by Ava Walsh
“What?” I ask, propping myself up on my elbows.
He lifts his pants off the floor and reaches into a pocket, revealing a foil packet. I cock an eyebrow. If only we had both been thinking about this that first time in the pool house. He clears his throat. “I didn’t come here planning to-”
“Seduce me?” I finish with a slight smile.
He grins and sheaths himself. “Not that I’m not ecstatic that it’s happening.” He lowers himself between my thighs again, this time staring into my eyes. “I don’t want you to have any regrets this time around.”
“I won’t. I want this. I want you.” The consequences be damned.
He lifts a hand to trail his finger down my cheek and then lowers to take hold of my hip. His cock presses against my entrance, and I lift my hips in an attempt to take him inside of me. “Please, Ethan. I’ve waited so long.”
He responds by easing into me with agonizing slowness until he is buried deep. We both let out contented sighs, pleased that we are once again connected after so long. Ethan moves slowly at first, but his strokes become faster. His jaw is clenched and I can see his internal battle through his eyes. He’s struggling to maintain control. But I don’t want him to. I want him to let go. I want all of him. My legs tighten around his waist as I lift my hips to meet his thrusts, taking him deeper.
“More, Ethan.” My soft plea seems to snap the control he is trying so hard to keep. He begins to drive into me more vigorously, eliciting a cry from my lips. My fingers dig into the muscles of his arms as my internal muscles tighten around him. I can feel the tension spreading through my core. “Ethan!” I sob his name as I come apart.
He holds my gaze and continues to move, sending shockwaves through me. “Lindsay, I could look at you forever.”
His words throw me into a frenzy of emotions, and I have to choke back tears. He couldn’t possibly mean any of it. Forever implies an actual relationship. He must have uttered the words in the heat of passion. I continue to stare into his eyes as he shudders his release, letting out a loud groan. I can feel him still pulsing inside of me. I wouldn’t mind if he remained there for the rest of our lives. Our ragged breaths fill the room.
“I’m crushing you,” Ethan murmurs. I shake my head, no, but he gets up anyway. “Where’s the bathroom?” I point to a closed door and watch him move towards it. I lay on the couch, a sated puddle of immobile limbs. When Ethan disappears behind the door, alarm pricks me. Is there any sign that a child lives here in the bathroom?
He doesn’t say anything when he emerges, so I relax a bit. Joining me on the couch, he stretches his much larger body alongside mine and pulls me to him. My head rests on his shoulder. It’s strange how relaxed I feel laying down with him. “I’m sorry for rushing things, Lindsay. I had intended to take my time pleasing you.”
“It was amazing,” I murmur, my voice slurring with exhaustion.
“Really? I’m glad.”
I chuckle at the hint of male satisfaction in his tone. I’m dangerously close to drifting off to sleep. I should tell Ethan to leave. But it feels so damn good lying down like this with him. I’d better not get used to it. He’s going to leave after Amanda’s wedding, and I probably won’t see him again for another three years, if not longer.
Chapter Nine
Ethan
My eyes open. My unfamiliar surroundings momentarily disorient me. The slight weight of the warm body sprawled on top of me brings back my memory. A smile spreads across my face. This is the first time I have woken up with a woman and not feared the awkwardness that will follow. Needless to say, I’m immensely happy to wake up with Lindsay in my arms: a bit cramped from spending the night on her couch, but pleased. I glance down to find her still fast asleep.
Her curtain of black hair fans out across my chest. Her head is slightly upturned so that I have full visual of her face. I study her flawless, creamy skin, pert nose and full lips swollen from my kisses. Her long lashes rest against her cheeks. She looks so relaxed and innocent. My heart stirs with an emotion that I’m much too afraid to analyze at the moment.
I make an attempt to move and can’t help the groan that rumbles in my chest. How did we end up spending the entire night on the couch anyway? Lindsay stirs, her soft skin sliding over mine and I groan again, this time because of arousal. I can already feel myself hardening. She freezes, no doubt feeling my cock poking at her. Her head snaps up, blue eyes clashing with mine, swimming with confusion and then shock.
