by Tia Lewis
I sighed and felt a cool breeze pass us. I looked at Ethan with a bit of sadness to my face, the guilt of what had happened not dissipating despite the affection he had been showing me.
"Ethan?" I ventured a question.
He blinked as if his mind was in another world altogether, before he turned and looked down at me.
"Yes, Princess?"
I shivered slightly at the use of my special name that I only allowed Ethan to call me.
"Did you want me to come with you?"
"Of course. I don't want you to be by yourself, alright?" he explained as he continued to pull my waist gently, leading me away from the crowded street of the city that typically marked my path when I hailed a cab.
“Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me, beautiful. You were right. Your ex-husband is a piece of work. It'll be safer for you to come to my place."
I couldn't argue with his logic since Nick knew exactly where I lived. He admitted he had me followed, stalked, and tracked me, and no doubt was either at my apartment waiting right now or had a pair of eyes watching it to see if I came back alone.
"I'm sorry Nick came after you tonight, though."
"Wasn't your fault. You're the sexiest woman I've met. I can't blame him for getting a little crazy over you. Now, he would need to go through me to get to you."
If only Ethan knew the half of it, I thought to myself. I bit my bottom lip and continued to walk with him. The atmosphere was dark, and I grew increasingly paranoid to what the darkness held all around us. The police had searched the neighborhood thoroughly and found none of the perpetrators from Nick's gang, but the danger was still ever present.
Ethan held me closer against him. The warmth of his body, the smoothness of his black leather coat, and the smell of his cologne all intermingled together at once. I felt safer in his arms with each step, despite the growing concern of us in the open darkness.
But his voice was what made it so much better as we stepped in front of a black Lexus sedan.
"We're not going by cab tonight."
"I take it this is your car?" I asked with wide eyes admiring the luxury vehicle.
Ethan grinned, shaking his head as he opened the door on the driver's side.
"No. I don't know who it belongs to."
I swallowed hard, unsure if he was joking or not, before he let out a playful laugh.
"I'm kidding, Jessica. Yes. It's mine. Hop in. I unlocked the door."
"You are absolutely the worst." I gave a huff as I climbed in the passenger side. “Now is not the time to be joking."
“But I got you to smile, so it was worth it."
I blushed. I felt the vibration of the starting engine. The sound of a light rev, the sputter of gas, and the sound of mechanical life rolling all into one as I closed the door with a thud.
Ethan's change from a sex God, to the concerned boss, to a teasing fool, turned me on. I couldn't help but feel happiness when I reflected on spending time with Ethan. He was someone who didn't just push me away whenever he was done with me and actually treated me like a partner in his life who he could still have fun with even when not using my body as a toy.
It was more than just a turn on.
It felt... good. To just be seen as another aspect of his day rather than a distraction.
“Are you okay?"
“Yes, I'm fine."
Ethan leaned over to me and planted a wet kiss on my lips.
“I miss your taste already."
"Ethan!" I giggled. “Are we going to drive out of here or what?"
"Just needed a little bit of sugar in the gas tank was all."
Ethan put the car in reverse to slowly pull from the parking spot, and then with another flick of the stick, he put the car in drive as we drove from the alleyway to join the New York City traffic.
The drive itself wasn't too long compared to some cab rides I had taken. Several turns, leaving one borough for another and avoiding the rougher section of the residential segments of the city brought us to one neighborhood that was seemingly built better than the rest. Tall buildings of architectural beauty illuminated the streets below in an incandescent glow. The neighborhood screamed safety. It screamed of people who didn't fear the night, their neighbors or circumstances, and that was enough for me as we managed to park and make our way toward the entrance of a building.
Minutes later, we were greeted by the doorman and made our way inside the main lobby area, and took an elevator to the top floor of the penthouse suites.
I didn't know what to expect in all honesty, but I followed Ethan's lead. Both of us walked in silence together, no longer needing words of comfort or flirtations between us. I nervously fidgeted, realizing I would be seeing the inside of his home for the first time since we had met.
I felt Ethan's hand caress the curve of my back as we walked down the lit hallway. Eventually, we made it to his apartment as he stopped in front of the door. He hesitated for a moment, nervousness marking his features as it appeared Ethan thought for words to say, drawing my curiosity out even more.
"Ethan?" I gently asked before he turned toward me.
"Just thinking is all, Princess. I haven't brought a woman to my apartment before. I think the last time I did was years ago. Just... there's someone living with me is all and I'm nervous to have you meet her."
“Her?"
Ethan nodded.
“Oh. Okay… Well. I mean. How bad could it be?"
"It's my sister." He said with a sigh. He opened the door which allowed us access to his home. Ethan McKnight's world. His own private sanctuary away from the lights, action, and energy of his BDSM club, The Twisted Sanctuary.
I was unsure what I expected when he opened the door. I had my preconceived notions of what his home might look like. I expected it to be much like his club―full of whips, chains, and sex toys littered all around. I realized it was stupid to think that his home would resemble his place of business, but what I saw still came at a shock as he ushered me inside.
