Chapter Twenty-Six
Ethan
Ethan’s date with Reagan was the next day and he was so looking forward to seeing her again that he found it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
He finished making all the arrangements and was looking forward to a relaxing day on the ocean. He wasn’t sure where they would go just yet, but he spoke to the Harmony’s Captain and was assured that they were fully stocked with good food and wine and could go wherever they liked for the day. The weather also promised to be ideal.
He was grateful to Steven for letting him use the yacht. All he had to do was cover the cost of the fuel and pay the staff for the day. It was actually good timing as Steven had just brought the boat back from Hawaii where it had been docked for nearly a year, and was preparing to cruise around Cape Horn in a few weeks. Sounded like it was going to be an amazing trip.
He had partied on the Harmony many times, as a guest of Steven’s, but it had been a few years. It was a gorgeous piece of machinery, total luxury. Reagan was going to love it!
Rescheduling for Wednesday proved to be a little more challenging than he thought it would. He was being pulled in so many directions. Things were always crazy in the early stages of movie projects, especially for the Executive Producer, but he was determined to squeeze in whatever he had to in order to give himself the day off.
He was just wrapping things up and was ready to call it a day when his phone rang. He stared down at his phone on the desk and saw Kirk’s name. Shit, it was eight PM. He was an hour late for their meeting.
“Kirk,” he said smoothly, “I keep doing this to you. I’m so sorry, man.”
He heard Kirk sigh heavily on the other end.
“Seriously, my day just got away from me. Are you still at the pub?”
“Yeah, but I’m already on my third martini. I need to order some dinner. Do you want to reschedule, or ...?” Kirk asked stiffly.
Ethan considered it for a moment, but knew Kirk wouldn’t be thrilled with him rescheduling again.
“No man, I could use a quick bite. I’m just about to close shop and head over. Are you good to wait for me? Do you just want to order me something? I’ll be there in fifteen.”
Kirk grumbled his reply but Ethan knew his charm always worked on him.
“Sure, I’ll order a couple of T-bones. Medium, right?”
Ethan felt his stomach growl at the mention of steak. He was famished.
“Medium works for me. See you soon, buddy.”
He grabbed his keys and his wallet from the desk and left the building.
Traffic wasn’t too heavy and he managed to make it to the restaurant in good time. Just over fifteen minutes. As he made his way to the table he saw that the server was just putting the plates on the table.
“Good evening, Mr. McLaughlin. May I bring you a drink?” she asked.
He nodded as he sat down.
“Please. I’ll have a glass of red. Cabernet Sauvignon, anything from California.”
The server nodded. Kirk held up his finger, indicating he wanted another drink.
“Of course. I hope your steak is to your liking. Can I offer either of you some fresh ground pepper?” she asked, holding out the pepper mill.
They both declined and the waitress nodded and stepped away.
“Wow, this looks great,” Ethan said, inhaling deeply. “Smells great too.”
He looked at Kirk and saw he wasn’t smiling.
“Are you still mad?” he asked.
Kirk nodded but smiled anyway.
“Yeah, we have a lot to talk about and I’m half in the bag,” he grinned. “How are things coming along with that project. Are you on track?”
Ethan shrugged.
“Yes, things are going okay. You know, one day at a time. We’ve managed to secure all our investors, so money’s no longer a concern. Now it’s just scouting locations and negotiating for the talent. I just hired a new casting director. We can finally set a production schedule. I think we’re looking good.”
The waitress returned with Ethan’s wine and another martini for Kirk. They ate the rest of their meal and discussed different business opportunities Kirk thought Ethan might be interested in. He was surprised that Ethan seemed indifferent to much of what he’d brought him.
“What’s up, buddy? You seem distracted,” Kirk said, polishing off the last of his martini.
Ethan shrugged. He’d been thinking about Reagan and their date the next day. It wasn’t like him to lose focus. He was typically so driven. He had to admit, Reagan was a welcome distraction. He was happy.
“Yeah, I guess I am. Sorry,” Ethan said, sipping his second glass of wine.
He grinned as though he’d just recalled a private joke and gently shook his head, a gesture not lost on Kirk.
“What is it?” Kirk said.
Ethan shook his head again.
“Nothing.”
He grinned though, and Kirk didn’t let it go.
“No, really, tell me what it is. This isn’t like you. Are you feeling okay?”
Ethan smiled.
“I’m fine. Better than fine. I met someone.”
Kirk regarded the news.
“Who is it? Anyone I know?” he asked casually.
Ethan shook his head. He hesitated for a moment wondering how much to share. Finally he spoke.
“Her name’s Reagan. You wouldn’t know her. She’s not in the industry,” he said, smiling as he thought of her.
Kirk nodded.
“I see. Well how did you come to meet her?”
Ethan shrugged, not certain how Kirk would react. He tilted his head and smiled.
“Do you remember me telling you a few weeks ago about wanting to explore something new?”
Kirk nodded, encouraging Ethan to continue.
“I met her online. She’s the woman I spoke to you about.”
Kirk chuckled.
