Chapter 4 #2
Ethan tips the discount bottle of vodka I bought last year to his lips and winks at me, drinking most of the remaining liquid to spite me.
He takes one more sip before he places the bottle in my hand and squeezes my fingers around it along with his.
A chill runs through me from the cold bottle and the effect Ethan’s touch has on me.
We always had chemistry, so it’s no surprise that being this close to him stirs up feelings from the past. Those emotions last three seconds before I remember what he did to me.
He left me behind as if I meant nothing to him.
Snapping myself back to reality, I recall how much I hate Ethan and turn away from him.
He falls into me when he slides off the counter, knocking into my shoulder.
“Time for you to go to bed.”
“Yes, Mommy,” he says, breathing vodka in my face. “Are you going to tuck me in and kiss me goodnight?”
I snort. “In your dreams, buddy.”
He hooks his arm around my back, and his hand grazes my left breast.
“Don’t be a pig, Ethan.”
Oblivious to his groping of my tit, he mutters, “What are you bitching about now?”
He’s trashed and more belligerent than when he used to sleep over at our house in high school. Ethan was never mean to me when we were younger. Our relationship was special, something I had treasured. I have to remind myself that he’s not the same person.
I grab hold of the divider separating the living room from the kitchen to help Ethan over to the couch without knocking the pictures from the wall.
How much did these idiots drink? Ethan and Will were always big partiers, but since the Flyers selected Will, he’s reduced his drinking. At least he did until Ethan was traded to the team. He’s a bad influence on my brother.
We almost take out the flat-screen television on top of the oak chest my parents had given me when they moved.
Ethan’s body is like a dead weight in my arms. Somehow, I manage to get him over to the sofa without falling onto the floor, with my arm around his back and his weight pushing down on me. But not without him taking me with him.
I’m about to dump him on the cushions when his foot tangles with mine, tripping me.
We fall sideways onto a stack of pillows.
He’s two hundred twenty pounds of solid muscle, toned to perfection, and draped over me like a heavy blanket.
The heat from his body makes me crave the closeness.
I’m all too aware of how my body responds to him.
My nipples harden from his breath on my neck. I missed Ethan when he was in Boston, but that man is long gone. In place of the boy I fell in love with, I got an arrogant hockey star.
Ethan nestles his face against my neck, his lips grazing my skin. His kisses send chills down my spine.
Is he too drunk to realize he’s kissing me? Ugh. And why do I like it so much?
I can’t go from hating to liking Ethan all over again. That ship has sailed. However, my feelings for Ethan never dissipated.
He sensually runs his calloused fingers down my forearm, causing the tiny hairs to stand at attention. Even in his drunken state, Ethan knows precisely what he’s doing. Everywhere our skin meets leaves a trail of fire in its wake.
“Your skin is soft like a baby,” he whispers. “I could touch you all night, little lamb.”
You haven’t called me that in years.
I raise a curious eyebrow. My little lamb. My three favorite words in the English language.
“You’re only saying that because you’re drunk. Don’t think I’ll forget about you bailing on me.”
He sighs and leans back against the couch pillow, still rubbing my skin. “You wouldn’t understand. It’s not what you think. No matter how often I tell you that, you don’t believe me.”
“Why did you leave me?”
He moves his hand to the sofa, and I miss his touch. “Forget it! Just go to bed, Mia.”
Ethan pulls his shirt over his head and throws it on the floor. I lick my lips at the sight of his muscular chest and abs that make me want to bounce quarters off them.
He rolls onto his back and looks up at me. “You know, it wouldn’t kill you to have a little fun occasionally. Stop being such a pain in my ass.”
“I wish I could, Ethan, but I’m not as naturally gifted and perfect as you.”
He snorts at my comment. “I’m not perfect, far from it. Stop pretending like you know shit about me…” His voice sounds sad before he trails off. “No one does. Not anymore, anyway.”
I suck in a deep breath and blow it out, frustrated and somewhat upset by our exchange.
“You have one chance. That’s it. Continue to act like a jerk, and you’ll have to find another place to crash.
I don’t know why you would want to stay with me when you can afford to sleep in a hotel.
I’m sure your insurance policy will pay for it. ”
He sighs but doesn’t respond, hopefully letting it sink in, though I’m sure he’s too drunk to absorb anything I’m saying.
After a long, awkward pause, Ethan clutches my waist and pulls me to his chest. I attempt to break free from his grasp, but my desire to fight him only causes him to tug harder at my tank. He turns me so half of my body is on top of his.
“What are you doing, Ethan?”
With my head next to his, our mouths only inches apart, his glassy green eyes meet mine. I wish I could find the courage to pull away from him. He makes me weak. Being this close, I want to kiss Ethan and find comfort in him, even if it’s only for one kiss.
Ethan raises his fingers to my cheek and cups my face with his big hand. “You’re beautiful, Mia,” he whispers, his voice low and sensual. “Not kissing you before I left is still one of my biggest regrets. And now… you hate me.”
I don’t respond to his comment because it’s probably for the best.
He props his head on a stack of pillows, his eyes slowly closing. “Stay with me. For the night.”
Ethan moves around to get comfortable, giving me some room.
He’s in such good shape. There’s no fat on him, making me feel self-conscious in my pajamas.
Distracted by his abs, I stop for a second to take in the sight of him.
I stare for too long and have to remind myself not to gape at his pelvic muscles or think about what he must look like naked.
“Ethan, I want to sleep in my bed.” I lift his heavy arm off me.
His eyes shut. A few minutes pass, and I listen to him breathe before I give in to him. I can sleep next to Ethan tonight.
I won’t fall for him again.
My hatred for Ethan only fuels the sexual tension between us.
Will picks up on it, too, having to get between us most of the time.
Ethan doesn’t usually come with the package when I visit my brother.
I purposely plan my trips to the luxury apartment they share on the Camden Waterfront around Ethan’s schedule.
My eyelids flutter. The stress of my new living situation, combined with the fact it’s now three o’clock in the morning, coaxes me into a trance. I need sleep. Without overthinking it, I close my eyes. I fall asleep, wondering what my brother will think if he finds us together.