Chapter 102: In the Aftermath

As the waves of pleasure subsided, Luca lay in Ethan's arms, his body trembling from the aftermath. His breaths were still uneven, and his heart raced as if it had no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Ethan's warmth enveloped him, his arms wrapped securely around Luca as if he never intended to let go.

The silence that settled between them was filled with an unspoken understanding, a connection that seemed to run deeper than words. For a moment, neither of them spoke; they simply lay there, catching their breaths and basking in the glow of what they had just shared.

Luca's fingers traced idle patterns on Ethan's chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing. He glanced up, meeting Ethan's gaze, which was soft and filled with a mixture of tenderness and longing. There was something in the way Ethan looked at him now—something possessive, almost protective—and it made Luca's heart ache in a way he hadn't expected.

Ethan's hand slid up Luca's back, his fingers grazing the nape of his neck. "Are you okay?" His voice was low, almost hesitant, as if afraid of breaking the moment.

Luca nodded, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Yeah, I'm okay," he whispered, though the intensity of their encounter still lingered in his eyes. "More than okay."

Ethan's expression softened further, and he pulled Luca closer, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Good. I don't want to hurt you, Luca. Ever."

There was a sincerity in Ethan's words that resonated with Luca, but it also brought an unfamiliar pang to his chest. He wasn't used to this kind of gentleness, this sense of being cared for. It was as though Ethan had seen past all the walls Luca had built around himself and found the parts that even Luca had forgotten existed.

But that tenderness also brought a sense of vulnerability, a reminder of just how deeply he was falling for Ethan. He could feel it, like a tug at his heart, pulling him into the unknown, and it scared him. Luca swallowed, his fingers curling slightly against Ethan's skin.

"I'm not going anywhere," Ethan murmured as if sensing the unease that crept into Luca's mind. "You're safe with me."

The words wrapped around Luca like a comforting embrace, soothing the doubts that had begun to surface. He wanted to believe Ethan—wanted to trust in this newfound closeness that had taken them both by surprise. Leaning in, he pressed his lips to Ethan's in a slow, tender kiss, allowing himself to savor the taste of him, to let go of the fear that threatened to take root.

They stayed like that for a while, their bodies entangled beneath the sheets, content in each other's presence. There was no rush, no urgency to do anything other than enjoy the simple closeness they shared.

"Let's take a shower," Ethan suggested, his voice breaking the quiet. "Together."

Luca's breath hitched slightly at the implication, but he found himself nodding, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, I'd like that."

End of Chapter 102

To Be Continued...