Ethan smiled arrogantly knowing that he’d worn his woman out, “Honey I think it would be best if you just lay here while I go and prepare breakfast,” he instructed as he placed her back in bed.
“No we agreed that we’d cook together.” Regina protested trying to sit up.
“Honey please lay down, you are exhausted and it’s entirely my fault for keeping you up so late and then waking you up so early. I feel guilty enough, now will you let me do this for you?”
Reaching up she tugged on his arm and he allowed her to pull him down beside her, “You didn’t keep me up all night against my will and I don’t ever want you feeling guilty for the pleasure that you give me. Now why don’t we both lie here for a while and get some sleep and we can have brunch.”
Ethan wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her body up against his, thinking to lie beside her until she went to sleep and then he would go downstairs and prepare breakfast. At least that was his plan, but the previous night activities had affected him more than he’d originally thought. The next time he woke he felt totally relaxed and refreshed and he realized that he was in bed alone. Rolling over he saw that it was almost two o’clock. He quickly threw off the covers walked over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of sweats and went in search of Regina.
As soon as he reached the stairs his nose was assaulted by the wonderful smell of baked cinnamon rolls. His stomach let out a ferocious growl signaling his hunger. Just as he headed for the kitchen, the doorbell rang, with a muttered curse he changed direction and went to answer it. He cursed again when he opened the door and saw Karen standing on his front porch. “What are you doing here Karen?” He demanded without opening the door any wider.
“I took a chance that you wouldn’t have any unwanted guests and decided to drop by and give you a chance to take me out to lunch.” She said with her most sensual voice.
Ethan rolled his eyes, “Karen I suggest you go and get Frank Jr. to take you out to lunch. Now if you’ll excuse me I haven’t had breakfast and from the smells coming from my kitchen I think lunch is ready.” Before he could close the door Regina called him, turning he spotted her coming towards him and the ice that had filled his eyes melted instantly.
“Hey I thought you were still sleeping, lunch is almost ready…” she trailed off when the blonde stepped around the door. “I’m sorry honey I didn’t know someone was at the door.”
“It’s okay baby, she won’t be staying. Did you make homemade cinnamon rolls?” he inquired.
“Yes I did with my own little hands.”
“Who the hell are you?” Karen demanded stepping into the foyer.
“Who she is, is no concern of yours, now if you’ll excuse us I’m really hungry.” Ethan held the door open as Karen stormed out. He closed and locked the door behind her before slipping his arm around Regina and headed for the kitchen.
“So that was Karen huh?”
“Yep that was her and I’m sorry that she showed up here.”
Regina stepped before him halting his steps, she cupped his face in her hands, “You have nothing to apologize for, she is a part of your past and you and I both know that she is only showing up to get back into your life to help your cousin. There will be times when ex’s will show up, but I know that she doesn’t have a chance in hell to get back in your life. For one you know what she is all about and second, I’ll kick her skinny ass.”
Ethan stared after her his eyes glued to her beautifully rounded ass and the smile that filled his face was purely possessive. The cinnamon rolls were delicious and practically melted in his mouth. “Honey, you know you are forcing me to step up my workout regiment. If I don’t I’ll be big as this house and you wouldn’t want me any more.” Ethan warned, but Regina noticed that he grabbed another roll off of the glass plate.
“I’ll want you no matter how big you get baby, now I need to get home and clean before I head off to the center. What are you doing tonight?”
“Considering you are having a girl’s night out with your cousins and Roz, maybe Eric and I can go shoot some pool.”
Regina leaned down and kissed him on the lips, licking away some frosting, “I’ll call you later and let you know where we are going to be.”
*****
“Who in the hell is the black woman that Ethan has parading around his house half dressed?” Karen demanded in the phone as soon as it was answered.
“What in the hell are you talking about?” Frank Jr. snapped hating it when she called yelling at him.
“I just left his place and while I was talking to him, some black woman sashayed her ass up behind him wearing one of his dress shirts and nothing else.”
Frank Jr. signed, “Well did you ask who she was?”
“Of course I asked, but Ethan told me that it wasn’t my concern and practically threw me out of the house. If I’m to get the information you need then I need for you to find out who the woman is and what I can do to get rid of her.”
Frank stared at the phone after she’d hung up in his face. He was having second thoughts on using her to get close to his cousin. So far she was proving to be more of a hindrance than a help. As a thought came to him he called his baby brother, “Hey didn’t you say when you went by Ethan’s he was there entertaining?” Frank asked as soon as his brother answered.
“Yeah, she was a beautiful black woman that looked kind of familiar to me, but I still can’t place her. When I walked around the house, they were in a serious lip lock.”
“Maybe we should let the old man know what is going on with his favorite grandson. I’m sure the old man wouldn’t be too happy that Ethan is dating outside of his race.” Frank suggested chuckling.
“Well since I was the one that saw them I think I should be the one to carry the mail.” Jerry offered laughing himself.
