Ethan (Face-Off Book 5)

by Jillian Quinn

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Ethan

  More crowded than normal, I push through the throng at Ollie’s Pub, nodding at people on my way to the long oak bar. With his back against the wood-paneled wall, Will knocks back a bottle of Heineken. The skinny blonde on the barstool next to him giggles as if he said something funny. He wasn’t even talking to her, which makes me laugh.

  His eyes widen when I stop in front of him. Setting the beer on the bar, Will whispers something to the girl, who slides off the stool in a hurry. She smiles as she leaves, flashing a set of pearly white teeth that are too perfect to be real.

  “You showed.” Will pats the open seat. “Drink with me.”

  Concern bubbles up in my chest. Will is far too calm after his reaction this morning. I sit next to him and prop my elbow on the bar, leaning over it to catch the bartender’s attention. She takes my order and then disappears.

  “About this morning,” I start. “Look, I’m sorry you had to find out about us that way. I never wanted to sneak around with Mia behind your back, but it just happened. I didn’t plan it out. I wanted to tell you so many times and pussied out.”

  Will raises his hand to silence me. “I started drinking after I left Mia’s apartment and haven’t stopped.” He slurs some of his words, though he’s not completely shitfaced. Will can handle his alcohol. “My sister loves you. I thought long and hard about this all day. I’m pissed at you for lying to my face and for fucking my sister. But I only care about one thing. If you love her back, then I can try and get used to the idea of the two of you being together. But if this is just a hookup for you, I’ll bash your fucking head in with this bottle.”

  “Kinda harsh, don’t you think?”

  The bartender returns with my beer, and I hand her my credit card to start a tab.

  Will presses his lips together, his jaw clenched. “Answer the question. Do you love my sister?”

  I pound half the bottle in one gulp and set it back down on the bar. Serious conversations require a lot of alcohol. “Yes. I told her this morning after you stormed off.”

  Will pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers and sighs. “Okay… fuck.” He mutters something to himself under his breath. “I guess it’s better than Mia hooking up with someone I hate. But you know what this means, right?”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “No.”

  “Our friendship won’t survive if you hurt her. Because I’ll kill you. So, don’t break her heart.”

  I give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I promise to take good care of Mia. This is what you’ve wanted for her all along. Someone to look out for her.”

  He takes a sip from his beer, staring at me, his face expressionless. A beat passes between us before he bobs his head in agreement. “Yeah, I guess so. All I care about is her happiness. If this is what you both want, I don’t have to like it, but I can accept it. Maybe the idea of you two will grow on me over time.”

  “That’s all I can ask for,” I mutter. “I’m glad it didn’t come down to us beating the shit out of each other.”

  Will laughs. “Why? Because you know I would kick the shit out of your punk ass.”

  I smirk. “No, because I would’ve let you do it just to get out your anger.”

  Like I let my dad do when I was a kid.

  “Now that’s stupid.” He shakes his head, amused. “We move back to our condo tomorrow. What are you planning to do about Mia? Is she moving in with us? Like what the hell is going on with you two?”

  “We’re dating not getting married. At least not anytime soon. This is almost as new for us as it is for you.”

  “Promise me one thing,” Will says.

  “Anything.”

  “Don’t fuck my sister while I’m home. I’ll need lots of fucking therapy if you do.”

  I nudge him in the arm and laugh. “You already need lots of therapy.”

  “True, but I’d need a lobotomy if I had to hear that shit. It was bad enough seeing your bare ass this morning when I went into Mia’s bedroom to wake her up.”

  We break out into a fit of laughter. My friend returns with each swig of beer.

  “I can do that,” I promise.

  “This sucks.” Will scans the wall of expensive liquor bottles behind the bar. “No more chasing after women with you. I need a new wingman.”

  “Liam would be happy to take a few girls off your hands. You can always give him a call. Just because I’m with your sister doesn’t mean I’m dead. I’m still your wingman only in a different capacity now.”

