Page 72 of Enchanted

But Ethan’s eyes softened as he brought his hands up to link his fingers at the back of my neck. “No, Rami. Yes, you’re obviously extremely hot, and I’m very attracted to you, but your looks aren’t all I’m attracted to. It’s how you’ve gone out of your way to drive me to and from shoots. How you insist on me sitting down to eat a meal you’ve prepared for us. The way you never complain, despite how many different positions I put you in.”

The ball in my throat grew. It wasn’t uncertainty now. No, there was nothing uncertain about my feelings.

I was falling hard and fast.

“Most of all,” Ethan continued, “I like how you helped me today. You didn’t push, just got into your car and started driving.”

“It’s what you asked for,” I said. “Why would I do anything else?”

He kissed my lips softly—a brief taste that hinted at deeper kisses to come. “That right there, Rami. The fact that you’re even asking that question is what attracts me to you. You’re selfless. Kind. Thoughtful. All things that mean a lot more to me than how you look.”

I was reeling from how he’d described me. Was that truly how he saw me?

There’s hope, Rami. Hold fucking tight to it.

“Although, I won’t deny the looks are an added bonus,” Ethan said cheekily, waggling his eyebrows to show me he wasn’t serious. “Are you actually holding all my weight with just one arm?”

“Um…” I glanced down at where I was still lightly fondling Ethan’s stiffening cock. “Yeah. Guess I am.”

Ethan shivered. “Okay, that’s pretty hot.”

“I don’t mind that you find me hot. I was just…having a vulnerable moment, I guess.”

“I like it,” Ethan whispered, his hands cupping my face. “You can be vulnerable with me, Rami. I certainly have with you.”

That was true. Ethan had opened up about so much tonight. It was only right that I did the same with him. “No one’s ever truly wanted me.”

He tilted his head, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve had hookups,” I admitted. “My fair share of them. But never a relationship.”

“Why not?”

I gave him a rueful smile. “Every man I’ve ever been interested in pursuing has been in a relationship with someone else. Not that I’ve ever known that before hitting on them. I guess my sixth sense must be broken. That, or fate really enjoys fucking with me.”

Or, as Benji suggested, it was trying to prepare me for meeting Ethan. Not just by keeping me single, but for learning that he too was in a relationship.

But he wasn’t anymore.

“Oh,” Ethan said softly. “I’m sorry. I can see how that might cause issues.”

“Even those I hooked up with who were single never wanted to stay for longer than a night. I was starting to worry that there was something wrong with my personality.”

“I can assure you that’s definitely not the case.” Ethan rested his forehead against mine. “A man as caring, funny, and smart as you? I’m amazed no one has snapped you up long before now.”

I smiled, because unlike Ethan, I finally understood why that hadn’t happened. “Want to know a secret?”

“Always.”

“I don’t care how often I’ve been hurt or rejected in the past if it means I end up with the right person.”

Ethan leaned back to study my face. “You really mean that.”

“I do. I’m happy to wait until it’s right. The right person and the right time.”

He cleared his throat and looked away. Shit, perhaps I’d made it too obvious. I meant it though—I’d wait as long as Ethan needed.

“I think the heating might’ve gone off for the water.”