“Ethan, what are you- oh, God.” She springs up, nearly stumbling to the floor.
I swiftly reach out to steady her. “Hey, careful.” Hopefully she doesn’t hear the amusement in my voice. My amusement fades, however, when I see the look of horror on her face.
“Lindsay, what’s wrong?”
She snatches up her shirt to hold against her front. “You spent the night.”
“Yeah. You fell asleep and then I fell asleep. I didn’t think you would mind if I stayed.”
“I do mind. You should have left.” Agitation radiates from her as she shoves her fingers through her mass of curls.
Standing up, I reach for her, cupping her face and forcing her to look at me. “You’re near panic. Calm down, Lindsay. So I spent the night. It's no big deal.”
“I-it is.”
I frown. “Why?”
She wrenches her face out of my hands. “You’re leaving in a few days. We shouldn’t have done this,” she adds, waving her hands.
My frustration mounts. With a sigh, I reach for my clothes and begin to dress. “You told me there would be no regrets.”
Lindsay pauses in the middle of pulling up her pants to look at me. “Don’t get me wrong, Ethan. I don’t regret having sex with you. I meant that you shouldn’t have spent the night. We shouldn’t get too close- complicate things. Plus, I have a child.”
My head snaps up, and I forget all about buttoning my shirt. My heart stills. “You have a child?” She seems almost as shocked by her declaration as I am.
“Yes, a daughter. That’s why you should just stay away from me. I know you don’t want a woman with a child or a woman who lives in a crappy apartment, who works at a diner.”
Realizing that I’m gaping with my mouth open, I snap it shut. “You’re with someone?” The pain that pierces my heart is almost overwhelming. Of course she has someone. A beautiful woman like Lindsay would surely attract men’s attention.
“I just told you I have a child and that I’m way beneath you, and you ask if I have a boyfriend?”
My jaw clenches. “Because that’s all I care about. The fact that you have a daughter doesn’t stop me from wanting you. And what the hell do you mean beneath me? The only time you were beneath me was last night. And as I recall, we both liked it.”
I’m satisfied to see a blush spread across her face. “You know what I mean,” she bites out. Her shoulders sag. Her defeated expression tugs at my heart. “I didn’t go to art school, Ethan. I didn’t become anything. I stayed here in this small town and worked a minimum wage job. I still do. You’re a big star. You’re rich, successful. What would a guy like you want with me?”
What I hear from Lindsay is unbelievable. Taking hold of her chin, I force her to meet my gaze. “I thought you knew me well enough to know that I wouldn’t care about such trivial things. I want you, Lindsay. I don’t care what kind of job you do. I’m sad to discover that you didn’t go to art school, though. You had your heart set on it.”
She shrugs. “It just didn’t work out.”
“Don’t think you’re anything less than amazing because your life didn’t go the way you planned.” I sigh. “I believe the real question is what a great girl like you would want with someone holding my reputation.”
Lindsay lets out a laugh. “Well, I have read quite a few things.”
I groan, but smile, and the mood instantly lightens. But there is one more question hovering in my mind. I clear my throat lightly. “Um, is your daughter’s father in your li
fe? I mean, are you and him- Do you-”
“I’m still single. I wouldn’t have slept with you if I wasn’t.”
Feeling ridiculously relieved, I nod. “Right. What’s your daughter’s name?”
“Casey.” There is evident love in her tone when she mentions her daughter’s name.
“Casey,” I repeat. “I would love to meet her.”
Lindsay’s eyes widen. “That’s not a good idea. You really should go, Ethan. I would offer you breakfast, but I have to pick up Casey from my mom’s.”
“How about I drive you to your mom’s, and I take you and Casey out for breakfast?”
“No! I- I mean, thanks, but no. I have a lot to do today. You know how it is when you get one day off.”
She’s pushing me toward the door as she speaks. “Okay, dinner then. I’ll take you both out for dinner.”
