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 shoves 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 27
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 h
ood, 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.”
The first mate came down the steps and held out his hand to Reagan.
“Welcome aboard the Harmony, folks. Going to be a beautiful day on the water,” he said. “I’m First Mate Joseph Gordon, but you can call me Joe.”
Reagan shook his hand and introduced herself. Ethan followed suit.
Joseph lead them up the stairs to the flybridge. Reagan looked around, amazed by what she saw. The deck was laid out perfectly for entertaining. It had a full bar, a large table for at least ten to dine, a Jacuzzi tub, and plenty of comfy places to sit, with both full sun and shade. She was grateful to see the shade. As an import to California from the East Coast, and a red head, Reagan was prone to burning.
“I believe you spoke to Captain Hewitt yesterday, Mister McLaughlin?”
Ethan nodded.
“Yes, I did. Thank you,” he replied.
Joe nodded in return.
“Good, good. We’ve set a course for Catalina Island. We have docking privileges if you want to explore the Island. It will take about an hour and fifteen minutes to get there. We can also anchor out at sea if you want to take the personal water craft out for a spin,” Joe explained.
Ethan looked at Reagan and she shrugged. She was happy letting Ethan decide.
“Can we let you know?” Ethan asked.
Joe nodded.
“Of course. Let me give you a quick tour and introduce you to the Captain. Then we’ll go over some safety procedures and be on our way.”
After the boat set sail, Reagan was shown to the master suite where she could freshen up and change into her swimsuit. Ethan excused himself at the door so she could have some privacy.
She looked around the room. Everything about it screamed luxury. She sat on the bed and took a moment to take it all in. Although it all seemed overwhelming to her, she planned to appreciate every moment of the experience.
After a few minutes, she changed into a modest green bikini and threw on a pair of cutoff shorts. She tied her hair back into a pony tail and then, made her way back up to the flybridge, cookies and wine in hand. Ethan was sitting at the bar waiting for her.
He looked delicious!
His white t-shirt and shorts made his skin look golden and tanned. He stood up when he saw her and took the wine she held out to him.
“Honestly, you didn’t need to bring wine,” he said kindly, setting it on the bar. “As you can see, there’s plenty to drink.”
He laughed, pointing to the bottles behind him. Reagan shrugged.
“It’s fine. If we don’t drink it we can just add it to the bar and it can be enjoyed by someone else,” she said.
He reached out for the cookies.
“These, on the other hand, we will definitely dive into,” he said, taking the bowl from her.
He opened the lid and inhaled deeply, a smile spreading across his face.
“Man, these smell good. What is it about the smell of chocolate chip cookies? They turn grown men into kids again,” he said chuckling. “I’m going to eat one right now. Do you want one?” he asked, offering her the bowl.
Reagan laughed.
“Sure, why not!” she said, taking one.
“Cheers!” he said, tapping her cookie with his own and taking a bite.
He opened his eyes wide, exaggerating his pleasure.
“These are spectacular!” he said.
Reagan playfully punched him in the arm. He grinned at her and popped the rest of his cookie into his mouth.
“Okay, okay,” she said, “settle down. They’re only cookies.”
“I’m just blown away by your many talents, Milady,” he teased. “What other skills have you yet to reveal?”
Reagan smirked, enjoying his flirting.
“Oh, I think there are a few more.”
He leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss. His aftershave mingling with the scent of the cookie made him irresistible.
Reagan offered her lips up to him again and he didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in close. She cradled his face in her hands and kissed him again, this time accepting his tongue. His kiss made her body respond instantly, her arousal warming in her center.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all morning,” he said softly as their kiss ended.
She inhaled deeply and sighed.
“I’ve been wanting you to do that all morning,” she said.
He pulled himself away and slipped behind the bar.
“I know it’s a little early, but I see they have an open bottle of champagne chilling and some orange juice. How about a mimosa?”
Reagan sat down on a bar stool.
“Do you think they might have coffee? I’ll definitely enjoy something to drink later, but I’d love a strong coffee.”
He looked around the bar quickly and then made eye contact with her.
“I don’t see any here, but I’m guessing they could rustle something up. Wait here!”
He rushed off, leaving her to enjoy the view of the California coastline as it disappeared behind them.
The day couldn’t have been more perfect. The sky was clear, the water calm, and the breeze comfortable. It was as if the weather had been picked just for their romantic getaway.
Reagan got up and stretched out on the lounger under the awning and closed her eyes, enjoying the cool ocean breeze on her skin. A few minutes lat
er, she felt Ethan sit down beside her. She opened her eyes to see him smiling down at her.
“They do have coffee for us. They also prepared a continental breakfast which they’ve offered to set up on the main deck. Would you like to join me?” he asked, holding his hand out to her.
She nodded and took his hand as he led her to breakfast.
During their meal, Joe came down to discuss their itinerary. They decided to enjoy the day on the water and to avoid Catalina altogether. This made Reagan very happy. She was quite content to spend a relaxing day with Ethan getting to know him better. If things did end up moving forward for them, they would have to deal with the public soon enough.
Joe told them they’d skirt around the Channel Islands and then stop on their way back, near Catalina. Ethan told her he’d planned a nice dinner for later that evening, once they dropped anchor.
“So, I’ll leave you two alone,” Joe said, shaking Ethan’s hand. “We’ll have lunch ready for you at one, if that’s okay?”
“Sounds great, Joe. Thanks for everything,” Ethan said.
He stood up as Joe left.
“Well, Milady, what would you like to do? Jacuzzi? Sip mojitos? Swim? Talk? Make out?” he said with a sly smile.
Reagan laughed.
“All of the above,” she said.
Ethan came over and offered his hand to help her up.
“Let’s go then!”
CHAPTER 28
REAGAN
The rest of the morning was so enjoyable for Reagan. Ethan kept her laughing while the two of them played together. The Captain dropped anchor and they took out the watercraft. She had a blast riding behind Ethan on the Sea-doo and then swimming with him in the ocean. She had never swam off a boat before and found the deep water a little intimidating, even with the flotation belts, but Ethan never left her side.
After their swim, they enjoyed a light lunch of fruit, expensive cheeses, crackers and caviar. Ethan said he wasn’t a fan of the delicacy, but Reagan loved it.
They sat side by side, quietly talking and eating, Ethan occasionally reaching up and touching Reagan’s hair, or placing his hand on her knee. She enjoyed the affection and felt her guard coming down more and more.
“Do you want to go and relax on the bow?” he asked her. “There’s a comfy lounger for two we can lie on.”
Fire & Ice: A Ménage Fantasy Page 84