His home looked much bigger on the inside than I thought it would. It was simple and elegant. His home featured an open floor plan with high vaulted ceilings above. Several couches surrounded a large flat screen television, carpeting was settled on the hardwood floors, and artistic decorations lined the walls giving it the impression of a more homely gallery of sorts.
I didn't think that Ethan had it in him to be “normal" as I turned to look back to him. He closed the door behind us with a click, a lock, a bolt, and another lock as a security measure. He then wandered out from the opening area in front of the door where coats and shoes lined the wall.
"Well, welcome to my home, Princess. Not the castle you expected I'm sure."
“It looks a hell of a lot more comfortable than your cave."
Ethan only grinned and made his way to me and embraced me in his arms with a kiss before a voice echoed out like a ghost in the room. The tone of voice was high pitched, bouncing off of the white walls of the penthouse suite that he called home.
"Ethan? Is that you?"
Ethan had warned me of who it was that resided with him as he sheepishly pulled back for just a moment.
"I'm by the door!"
A short woman, much the same in height as me but of slender build emerged from the back of one of the rooms. Her face much in the same shape of her brothers; angular, but feminine. The only difference of her, besides her gender, were of the rounded glasses that she wore, and her hair pulled back in a bun.
She came out, looked in our direction and then bounded on her bare feet toward him, wrapping her arms around him in a hug as she held him close. Her voice running a mile a minute, each word running over each other as she couldn't help but hold onto him.
"Oh, my God! Are you, ok? Laurence called and told me everything that happened. Are you hurt?"
"Lisa, I'm alright! Calm down."
"Why did I have to hear about this from him and not my own brother?"
"I know.
I know. I'm fine now, will you let go of me?"
I couldn't help but chuckle and admire the situation that the poor man had found himself in. And perhaps, I felt a little jealous. I was the youngest of four siblings. My other siblings were older by five to ten years and had left home as soon as I entered my teen years. So I had no one to build a relationship with, unlike Ethan and his sister from what it seemed.
Lisa finally peeled herself from Ethan and took a step back. She cleared her throat as she looked in my direction. Her own blue eyes penetrating into me for just a small moment, almost as if she was trying to recognize who I was. Momentarily, the awkwardness grew between us before the silence was broken.
"I see we have company over. Who is this?" Lisa asked.
"This is Jessica Natorao."
Suddenly, it was like a light that went off in his sister's eyes.
"Wait! The one you can't stop talking about?"
"Yes. That's her. You going to try to embarrass me or something?"
“Whatever, Ethan," Lisa giggled and turned to me.
"Jessica, this is my younger sister, Lisa. She's... staying with me for now while she attends New York University."
“Hello, Lisa. Nice to meet you." I gave a friendly smile.
“Nice to meet you, too!"
"Ladies, can we move from the doorway?"
“Grumpy," Lisa teased.
“It's been a long day."
“Which is why you have tell me everything that happened. Oh, my God! I didn't think you'd ever have someone pointing a gun at you," Lisa quickly spoke and walked to the kitchen.
"Well, it is New York, Lisa..."
Ethan gave me an apologetic smile as he reached out for my hand.
"Sorry, Jessica. I guess she was just a little excited."
“A little?" I giggled. "So, what's this I hear that you can't stop talking about me?"
Ethan could only groan. The truth of his affection now out of the bag, and in truth, it made me want him even more.
Chapter Eleven
Things were going fairly well with all three of us as we sat in the kitchen of Ethan's apartment. The kitchen area, much like the rest of the home, spacious, and decorated with various knick knacks gave the building an artistic, and homely appearance.
I listened to Ethan and Lisa chit-chat, and they often turned to me to include me in the conversation, despite my apprehension to do so. I didn't want to feel as if I was intruding on their time together, but I willingly answered their questions which mostly came from Lisa. The first time in a while outside of my friends, Mariah and Theresa, other people had taken an interest in me. It made me realize how bad my social life was up until this point.
It felt nice.
Dinner was prepared, and Lisa placed out a casserole dish of meat and potatoes and a bowl of mixed vegetables on the dinner table. Ethan followed by and placed glasses of orange juice and wine, as well, and we all sat down to a comfortable silence to eat.
“Thank you so much, Lisa, for this wonderful meal."
“You're very welcome. I found the recipe on Pinterest."
“If she's not studying, she's on that website all day long."
“It's an addiction," Lisa giggled. “I can't help it."
I couldn't help but relax fully now for the first time in so long. Despite the earlier horror of what had happened with Nick and his entourage, a glow of happiness washed over me. I sat there observing and enjoying the meal that Lisa had prepared.
I sipped on my glass of wine and watched Lisa adjust her glasses. Puzzlement was evident on her face as she seemed to struggle with a question that she didn't know how to ask.
Then, she simply looked at me and went for it.
"So, Jessica… How did you meet my brother exactly?"
I choked on my wine as my mind railed with ways to figure out how to answer Lisa's question. Do I answer truthfully and say that our first night together was intended to be a one-night stand? Do I lie and say that I met him somewhere far away from his club? Do I add a mixture of both and say I was looking for work at his club and I hung around?
