Ethan ordered a hot dog smothered in sauerkraut, onions, relish, tomato and hot mustard. Alexis nearly gagged. Then, when she refused to open her mouth, he ordered her a plain. Seconds later the boy behind the counter was handing them their meals.
‘I’ll even pay,’ Ethan said, handing the cashier some money. ‘Ketchup?’
Alexis nodded weakly. ‘Sure, why not.’
Ethan squirted ketchup on the hot dog and carried them to a small booth in the corner. When she didn’t eat, he asked, ‘You’re not scared are you?’
‘No, just wary.’
Ethan took a big bite, making small, almost sexual noises of appreciation as he chewed. Alexis took a small bite, resolving not to think about what was in it. It wasn’t bad, a little salty, but she didn’t see what the big deal was.
‘Want to try mine?’ Ethan held his unbitten end up to her. She watched a piece of sauerkraut and tomato fall off onto the table.
‘Ah, no.’ Alexis firmly shook her head. As she watched him take another bite, all desire she had to lean across the table and kiss him faded away. She was sure it wouldn’t come back until he’d at least brushed his teeth.
Ethan nodded, pleased when she finished most of her meal. ‘See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?’
‘Someday, I’m going to ask you the same thing. I’ll take you to a nice restaurant and order for you and make you eat it,’ Alexis said.
‘Deal. It’s a date,’ Ethan answered. ‘Only, no snails.’
Alexis wondered at the pleasure that curled inside her at the statement.
‘Well, it’s a friend date,’ Ethan amended when she didn’t answer.
Her pleasure lessened some. ‘It’s OK, I knew what you meant.’
Ethan watched Alexis out of the corner of his eye. She seemed like she was having fun, but she didn’t really say as much. He was amazed that he actually got her to eat a hot dog. The look on her face as she bit into it had been priceless.
Susan and Ted had agreed to meet them that evening to go back to the hotel. It was already decided they’d spend another night in Iowa City before heading on. Ethan smiled. That meant he had Alexis all to himself the entire day. So far it had been good. He told himself he was just cementing their friendship. He also told himself he knew that was a lie. There was more between them. He just didn’t want to look into it. Why ruin what they had going?
Taking a handful of mints as they walked out of the restaurant, he popped one in his mouth. The rest he shoved into his pocket for later. The boy at the counter didn’t even look up. When he got outside, Alexis had her camera out. ‘I’m glad to see you taking some pictures. Care if I look?’
She stiffened, instantly changing the subject. ‘Didn’t you say something about a museum?’
Ethan didn’t press the issue. He could well understand being sensitive about art because he used to be the same way when he was younger and just starting out in the tattoo business. The wrong type of criticism could really hurt a budding artist’s career.
Ethan took her to a museum the guy at the zine shop told him about. It had an extensive collection of taxidermy animals, including the model of a giant prehistoric creature. He thought it was cool. Alexis didn’t seem too impressed. She kept saying, ‘Poor little animals.’ By the time they left the museum it was time to meet Susan and Ted by the sidewalk water fountain. They drove back to the hotel.
Alexis leaned her head back on the edge of the hot tub and smiled at Susan. Ted and Ethan had gone to get dinner. It was nice to have some alone time with her friend. ‘This is the life.’
Susan made a choking noise. ‘Excuse me? Did Alexis Grant just call sitting in a cheap hotel’s hot tub “the life”?’
Alexis chuckled. ‘Hard to believe, huh? I hardly believe it myself. But, it’s almost like I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be rich. Don’t give me that look. This isn’t so bad, you know.’
‘This, ah, wouldn’t have anything to do with Ethan, would it?’ Susan asked carefully.
‘No, why?’ Alexis lied, refusing to look Susan in the face. It had a lot to do with Ethan. Today had been nearly perfect. Maybe being middle class wasn’t as bad as her mother made it sound.
‘Well, because you two seem to be getting, you know, cosy.’
‘Cosy? Me and Ethan?’ Alexis forced a laugh. ‘Why? Because we’re getting along? I’m sorry, did you want us to call off the truce and go back to fighting?’
‘Well, no,’ Susan said. ‘I just don’t think it would be a good idea for you to get involved with him. We have a lot of travelling to do and well . . .’
