by Amelia Shea
Ethan opened his mouth but she whipped around, stomping down the hall. She didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. Fuck him and fuck her mom. Fuck all of them, she was out of there. Her footsteps were loud, echoing on the marble floor. She was about to walk into the foyer when a hand gripped her arm and yanked her through a door.
She knew it was Ethan without seeing his face. She pulled back but his grasp was tight. The door closed behind them. The light came on overhead and she found his eyes glaring back at her. What the hell was he mad for?
“I don’t enjoy chasing you around, Emory.” His tone was controlled; it always was, but she could hear the edge of his anger.
“Then don’t, Ethan.” She turned to the door, giving him her back.
His body came up against her hard, reaching for her wrists. He tugged her hands out from her sides, pressing them onto the wall above her head. It happened so quick she barely had time to react. She gasped when he blew a warm breath over her ear.
“Stop running from me.” It was a warning.
She pulled at her hands but his grip had them locked in place.
“Let go of me or I’ll scream.”
Ethan challenged, “No, you won’t.” His chest pressed against her back, his body towering over hers. Her face heated in anger.
“Don’t you have to make another call? Get your fucking hands off me.”
He clicked his tongue. “You sound jealous.” His mouth lowered, sliding his tongue down her neck, stopping at her collarbone and pressing a soft kiss against her skin. Shivers ran through her body.
“It was a client, Em.”
“Oh really? Is client the new code word for ‘the chick I’m banging’?”
She felt his body freeze, all except for his hands, which gripped her wrists harder.
“Watch it, Emory.”
She pulled her hands, wiggling her body, but she was sealed in his hold.
Her cruel laugh was harsh. “Truth hurt, E?”
“You tell me, Em.” He kissed her neck up to her ear and whispered, “You still in love with me?”
Her eyes widened, staring at the door. Her heart raced, pounding hard in her chest.
“Tell me you’re not in love with me, Em and I’ll stop.” It wasn’t a challenge or a tease, she knew what he was asking, and she knew he’d stop.
He licked the shell of her ear, grazing his teeth over the lobe. Chills spread across her body. His scent wafted her senses and she closed her eyes. She should be telling him to fuck off and running out the door but even as one hand released her wrist, she stood frozen in her spot.
“Do you want me to stop?”
Hell yeah, he should stop touching her. She should be screaming yes! Answering no would be admitting that she was still in love with him after all he had put her through, breaking her, leaving her a ruined mess. He needed to stop, she needed him to stop. She parted her lips prepared to end it. Say yes, say yes!
“No.”
She felt him exhale, his body relaxing into hers, as though he was holding his breath waiting on her answer. Pressing small kisses to her neck, his hand came to her stomach. His touch was light and slow; he was taking his time. His hand shifted over her stomach, sliding up to her neck, teasing her with his caress. His fingers glided over her chest, down to the plunging neckline of her dress.
Her dress was fairly low cut. She had ample tits and ass, “show ’em if you got ’em.” His fingers caressed over her cleavage, his touch so light it was almost painfully erotic. Dipping his hand deeper into the cup of her bra, his hand engulfed her breast and Emory’s head fell back into the curve of his neck. How could she be this aroused by just his touch?
She moaned, arching her back and pressing her ass into him. Her body trembled at the feel of his erection against her. She swiveled her hips slowly while his finger pinched her nipple into a hard bead. She immediately felt her arousal moisten her panties.
“I’m so hard for you, Em.” His mouth fused against her neck, sucking hard. She rubbed against his cock. This was better than any fantasy she’d ever had of Ethan. His finger twisted her nipple forcing another loud moan from her lips. She was completely lost in his touch.
“Are you wet for me?” he whispered.
Her head turned into the curve of his neck. She panted, “Why don’t you find out.”
She’d never envisioned him as a man who would growl but that was exactly what he did at her words. His hand released her breast, sliding over her stomach, down to her thigh, before yanking up her dress.