  “You got that right,” he hisses. “If I ever see a woman around you that doesn’t share my DNA, I’ll kick your ass.”

  I smile at his threat. “Duly noted.”

  “Enough talk about my sister.” Will raises his beer to tap the bottle in my hand. “Drink up, motherfucker. Tomorrow is moving day.”

  And my last night at Mia’s apartment.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Mia

  The little black dress Ethan had insisted I buy for our date finally came in handy. Ethan took me to a fancy Italian restaurant in the city with all the bells and whistles. He picked me up in a limo, which was total overkill but still awesome. I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman minus the hooker part. He showed up at my door with a bouquet of white roses dyed baby blue—my favorite color. Our date was perfection.

  With Ethan at my side, I enter my apartment and kick off my shoes. My feet are killing me from wearing heels. Me in heels. How comical! I laughed when Ethan sent me a pair of black Christian Louboutin pumps that fit me as if they were designed specifically for my feet. Alanna, his personal shopper, really knows her shit.

  I crash on the couch and kick my aching feet up on the coffee table. Just because I scored the sexiest hockey player in the NHL doesn’t mean I’ve changed one bit. I’m still the same girl who likes her Cheetos out of the bag and vodka straight from the bottle. I doubt I’ll ever get used to Ethan pampering me.

  Ethan lifts my legs onto his lap and massages my sore feet with his calloused fingers. He runs his hand up my bare thigh and stops before he reaches my panties, my core throbbing and desperate for his touch.

  I lean my head back against a stack of pillows and smile up at him. “Want to rent a movie?”

  “Whatever you want, my love.”

  Exhausted, I reach for the television remote and flip through the channels, fighting sleep. It’s only ten o’clock, but I’m so exhausted. With our new living situation, we only see each other on weekends and random weeknights when we’re both free. So, we have to make up for the time we missed.

  “You want a snack?”

  He glances down at me. “I can always eat.”

  I smile. “Good. Go make yourself useful and pop us some popcorn while I flip through Pay-Per-View.”

  He smirks. “Make myself useful?”

  “Chop-chop.” I clap my hands together. “I need my movie snack.”

  Ethan shakes his head. “You’re lucky I love you.”

  “You’re lucky I let you.”

  We both laugh.

  Ethan drops my legs on the couch and pushes himself up, blowing out a puff of air. “Women.”

  That’s all he says before he walks into the kitchen, giving me a nice view of his firm ass. Dress pants look good on him. Hell, everything looks good on my man. He’s mine. All mine. I lick my lips, the thought of his naked body burned into my mind. Maybe I’m not so tired after all.

  By the time Ethan sits next to me on the couch, he has a bowl in hand and is stuffing his face. With my arm draped over the edge of the couch, I click the button on the remote to start the movie.

  Ethan shoves the bowl in front of me with a smile. After I take my share, he places the bowl on his lap.

  “I love the Saw movies,” he says. “If you get scared, feel free to jump in my lap.” He pats his knee with a wicked smirk on his lips.

  “I’ll keep that in mind. It takes a lot to scare me, though, and I lov
e these movies, too.”

  He sets the almost empty bowl on the coffee table and cuddles with me. Ethan’s so big and muscular he takes up the entire couch. I’m curvy but petite, which makes it’s easy for Ethan to tuck me under his chin and wrap his arms around me.

  “All better,” he whispers against the shell of my ear.

  Yes, all better.

  With Ethan, I feel safe and loved, and even though I don’t need him to hold me during a horror film, I find comfort in his warmth. My breath hitches when he readjusts his position and grazes my leg with his fingers, leaving a trail of fire on my skin. I have no idea what’s happening on the screen. People are screaming. The usual suspense music fills the living room. But all I can think about is how much my skin tingles from his touch.

  Halfway through the movie, he pushes my hair off my neck and brushes his lips against my skin. The heat from his breath sends a chill down my spine that makes my toes curl in anticipation. When he notices the rapid increase in my breathing and the way my legs part for him, he slides his hand along the seam of my panties and bends forward to kiss me. At first, it’s a small peck on the lips, nothing more than a tease. But I want more. Parting my lips with his tongue, he kisses me softly, the passion between us intensifying by the second. He threads his fingers through my hair and tugs hard, deepening the kiss.