Alexis finally looked at Susan. ‘Well?’
‘He’s not your type, Lexy.’ Susan gave her a look of concern. ‘I’ve known you a long time. And I know everything you’ve had going on in your life recently. You’re confused. You’d have to be after all you’ve been through. It’s a lot of changes in a short time. But, someday soon, you’ll start feeling like your old self again. Ethan James doesn’t fit into the picture of the old Lexy.’
‘Are you saying I’m too shallow to date someone like Ethan?’ Alexis wondered if she should be insulted. Then, knowing it was Susan who spoke, she didn’t take offence.
‘No, I would never say that. But, you are a different breed than he is. You like designer clothing and elegant houses. Ethan is the type of guy who’d be content living in a studio apartment over some restaurant.’
‘He eats hot dogs and I eat caviar,’ Alexis said softly, thinking of the day she’d spent with him. They really were different.
‘Exactly!’ Susan said, seemingly pleased that Alexis understood.
‘And you don’t think I could learn to like hot dogs?’ Alexis dipped her fingers into the water, twirling them around.
‘No, sweetie, not in the long term. I just don’t want to see you getting all confused over a fling.’ Susan edged closer, making her way around the edge of the hot tub so she could sit by Alexis.
‘But I might have to,’ Alexis said, tears welling in her eyes. ‘The caviar’s gone.’
‘Oh, no, don’t cry.’ Susan gave her a hug. ‘Is that why you’ve been nice to Ethan? You think you can’t get anyone else? Oh, Lexy, this thing with your mother will blow over. You’ll find yourself some rich man with influence. You’ll fall in love and have the fairy-tale life all us normal women dream of.’
‘Do you know what us non-normal women dream of?’ Alexis asked, sniffing.
‘Oh, sweetie, I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t normal.’
‘I know, I didn’t take offence. I really wanted to know. Do you know what us non-normal women dream of?’ Alexis pulled back, looking Susan in the eye so she’d know she was serious. ‘We dream of the kind of happiness you and Ted have found together. I want you to know if ever you decide you’re ready to get married and have kids and do all that stuff, I’m happy for you. Ted’s a great guy and he cares for you a lot. I just wanted you to know that.’
Susan’s eyes teared up. ‘Really?’
‘Of course, really,’ Alexis said. Susan hugged her tighter.
‘Now, I don’t mean to be lewd, but this is kind of a turn-on,’ Ted said. ‘Is that what you two do when we’re not around?’
Alexis pulled back, laughing. She wiped the tears from her face under the pretence of being hot. Susan did the same. They smiled at the men.
‘Mm, smells good,’ Susan said, eyeing the takeout bags.
‘Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, corn, biscuits, coleslaw,’ Ted said. ‘Oh, and diet soda as requested.’
‘Perfect. Give us a second and we’ll be in.’ Susan winked at him.
‘Don’t take too long or we’ll eat without you,’ Ted said.
Alexis watched Ethan as he carried in the food bags. He met her eyes, but didn’t say a word.
When they were alone, Susan said, ‘Now, about you and Ethan.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that,’ Alexis assured her, not wanting her friend to worry. ‘Nothing inappropriate has
happened. We’re getting along as friends. That’s it. We both know nothing more would ever work. Besides, neither of us wants more.’
‘Are you sure?’ Susan asked. ‘Because you said he came onto you.’
Alexis laughed. ‘I think I was being a tad dramatic that day.’
Susan giggled. Dryly, she said, ‘You? Dramatic? No way. I don’t believe it.’
‘So, no more worries?’ Alexis asked.
‘No worries, we’re good.’ Susan stood and stepped out of the hot tub. ‘Now, let’s eat. I’m starving.’
Alexis was right behind her.
Ethan closed his eyes. Images of Alexis in the hot tub danced in his head – the steam curling around her body, her chest flushed and wet from the hot water, the little striped bikini she wore. He got hard just thinking about it. Only in his head, he kept the fantasy going. In his head, he was with her, stripping the bikini off her wet breasts, licking her warm nipples.
‘Ethan?’