His other hand that had been holding her wrist landed on her inner thigh, dragging his fingers to her panties. His teasing hand splayed over her. She knew she was wet and most likely seeping through her panties. Her breath hitched when his hand slipped inside, delving between her wet folds, sliding over her clit. Her body shivered and she moaned again.
His head slanted to the side, his lips meeting hers as his finger entered her pussy. She gasped into his mouth and he stole her breath. His tongue slid against hers while his fingers fucked her slowly and methodically.
Moving her hips to meet his hand, she squirmed at the sensation. Pulling free of her core, she felt the moist pad of his finger glide over her sensitive nub, forcing her back to arch into his touch. He entered her again, pumping his finger deep while his thumb flicked over her clit.
His mouth fused against hers, tasting him. Her new favorite flavor was Ethan with a hint of coffee. Who knew coffee could be erotic?
She pulled away from his lips and groaned, feeling her pussy tingle and her orgasm rising. Her hips moved in sync with hand as he finger-fucked her hard, sliding into her core, hitting a spot that had never been touched. Holy shit, the g-spot was not a myth.
“Ethan…”
He growled in her ear, grazing his teeth over her neck. “I want you to come all over my hand. So fucking sexy, Em.”
She felt her body tremble from his words, her entire body flushed and her head fell into the curve of his shoulder. She moaned, “Yes.” Her orgasm ripped through her like a tidal wave, her body shook, his finger pounding hard and deep, his thumb strumming over her clit until she shouted, “God, yeah.”
Ethan moved slower inside her, his hand on her stomach holding her as the tremors running through her body slowed. Her arms fell to her sides and she leaned back into his hold.
“Seeing you come apart from my touch was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
She barely had the head space to register what he was saying. Her mind was in a deep sex-filled haze. He released her pussy, adjusting her dress to cover her and slowly urged her body around to face him.
His hands held her neck and he pressed his lips against hers in small kisses. It was soft and almost sweet. She rested her hands on his stomach, enjoying the last little moment. He pulled back still gripping her neck and smiled.
“I love that look on your face.”
“What look?”
“The look of a woman who’s satisfied.” He smirked. His hands fell to his sides and he stepped back. “I’ll go out first.”
Emory nodded. She watched him walk out the door closing it behind him.
She leaned against the wall, realizing for the first time she was in the small supply closet. Standing there alone, down from her orgasm, and finally time to think, she closed her eyes. What the hell did she just do? Ethan Barrett, the man she’d been in love with forever, just got her off in a closet surrounded by cleaning products.
“What the hell did you do?” she whispered to herself. She finally got what she wanted, right? She should be doing friggin’ cartwheels, or at least throwing back a victory shot of tequila. So, why did she feel like this was a mistake?
Emory felt the truth wash over her, her eyes stinging. God, she hated crying. She sucked in a breath, holding in her tears. This was stupid. She just had an amazing orgasm at the hands of Ethan. She had lived out a fantasy. Pull yourself together!
She
inhaled a deep breath, knowing it was just a matter of time before she lost it. She needed to get out of there, out of Houston and away from Ethan. This was a mistake, just a quick high. She could fool a lot of people but not herself. This wasn’t what she wanted. After years of loving him, this wasn’t enough. She couldn’t settle for a piece of him, she needed all of him. There was a time when she would have taken any little bit he was willing to offer but not now. She wanted all or nothing and the truth was here, standing alone in this closet.
She got an orgasm, not Ethan. He wasn’t hers. This wouldn’t change anything. She was just a chase to him right now, a game. A stroke to his ego, proving she was still in love with him. All those kisses, the touching, it wasn’t real. She’d never get what she really wanted.
She’d never get Ethan.
Chapter 6
ETHAN waited on the porch of the club talking with Roxanne and a couple she had been showing the club to for a wedding venue. When he’d walked out of the closet, he had peeked his head into the dining room and saw their empty table.
