Dru_The Ever After Series Book 1

by Stella James

  Chapter 19

  Dru

  I stand in my kitchen and stare straight ahead at the pink magnet on my fridge while sipping my coffee. It’s been just over a week since we met with Karen and she gave me the name of my father. Which I still don’t actually know because the envelope has been stuck to my refrigerator since then and remains unopened. Both Ethan and Anna have offered to open it for me, but I declined. I have to do it myself, and I will. When I’m ready.

  I look over at the bed and admire Ethan’s muscular back as he continues to sleep. He’s sprawled out on his stomach and my purple sheets have fallen dangerously low, his gorgeous ass nearly exposed. I think about waking him up but decide against it when I check the time on the microwave and see that it’s only seven thirty. He showed up last night around two a.m. and let himself in with the key I gave him a few days ago. He was working at some launch party for a new app, playing bodyguard to his current contract. When he crawled into bed, I woke up briefly while he muttered and cursed about how babysitting is bullshit before he fell asleep with his arm wrapped securely around me.

  He’s mentioned Ty a few times over the last week and from what I gather, he’s young and rich and apparently a major pain in Ethan’s side. I chuckle quietly when I think about how he showed up the other day covered in paint splatters. Apparently, Ty and his friends went paintballing and Ethan was forced to reluctantly participate. He growled at me when he walked through the door and I immediately burst into a fit of giggles. My chuckle quickly turns to a blush when I remember the way he packed me into the bathroom like a caveman and we shared a very memorable shower.

  I set my mug in the sink and quietly pad over to my latest work in progress. When I finally got up the nerve to go through Maria’s things, it was as I suspected. A couple changes of tattered clothes which I threw away, her old I.D. and a couple contact cards for local shelters. Nothing of importance until I reached the very bottom of the box and found a small Ziploc bag containing a single photograph. It’s old and worn out but the young woman holding a mini version of herself is unscathed by time and damage. The woman is looking at the camera and smiling while the toddler looks up at her grinning. I cried for over an hour when I found it, clutching it to my chest as Ethan rocked me back and forth.

  I examine the canvas where I’ve begun to paint an abstract outline of a woman holding a baby. The photograph sits propped up on my old wooden table among my various jars and tubes of paint. The painting won’t be an exact replica because I selfishly want to keep the memory for myself, but the piece will be inspired by and dedicated to not only Maria, but to all mothers. I’ve decided to make it the centerpiece for my exhibit. A thought that reminds me I need to touch base with Cassie. We’ve got two weeks to go and I want to make a couple changes to the general set up.

  I glance at the small urn that sits on the window sill beside my one and only houseplant. I decided against having a service for Maria and instead opted to donate the cost of a would-be funeral to a halfway house in the neighborhood where I spent the first part of my life. The house helps women who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction by giving them a temporary place to live while they look for jobs and get back on their feet. It seemed fitting. I plan on doing something with her ashes eventually, I’m just not sure what. I hear Ethan’s footprints behind me and when he wraps his arms around me I lean back into him.

  “Good morning,” I say as he sweeps my hair over my shoulder and presses his lips to the side of my neck.

  “Mm, good morning. What are you doing?”

  “Just thinking. Plotting,” I laugh lightly.

  “It looks good,” he says.

  “Thanks. I think it will...when it’s finished. Are you hungry?”

  He presses his erection into my back and groans against my ear. Need fills me instantly and I push back into him.

  “Yes, I’m hungry,” he says before he spins me around and hoists me up, my legs wrapping around him tightly as he carries us back to bed and reminds me just how much I love it when he spends the night.

  *

  “I like this look on you toots,” Brenna says as we stand side by side and touch up our makeup.

  “Oh? And what look would that be?”

  “The look of woman who has been thoroughly and steadily penetrated,” she smirks.

