Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Aubrey
My eyes opened to the sounds of Ethan mumbling something in his sleep. His legs were restless, and I could feel him tossing and turning. I couldn’t quite make out what he was saying, but he was definitely having a nightmare.
“Ethan,” I softly spoke as I reached over and touched his arm, which was covered in sweat.
He jerked it away from me, and I heard the rustling of the sheets as he rolled over on his side. I reached out to touch him and placed my hand on his back. He was soaked and still mumbling. But this time, his mumbles grew louder, and they suddenly stopped. I lay there for a moment, waiting, wondering if he had awoken from his nightmare.
“Ethan, are you okay?”
I could hear the sharp intake of his breath before he spoke.
“I’m fine, Aubrey. Go back to sleep.”
“Are you sure?”
“I said go back to sleep,” he spoke in a commanding tone.
Rolling over, I pulled the sheet close to me and closed my eyes. After a few moments, I heard his feet hit the floor and the door open, and before I knew it, he was gone. I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn’t. Whatever that dream he had was about, it rattled him, and I got the feeling that it wasn’t the first time he'd had it.
The next morning, I pushed the time app on my phone, and it alerted me that it was eight o’clock. I climbed out of bed, put on Ethan’s t-shirt, and headed downstairs to see if he was up. When I walked into the kitchen, I called for Ethan but got no response.
“Oh, hello,” a female voice from behind spoke.
“Hello.”
“May I help you with something?” she asked.
“I was looking for Ethan.”
“I’m sorry, but who are you?”
“I’m Aubrey.” I held out my hand.
“Nice to meet you, Aubrey. I’m Ingrid, Ethan’s housekeeper.” She placed her hand in mine. “Did you spend the night?”
“Yes. Upstairs in the guest bedroom. Ethan was kind enough to let me stay since there was a fire in my apartment building last night, and everyone was evacuated.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. Did you check in his office?”
“No. I came down here first.”
“Sometimes, he goes out for a run in the mornings. Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll make you some coffee?”
“Thank you. That would be nice.”
I ran my hand along the edge of the island until I felt the tall chairs that sat in front of it.
“Just in case you’re wondering, I’m blind,” I spoke as I took a seat.
“Really? I never would have—Okay, I didn’t want to ask. I’m sorry.”
I softly laughed. “Don’t be sorry. I kind of like to get that out of the way.”
“Well, just sit there and let me make you breakfast. I’ll get the coffee started right now.”
I folded my hands as I sat at the island and waited for the coffee to brew. I couldn’t stop thinking about last night. Not only the mind-blowing sex we had but also the nightmare that sent Ethan out of my room.
“So, how do you know Ethan?” Ingrid asked.
“We met at my best friend’s art exhibition, and then we ran into each other last night at a party. We were out in SoHo when I got the call about my apartment building.”
I heard a door open, and footsteps walk into the kitchen.
“Ingrid, what are you doing here? Today’s your one Sunday off a month.”
“I forgot my grocery list yesterday, and I just came back to get it when I met Aubrey.”
“Good morning, Ethan,” I spoke.
“Morning, Aubrey,” he spoke with a flat tone.
“Did you have a good run?” Ingrid asked.
“Yeah. It was okay. I need to go shower. I’ll be down after.”
“Do you want breakfast?” she shouted as I heard his footsteps running up the stairs.
“No. I’ll grab some coffee when I come down.”
I sat there with a heavy heart that he could treat me like he did after our night together. I was confused and wondered if I had done something wrong.
“Here’s your coffee, honey.”
“Thank you.”
“I make the best Belgian waffles, and they’re Ethan’s favorite. How about I whip up a batch, and I bet he’ll be down here the minute he smells them.”
“It’s your day off, Ingrid. I’m fine with just coffee. I’m not very hungry anyway.”
She placed her hand on mine. “Listen, honey. Don’t let that man get you down. I know he can be rude and angry and just an overall asshole ninety percent of the time, but deep down, he has a heart of gold. You just have to keep chipping away at all the stone around it before you get there.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Now, how about some of Ingrid’s Belgian waffles?”
“Sure.” I smiled.
As I was sitting there, my phone rang and alerted me that my Aunt Charlotte was calling.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Hello, sweetheart. I just wanted to let you know that I spoke with the fire department, and we won’t be able to get back into the apartment until tomorrow. I’m going to stay an extra day and fly out in the morning. Where are you staying?”
“With a friend. I’m fine.”
“Okay. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you.”
“I love you too, Aunt Charlotte.”
I sighed as I ended the call.
“Bad news?” Ingrid asked.
“They aren’t letting anyone back inside the building until tomorrow.”
“No worries. You can stay here another night.”
“Thanks, Ingrid, but I think I’ve stayed long enough. Ethan is going to his parents’ house today to celebrate Labor Day. After breakfast, I’m just going to grab my clothes and go.”