The Surprise

by Alice Ward

  Ethan studied me for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was low.

  “I understand why you crave stability. Everyone does. But why in the world would a fascinating, spirited woman such as yourself seek out predictability?”

  I let out an amused huff and reached for my wine. “I’m not sure I’d use those words to describe me.”

  Ethan took my hand and met my eyes, his gaze deep and serious.

  “Emily, I understand what I’m about to say may come across as strange. But when I look at you, I feel like I’m staring straight into your soul. I can see the passion, the fire behind your eyes. I can tell you’re strong and determined, that you’ve overcome unimaginable pain and come out better on the other side. What I don’t understand is why you’re so determined to settle for less than you deserve.”

  I stared back at him, utterly speechless. I didn’t find Ethan’s words strange at all. I knew exactly what he was talking about because I felt the same way when I looked at him. There was an exciting, familiar quality to the way he looked at me and with each moment that passed, I felt drawn further and further in.

  Coming here was a mistake. I’m too emotional to think clearly. This is all way too much, way too soon.

  Pulse racing, I gripped the arms of my chair and started to rise. Ethan slid his chair a few feet away from me and held up his hands.

  “I’m sorry. Like I said, I know it sounds strange. And I know this isn’t the time to talk about my feelings. Please don’t leave, Emily. You came to the diner tonight because you needed a friend. Let me be that for you.”

  I relaxed back into my chair and reached for my wine. “I shouldn’t be driving, anyway.”

  “Exactly,” he agreed. “Just try to relax. We can talk about whatever you’d like. And if you want to kill both of these bottles, you’re more than welcome to crash in one of the spare rooms.”

  Damn it, he’s right. If I don’t stop drinking now, I’ll never be able to get myself home. Fuck it. My relationship just imploded. I deserve some alcohol.

  “I have assembly duty at seven-thirty in the morning. If I crash here, you’ll have to get up super early for me to take you back to your car,” I warned.

  “I’m fine with that,” he told me with a grin. He topped off my glass and I stared down silently at the wine. It had just dawned on me that I had a little over twelve hours before I had to face Ben again. I wasn’t looking forward to the reunion.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” Ethan pressed, his voice lower, more sympathetic.

  I crinkled my nose, frowned, and met his eyes. “I was thinking about getting a substitute for tomorrow,” I confessed.

  “You’re not ready to see him?”

  I shook my head. “Part of me feels like a coward. Sub days are hard on everyone and it’s completely unprofessional to let my personal life affect my students. But at the same time, when I think of seeing Ben…”

  “Emily, if you think you’ll break down when you see Ben, it’s in everyone’s best interest for you to stay home,” he insisted.

  Ethan held my gaze, his patient face wrinkled with concern.

  I gave him a guilty, devilish grin and admitted the real reason I didn’t want to see Ben. “I’m not worried about breaking down in tears. I’m afraid I’ll go into a blind rage and beat the shit out of him in front of everyone.”

  Ethan’s face relaxed and he let out an amused laugh. “Well, that settles it. You’re definitely taking a sick day tomorrow. Why don’t you call and make the arrangements while I go scare up something from the kitchen? If you’re going to keep drinking, I insist that you eat something.”

  “Deal,” I agreed, completely unfazed by the fact that he was basically bossing me around. It felt good to be taken care of for once. I fetched my phone from my purse, propped my feet up on the opposite chair, and hit Linda’s speed dial.

  “Hey, Em. What’s up?”

  “I’ve had a terrible night, Linda,” I confessed. “When you left my room this afternoon, I started to feel guilty about hiding Ethan from Ben. I decided to surprise him with dinner at his place. He was supposed to be at the club until seven. But when I got to the apartment, he was in bed with Becky Childers.”

  “That rat bastard,”’ Linda gasped, then growled. “Say no more. I’ll line up your sub and go over the lesson plans with her in the morning. Just let me know what you want me to tell everyone. I assume you’re not officially calling in heartbroken?”