Plus, I was unsure about her level of maturity as I bit my lip, feeling my thoughts quickly run rampant through my head. She was going to college, as Ethan had mentioned, so no doubt she was an adult, and knew the truth. But how close of a relationship did she have with her brother to know about the sexual side of his life? Was she aware, or blissfully ignorant and not wanting to know?
I looked to Ethan to speak out for me. Instead, he had his face buried in a large glass wine. I saw a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead as if he, too, dreaded to answer.
It seemed I was all alone in this, and I decided perhaps being as frank as possible would have been better. I looked at her, forcing myself into a slight smile.
"Well, Lisa. Your brother and I met at his club."
That seemed to suffice as an answer as she creased her forehead. No doubt she knew what the club was, and the atmosphere it held.
"I didn't realize Ethan dipped into the customers."
"I don't," Ethan murmured in response to the slight chastisement. “I found someone I like, and care about and it worked out."
I felt myself blush even more at that statement. Two confirmations in one day. Karma seemingly looking my way despite the threat of being shot earlier.
Lisa shrugged as she took a sip of her orange juice.
"Well, considering you've been single for a while that's actually not a bad thing you know."
For Ethan, it was his turn to blush. A light grumble of annoyance escaped his lips once more as he tried not to spill his wine at having his secrets exposed. The mystery of Ethan McKnight slowly started crumbling before my eyes thanks to his sister.
"Are you going to tell Jessica everything about me while she's here?"
"That's the plan," came Lisa's sweet smile despite the mischievousness behind it.
"It's only been one night. Don't scare the woman."
"That does remind me..." Lisa retorted. Tilting her head in thought before she turned in her seat to look better at me. Once more, reaching her hand to adjust at her glasses as she thought of the question, and how to properly ask. "You intend to come back right? I'm sure you see something in him?"
In truth, I hadn't even considered it. I didn't think I'd ever get this far with another man after my divorce until I met Ethan. He was charming, powerful, and had a confidence I had never seen before. He knew what he wanted, and wasn't afraid to get it by making you feel good and realizing you wanted it too. He accepted my boundaries and I was able to feel alive with him. Yes meant yes, and no meant no, and the safety word was established and honored. With him, it felt like if you were honest, you'd receive honesty in return.
But even with all of the amazing qualities that Ethan had, self-doubt still lingered, and I was afraid of getting hurt again. I convinced myself that if I were only involved in the physical aspect of a relationship with him, then when it ended that would be that. Disappointment would rule that day, but I wouldn't be torn or broken.
But tonight, seeing Ethan as a well-rounded person for the first time filled me with a sense of longing that I didn't realize I ached for. His home life seemed comfortable, his mannerism more human, his actions less deliberate and more reactionary, less like he was projecting an image of what he wanted to be, and more like who he was.
And I realized I was actually starting to fall in love with him.
So I smiled at Lisa's question as I lost myself in the thought of what I wanted. I looked at Ethan as if to ask for confirmation for what I had hoped would be the right answer.
"Well, if I'm allowed to. I don't want to show up unannounced. Besides, it's up to your brother if he ever wants me to come back again."
In response, Ethan nodded and bit his lip.
"You're allowed to come by anytime. How can I say no, Princess?"
The special word that he used on me only elicited a roll of the eyes from Lisa as she slowly stood from her chai
r. She gathered the empty dishes and cutlery from the table, turning to bring them back to the sink.
"So, this is awkward," Lisa shouted from the kitchen.
“Oh, my God." I couldn't help but laugh.
“Alright, you two. I'm going to leave you lovebirds alone. Just try not to be too loud tonight."
Lisa caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but fumble with my words and what to say next.
“Wait before I leave the room, please!" Lisa quickly left the kitchen, leaving me and Ethan alone beneath dim dining room lights.
"Whew. Thought she would never leave," Ethan replied.
“I can't believe you called me, Princess in front of your sister!" I loudly whispered.
Ethan scooted his chair closer toward me.
“Why not?"
“Because it's your sister."
“She'll live," Ethan chuckled. “You like her right?"
“Yes, I actually do. She's funny and has a bubbly spirit about her."
“I'm happy to hear that."
I felt the tip of Ethan's fingers slowly slide down the side of my body in a gentle caress. Sitting there, I let him explore at his leisure, not caring if his sister returned at the most unfortunate time now as he spoke.
"You're the youngest, right? I think I remembered you stating that," he asked.
"Yes, I am."
“How was that?"
“Meh. It was okay, but my older siblings were way older than me, so I was practically an only child. I definitely didn't have the relationship you have with your sister."
"That's a shame."
I nodded in response. Sighing for a bit as I continued to feel Ethan's hand slide down to the curve of the small of my back down toward my hip. I felt his warmth intermingle with mine as I felt the growing heat between my thighs, slowly increasing in intensity the more his touch heightened my rising arousal.
Suddenly, I could feel the heat of Ethan's breath so close to my cheek. His other hand reached to brush aside my hair from my face. His breath, and its sweetness, nuzzled against the side of my face as he spoke. He kissed my ear and bit gently on my ear lobe. He knew what he was doing, and it worked.