  I toss my lipstick lid at her and laugh. But I get what she’s saying. I haven’t been able to wipe the smile from my face all night. Ethan and I spent the morning in bed together until he got a call from Ty about some golf tournament and had to take off. I used the alone time to paint for a couple hours before I had to get ready for work; it was a day well spent. The kind of day that just feels right. We finished our performance a few minutes ago and right now Maci is on stage working the crowd with a sailor inspired number involving a very tiny uniform and a very patriotic song.

  I’m staying late tonight to serve customers so Lena can go home early. She found out a couple weeks ago that she’s almost two months pregnant. The nausea and general exhaustion is beginning to rear its ugly head and I know Hunter is worried about her, so I offered to stay. The two of them have been married for just over a year and this is their first baby. They met here at the club, he was already bartending to pay his way through law school when she started waiting tables after being laid off when the daycare she worked at closed. They fell head over heels in love and have been inseparable ever since. I smile when I think about how protective Hunter is of her. He’s always watching her from the bar to make sure none of the customers are getting too grabby and now that she’s pregnant, every time they stand together he’s got his hand securely resting on her flat stomach. It’s adorable and the kind of thing I’m beginning to hope to have for myself one day. With Ethan.

  Brenna’s voice shakes me from my thoughts. “Okay sweet cheeks, let’s go sling some gin and make some money.”

  She links her arm through mine and we head back out onto the floor and toward the bar. Dean gives Brenna an appreciative stare which she brushes off as she grabs a spare tray from behind the bar. Lena hands me her apron and lets me know that she’s just made a round and there are two new tables that need to be looked after. That’s all she manages to get out before she covers her mouth and quickly retreats to the restroom, Hunter close on her heels. I glance at the stage and see that Maci is nearing the end of her routine which means people will be wanting refills. I spend the next hour making countless trips to and from the bar. The crowd tonight is a bit loud and they all seem to be dying of thirst. I’m just setting my tray on the bar to take a quick breath when I feel the air shift and sure enough, I turn to see Ethan walking toward me. Beside him is a young man with shaggy brown hair and thick rimmed glasses and I realize this must be the infamous Ty I’ve heard so much about. I giggle to myself as Ethan stomps through the crowd wearing his typical no-nonsense scowl as Ty tries to keep up beside him, looking around with wonder and appreciation. When they reach the bar, Ethan pulls me close and plants a firm and very territorial kiss on my lips.

  “Hello to you too,” I grin.

  “This is your girlfriend? How the hell did a grumpy old man like you score such a fine woman?” Ty says as he takes my hand from Ethan’s chest and tugs me toward him, kissing my knuckles. “My lady, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

  I pull my hand from his and laugh just as Ethan swipes him on the back of the head. “It’s very nice to meet you Ty,” I say. “You are too cute.”

  “Don’t encourage him,” Ethan growls.

  “Please ignore him and encourage me all you want doll face, I am yours to command,” he says.

  “Why don’t you take a seat over there handsome, Margo is up next and I’m sure she would be happy to command you when she’s finished.” I point to a small table in the corner of the room, near the stage. Ty takes one look at the stage and another look at me before hastily making his way to the empty booth. Margo has a thing for glasses, she’ll eat him up with a spoon as soon as she spots him.


  I turn back to Ethan and pull him toward the empty bar stool next to me. “And why don’t you stay right here and have a drink, you look like you could use one.”

  “That kid is going to be the fucking death of me,” he grumbles.

  “Oh it can’t be that bad, he seems sweet,” I say with a smile. “Besides, he’s not a kid, he’s only a few years younger than me, grandpa.”

  He tugs me onto his lap and nips my shoulder with his teeth. “Watch it beautiful, I have no problem spanking that gorgeous ass of yours when we get home.”

  I press my lips to his and trace my fingers along the back of his neck before I lean down to his ear and whisper seductively, “Promises, promises.”

  I push off his lap and get back on the floor to check my tables, feeling the heat of his gaze on me the entire time.

  *

  The remainder of my shift goes by quickly. Ethan and Ty hang out for the rest of the night, eventually joining Gus as the performances wind down and the customers begin to filter out. The three of them are still sitting at Gus’s table when I come back out from the dressing room, ready to head home. I wave at Dean and Hunter who are heading out as I make my way toward them.