  “No, officially I’m sick. I’m sure the truth will get around soon enough, but I don’t want to be the one who lets this cat out of the bag. I’m going to email Principal Matthews and tell him I’m coming down with the stomach flu. With the number of sick kids we’ve had this week, he won’t think twice about it.”

  “Got it. That’ll be my story if anyone asks. Though I have a few other words in mind for Ben. I’m so sorry, Emily. Are you okay? If you need to talk, you’re more than welcome to come hang out with Henry and me.”

  “That’s okay. I have someone to talk to,” I said with a hint of mischief in my voice.

  “Emily… where are you?” The tone of her voice told me she already had a pretty good idea.

  “I’m at Ethan’s.”

  “Well, good for you,” she said, surprising me. “Enjoy yourself. I expect a full report as soon as I get home from school tomorrow. Periodic text updates between now and then would be much appreciated,” she teased.

  “We’re just talking. I’ve only been single for a few hours,” I reminded her.

  “Sure, if you say so.”

  “Ha, ha. I need to let you go. I still need to shoot an email to Matthews and Ethan will be back any second with my dinner.”

  “Try to enjoy yourself tonight, Em. You deserve it. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Bye.”

  I ended the call and typed a short email to the principal. I told him my stomach didn’t feel well, which technically wasn’t a lie, and assured him that Linda was handling all of the arrangements. Ethan stepped outside with an enormous platter of barbecue just as I was returning my phone to my purse.

  “Everything settled?” He sat the platter on the table and moved behind the bar to fetch a roll of paper towels.

  “Yes. Linda, the other kindergarten teacher, is handling everything for me.”

  “Did you tell her what’s really going on?”

  I nodded and reached for a sauce-drenched rib. “She would have found out eventually. But she won’t run her mouth to the rest of the school.”

  I picked it up by the bone and the meat fell back to the plate. Ethan picked up a dripping handful, tossed it into his mouth, then passed me a paper towel before tearing one off for himself.

  “Do you want to keep talking about it?” he continued after chasing his bite with a gulp of wine.

  I shook my head. “I’d like to talk about anything but, actually.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that,” he replied with a grin, sending my heart into another happy race. “I’m interested in so much more than your relationship with your ex,” he continued. “I want to know everything there is to know about you. What inspired you to go into teaching?”

  I reached for my wine and Ethan shook his head, his eyes darting to the ribs.

  “You’ve got to get something in your stomach, Emily. Trust me, you’ll feel much better tomorrow if you eat something.”

  There was no point in arguing. I knew he was right. I took a bite of smoky, tangy meat, and then answered Ethan’s question as I stripped three more bones.

  “When I started high school, a guidance counselor explained that I’d need extracurricular activities for my college applications. We were never in one place long enough for me to join any teams or clubs. But every school I went to had a shortage of tutors. I’d always done really well in school, and the job was a natural fit.”

  I ate another bite of the ribs and wiped my hands on the paper towel.

  “These are delicious. This is quite the mea
l for something you scared up in the kitchen.”

  “You lucked out.” He licked sauce from his thumb and my stomach twisted. “I forgot these were in the fridge. So you became a teacher because you enjoyed tutoring so much? Somehow, I feel like there’s more to it than that.”

  I swallowed another mouthful and tore off another paper towel to wipe my mouth. “You got me,” I agreed with a sigh. “Growing up with my uncle was exciting and, for the most part, I loved my childhood. But it made me tired, Ethan. Tired of uprooting, tired of being alone. The school gives me a foundation, somewhere I can belong. And I get to contribute to the foundations of a bunch of precious tiny people,” I added with a genuine smile.

  “So you’re a homebody? You don’t like to travel?” he pressed, his eyebrows drawing together in concern.

  “I don’t like to travel. See, that’s all the more reason we should just be friends,” I teased.

  I dropped another bite of barbecue into my mouth and awkwardly swallowed while he studied me. I decided to change the subject.

  “So what made you decide to play football? I don’t mean to be indelicate, but do you really even have to work?”