Ethan jerked, coming back to reality. He looked at Alexis. They’d eaten dinner in Susan and Ted’s room earlier and afterwards she’d gone swimming. He’d spied on her from the hotel window. What could he say? It had been a great show.
‘Did you hear me?’ Alexis asked. She was still wearing her bathing suit and he was hard pressed not to stare at her breasts. ‘I said I have tattoos lined up for you.’
‘What?’ Ethan sat up, finally paying attention.
‘Yeah, I ran into a married couple on their honeymoon. They want matching tattoos of champagne glasses or something on them. And then I ran into a girl who works in the laundry here at the hotel and she thinks she has like ten friends that might come down tonight. And then –’
‘Wait, you lined all this up for tonight?’ Ethan asked.
‘Yeah, I was out recruiting for clients after my swim. Is that a problem?’
Ethan chuckled, not really in the mood to work. If he had his choice, he’d go back to the little hot-tub fantasy he had rolling in his head. People always talked big, but when it came down to getting the tattoo, they usually didn’t show. ‘No, it’s fine.’
He leaned back, not really worried about it.
‘Great, cos the married couple’s waiting outside.’
Ethan watched. He was a little stunned as she showed in the newly-weds. They were young and had never been tattooed before.
When Alexis said she’d been out recruiting for clients, she hadn’t been kidding. He didn’t know how she did it, but there was a large group of Iowa City locals hanging out at the pool waiting for their ink. The laundry girl turned out to be a lesbian with seven roommates. Ethan could just guess the reason she was there as she stared at Alexis in her swimsuit. Alexis didn’t seem to care as she helped people choose designs and laid them out. He couldn’t blame the woman. Alexis was hot.
When the last person left, it was past midnight and he was exhausted. Alexis was still in her swimsuit with a towel wrapped around her waist. She shut the door, nearly jumping in excitement. She clapped her hands. ‘Oh, did you see how good we did? I know we had to have made at least twenty-five hundred dollars tonight.’
Ethan grinned at her enthusiasm. It was indeed a very profitable night. ‘What I want to know is where did you learn to handle people like that?’
‘What can I say? I was raised to charm and get what I want out of people.’
‘And where did you learn to lay tattoos out? I mean, really lay them out?’
‘Well, I watched you do the layouts. It’s just tracing,’ Alexis said, tilting her head in confusion.
‘No, I mean pick the designs out like that, determine the sizes and areas.’ Ethan stretched his arms over his head.
‘Oh, that.’ She waved her hand like it was no big deal. ‘I just thought of it as clothing, or decorating a house. You look at the lines, study the area you have to work with and voilà. You hang a picture on the wall.’
Ethan forced himself off the bed and moved to grab a pair of boxers from his bag. He went into the bathroom.
‘You know,’ Alexis called through the door, ‘when we started this trip, I never would’ve called what you do art. But I would’ve been wrong. You’re a very talented artist, Ethan, and I’m impressed with how sterile and clean you are. You take your work very seriously.’
Ethan slowly changed into his boxers as he listened to her.
‘Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, I think you’ll do great opening a shop in California – plan or no plan.’
Ethan smiled softly at her words. He stepped out of the bathroom. ‘Thank you.’
‘Yeah, well.’ Alexis waved her hand. ‘It’s late. I’m tired and rambling and in need of a shower.’
She made a move to go past him. Ethan couldn’t stop himself. He grabbed her to his chest and pulled his lips to hers. He kissed her hard, thrusting his tongue inside her warm mouth.
He’d wanted her for what seemed like an eternity. His shaft was hard, nearly painfully erect. It had been most of the day. Then, to see her parading around all evening in her bikini, knowing he couldn’t touch her, it had been too much. He had to touch her, needed to touch her.
Alexis moaned into his passionate kiss as she slowly lifted her arms around Ethan’s neck. There had been something erotic in watching him work. His hands were so precise in what they did. Whereas she didn’t completely understand his lifestyle and maybe never would, she could appreciate his dedication to it.
Ethan tugged the towel from her waist. It fell to the floor and he instantly replaced it with the press of his cock. He touched her hips, running his fingers up her spine to her bikini top. Looking deep into her eyes, he slowly nodded his head. He didn’t have to say a word. She knew what he was asking. Their harsh breath mingled between them. Slowly, she nodded. Yes, she wanted this. It seemed silly to deny their bodies any longer.