  “Teach me, teach me please. I will do whatever you say and whatever it takes to be surrounded by beautiful, half naked women all day long,” Ty says to Gus.

  Gus laughs while Ethan rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

  “You’re not giving away secrets of the trade to this guy, are you Gus?” I warn as I sit down beside Ethan and clasp my hand with his. “Because he’s loaded, and he should be paying for them,” I tease.

  “Name your price my man and it’s yours,” Ty says.

  Just then Margo walks out from the back and Ty stands abruptly from the table, making his way toward her like a man on a mission. She smiles and laughs as he offers his arm and they head for the door. Gus stands too and declares that it’s way past his bedtime.

  “Well I guess that means I’m officially off the clock,” Ethan says. “She’ll take it easy on him, won’t she?”

  “Margo? Nope.”

  “Hm, well maybe she’ll exhaust him and I can take tomorrow off,” he says.

  “I would say that’s a definite possibility. Now please, take me home and put me to bed.”

  We take the last of the empty glasses to the bar and head out, my body nestled into his as we step out into the night air. We decide to spend the night at my place because it’s closer. I fight to keep my eyes open on the drive home and once we’ve pulled over and parked on the street in front of my building, Ethan shakes me gently to wake me up. He unlocks the door and feeds Lucy while I jump in the shower quick and then change into my favourite worn out shorts and a faded green tank top that says, I believe in fairy tales. Anna bought it for me years ago and she has the same one in pink. When I step out of the bathroom I see that Ethan has already turned down the bed. He’s lying on top of the folded over comforter wearing nothing but his jeans and he’s scrolling through his phone. Maybe I’m not so tired after all.

  I saunter toward the bed and climb on top of him, plucking the phone from his hands and tossing it aside. I sit up on his lap, my thighs straddled on either side of his muscular torso. I’m naked underneath my top and I can feel my nipples harden against the thin material. His eyes rake over me and when his lips curl up into a cocky grin I know for sure that there is no way in hell that I’m tired.

  “Is there something I can help you with?” he asks as his hands grip my hips and he grinds me down into his hardening length.

  “Well I was hoping that you might want to give me an orgasm or two…buuuut if you’re too tired, I understand,” I say. “You’ve had a long day of babysitting and old fellas like you need their beauty sleep.” I lift my leg and shift my weight off him, but before I can move any further he rolls me onto my back with a growl and pins me to the mattress.

  “Didn’t I tell you to smarten up?” He nips my collar bone and runs his tongue along the column of my throat until he reaches my earlobe and pulls it between his teeth.

  “Mm, I believe you did,” I giggle. I wrap my leg around his waist and use all my strength to reverse our positions so that he’s underneath me again. I press my lips to his and pull back slightly. “Why don’t you lie back and let me show you just how much I can appreciate an older man,” I suggest.

  “Do whatever you gotta do,” he says, lacing his fingers together and placing his hands behind his head. Challenge accepted.

  I start by brushing my lips over his chest and tracing the definition of his six pack with my tongue as I shimmy down his body. I pop open the button on his jeans and kneel beside him as I tug them down his well-defined legs. The noticeable bulge hiding behind his tight boxers has my mouth watering in anticipation. I glance back up to his handsome face and I’m pleased to see that his cocky grin has been replaced with a look of pure need. Knowing that I can make him crazy with want makes me feel oddly powerful.

  I pull the elastic from his waist and roll his boxers down his legs as slowly as I can, exposing his erection one glorious inch at a time. When I remove the garment completely, I straddle his legs once more and flip my damp hair over my shoulder, giving him a clear view. I take his length in my hand and slowly dip my mouth down his shaft, swirling my tongue back and forth before I take him to the back of my throat.

  “Fuck yes, baby,” he rumbles, tangling his hands in my hair and gripping the loose strands.