  Ethan frowned. “You mean couldn’t I just live off of my stepfather’s money?”

  “I know that sounds tacky,” I mumbled, feeling my cheeks heat again. “But yeah, I guess that’s what I mean.”

  “Don’t worry. I get that a lot,” he confided. “I could live off of Victor’s money if I wanted to. He certainly has enough of it. But what kind of man would that make me? I’m good at what I do, Emily. I’m good at everything I do. If I didn’t play football, if I didn’t take advantage of my talents, everything I am would be wasted. Does that make any sense?”

  I nodded and tried to stifle a yawn. The wine and the emotions of the day were catching up with me and my eyelids grew heavy. Ethan noticed.

  “You’re exhausted.” He gathered the discarded paper towels and tossed them into the bar side trash can. My heart thumped when he reached for my hand.

  “Come on. I’ll get you some sweats and show you to the guest room.”

  Ethan led me through the house, stopping at the room at the end of the west wing. He pushed open the door but stayed in the hallway.

  “If you feel like washing up, the guest suite has its own bath. My room is right here,” he added. He took a few steps backward and opened a door on the opposite wall. “My sweats will probably swallow you, but they’ll be more comfortable than your jeans.”

  I followed him into the room and perched on the foot of his bed. As I’d expected, Ethan’s room was meticulously organized. He opened a dresser drawer and retrieved a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants that had been cut off at the knees.

  “These are just ratty old practice pants,” he explained. “But they won’t drag on the ground.”

  “Works for me.” I took the clothes from his hands, resisting the urge to hold them to my chest. Half of me wanted to pull him down beside me on the bed. The other half knew that was the last thing I should be thinking about. I decided to play it safe and rose to my feet.

  “I’m glad you found me tonight, Emily,” Ethan offered as I walked toward the door. I paused and looked over my shoulder.

  “I’m glad I did too, Ethan. Thanks for listening to me.”

  “Anytime.”

  ***

  Ethan tucked me into his guest bed and I spent the next hour trying to get to sleep. My body was exhausted, but my mind was racing. Ben’s betrayal stung, but it wasn’t what was keeping me awake. My proximity to Ethan was what had me reeling and I fought the urge to leave my bed for his.

  I can’t jump from one man to another. Ethan’s charming, and he really does seem to be interested in me. But I don’t know him yet. And I can’t kick off my newly single status with a one-night stand… can I?

  I tossed beneath the blankets, trying to get comfortable enough to drift off to sleep. But my mind kept returning to the last night I’d tried to be intimate with Ben. It dawned on me that I didn’t actually remember the last time I’d had sex.

  Okay, so I’m horny. But Ethan isn’t the man to scratch that itch with. If I jump into bed with him too soon, he’ll never respect me. I’ll ruin any chance of having a real relationship with him.

  That thought made me pause.

  Do I want a real relationship with him? I don’t even know right now. Which is precisely why I need to stay put. He’s probably asleep by now, anyway.

  About that time, I heard Ethan’s bedroom door creak open. I held my breath, hoping he was on his way to me. But after a few long, tense seconds, I realized that was just wishful thinking. A few minutes later, I heard his door close again.

  Screw it. If I stay here, I’m going to be up all night fantasizing about what might have happened. I’ll go cuddle with him and see what happens from there.

  My heart in my throat, I kicked off the blankets and padded barefoot across the thick shag carpet. I reached Ethan’s door and knocked softly on the thick wood.

  “Come in,” he called out, his voice muffled through the wall.

  I pushed the door open and slipped into the room. I lingered just inside, suddenly nervous that Ethan didn’t want my company. He pushed himself up against the headboard and flipped on his bedside lamp. His bare, well-defined chest drew my eyes and made it difficult for me to talk.

  “Can’t sleep?” he asked, his voice sympathetic and understanding.

  I shook my head. “No. I’m sorry, I don’t know what I’m doing here.”

  “It’s okay, Emily,” he assured me. He pulled down the blankets beside him and patted the mattress.