“You mean the prostitute?” he said, raising his eyebrows.
Ethan’s smile faded. He didn’t like Kirk’s tone, but it didn’t surprise him. He knew how it looked.
“She’s not a prostitute,” he said quietly. “I told you, she’s a professional domme.”
Kirk shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m not sure why that makes any difference,”he said, his directness irritating Ethan. “She’s someone you pay to professionally “pleasure” you, however she does it. That’s the way I see it and that’s the way the rag mags will see it too.”
Ethan took a long sip of his wine, processing Kirk’s words. He wasn’t wrong. The press would love a story like this. They wouldn’t care about the feelings involved, or that Reagan was a good person, or that Ethan liked her a lot. They’d spin it so that it was dirty and sordid and provocative and they wouldn’t let it go.
He would have to keep it under the radar.
“It’s not what you think, Kirk. Maybe at first it was. I was just exploring and wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was so much more than I anticipated. Reagan’s different. She’s thoughtful, and sensitive, and genuine, and really beautiful. We connected in a way I don’t think either of us was expecting. She’s just very different from anyone I’ve ever met,” he said. “I really want to get to know her better. Besides, how is what she does for a living any different than what I do? We both entertain people for money. We’re both actors in a way, aren’t we? Following scripts and acting out scenes?”
Kirk shook his head slowly, quietly letting out his breath. He clearly didn’t see it that way. Neither of them said a word for a minute.
Finally Kirk spoke up.
“I know you’ve been restless, Ethan, but you have to think this through. You’ve got a lot to lose here and a situation like this could cause a shit storm in the media. You have another movie coming out in a few months, and then there’s this new project to consider. Bad press could really fuck up your image. Women love you, they don’t want to see you canoodling with a whore and jerking off while she sh
oves a dildo in your ass.”
Ethan banged his palm on the table, causing Kirk to jump back. The few other patrons in the room looked over, curious about the commotion.
“Don’t you ever call her a whore again, Kirk. You don’t even know her,” he said through his clenched jaw.
He saw Kirk sit back in his chair and then softened his words.
“I know you’re worried as my manager, but as my friend I need you to trust me. I know this is a delicate situation. I plan to be discreet. I don’t want Reagan to be hurt either. She’s a very private person.”
Kirk raised his eyebrows in disbelief, but Ethan chose not to respond.
He looked at his friend and tried to remember everything they’d been through together. He let out a sigh, and let his guard down.
“I like her, man. She could be the real deal.”
Kirk nodded slowly.
“It’ll be fine,” Ethan said, trying to reassure them both.
“Okay, my apologies. I didn’t mean to offend you,” Kirk said, somewhat impatiently. “This all just seems so surreal. I mean, you could date anyone you wanted, Ethan. Women with status, money, fame, even royalty. Why would you take such a risk for this ... woman? I don’t get it.”
Ethan sat back and sighed. He wasn’t sure how to explain it, and even if he tried, would Kirk understand?
He didn’t think so.
In his experience, people always brought their own prejudices and limitations into their judgment of others. He thought of one of his favorite quotes from Anaïs Nin.
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.
He thought that was a fair assessment of Kirk in that moment.
“Kirk, I’m not sure I can explain this to you in a way that would make you be okay with it. I’ve spent the better part of my life trying to please others, to be what other people want me to be.”
Kirk opened his mouth to interrupt, but Ethan stopped him.
“I know I’ve made a very good living from this, I get that. And the truth is, other people have made a good living off of me too, including yourself.”
Ethan stopped, pausing for effect.
Kirk closed his mouth, waiting for Ethan to finish.
“We’ve already talked about this. I do enjoy the privileges in my life, but I’ve also worked some long, hard hours in the past fifteen years and, as a result, I don’t have much in the way of personal fulfillment. I want something deeper. Reagan is the only woman I’ve met who’s made me feel that I could love someone and be loved back unconditionally, for exactly who I am. I’m not saying that this will go anywhere. Maybe it won’t. It’s still early. But there’s something in my heart telling me that this woman is special. I have to see where it goes.”
Kirk sat forward again, just as the waitress walked by. He signaled her over.
“Do you want another drink?” he asked Ethan.
“No, I’m good. I think I’m going to call it a night,” he said waving his hand over his empty wine glass.
The waitress stopped at their table.
“Can I get anything else for you, gentlemen?”
Ethan shook his head.
“No, you can just bring me the check.”
Kirk shook his head too, happy to let Ethan pick up dinner. He looked at Ethan anxiously.
“Look man, I’m sorry. I do trust you. You’ve always been on the right side of all your decisions. I do want you to be happy. You know I’m just looking out for you, right?”
Ethan smiled.
“Yeah, I know.”
Kirk continued.
“So you said her name is Reagan? Is that the name she goes by in her, uh, line of work?”
Ethan shook his head.
“No, she goes by Grace.”
Kirk nodded and smiled.
“Interesting. Is she good looking?”
Ethan let out a sigh and lightened up.
“Of course. She’s like my ultimate wet dream.”
“Blonde of course,” Kirk offered, grinning, “and built like a model?”