  I drag my mouth back and forth, taking him as far as I can while keeping my grip on him tight. A gentle throb begins to pulse between my thighs and I can’t help the moan that vibrates up from my chest. My plan to tease him and make this solely about him is quickly backfiring. Every time his hips twitch or he tugs on my hair I only get more turned on and in need of my own relief. I grind myself down on his thigh to try and ease the ache and I am certain that he can feel how wet I am through my shorts, but I can’t even think clearly enough to be embarrassed. He does this to me. My body burns because of him and I am helpless against it. I slide my hips back and forth, getting the tiniest bit of pressure where I need it the most. Ethan must be able to sense my predicament because it isn’t two seconds later that he has me pulled back up, taking my lips in a demanding kiss before he pulls my shirt up and over my head, freeing my heavy breasts and bucking his hips up to meet the juncture of my thighs. I gasp as he tilts me forward over top of him and reaches for my shorts, shoving them down my legs.

  “I can’t wait Dru, I need to be inside you baby and I think that’s what you need too,” he rasps.

  “Mm, yes Ethan, I need you.”

  He grips his length and teases my dripping slit before driving up and burying himself inside me in one harsh thrust. I take a moment to just feel him as he invades my body. He is so hard and thick, I swear I can feel him in a hundred different ways just by being still. The feeling intensifies as I slowly begin to move my hips, leaning back so that I’m sitting straight on top of him. My breasts bounce slightly with every gently thrust, his grip firmly on my hips guiding me back and forth. I place my hands on top of his and let him control the pace.

  “Ethan, you feel so good inside me. I’ve never felt like this before. The way I feel with you is so different,” I moan. My words are breathless but full of truth.

  “God, you’re fucking perfect Dru,” he growls as he flips us over and looms over me. His body is so powerful and demanding that mine has no choice but to obey. And that’s exactly how I want it.

  He pins my leg up toward my chest and slides back into my sex easily, his hunger visible as his pace quickens. Each thrust is more forceful than the last, the tips of my fingers dig into his shoulders as I begin to feel the tension pool in my core.

  “I’m so close Ethan, please don’t stop,” I plead.

  “I want to feel you squeeze me, I want your sweet little pussy to strangle my cock. I won’t be satisfied until I feel it.”

  His words wash over me and shove me into my
relief, tension claiming every inch of my body for a moment before letting go and causing me to go lax all around him with the exception of my arms, which remain wrapped tightly around him as he comes hard and slows to a stop. My lips seek his as we stay connected, our skin damp and our hearts pounding in the same steady rhythm. My eyes begin to burn and as a single, happy tear slips free and runs down onto the bed beneath me I know that I’ve just given Ethan the final part of me. My heart.

  Chapter 20

  Ethan

  “Are you sure this looks okay? I don’t look like a complete asshole?”

  “You’re beautiful.” I run my knuckles along the portion of Dru’s back that’s exposed and meet her stare in the mirror in front of us.

  We are getting ready to leave for the gallery and I know she’s nervous, but she’s got this. Her pieces are amazing and she looks fucking gorgeous. Her dark hair is draped over her shoulder in loose curls and the dark green dress she’s wearing is sexy as hell but modest enough to be professional.

  “Ugh, okay. I’m just so nervous. I’ve had over two months to prepare for this but now that it’s here, I’m terrified. What if I don’t sell anything? What if people hate it? What if the food is gross?”

  “Breathe. Everything is going to be fine. People will buy things. The food will be fine,” I say firmly.

  “Right. Yes, you’re right. Okay, let’s get the hell out of here before I chicken out,” she says, grabbing her small purse off the counter.

  I lock up behind us and place my hand on the small of her back as we make our way downstairs. It’s becoming a habit of mine, to always be touching Dru. I won’t deny that it’s a possessive move on my part, to make sure that every man in the city knows she’s taken but I also can’t deny that part of me keeps waiting for her to vanish into thin air. Maybe if I keep my hand on her, I’ll be able to hold on tight enough and she won’t disappear.