  He rubs my sensitive spot over my lace panties, my insides burning from his heated touch. I moan into his mouth, a desperate plea for him to go further. Ethan moves the fabric to the side and slips two fingers inside me. I clamp down on his fingers, and he grunts against my neck.

  “You drive me fucking crazy, little lamb.”

  I open my legs wider to allow him better access. He’s a greedy bastard and takes what he wants. But so am I. My body tightens, and my mind goes blank from the intense pressure building within me. His lips stifle my moans. I practically combust when Ethan increases his speed, his thumb circling my clit. I bite my lip, a fire burning beneath my skin.

  He takes my ear into his mouth to suck on it and whispers, “Come for me.”

  My entire body trembles, his wish is my command. Out of breath, I peek up at Ethan, who raises his fingers to his mouth to suck on them. Then, he pushes my dress over my hips and slides my panties down my thighs. As his hands roam over my body, he lets out an animalistic groan.

  In a hurry, he stands to remove his pants. He strips for me but not in a seductive way. It’s as if his skin is on fire and he needs to rip off his clothes. The couch sinks beneath his weight when he drops his knee to the cushion and kicks open my legs.

  Staring down at me, he licks his lips. “Take off your dress.”

  I reach behind me to pull down the zipper and raise the dress above my head, adding it to the pile of clothes on the carpet.

  “Much better.” He grabs his long, hard cock in his hand, his gaze traveling up to my breasts. “I love your fucking tits. Pinch your nipples for me.” I do as he asks, and he licks his lips.

  Ethan makes room for himself between my legs and slides his fingers up my left thigh. He throws my left leg over his shoulder and kisses the inseam of my thigh as he inches his way inside me.

  “Fuck,” he says, his big, strong hand gripping my hip as he moves faster. “You feel so fucking good, little lamb.” He dips down to kiss my breast and says, “Mine.” Then, he kisses the other. “Mine.” He kisses me on the lips. “Mine.”

  “Yours,” I whisper. “I was always yours.”

  He pushes deeper inside me, forcing me to take all of him at once. “Damn right you were.”

  I moan in response, too focused on the heat spreading from my cheeks to my toes. It doesn’t take long for Ethan to make me tremble beneath his bulky frame. After another mind-blowing release, I’m riding a sex high that has me teetering on the edge.

  He mumbles a series of groans and curses under his breath, gripping me hard as his body spasms. His chest rises and falls, his breathing still labored.

  Our eyes meet for a second, and the corners of his mouth turn up into a wicked grin. “I’m never letting you go, Mia.” His voice is almost a whisper.

  Pushing the sweat-slick hair off his forehead, I smile. “I don’t want you to.”

  He winks. “Good girl.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Ethan: Six Months Later

  “Good game,” Will says, strolling over to the bench in the locker room, a towel wrapped around his waist. “We’re celebrating tonight. You coming out with us?”

  After a big win in Boston, all of the single guys on the team are going out to a local bar. I have no interest in drinking or hanging out with any women other than Mia. In fact, I have plans with the other woman in my life.

  I called my mom before the game. It had been too long since the last time we spoke on the phone and even longer since the last time I saw her in person. Our relationship has been strained for a while now, but she’s alone here in Boston, in a massive house that’s too large for one person and with no one other than servants to help her.

  I shake my head and stuff my jersey into my bag. “No, I can’t. I have plans.”

  “C’mon, Waters,” Liam West says from behind me. “Don’t be a pussy. Come out with us.”

  I glance over at him and smirk. “I have somewhere to be. I will next time.”

  “Where are you going?” Will asks, plopping down on the bench next to me.

  “I’m going over to the house to see my mom.”

  “Oh.” Will’s mouth opens wide in shock. “You haven’t been there since…” his voice trails off, because he knows it’s been over thirteen years since I stepped foot inside my childhood home.