Ethan kissed her again, this time softer. Alexis found herself moaning as his tongue swept between her teeth. He untied her bathing suit behind her back and it fell forwards, draped about her neck. Warm hands cupped her breasts, massaging them in soft circles.
Her hair was damp from the swimming pool and she smelled like chlorine. Ethan didn’t seem to care as his lips moved to her throat. He nibbled her neck, kissing down across her chest to the other side.
Alexis was pressed along the wall. The mirror behind his back reflected her face back to her. She watched his red-tipped head moving over her body, saw his tattoos. They only served to turn her on more when she thought she’d be repulsed. She’d never been with a man like him.
Ethan wasn’t refined. He didn’t open car doors or automatically guide her elbow when walking. But, when she talked, she felt he really listened. When he talked, she felt he spoke the truth. And when he looked at her, he really looked. He saw her – the good, the bad, the everything. She’d told him things about her life that she barely admitted to Susan and he was still here, kissing her as if her past didn’t matter. As he touched her, she felt as if he was accepting who she was, faults and all.
His back flexed in the mirror, drawing her eyes to his butt. She watched her hands gliding over his muscles, kneading them. Ethan lowered himself, leaning to suck her nipples into his mouth. He bit lightly, causing a jolt of sensation to course through her. She lifted her leg, moving it along his waist, trying to entice him to press his erection back into her.
When he lifted his head, his lids were lowered over his eyes. ‘Ah, you mentioned something about a shower?’
‘Yes,’ Alexis said, just as softly.
He glanced down her body. ‘Don’t go anywhere.’
Alexis nearly fell over as he left her. The shower turned on and soon steam was curling out of the bathroom. Ethan cussed softly and she heard him fumbling with the shower curtain. She stood against the wall, watching her reflection. Her skin was flushed, her nipples wet and hard from Ethan’s kisses. Her top was pulled to the side, but still hung about her neck. She weakly pulled the tie at her nape, letting the bikini top drop to the
floor. She tried to catch her breath, but her heart was racing fast and her body was tight with longing.
Alexis refused to touch herself. She was already heated to the point of urgency and seeing her half-naked body, her dishevelled hair, was arousal enough. She wiggled her hips, finally deciding to push the bottoms off as well. There was no point in wasting time with undressing.
Ethan stepped out of the bathroom followed by steam. He held his breath, his eyes automatically trailing down to her thighs. Alexis groaned, reaching to grab him. She pushed him to her place against the wall, taking the lead as she kissed his neck and chest. Her lips brushed past his pierced nipples. He felt good, warm. Pushing his hands away when he tried to touch her, she pinned them by his head only to trail her fingers down his arms to his waist.
The steam caressed her back as she drew her hands to his boxers. She kissed him, slowly freeing his arousal. His hands dropped to her arms and he moaned softly. The boxers fell around his ankles.
Stroking his hard length, she shivered. Her fingers ran over the piercings along the top of his shaft. She’d been curious about them since she’d first seen them. ‘What are these for?’
‘Most genital piercings are done with a woman’s pleasure in mind,’ he answered, grinning.
Alexis swore her thighs tightened and more cream came pouring out of her at the look he gave her. Awed, she asked, ‘What’s it feel like?’
Ethan chuckled. ‘You’ll have to tell me.’
‘Condom,’ Alexis said, stroking him.
‘Ah.’ Ethan looked worried for a moment and then confused. He glanced around. ‘My bag.’
‘Hurry. I can’t wait much longer. I’ll be in the shower.’ Alexis kissed him and then turned to the bathroom. Ethan’s hand brushed her backside as she walked away. Climbing into the warm water, she barely turned around when Ethan was right there beside her, box of condoms in hand.
Water glided over their bodies. Alexis grabbed soap and rubbed down her breasts, spending more time caressing herself than getting clean. Then, she ran her soapy hands over Ethan’s body as he fumbled with the box. Finally getting a condom, he slipped it over his cock, pinching the tip.
Opposites Attract Page 15
