ELLIE
Anna didn’t blink once as she watched Will striking the wood. When he handed the axe to Ethan, she nudged me with her shoulder.
“Save the outcome of this for later; that’s what I’m going to do,” she whispered, smiling suggestively.
“What?”
“You’ll see. Just watch and enjoy.”
We watched as Ethan approached the large log positioned on the ground, placing the piece of wood upright on it. I couldn’t help but feel concerned. The axe looked quite sharp, and any slip could lead to an accident.
“Isn’t this dangerous? Since when do these suit-and-tie snobs from New York and London know how to chop wood?” I said, loud enough to catch everyone’s attention. “By the way, why do we even need firewood?”
“For the fireplace,” Anna said. “The forecast says it’s going to get colder tonight.”
“Yeah, I saw some warnings about a possible storm,” Zara added, sitting between Anna and Rosie.
“I think Ellie’s underestimating our skills. Show her, Morgan,” Will encouraged Ethan, who had been staring at me the entire time, but I couldn’t read his mood.
“Sorry if I hurt some of your fragile masculinity!” I mocked. “Go ahead! Show me! Oh, and in case you don’t know, the goal is to hit the wood with that thing in your hand!” I teased.
I saw a small smirk form at the corner of his lips, letting me know the challenge had been accepted. He turned toward the log.
“You know the rules, Ethan!” Anna said.
Rules? What was she talking about?
“Try to sound less excited,” Will warned, jealous. She just laughed.
“The girl next to me deserves the full show!” She winked at me.
Ethan set the axe against the log before pulling his black T-shirt over his head. *Okay.* Everything had just gotten a thousand times more interesting.
I swallowed hard, feeling certain parts of my body wake up. How was this possible? He had been inside me just a few minutes ago, but the sight of his bare chest was enough to make my entire body crave him again.
He leaned over to pick up the axe again, making all the muscles in his back flex. Then, I understood exactly what Anna meant. There was something captivating about the scene—it was sexy, wild, and primal all at once. It made me want to drag Ethan to the bedroom.
I stopped breathing when he lifted the axe for the first time, before swinging it down and splitting the log in half in one go. His skin glistened with sweat. God! I wanted to lick every part of his body, especially what was under those jeans.
I watched as he set another log on the block and chopped it again, fascinated by the way his biceps flexed. I sighed heavily when he abandoned the axe.
“And?” Anna asked, pulling me out of my trance. I blinked a few times.
“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to save this for later,” I said, and we both laughed.
“I think we have enough firewood,” Jack said as Ethan stacked the chopped logs onto the woodpile.
“No way!” Rosie said. “It’s your brother’s turn.”
Ethan started walking toward me, covered in a glistening layer of sweat. Lowering himself beside me, he rested one knee on the grass. I tried not to stare at his chest.
“You didn’t seem to doubt my ability to handle something else half an hour ago,” he whispered.
“You can’t blame me for thinking that an arrogant suit-and-tie type like you wouldn’t know how to use an axe.”
“There are many things you don’t know about me, Brown.”
“Yeah, and I guess I’ll never find out,” I said, thinking out loud.
Rosie squealed, and the girls started laughing next to us, drawing my attention. Neil had just taken off his shirt. He wasn’t Ethan, but it was still interesting.
“Hey, I’m right here.” He grabbed my chin, lifting it toward him.
“Yes, so just sit tight and don’t interrupt the show,” I teased, pushing his hand away and turning back to Neil.
Moving behind me, he sat down before pulling me between his legs, pressing my back against his bare chest.
“Try to focus now,” he whispered, sending a shiver down my spine. “Did watching me chop wood get you wet?”
Oh yes... He’d done much more than just get me wet, but I wouldn’t admit it, not even if I were dead.
“Don’t be so full of yourself.”
I let my head rest on his shoulder, inhaling deeply and taking in his masculine scent mixed with the smell of grass and sweat. He wrapped his arm around my torso, caressing my arm as his forearm brushed against my breasts over my dress.
“Unlike you, your nipples don’t lie.”
“Stop trying to grope me in front of everyone, you pervert,” I said, making both of us smile.
Zoe arrived with a breakfast basket shortly after. We watched Bennett finish chopping the last of the logs. Then, the rest of the group sat down, forming a circle on the grass.
We had breakfast while chatting. The moment made me grateful to have each one of them in my life.
At some point, when Zara mentioned it was our last day here and that we should make the most of it, I felt Ethan tense against my back. Maybe he was feeling the same as I was. There was nowhere to run; soon we’d have to face the reality of the situation.
We spent the rest of the morning enjoying the sun, relaxing on the grass. I had to monitor where Ethan placed his hands on my body, trying to keep them in “acceptable” places, away from between my legs and my breasts. He seemed to enjoy teasing me, keeping me on edge as he played with the hem of my dress or neckline.
In the early afternoon, we went inside just to prepare lunch. After eating, we returned to the outdoors, settling in the shade of a tree near the lake. The sun was still shining, creating a pleasant warmth as the hours passed.
“You two seem pretty close now,” Anna said, sitting beside me as we both leaned against the tree trunk. “I’d even say a bit mushy.”
“Don’t exaggerate. You know what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
“And if he decided to try, what would you do?”
“Please, don’t feed into this,” I pleaded.
“Do you like him?”
“Anna…” I shook my head.
I didn’t want to talk about it. I was trying to suppress any feelings. Thinking about it was enough to make my chest hurt. Luckily, Will suddenly approached us. Ethan was right behind him. They both looked suspicious.
“Hey, baby, it’s a little hot, don’t you think?” Will leaned over Anna to kiss her.
“A little,” she admitted, confused. “What are you up to?”
“I thought we could cool off a bit,” he said before wrapping his arms around her and lifting her up.
“What are you doing?” She laughed.
I looked at Ethan, who tried to hide a smile, making me realize what Will was planning. Shit.
“Anna!” I warned, trying to get her attention, but it was too late by the time she realized. Will started walking toward the wooden dock at the lake.
“Will Harris, don’t you dare think about it!” She tried to wiggle free. “No! Stop it right now!”
Will kept walking as she struggled, making us all laugh. I moved my eyes to Ethan, who was already looking at me. *Oh, no. No way.* My entire body went on high alert.
“Don’t you dare,” I warned before trying to find an escape route, but unfortunately for me, it was too late.
He grabbed me as soon as I stood up, lifting me over his shoulder.
“Put me down, Morgan! I’m going to kill you! Do you hear me?”
I tried to free myself from his hands as he followed the same path Will had taken.
While I struggled to get away, I heard Anna scream and then the sound of something splashing into the water, making me panic even more.
Over Ethan’s shoulder, I saw Zoe trying to escape Bennett, while Neil already had Rosie over his shoulder. Zara didn’t even try to fight, smiling with her arms wrapped around Jack’s neck. Meanwhile, Phillipa had willingly clung to Jason’s back.
Before I knew it, Ethan was already at the edge of the dock.
“You’re going to regret this!” I pounded on his back. “Please, don’t!”
“Hold on.” He said before placing my legs around his hips and diving in.