  We moved not long after the accident. My parents couldn’t stand the constant reminder of losing Erik and neither could I. Until now, I had no desire to return.

  After I leave the arena, I drive to my mom’s house. A shiver rolls down my spine when I park in the circular driveway out front. This place has always felt more like a museum to me than a home. I stare up at the massive Victorian that spans the length of the property. The high pillars, painted shutters, and the covered front porch look exactly the same as they did the last time I was here. Not a single thing has changed about my childhood home.

  As I approach the front door, my mom opens the door instead of the butler. She must’ve heard me coming.

  A smile stretches across her withered face, and then she rushes forward, taking my face in her hands as a single tear streams down her cheek. “My baby,” she whispers. “You’re finally home.”

  I smile as she releases her grip on me. “Hi, Mom. How are you?”

  “Good, good.” She presses her hand to my back and guides me into the house, ushering me toward the kitchen. “I just made a pot of tea. Have some with me.”

  I don’t drink caffeine because it messes with my game, but I can’t refuse my mother in her home. “Cream, two sugars,” I say as she fixes us two cups.

  We sit at the table in the corner of the kitchen, right next to a wall of windows that overlook the backyard.

  She pushes a cup in front of me with a smile. “I was surprised to hear from you.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I shouldn’t have created so much distance between us. My relationship was strained with Dad. It got in the way of us, and for that, I’m so sorry. I wanted to tell you that in person.”

  She takes a sip from her tea and then pats my arm with her tiny hand. “It’s okay, baby. I understand. Your father was a complicated man. The two of you never got along.”

  “Because I’m not Erik. He was always the favorite twin. Everyone liked him more.”

  “That’s not true.” She sighs. “You’re my firstborn. I love you as much as I love your brother.”

  “Dad always blamed me. He never gave a shit about me.”

  She shakes her head. “In his own way, he cared. Your father had a funny way of showing it, but he did. He didn’t blame you for Erik’s death, Ethan. I know you’ve always felt guilty about what hap
pened to your brother, but there’s nothing you could have done to save him.”

  “I crashed the car,” I challenge.

  “Your brother had a brain aneurism. It was like a ticking time bomb inside his head. No matter what, it would’ve killed him. We never had any cause to send him for X-rays. He never displayed any unusual behavior or any signs he had anything wrong with him. Whether you were driving the car or not, he was already dead before you crashed. It happened so fast. There was nothing you or anyone could have done for your brother.”

  “But… what if I could’ve gotten him to the hospital in time?”

  “Ethan.” She taps her fingers on my hand. “Nothing can change the past. I know you feel like you could have done something, but the doctors have assured me that nothing would have saved Erik.”

  “I know, Mom.” I squeeze her fingers between mine. “Sorry, it’s this house. Coming here is bringing back all of the old memories. Is Erik’s room still the same?”

  She nods. “Do you want to see it?”

  “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  After we finish our tea, I follow my mom upstairs and creep toward my brother’s bedroom. I haven’t looked inside since I was sixteen years old. Before we left for Lower Merion, I took one last look at his things, feeling guilty that we were leaving Erik behind.

  My mom pushes open the door, and my heart clenches when I see Erik’s trophies on the shelf above his king-size bed. He was better than me at hockey. If he were still alive, we’d be competing against each other. A few tears fall from my eyes as I step into the room, staring at the memories I’d almost forgotten. Guilt washes over me when I consider how much of my past I’ve blocked out.

  I’ve tried to share this part of my life with Will and Mia, but it hurts so much to think about my brother let alone talk about him.

  “Erik would’ve been so proud of you.” My mom clamps her hand around my wrist and gives it a good squeeze. “You two were always so competitive.” She points at the first place trophy and smiles. “Remember when you and Erik tried out for the varsity team?” I nod, and she continues, “Neither of you ever wanted to be anything other than hockey players. It wasn’t your father’s first career choice. I know he never told you, but he was proud of you for making it on your own.”