Ethan shook his head.
“No. Why would you think that?”
“Because you always go for that type,” Kirk stated, raising his eyebrows.
Ethan looked at him quizzically.
“Yes, I guess I do. Not this time. Reagan’s a red head. Auburn actually. And she’s got curves to die for.”
Kirk smiled.
“I like it! Curves, and a red head. She must be feisty. Do you have a picture?”
Ethan shook his head.
“No picture, sorry. Trust me though, she’s beautiful. I’d die to take her down the red carpet in the type of dresses she wears. She’d cause a sensation. She’s so … fresh, and sensual. But that’s only part of it. Yes, she’s sex on a stick, a girl that will make your cock stiffen the second she enters a room, but she’s also really intelligent and witty and spirited. She’s hard to explain.”
Kirk nodded. Ethan took it for approval.
“Who knows, maybe if you promise not to be a dick, I’ll introduce you to her one day.”
Kirk threw his napkin at him.
“Fuck you. When have I ever been a dick?” he asked with a grin, causing both of them to crack up.
Ethan called a cab for Kirk and waited with him until it arrived. After getting into the car, Kirk poked his head out the window.
“Ethan, just be careful, okay? You don’t know this woman, and you do know the gossip columnists. It’s a risk. You’re giving Reagan an awful lot of your trust. It’s possible she could sell this story, isn’t it?”
Ethan stood back on the curb, arms crossed, and shook his head.
“Anything’s possible with Reagan,“ he agreed, “but not that.”
He reached out and slapped the top of the cab twice, hard, and the driver pulled away.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Reagan
When Ethan pulled up to Reagan’s apartment building she was already waiting for him. He came around and opened the door for her as she approached his car. The romantic gesture was not lost on her.
“Thank you for that,” she said, smiling.
Ethan smiled and bowed his head.
“Of course, Milady.”
She stopped in front of him and contemplated kissing him but quickly pulled back, worried about his privacy. Ethan didn’t seem to care about that at all, because he reached out and touched her face with his fingertips and softly kissed her on the cheek. Although it was only a quick kiss, his touch made her shiver as it sent a current through her. She smiled warmly at him and tucked into the car, pulling her beach bag in with her. It didn’t leave her much room. Ethan saw her struggling.
“Can I put your bag in the trunk for you?” he asked.
She nodded and handed it to him.
“What on earth is in here?” he said chuckling, noting its weight.
Reagan shrugged.
“I brought some wine, snacks, a towel, a change of clothes. I wasn’t sure what to bring,” she said, laughing.
“You didn’t have to bring anything but your bathing suit. I’ve got you covered.”
She waved him away.
“I’m not going to show up empty handed. I want to contribute.”
Ethan shook his head slowly and smiled.
“Well then, thank you. I appreciate that.”
He stepped back and shut her door, walked to the front of his Porsche, and popped the hood, placing the bag inside. Then he made his way back to the driver’s seat.
“Ready?”
She smiled and nodded.
“Do you mind if I keep the sun roof open?”
“Of course not!” she said. “That would be great!”
He pulled out of the driveway and set course for the marina.
“So what snacks did you bring?” he teased, winking at her.
She smirked back.
“I made chocolate chip cookies.”
He took a quick glance at her, a surprised look on his
face.
“What?” she said.
He chuckled and reached out to put his hand on her leg.
“Nothing. You just caught me by surprise. You actually made the cookies? Like from scratch?”
She nodded. She reached down and put her hand on top of his, enjoying the heat of his on her leg.
“Yes, I thought you might enjoy them. I don’t get a chance to bake very often. It’s not something I do for myself.”
Ethan smiled.
“Well, I appreciate that, and I can’t wait to try one ... or four.”
Reagan felt so comfortable around him. He just had a way of setting her completely at ease.
The rest of their commute was filled with warm conversation, laughter and good natured teasing. Oh how Ethan could make her laugh!
She learned more about his work, the project he was putting together, and how he got started in the industry. It was fascinating.
She was happy to let him talk. He was so passionate about his work and his enthusiasm was infectious. She knew the time would come when he’d start asking her more personal questions, but she would wait for him to bring it up. She was in no hurry to tell that tale.
Finally, they pulled into the marina. There wasn’t much activity at that hour, which wasn’t surprising for a Wednesday. Ethan took her bag from the trunk but refused to let her carry it. She liked the way he insisted on taking care of her. It was sexy as hell.
They walked hand in hand to the slip. Reagan wasn’t sure what to expect. She’d assumed it was going to be a big boat, but was shocked when they arrived at the yacht. She did her best to keep her jaw closed, but failed miserably. He put his arms around her waist and chuckled. She looked at him with utter disbelief.
“This is the boat?” she said, giggling, her eyebrows raised.
He nodded with a devilish grin. Her reaction clearly didn’t disappoint him.
“I know, right? Even I was impressed with Steven’s yacht the first time I saw it,” he said enthusiastically. “Wait until you see the inside. You’re not going to believe it.”
Grace and Mercy Page 14