Lindsay sighs. “I’m not comfortable with you meeting her yet.”
I stare at her for a moment. “Alright, I respect that. What do you say about just you and me, then?”
“If my mom can babysit, maybe.”
“Good enough for me.” Before I can lean down to give her a kiss, she’s closed the door. “Goodbye to you, too,” I say to the closed door. I turn and let out a sigh. I’ve practically been kicked out of her apartment. No woman has ever rushed me off after a night of passion. “Well, this is a first.” I’m usually the one trying to get rid of a woman in the morning.
Lindsay’s behavior perplexes me, although it’s now a bit clearer after her confessions. I shake my head. Did her ending things between us all those years ago stem from her feeling that she wasn’t good enough for me? The notion is laughable considering that she is the one who is too good for me.
Chapter Ten
Lindsay
I feel way out of my element sitting in this fancy restaurant, not to mention underdressed. I shouldn’t have agreed to spend the day in Hartford with Ethan. I’ve spent time with him almost every day this week, meeting for lunch and dinner and spending the nights at my place. Now that he knows I have a child, I feel a bit more comfortable with him in my apartment. I’ve managed to arrange for Casey to spend the nights with my mom.
I won’t have to keep up the charade for much longer. Amanda is getting married in two days. That means Ethan will be leaving. Guilt plagues me every waking moment for not telling Ethan about Casey, and for not telling my best friend about me and her brother.
“That frown shouldn’t be on that gorgeous face.”
Ethan’s voice penetrates my guilt-ridden mind. “Huh?”
“Okay, where did you just go? You zoned out on me. What’s wrong?”
“Oh, um, I’m just thinking about Amanda.” It’s not a complete lie.
“What about her?”
I search my mind for something. “I’m worried about her marrying that guy.” Again, not a complete lie. “He’s a bit of a douche.” I purse my lips, instantly cursing my loose tongue.
Ethan surprises me by letting out a laugh. “Finally, someone with the guts to say it.”
“You don’t like him either?”
“Not at all.” He sighs. “Amanda doesn’t want to hear that. She still gives me the evil eye after I confronted her about him days ago.”
I’m glad that we’re talking about something other than me, Casey or what’s happening between Ethan and me. “Yeah, she won’t listen to me, either. I guess we can’t do anything but stand by and watch her marry Nathan.”
“I suppose.” Ethan eyes my plate. “You’ve barely eaten.”
“I’m not really hungry.”
“Perhaps I can help you work up an appetite and then we can call for room service.”
My head snaps up. “Room service?”
“You did say Casey is staying with your mother for the night, right?” I nod. “I would like to take you upstairs to the room I booked and make love to you all night, Lindsay.”
Oh boy. How could a girl resist such an offer from Ethan Taylor? Especially when his eyes were darkening and moving over me with such burning intensity, making me squirm in my seat. “Okay,” I breathe.
The seductive curl of his lips makes my heart race. “Let’s go.”
We barely make it to our room before my dress comes off. Ethan slams the door shut with his foot and leans me up against it. His mouth moves over mine almost violently while I unbutton his shirt. He backs it off and kneels down, his hands running from calves to my thighs and up to massage my ass. He peers up at me as he slowly peels my panties off. I watch with wide eyes as he lifts one of my legs to drape over his shoulder.
“Oh my,” I moan, when his tongue slides over my sensitive bud. My fingers bunch in his hair as lightning shoots through my blood stream. My head presses into the door and I grind my hips against Ethan’s mouth. His skillful mouth works magic, bringing me to my peak in no time. I scream, shattering to pieces. My knees buckle, and I begin to slide downward. Ethan catches me, wearing a grin.
“Did you like that?”
“You have to ask? I loved it,” I pant. I’m suddenly in his arms being carried to the bedroom. I peek up at him through my lashes. He has no idea that he’s the only who has ever done such things to me, my only lover. I don’t think I will ever desire to be touch by any other man. He lays me on the bed and busies himself removing the remainder of his clothing. I lay silent and watchful as he slips on a condom and walks toward me. He looks magnificent, like a Greek God. How did I ever get so lucky to have such a man interested in me? This week with Ethan has been surreal. I wish I could have him like this forever. But I know that’s not possible. Shoving away my emerging depressing thoughts, I receive him with a smile.
