CRACKS IN THE FAIRY TALE

The morning after felt different. Not because I regretted anything-far from it-but because something about the way Ethan looked at me made my stomach twist. Like he was seeing me differently, or maybe, just maybe, I was seeing him differently.

I stretched under the covers, feeling the warmth of the sheets still holding onto the echoes of last night. Ethan was already awake, propped up on one elbow, watching me with that lazy smirk I was starting to crave.

"Morning, beautiful."

I bit my lip, suppressing a smile. "Morning."

He leaned down and kissed my forehead, his lips lingering just long enough to make me shiver. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I lied. Because what was I supposed to say? That I was scared of how much I wanted this? That Olivia's words were still haunting me? That deep down, I feared I was stepping into something I wouldn't be able to walk away from unscathed?

Ethan studied me for a moment before tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "I can hear you overthinking."

I huffed a laugh. "Am I that obvious?"

He rolled onto his back, one arm resting behind his head. "To me? Yeah."

Silence stretched between us, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was weighted, charged with the things neither of us dared to say just yet. I turned to my side, propping myself up on one elbow. "Ethan...what are we doing?"

His gaze darkened slightly, like he had been waiting for that question. "We're figuring it out."

I swallowed, not sure if that was comforting or terrifying. "And if it doesn't work?"

His fingers trailed absently along my arm. "Then at least we'll know we tried."

Something in my chest clenched, and I hated how much I needed to hear that.

Ethan reached for me, pulling me into his arms with a firm, deliberate motion. My breath caught as he rolled me onto my back, his body hovering just above mine, his eyes burning with something deeper than desire.

"Let me show you what I mean," he murmured, brushing his lips against my jawline.

I exhaled shakily as his kisses traveled down my neck, his hands exploring my skin like he was memorizing every inch of me. My fingers dug into his back, feeling the taut muscles beneath, relishing the way he responded to my touch.

I arched into him as he pressed against me, his warmth sending shivers down my spine. "Ethan..."

He lifted his head, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "Tell me you want this."

I didn't hesitate. "I do."

That was all he needed to hear. His mouth found mine, and the kiss deepened, sending heat rushing through my veins. Every touch, every caress, was a drug, a declaration that we weren't just indulging in something fleeting-we were claiming each other.

Time seemed to blur as we lost ourselves in each other. The world outside didn't exist. It was just us, tangled in sheets, in emotions too strong to ignore.

We lay there afterward, my head resting on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. He traced lazy circles on my back, his fingers soothing and possessive all at once.

"I could stay like this forever," I whispered.

His chest vibrated with a soft chuckle. "Dangerous words, Hazel."

I tilted my head up to look at him. "Why?"

He smirked, brushing a kiss against my temple. "Because I might just hold you to it."

A knock at the door interrupted the moment. I frowned. No one ever knocked this early. Ethan sat up, brows furrowed.

I threw on his shirt and padded barefoot to the door, heart pounding for reasons I couldn't name. When I pulled it open, I froze.

Olivia.

Her sharp gaze flickered between me and the barely dressed Ethan behind me. Her lips pursed, arms crossed.

"So," she said coolly. "This is what 'figuring it out' looks like?"

My stomach dropped. I had a feeling the fairytale was about to crack wide open.