Chapter 7
(Ethan)
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I’m going to murder her.
Audra has been gone all day. At first, I thought she just needed to step out for a while and cool off. When she didn’t return after an hour, I decided to look for her. I thought she’d be at a coffee shop or a restaurant nearby, but she was nowhere to be found.
Feeling helpless, I’ve done nothing but pace the length of our room all day. I’m worried, nervous and scared. What if she was found out. What if the terrorists took her again. I know I fucked up, but her behavior is downright ridiculous.
What am I supposed to call this? Her own version of a punishment? She wants to drive me out of my damn mind with worry. She’s injured, for Christ’s sake. She didn’t let me dress her wound before she left, and she certainly didn’t use her medication.
She’s a grown-ass woman and yet she’s acting like a child. It’s annoying as hell. I’ve never met anyone who can frustrate me as much as she has. I’m already worried about our survival, and she just had to go and pull this fucking stunt on me.
It’s 6 pm when she walks back into the room. Casually, with a smile on her face like she’s done nothing wrong. Surprisingly, all my anger dissipates as soon as I see her. I walk forward and pull her into my arms before letting out a huge exhale of relief.
“Where have you been?” I ask quietly, letting her go.
Now she looks guilty.
“I know disappearing on you was dumb of me,” she starts.
“You think,” I interrupt.
“Okay, I deserve your anger. But I was furious too. I just needed to go cool off.”
“And where did her Highness go to cool off?” I question sarcastically.
“The beach,” she replies quietly.
I take three continuous breaths to calm down. I don’t want to yell at her; that’s not me. I might be pissed, but I’m also grateful she returned in one piece.
“You went to the beach. Right now. In this situation we’re in. Anyone could have spotted you. People will be looking for us. They could have alerted those guards, and you would have probably been killed on sight.”
“But I wasn’t,” she states.
I groan.
“I can’t even look at you right now,” I tell her, moving to sit on the bed.
She follows me.
“Were you really worried?”
“What kind of question is that? Of course, I was,” I say, looking at her.
“It’s just I thought you weren’t bothered. That I was just some woman whose life you happened to save. And who you happened to fuck last night. I didn’t think you’d care all that much where I went.”
I stare into her inquisitive green eyes.
“You know…for someone who’s supposed to be a smart detective, you’re actually pretty dumb.”
She hits my shoulder for that, and I feign shocked indignation. Though for a small thing like her, she’s actually really strong. She packs a hell of a punch.
“Of course, I care about you, Audra. How could I not?” I ask her.
“This morning, you were acting like I barely existed. As though I’m just someone who you have no choice but to be shacked up with.”
I sigh deeply, falling onto the bed.
It's time to come clean. This morning was stupid on my part. I have feelings for the woman. The least I can do is own up to them.
“I was acting that way because I felt like I was taking advantage of you and our current situation. I thought you only slept with me because I was available and to help take your mind off your grief over the kid.”
Audra is silent for several moments after that. Then she hits my stomach.
“You idiot!” she yells.
“Ow!” I yelled, rubbing my stomach. “Seriously woman. Think about your strength,” I tell her.
Is she trying to kill me?
“Sorry,” she says, not sounding apologetic in the slightest. “Anyway, I didn’t sleep with you because I felt sad or any other bullshit reason like that.
I slept with you because I wanted to. Because you’re this tall, hot doofus that has done so much for me in such little time, and I admire that.
I admire your strength and your willingness to help others. ”
Wow .
That actually makes me speechless for a few seconds.
“I admire you too. Your drive, your strength, and even your recklessness that got us into this mess in the first place. You have a kind heart, and although I think you’re too stubborn for your own good, I admire that as well.”
She blushes at my words.
“Now that we’ve complimented each other, what’s next?” she asks after a few seconds.
“Now, I get to kiss you,” I say to her, pulling her into my lap and doing just that.
We continue kissing for a few minutes until Audra pulls away, panting for air.
“I love your idea, I want to continue kissing, but we also have an imminent problem for which I might have a solution. In the cab today, I noticed the driver giving me funny looks on the way back. Just in case, I alighted far away from the motel and walked here.”
She kisses away the frown that immediately appears at her words.
“I know, I know. I’m a reckless, stubborn, annoying woman.”
I nod.
“It’s good that you know.”
She laughs.
“Anyway, I found a solution to our problem.”
“Which is?” I prompt.
“While on the beach, I was thinking about my friend who recently relocated to Mexico. He used to be in the police force too, specifically the tech division. He’s really good with computers and stuff.
He gave me his address when I told him I was coming to Mexico.
I don’t remember all of it, but I’ve remembered a bit, perhaps the hotel manager can help us figure out the rest. I guarantee he’d be able to provide us with a safe way to communicate with your teammates in America. ”
I think about it for a few moments.
“That’s actually a pretty great idea,” I tell her.
She beams.
“Yeah. We can head over to his place tomorrow.”
“Well done, baby,” I say patting her head, then I freeze.
“Can I not call you that?” I ask her.
“First off, you cannot pat my head. I’m not a dog. I know I’m small, but I have a huge bark and bite,” she tells me with a frown.
“Don’t I know it,” I say with a chuckle.
“Second, even though I think baby is the dumbest, most generic nickname on the planet, you can call me it as long as we’re not having sex.”
I laugh.
“Don’t worry, I think I’ll just stick to Audra or any other names you have,” I tell her.
She smiles.
“What’s your full name, anyway?” I ask her.
She shakes her head with a small smile.
“I’m not saying.”
“Come on. You refused to tell me your age, and now you won’t even tell me your full name,” I say with a pout.
She kisses my lips before speaking.
“I’m five years younger than you. As for the name, you’re going to have to work for it.”
“So you’re 35?” I ask.
“Yes, but don’t say it out loud. I sound old.”
“That’s because you are old, dumbass.”
She flicks my forehead before settling deeper into my chest. She really does find pleasure in those little punches.
“I’m glad you weren’t hurt today. When you didn’t come back, I was honestly terrified. I kept thinking about Jeff. I thought something bad had happened to you too, and I would never see you again.”
Audra raises her head to look me in the eyes.
“I’m really sorry, Ethan. I should have never made you worry like that.”
“As long as you’re safe,” I tell her kissing her on the forehead.
Then I move to her lips, and soon we’re in a frenzy as we rip each other’s clothes off.