Making his way to the porch, he looked back at the door to the closet. Emory hadn’t come out yet. His brief thought of concern was distracted by the surprise of Roxanne appearing in front of him. She had introduced him to her clients and they made small talk for a few minutes. Her clients had left telling her they’d be in touch with a final decision.
“So, what are you doing here?”
“I’m having brunch.”
“With who?” She looked over his shoulder and her face paled. “God, figures she’d be here.” She looked up to Ethan. “Don’t mention Emory being in town.”
Ethan watched his sister’s face transform to a forced fake smile. He turned his head to see Mrs. Kern behind him.
“Hello, Roxanne.”
“Hi, Mrs. Kern.” Ethan could hear the effort in his sister’s usual friendly voice. “How are you?”
“I’m well.” She smiled at Roxanne then turned to Ethan, “Thank you so much for having brunch with us today, it was a treat. Would you mind telling Emory that I had to go? I have a meeting and I can’t seem to find her. Tell her I’ll call her later.”
“I’ll let her know.”
Mrs. Kern walked away, not bothering to say goodbye to Roxanne.
“Uh…what’s going on? Where’s Emory?”
Ethan saw Roxanne’s confused expression, her eyes trying to read his face. He opened his mouth to answer her but he was cut off by a voice behind him.
“I’m here.”
He turned to see Emory walk past him, pulling Roxanne in for a hug. She was put back together, calm and at ease. The opposite of how he’d left her.
“What are you doing here?” Emory asked.
“Showing some clients the club as a potential venue. What are you doing here? Brunch with your mom? How the hell did that happen?”
“She tracked me down. Apparently, there was an Emory sighting at the party last night.” She snorted. “Can’t even hide in a big city.”
“Shit! Well, she just left so at least it’s over.” Roxanne looked over to Ethan. “Why were you at brunch?”
Emory cut him off again. “It’s a long story.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “So, you done with your clients? I could use some bestie time.”
Roxanne looked back at Ethan then to Emory. She was confused. “Uh yeah, I’m done until later on.”
“Great, let’s go, I need a drink.” She pulled on Roxanne’s arm. “Bye, E.” She didn’t look back at him, her eyes never meeting his.
Roxanne smiled awkwardly and she waved.
He watched them walk through the parking lot and get into the car. Ethan was no expert on women, however, he had the distinct feeling that his little sassy redhead was about to run back to Beaufort without so much as a goodbye. The way she refused to look at him and her hasty getaway told him she was running scared.
Fuck!
He and the guys were out of town tonight on a job. His presence was required so there was no way for him to get out of it. He’d always handled the clients. He felt an obligation to be there for them, with them.
Ethan started down the steps, making his way to his car. He’d be back by early afternoon tomorrow. He’d have plenty of time to see Emory, talk with her and they could sort everything out. The one thing that he wouldn’t let happen was her running away from him. It may have taken some time but he was finally prepared to claim Emory, and there was no way he was letting go of her.
Ever.
*
Emory slid into Roxanne’s car and pulled the strap to buckle her seatbelt. She could feel Ethan’s eyes watching her the entire way to the car. She was finally able to inhale a deep breath when she was out of his sight. She might need professional therapy when she was ready to deal with everything that just happened in the closet. She clicked in the buckle and sat back in the seat. Sensing eyes on her again, she looked to her left. Roxanne was staring at her questioningly.
Emory dramatically sighed. “She caught me off guard, demanded I go to brunch. Ethan was there, he heard it, decided to come. She talked about herself the whole time because well, some things never change, and apparently the world still revolves around my mom. We ate, they talked, I drank, it was over. That’s it, nothing more. Although, I could use another drink.”
Roxanne sat back in her seat. She was contemplating her next question.
Emory widened her eyes and rolled them. “What? That’s it!”
Roxanne squinted her eyes again. “Okay.”
