Chapter 3 #2
"I like the way you think. The way you care about the details. The way you light up when you talk about design." He pauses. "And I like the way you blush when I look at you."
Oh God.
"I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable," he continues. "But I think we should address this. Whatever this is."
"I don't know what this is," I admit.
"Neither do I. But I'd like to find out."
My mind is racing. "Ethan, I'm working for you. That's... complicated."
"It is."
"And you're sixteen years older than me."
"I am."
"And I knocked a Daddy Dom romance novel into your groceries."
His mouth quirks. "Two actually."
"This is insane."
"Maybe." He leans forward. "Or maybe it's exactly what we both need."
I stare at him. "What do you mean?"
"I think you know what I mean, Lily."
And God help me, I do.
I think about the book. About the dynamic between the characters. The trust. The care. The way Daddies see their littles for exactly who they are.
I think about the way Ethan looks at me. He looks at me like he's paying attention to every word, every gesture, every breath. He pays attention, really pays attention.
"I don't know how to do this," I say quietly.
"It’s a good thing I do."
"What if it doesn't work?"
"Then we'll deal with that if it happens. But Lily?" He reaches across the table, and I let him take my hand. "I don't want to spend the next week pretending I don't feel the chemistry between us. Do you?"
No. God, no. But… this is insane. Absolutely asinine. I’ve met him a total of three times, if the first time even counts. Love at first sight doesn’t exist. Or, well, it shouldn’t. Is it even safe? Besides, he could still be a serial killer…
"No," I whisper. "I can’t deny feeling whatever this is between us, either." Why? Why did I say that? I should have lied. Denied feeling a thing. Chemistry? What chemistry. What am I even doing?
"Then let's be honest. With each other. About what we want."
"And what do you want?" I hear my voice speaking but I think my body is disconnected from my soul at the moment.
His thumb brushes over my knuckles, and the touch sends sparks up my arm.
"I want to know you," he says. "All of you. Not just the version you show the world, but the version you’ll show just me."
"That's a lot."
"I know. And if it's too much, tell me now. I'll respect your boundaries. But I need you to be honest with me."
I take a shaky breath. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"I want to know you, too."
His smile is slow and warm and makes my stomach flip.
"Good," Ethan says. "Then let's start there."
We talk for hours. About everything. Our childhoods. Our families. Our dreams. At some point, we moved out of the dining room and into the living room.
I tell him about my parents, who live in Florida and call me once a week to ask when I'm going to get a "real job." I tell him about my best friend from college who moved to New York and keeps begging me to visit. And, I tell him about my big sister, who passed away.
He tells me about growing up with a widowed mom who worked double shifts to keep them afloat.
About his sister, who was his best friend and biggest cheerleader, and his other younger siblings, who he loves dearly.
About losing his father and the weight of responsibility that came with being the man of the house.
"That's a lot for a kid," I say softly.
"It was. But it taught me resilience. And it made me who I am."
"Do you ever resent it? The responsibility?"
"Sometimes." He's quiet for a moment. "But mostly I'm grateful. For my mom. For Claire. For my three younger brothers. For the life I've built."
"You're close to them."
"Very. They're everything to me."
I smile. "That's why this party matters so much."
"Exactly."
By the time I glance at my phone, it's nearly midnight.
"Oh my God," I say, standing. "I didn't realize how late it was."
"Stay."
I freeze. "What?"
"Stay," he says again. "It's late. You've had wine. I have guest rooms."
"Ethan..."
"I'm not asking you to do anything you're not ready for, Lily. I'm asking you to be safe."
And just like that, my resolve crumbles.
"Okay," I say. "I'll stay."
He shows me to a guest room that's bigger than my entire apartment. There's a king-sized bed, an en suite bathroom, and a view of the garden that's probably stunning in daylight.
"If you need anything, I'm just down the hall," Ethan says.
"Thank you."
He lingers in the doorway. "Goodnight, Lily."
"Goodnight."
He closes the door, and I sink onto the bed, my heart racing.
What am I doing?
I pull out my phone and text the group chat.
Lily: I'm staying at his house tonight.
The responses are immediate.
Madison: WHAT?
Chloe: EXCUSE ME!
Maya: In his BED?!
Lily: Guest room. Calm down.
Amber: Please tell me you're going to sneak into his room.
Emily: Do NOT sneak into his room. Respect boundaries.
Lily: I'm not sneaking anywhere. I'm going to sleep.
Madison: Sure you are
I toss my phone onto the nightstand and flop back on the bed.
Sleep. Right.
Like that's going to happen.