  “If you’re not in the mood to be alone, you’re welcome to sleep in here with me. I promise I’ll be a gentleman.”

  “Thanks,” I replied, unsure if I was happy or upset with his promise but climbed into the bed and snuggled under the blankets. Ethan left the lamp on and curled his body around mine.

  “Is this okay?” he whispered, his mouth just inches from my neck.

  “This is perfect.” And it was.

  We laid in silence for a few minutes as I listened to the steady in and out of Ethan’s breathing. It slowed, becoming deeper and I knew he was ready for sleep. I was anything but. I raised a hand to the arm he had draped over me and started tracing light, teasing circles on his smooth skin.

  Ethan let out a soft, happy moan and moved into my touch. I turned in his arms and gave him a bold, hard kiss on the mouth. He flinched in surprise, but then kissed me back. He pushed one hand beneath my t-shirt and gripped my side roughly before stopping himself and rolling away.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I know you’re not ready. I got a little carried away.”

  I rolled closer to him and kissed his shoulder. “I think I started this,” I told him, kissing a trail to his neck.

  “Oh, Emily,” he groaned as my lips found his earlobe. His tone fluctuated between passion and frustration, and he stopped me just as I was about to climb into his lap.

  “Please don’t take this the wrong way,” he pleaded. “I want you. Of course I want you. But I want all of you. And right now, you’re emotional… and a little drunk.”

  “I’m not at all drunk,” I corrected him with a pout. “I’m sorry. I thought you wanted this as much as I do. I’ll go back to the other room.”

  Ethan grabbed me and pulled me back into his arms. “I don’t want you to go anywhere,” he confessed. “And believe me, I wish I could rip your clothes off right now. But I’m just not sure this is the right time. Like I said, I want all of you. When we make love… and we will, Emily, I want it to be about you and me, nothing more. And right now, I know what happened with Ben is motivating most of your decisions.”

  “You’re wrong,” I argued. “I mean, Ben’s popped into my head a few times. But not in a ‘I wish I had him’ or a ‘I want to get back at him’ way. My only thought about Ben is that I should have left him months ago. If I had, I would have been free to give you
my number that first night we met. I wanted to, you know.”

  I laid my head on Ethan’s shoulder and he stroked my back.

  “You did?” His tone was one of happy disbelief.

  I nodded against his chest. “I did. I resented the fact that I had a boyfriend, that I wasn’t free to be with you. But I’m here now.”

  I kissed Ethan’s neck and he turned his face, his mouth finding mine. His hands slid up and down my body, caressing me as our tongues danced together. Desire ignited, burning between my legs and I needed to be closer. As I climbed on top of him, he gripped me roughly by the hips and pulled his face away from mine, staring up at me with lust and infatuation.

  “You’re here now,” he agreed. “And I want you, Emily. I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you. But if we’re going to do this, I need to know you’re in it for the long haul. I’m not looking for casual sex, Em. Not with you. So if you need more time, I understand. I can be patient.”

  I held his face in my hands and clenched my legs around his waist. “You’re not the only one who’s wanted this since the night we met. I’ve never felt like this before. And I’m more than ready to figure out what it means.”

  Ethan gave me a devilish smile and flipped me onto my back, hovering above me with his weight on his hands.

  “I’m going to make you feel better than you’ve ever felt in your life,” he promised.

  I smiled back at him and raised my arms over my head. He pulled off the t-shirt, taking in the sight of me before diving for my breasts. He teased one nipple between his fingers, the other between his lips, and I felt myself gush wet with anticipation. I pushed the baggy sweatpants to my thighs, kicking them the rest of the way off as Ethan slid his lips up my neck. He nibbled my earlobe and pushed one hand under my black lace panties.

  “Oh God,” I cried out as he pushed a single finger inside me.

  “You’re so wet,” he said into my ear.

  I was too overwhelmed with pleasure to respond with anything more than a groan. I wrapped an arm around Ethan’s neck, anchoring myself to him as I writhed beneath his touch. He pulled free of my grasp, lowering his head to replace his fingers with his tongue.