Emory turned back in her seat. It was not okay. She knew Roxanne too well to be naïve in thinking she was going to let this go. She’d hound her until she got every little detail. Emory couldn’t blame her; she’d be the same way. The car started and reversed out of the spot and headed toward the exit. She didn’t bother looking back to see Ethan. She needed him out of her head.
“Where we going?”
Roxanne turned to Emory, burrowed her brows and gave her the “are you seriously asking me that?” look. Emory snickered. Of course they’d go to Peachtree’s, a local restaurant. They had been going there since they got licenses. It was their place, their spot.
“The plans for tonight changed. We’ll go into the city, dinner, drinks, maybe dancing, we’ll cab it back so we can all party. Sadie and Cass are going to sleep at the house since the guys are out of town.”
Emory’s ears perked up. The guys going out of town was nothing new but since the arrival of Sadie and then Cassie, Stone and T seldom went away anymore. As far as she knew. She mentally reminded herself, you’ve been gone ten months.
“Business?”
“Yep.” Roxanne turned left to the highway, not giving her any more than her one-word answer.
“What kind?”
Roxanne didn’t bother looking over. “Their kind, Em.”
“So, Ethan, too.” She tried to keep her voice even and her eyes out the window. If Ethan was away, she wouldn’t have to worry about running into him, which was good. It also meant she wouldn’t see him again before she left. Not seeing him was good and exactly what she needed. Right? She hated the disappointment coursing through her body, even though she knew it was best. Seeing him, after what just went down? No, she couldn’t do it.
“They’re all going, I think.”
Curious, Emory asked, “What kind of job would require them all?”
Roxanne stopped at the light, craning her neck to face Emory. She scowled. “Don’t ask me questions you know I can’t answer.”
Emory shrugged. “What’s so secret?”
“It’s not a secret, its business.” Roxanne raised her eyebrows, trying to lighten the mood which had taken a serious turn. “And none of yours, Emmie.”
Emory glared at her. “Ugh, you know I hate that, and you only do it when you want me to shut up. I’m onto you, Roxie.”
Roxanne burst out laughing. “Girl, I know you better than you know your
self.”
“Whatever.”
Roxanne had made sure to stop that conversation from going any further and Emory was well aware it was done on purpose. There was more to the Garrison companies than they claimed. She just didn’t know what. From the looks of it, she wouldn’t be getting any information from Roxanne. She had always been fairly quiet when it came to their businesses.
Emory knew the basics. Ethan took over Garrison Bail Bonds when John, their dad, retired. T, Stone, and Bogs ran and worked for Garrison Securities, Inc. T and Stone were licensed bounty hunters, and Bogs was the computer whiz. Emory never took a deeper interest in what they did, or their jobs. The few times she did ask questions, she was told it was private investigations, and it would be a breach in contract to discuss it.
It never bothered her until now.
“When are the guys coming back?”
“Tomorrow, sometime. Oh yeah, Dad wants everyone for dinner before you leave.”
“What?”
“He wants to have everyone over for dinner. He misses you at our table, Em. He always says it feels like were are missing something and then realizes it’s you.” She pulled into a spot in the back and turned off the engine. Looking down in her bag, she finished, “Ethan said they’d be back in time for dinner.”
Dread washed over Emory’s face. She turned to the door, hoping Roxanne didn’t see. Her mind was in cluster-fuck mode. She couldn’t do this, she couldn’t face him, not after what just happened. She thought with the guys going out of town, she wouldn’t have to see Ethan again. She could just run back to Beaufort. Now, she’d have to sit across from him at the dinner table.
The same table they had had their fight at. Oh, hell no, she could not do this. Her mind was scattered and confused. Yes, she wanted to kiss him again. Hell yes, she wanted him to give her another orgasm. Fuck yeah, she wanted to be in Ethan’s bed. Then, what?
This wasn’t some random guy. This was Ethan. Her Ethan. The man she’d loved almost her entire life. The man that broke her heart. A heart that still wasn’t fully repaired.