Chapter 12
Ethan watched as Eric lined up his shot, they were on their third game of pool and were tied one to one and this game would be the tie breaker.
“So are you going to tell your parents about the press conference?” Eric asked after missing his shot.
“Yes I told them this morning and they both agree that it’s the right move, but they suggested that we keep it as under the radar as possible up until the day of, that way Frank Jr. or Jerry won’t show up and cause a disruption.”
Eric nodded in agreement as he watched Ethan sink two balls at once. Damn the man was good, “Is Regina going to be at the press conference?” He inquired.
“I’m not sure I would like for her to be there, but I know she is getting everything ready for her dance class at the center. She’s preparing the kids for their first dance recital.” He responded with a shrug.
Eric wasn’t fooled and he promised that he would make sure that Regina knew what time the press conference would be held as he knew she would want to be there for him.
*****
Regina sat with her cousins and Roz at their reserved table sipping her long island iced tea enjoying the music and the company.
“So cuz where is that fine ass white man of yours?” Sara asked wiggling her eyebrows.
“He’s out with Eric shooting pool.” She answered. Smiling when a tall brother walked up and asked Sara to dance, she waited until Sara joined her other cousin Sandy on the dance floor before she questioned Roz. “So when is the press conference?”
Roz choked on her martini being caught off guard by her best friend, she knew she couldn’t pretend not to know what she was talking about because she did and she knew that there was no way for her to lie. “It’s Tuesday after next at three o’clock at Eric’s office in the main conference room. I say we get there…” she trailed off when Regina shook her head.
“I’m not going to be there unless he tells me he wants me there. I have to know that I’m important enough to be a part of every aspect of his life.”
Roz nodded in understanding, she knew that Ethan wanted her there, but he wasn’t used to needing anyone she hoped that this was one t
ime he’d make the right decision where her best friend was concerned.
*****
Ethan lay on the sofa staring at the television wondering how many guys had hit on Regina tonight. His thoughts then turned to whether or not he’d tell her when and where the press conference was to be held and if he’d ask her to be there with him.
Regina found him sound asleep on the sofa, sitting on the edge of the sofa she ran her hand through his silky raven colored hair before leaning down to give him a quick kiss. “Why didn’t you go up and get in bed?”
“I hadn’t meant to go to sleep I wanted to wait up for you to make sure that you guys had a good time.”
“How could we not when we were shown to a VIP table and all the drinks we wanted were on the house?” She demanded glaring at him suspiciously. “I suppose you own the club also?”
“I’m part owner, Eric is my partner.” He offered sitting up smiling. “How many guys asked for a dance?” He inquired unable to stop his mouth from asking the question.
“I really didn’t keep count. Why don’t you ask one of your employees?” She quipped.
“I’m sorry…” he trailed off when she kissed him again.
“I didn’t dance with anyone, because I didn’t go there to dance. I went there to hang with the girls. I have a man and don’t need to go bar hopping to find one.” She gave him another kiss and dropped her bomb. “So when were you going to tell me the time and place of the press conference?”
Her question totally threw him off guard and for a moment he felt as if he’d been blindsided. “I wasn’t going to.” He confessed and she reacted as if she’d been slapped taking a step away from him. When he reached for her she held up her hand to ward him off. “I know that you’ve been working with the kids for their first recital and I didn’t want you to have to put that on hold just to go with me.”
“You just don’t get it,” she said softly before she turned and headed upstairs, but not before he saw the tears in her eyes.
He stood there trying to figure out what he should have said differently and wondering if she wanted him still here when she came back down…if she came back down. Picking up the phone he called the one person that he could talk to about this. Luckily his brother-in-law answered, Ethan quickly told him about the conversation between him and Regina. “What did I say or do wrong?”
Chester smiled at the love sick sound of his brother–in-law’s voice. The man was done for and he hadn’t even realized it. “Ethan the problem is Regina feels that you are only regulating her to certain parts of your life. She knows how important this conference is and how important this sell of the business is to you, but now she feels that she isn’t important enough to you to be there at the conference offering you her support. From what I know of Regina, I’m sure that she wouldn’t have a problem with putting the recital aside to be with you when you need her. Now she feels as if you don’t need or want her there. I suggest you go and tell her what the problem really is.”
“What do you mean by the real problem?”
“Just go and tell her the truth, Ethan, just tell her that you’ve never needed anyone before the way that you need her. Tell her that not only do you want her there, but you need her to be there with you and most importantly you need to beg.”
Ethan stood there starring at the phone in his hand since his brother-in-law had hung up on him after his remark about begging. Fear gripped him as he hung up the phone, this was the first time in his life he’d needed someone else and he feared that the need for her would make him vulnerable. Burying the fear deep inside and went in search of his woman.
*******
Regina stood underneath the spray of the shower letting the tears flow down her face. It hurt to hear him say that he hadn’t planned on telling her when the press conference was going to be, which meant that he didn’t want her to be there. She guessed that told her how important she was to him and where she stood in his life.
