Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Aubrey
I knew what I was doing. He couldn’t commit, so neither could I. I wasn’t about to sit around waiting for him to call me whenever the mood struck him.
“So you’re playing hard to get?” my Aunt Charlotte asked as she sipped her wine.
“Pretty much.”
“Eeek! I’m so proud of you.” Penelope placed her hand on mine.
“He wants to have a relationship with me, just not a dating one.”
“Well, you know that I find that extremely hot in a man. They secretly want you but can’t let you know because of their issues,” Penelope spoke. “Just fuck him and leave him hanging.”
“Penelope!” Aunt Charlotte exclaimed.
“What? He does it. In fact, a lot of men do it. So there’s no reason why my best friend can’t do it too. She’s not a damn doormat. Guys just can’t walk all over her, wipe their feet, walk away, and then come back when their shoes are dirty again.”
“What?” Aunt Charlotte sighed. “Listen, Aubrey. You know how I feel about that man.”
“I know, Aunt Charlotte, but you don’t have to worry. He is a good man. I knew it the minute I met him, to be honest. He just has some issues he needs to work out before he can move on with his life. Our conversation last night proved it.”
“So what did happen to his girlfriend?” Penelope asked.
“She drowned in the ocean, and he loved her very much. He’s still dealing with that loss.”
“I don’t know, Aubrey,” my Aunt Charlotte spoke.
“Trust me.” I reached over and grabbed her hand. “He’s a good man.”
The next morning, I was awoken by the sound of my phone letting me know that Ethan was calling.
“Hello,” I sleepily answered.
“Did I wake you?”
“Oh no. I was just lying here,” I lied. “What time is it anyway?”
“It’s eight o’clock, and I’m sorry. I did wake you.”
“I had to get up anyway.”
“How would you like to go with me to the Hamptons today?”
A smile crossed my face. “I’d like that.”
“Good. I was hoping you’d say yes. Charles and Lexi are heading there to spend the day on the boat. They invited me and asked me to ask you.”
“Sounds fun.”
“How fast can you be ready?”
“Umm. An hour? When did you want to come pick me up?”
“Well, I’m standing outside your door.”
“What?” I laughed. “I’m hanging up and will be there in a second to let you in.”
Climbing out of bed, I slipped on my robe, walked to the front door, unlocked it, and let him in.
“Good morning.” He kissed my forehead.
“Good morning.” I smiled.
“You go get ready, and I’ll make you some coffee.”
“Thank you. I won’t take too long. I promise.”
Making my way into the bathroom, I hopped into the shower and quickly washed my hair. Spending the day with Ethan was going to be perfect, and it made me happy that he asked. Climbing out of the shower, I wrapped my towel around me. I could hear his footsteps approaching the bathroom.
“Here’s your coffee.” He took my hand and placed the cup in it.
“Thanks.”
“I brought you something to wear.”
“You did?” I asked as I took a sip of my coffee.
“I brought that dress I bought you at Bloomingdales. I thought you might like to wear it on the boat.”
“I’d like that.” I smiled.
“What time did you get in last night?” he asked.
“Around one.”
“Wow. The three of you must have been having a good time.”
“We did. We ate, drank, talked. It was fun.” I smiled. “What did you do last night?”
“Charles came over. We watched some football, drank a few beers, and ordered a pizza.”
I let out a light laugh.
“What?” he asked.
“I just can’t imagine you eating pizza and watching football.”
“Why? I happen to like football and pizza.”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you’re filthy rich.”
He chuckled. “And rich people aren’t supposed to like sports and pizza?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
“Then what are you saying?” he whispered as he clasped my shoulders and nipped at my ear.
Turning to face him, I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“You’re supposed to like golf, polo, and horseracing.”
“I like those things too. But I do enjoy a good game of football.”
Suddenly, my towel fell off and dropped to the floor.
“Oh, look at that. Your towel fell off,” he spoke as his fingers traced over my breasts.
“I thought you were in a hurry to leave.” I smiled as his tongue caressed my neck.
“I think we can spare a few moments.” He turned me around and took me from behind.
After we finished, he handed me my dress.
“I need some panties.”
“Actually, you don’t.”
“What do you mean I don’t?” I laughed.
“You don’t need any. I would prefer it if you didn’t wear any under that dress.”
“You’re a bad boy, Mr. Klein.”
“I know.” He kissed my forehead. “Okay, now you have fifteen minutes to do your hair so we can get out of here.”
After brushing out and blow drying my hair, I threw it up in a ponytail. Grabbing my sandals from the closet, I walked into the living room, where I heard Ethan talking.
“Who were you talking to?” I asked as I slipped on my shoes.
“Charles. Unfortunately, he and Lexi aren’t going to be able to make it. She’s sick.”
“Oh. I hope she’s okay.”
“She thinks it’s food poisoning. But we’re still going to go.”
“Just the two of us?” I grinned.
“Yes. Just the two of us. Charles rented the boat for the day, so I told him that I’d pay him for it since we were going to be using it. Are you ready?”
“I am.” I grabbed my purse and my cane.