The desire was undeniable, but there was also fear—a fear of how deep this could go, how much of himself he was willing to surrender to Ethan.

As if sensing Luca's inner turmoil, Ethan stirred beside him. His eyes fluttered open, locking onto Luca's with an intensity that made his breath catch in his throat. "Good morning," Ethan murmured, his voice deep and husky from sleep.

Luca's lips curved into a soft smile. "Good morning."

Ethan shifted, propping himself up on one elbow as he gazed down at Luca. "You're thinking too hard," he teased, brushing a strand of hair away from Luca's face. "I can see it in your eyes."

Luca chuckled softly, but his heart raced under Ethan's touch. "Just thinking about last night," he admitted, his voice quiet. "It was… a lot."

Ethan's smile grew, his fingers gently tracing the curve of Luca's jaw. "It was," he agreed, his voice soft but laced with promise. "And it doesn't have to be over."

A shiver ran down Luca's spine at those words. The heat between them flared to life again, and Luca found himself leaning into Ethan's touch, craving more of that intoxicating fire. "What are you suggesting?" Luca asked, his voice barely above a whisper, though the answer was already clear in Ethan's eyes.

Ethan's gaze darkened, his fingers sliding down Luca's chest in a way that made his pulse quicken. "You know exactly what I'm suggesting," he said, his tone low and sultry.

Before Luca could respond, Ethan was on top of him, their lips crashing together in a kiss that reignited the flames from the night before. The heat between them was instantaneous, consuming, as Ethan's hands roamed Luca's body with a possessive hunger. Luca moaned into the kiss, his body already responding to Ethan's touch, the familiar burn of desire spreading through him like wildfire.

Ethan's lips moved to Luca's neck, biting and sucking in a way that made Luca arch beneath him. "Ethan…" Luca breathed, his hands tangling in Ethan's hair as the sensations overwhelmed him.

"I'm not done with you yet," Ethan growled, his voice filled with lust as he kissed his way down Luca's body, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. His touch was both tender and demanding, sending shivers of pleasure through Luca with every movement.

Luca's breath hitched as Ethan's mouth closed around his nipple, biting softly before soothing it with his tongue. The sensation was electric, and Luca's body bucked beneath him, already desperate for more.

"You're mine," Ethan whispered against Luca's skin, his words sending a rush of heat straight to Luca's core. "And I'm going to make sure you remember that."

End of Chapter 77

To Be Continued...