Ethan rolls us over, bringing me on top of him. “I want you to ride me, baby.” His provocative words cause me to shiver. I feel so wanton straddling him like this. I blush like a virgin making love for the first time. He reaches up to tenderly brush my cheek. “I can’t believe you’re still shy with me.”
“I’m not as experienced as you think,” I admit. Thankfully, he doesn’t ask questions.
“Let me help you, then.” He palms my hips, lifting me and settling me over his length. I slide down with a gasp as he fills me completely, body and soul. His hands guide my movements until I catch my rhythm, my inhibitions fading. My head falls back, and I ride Ethan with wild abandon. His hands slide up my torso to cup my breasts. Then, he lifts himself to a sitting position to take a nipple into his mouth, causing me to buck against him. He groans and tightens his arms around me, thrusting his hips upward.
“Oh God, Ethan, I lo-” I catch myself before the word slips out. Dipping my head, I bury my face in the crook of his neck as I explode. My body is wracked with the intensity of my orgasm and the aftershocks that ripple through me every time he moves. He follows closely behind me, his body making a massive jerk and his shout filling the room.
“Shit, Lindsay. What you do to me.” His words come out in puffs. He falls back, taking me with him. We lay in each other’s embrace for a while, as we slowly descend from the pinnacle of sheer pleasure.
“Come to the rehearsal dinner with me.” Ethan’s low murmur disrupts the silence.
“I’m already going. I have to. I’m the maid of honor.”
“I mean with me, as my date.”
I lift my head to stare down at him. “Ethan, everyone will be there, like your parents. And what will Amanda say?”
He stares into my eyes, green pools holding me captive. “I know, and I don’t care what anyone has to say. They will all know that you’re mine.”
His. How I want to be his. But he’ll hate me when he learns my secret. I have to tell him. It’s full time for me to be fair to him and his daughter. I’ll tell him after the rehearsal dinner. Right now, I want to savor the time I have left in his arms, with him looking at me so adoringly. “Okay,” I whisper.
Chapter Twelve
Ethan
Walking into the country club with Lindsay, I smile at several pe
ople who call out to me. My hand rests possessively at the small of her back. I can feel the tension radiating from her in waves. I lean to whisper in her ear, “Relax. Everything will be fine.”
“Amanda will never speak to me again. How would you feel if your best friend told you he was sleeping with your sister?”
“I would probably kill him. But this is different.”
“How?” she hisses.
Because I love you. My sister will understand once she knows how I feel. I shove my free hand into my pocket, feeling for the small velvet box resting there. Most people would probably think me crazy for wanting to propose to Lindsay. We slept together once years ago, and I’ve spent all of one week with her recently. That was hardly enough time for me to want to propose marriage. Plus, she has a child, and I’ve never even met the little girl.
On the other hand, Lindsay is someone I have known almost my entire life. I know she is genuine and good, and I feel something for her that I have never felt for another woman. I have fallen in love with Lindsay Williams. I’m taking a great risk in asking her to marry me. There’s no guarantee she will say yes. I’m not even sure how she feels about me. But sometimes, when she gazes upon me, I swear I see something akin to love. It could be wishful thinking, though.
We enter the hall where everyone is gathered. Dinner hasn’t started yet, so there are people milling around chatting and laughing. I scan the crowd, searching for Amanda, but she’s nowhere in sight. Lindsay notices too.
“Where’s Amanda? I thought she would be in the center of all the excitement.”
“Yeah, that is her way, isn’t it?”
“Ethan, Lindsay. You’re here.” My mother waves us over. As we walk in her direction, her eyes drop to my hand in Lindsay’s. She meets my gaze, raising her brows in question.
“Hi, mom.”
“Hi, Mrs. Taylor,” Lindsay says timidly.