When he slipped his arms around her waist her body stiffened automatically and she tried to force her body to ignore his, but her body never listened where he was concerned.
Ethan felt her stiffen against him and he knew that he had to make it right between them or he’d lose the best thing that had ever happened to him. “I’m sorry baby, I know what I said hurt you and that wasn’t my intention. I only said that because I’ve never needed anyone in my life until you and this need for you in my life is so new to me that it scares me. I not only want you at the press conference with me, but I need you to be there with me…for me to support me. I need you there more than I need my family there and that scares the hell out of me.” She turned to face him and his heart broke at seeing her eyes red and puffy from crying.
“Oh baby please forgive me for allowing my fear to push you away, I was too afraid that you’d choose the kids over me.” He confessed kissing away the tears.
Staring into his eyes she saw the stark fear there and it broke her heart, he’d never had to depend on or lean on anyone and the first time he needs to he was afraid that she would turn her back on him. She cupped his face in her hands, “Let’s get something straight right here and now, nothing and no one is more important to me than you and I don’t care what I’m doing or who I’m with if you need me I will always be there for you because you are my first priority.”
“I don’t deserve you, but I’m damn lucky to have you in my life and I promise to give you cause to cry only happy tears from this night forward.”
******
Ethan lay holding her in his arms as she slept. It felt so right and he made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t allow anyone or anything to come between them, not even his fear. She was made for him, his heart and body knew it the moment that they’d met, but his mind was just a little slow in accepting it. Letting out a contented sigh, he buried his face in her silky mass of hair that smelled of strawberries and cream as he finally allowed himself to drift off to sleep.
*****
Regina smelled freshly brewed coffee and bacon and her stomach let out a loud rumble. Sitting up in bed she stretched before rising and slipping on one of Ethan’s shirts that she kept at her place. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen where she found Ethan standing at the stove sautéing onions, peppers and mushrooms, at the sound of her stomach’s loud rumble he turned around.
His breath caught in his throat at the sight that greeted him, her hair flowed down around her and with her face flushed from their love making the night before. His shirt hugged her body perfectly, hunger rose within him fast and furious.
“You need to feed me before I feed you.” Regina warned knowing exactly where his mind was going. She knew it by the look in his eyes.
“Well honey I suggest you go up and change otherwise I can’t be responsible for my actions.” Ethan gave a warning of his own.
“You will behave and I mean it. Ethan I’m starving this morning and I need to eat before I head out. I need to go grocery shopping as I talked to Madeline and I asked if we could get the girls next weekend.”
Ethan didn’t try to hide his shock at what she’d just told him, “Are you sure you want to get the kids for the weekend?” He inquired.
“Yes I’m sure, the girls are wonderful and I really enjoy spending time with them and I love watching you with them.” She confessed leaning over and kissing him on the lips. After breakfast they cleaned the kitchen showered and dressed before heading to the market.
Ethan couldn’t ignore the pleasure he felt at how much Regina enjoyed his nieces and he knew from her interaction with them and with the kids at the center, that she would make a wonderful mother and he was determined that she be the mother of his children.
Chapter 13
Ethan sat behind his desk thinking about the date of the press conference was fast approaching. It was week away and he’d decided to wait until after the press conference to remove his personal belongings from the office. Well he really didn’t have much to take home other
than a couple of pictures and a few odds and ends. As soon as the board had given approval he’d begun to take things home, his thoughts were interrupted by the phone. “Hello,” he answered knowing that it had to be family because only family knew his personal number.
“Hi Ethan how are you doing?” Pierson Thompson said in greeting to his favorite grandson.
“Hey Granddad I’m great, how are you?”
“I’m good, I was hoping that you’d swing by for lunch, it’s been a long time since we’d had lunch together just the two of us.”
Ethan kept his voice neutral even though he had a feeling why this request for a lunch date came up all of a sudden. More than likely what Eric had predicted was happening. “Well granddad, I’m all locked down this week, but I’m sure that I can swing by on Monday around noon.”
Pierson wasn’t happy to be put off, but he didn’t want to make Ethan suspicious so he agreed to the day and time. He’d wait to get the truth from Ethan and if what his cousin had told him was true, there would need to be some changes.
******
Ethan pulled into his driveway frowning when he spotted an unfamiliar car parked in his driveway. As he climbed out of the car he spotted Regina’s cousin sitting on his porch. He was about to climb up the stairs and give her a piece of his mind, but at the last moment decided against it. He really didn’t have the patients to deal with a petty child. Turning he walked across the grass to Regina’s place and using his key let himself in closing the door firmly behind him.
Tiffany stared after him not believing for one, that he had a key to her cousin’s place and the fact that he’d just walk away from her like he had. With a determined stride she made her way next door to Regina’s place and rang the doorbell and waited.
Beginnings Page 10
