16

ETHAN

I wish I could capture Vada so she’d stay with me here in this moment—as the waves crash in the distance—forever. Right now, I don’t feel sadness or pain. I only feel that strange sensation that what we have is bigger than either of us realize. I’m not one to fall for anyone so quickly. Hell, if anything, I’ve pushed plenty of opportunities away, but with Vada, it’s different. She’s got me under her spell, and I doubt she’s going to let me go before she heads back to Chicago in a couple days. The realization of that completely rips through me, but I keep it to myself.

We lay on the blanket for a while, until I feel Vada shiver.

“Come on, let’s go,” I tell her, sitting up. “The night’s still young. What do you want to do?”

Vada looks at me seductively, and I’m almost tempted to throw her over my shoulder and carry her back to the car because it would be faster.

“Say no more.” Standing up, I grab my shoes and slip them back on. She follows my lead and tries to help me pop sand out of the blanket.

On the drive back to the house, I interlock Vada’s fingers with mine. It’s a simple, but intimate gesture. I haven’t felt the need to hold hands with a woman in years, and now I don’t want to let hers go.

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” I say, unbuckling. She follows suit and meets me in front of the car.

Grabbing for her hand again, we walk up the steps to the house where I lead her up the stairs to my bathroom. I light candles and place them around the white iron claw-foot tub. Turning on the hot water until it’s steaming, I take my time undressing her, kissing her collarbone and along her shoulder. Her head falls to one side, and she lets out a long sigh as my fingers sweep across the soft skin of her stomach. As I undo each button of my shirt, she watches me intently, not speaking a word.

“How would you write a scene like this?” I ask her, wanting to know the eloquent words she’d use.

She shakes her head. “You don’t even want to know.”

“I do; come on. I know you’re probably a wordsmith.”

Watching me for another moment, she begins speaking out the scene. “Carefully, button-by-button, the gorgeous man removes his shirt. His ab muscles are as hard as steel and scream out for her to touch them, but she doesn’t. Instead, she stands silent and waits for his permission as he moves to take off his belt before unbuttoning his pants. He looks at her with a burning intensity in his eyes as if he knows all her secrets but doesn’t care. And maybe he doesn’t.”

“So, Vada. What secrets do you have?” I ask her, wanting to know, realizing I’ve spilled my guts tonight, but I haven’t learned much more about her than I already know.

“I’m an open book. Other than the trust issues I have. But that’s because of all the pricks I’ve dated in the past. And…” She hesitates. I watch her, completely unsure of what she’ll say next. “And from things in my childhood. But it’s all in the past now. Without all the liars and cheaters, well I wouldn’t be the woman I am today or be able to write strong women in my books. So it all worked out, I suppose.”

“Did someone hurt you?” I nearly growl, realizing how territorial that sounded. “I might kill them if you say yes.” Just the thought of someone laying a hand on Vada almost sends me into a fury.

“No, nothing like that. More emotional abuse than anything. Being able to trust someone fully is important to me because I tend to go all in when I’m dating someone. The past hasn’t been kind to me, that’s all I’m saying. Every relationship I’ve been in has ended badly, so I guess you could say I’m a bit jaded. Empty promises covered with lies, and stupidly, I believed them over and over again. It’s probably why I’m overly single right now.”

“I can understand that. But let me add, I’m an open book too, Vada. I’ll always be truthful, even if it hurts. I don’t have anything to hide. You know all my secrets.” I take a few steps forward and hold her in my arms. Skin against skin and there’s something so intimate about standing in nothing but candlelight.

“Get in first,” I demand with a smile, watching our shadows dance against the wall.

“So bossy, I like it,” she purrs, dipping a toe in the warm water, then stepping in, and slowly sitting in the tub. I follow her lead, slipping behind her, my legs holding her in place.

“Ouch, your snake’s slithering against my back,” she jokes.

“Watch out, you might get bitten,” I tell her as I grab a bar of soap and gently wash over her breasts. Vada sinks into my touch, allowing me to put my hands wherever I want.

“The water’s so warm, it’s relaxing,” she states in a dreamy-like tone.

I slip my hands down lower, and my fingers rub against her clit. Letting out a moan that echoes through the bathroom, Vada arches against me, creating more friction. Her head leans against my shoulder, and I devour her mouth with mine as I continue to pleasure her. Dipping a finger inside, I can feel how tight and ready she is for me.

“Fuck, Vada,” I whisper in her ear, as she sinks deeper into my touch.

“If you keep doing that, I’m going to lose it,” she says between moans.

“Good.” With my other hand, I palm her breast, tugging at her nipple that’s at full attention.

“God, Ethan.” She moans louder, with more intensity in her voice as she places her palms on the porcelain tub, leaning harder into me. Her body tenses against my chest, and she closes her eyes as she allows the release to take over.

“You’re so fucking sexy when you come,” I whisper against her neck.

She laughs, leaning her head against me. “Didn’t realize getting clean could be so dirty.”

I take my time, washing her body and hair until she’s completely clean. “You were right about the exclusive treatment. Can I bring you home with me?”

When she mentions leaving, my heart lurches forward. “I wish, Vada. But you’d need a bigger suitcase for me, Henry, and Wilma. My cock and pussy go everywhere with me.”

Sitting up, she lets out the cutest laugh ever, causing the water to whoosh in the tub. Considering it’s lukewarm and soapy, I take that as our cue to get out and stand. I hand her a towel, and we dry off, and I can’t help but admire how beautiful she is, all the way down to her perfect toes.

When I think about her leaving, it just doesn’t feel right. Not at all.

And that thought scares the ever living shit out of me.

Grabbing her hand, I lead her down the hallway to my bedroom. “On the bed.”

She tilts her head at me but doesn’t hesitate.

“How do you want me?” she asks looking over her shoulder.

“You’re the guest of the hour; how about you choose.” I drop the towel to the floor as she lies on her back. I walk to my bedside table and put on a condom. My dick throbs in my hand and I know this won’t take long, but I promise to take my time.

“How’s this?” she asks lying on her back, the moonlight casting shadows across the room.

I go to her and start at her feet, kissing her ankles, her legs, the inside of her thighs, until I reach my final destination. As I taste her arousal, she runs her fingers through my hair, letting out moans that sound like music.

“Ethan,” she whispers, and my name has never sounded so good. Before she loses herself again, I move closer to her, hovering above her, my dick teasing the outside of her opening. I move slowly, taking my time as our ends meet. She gasps, her eyes closing tight.

“Oh, Vada,” I whisper across her neck, and that’s the moment I realize we’re no longer fucking, but rather, making love. When her eyes open, I know she can feel it, too. The look on her face says it all. Her mouth falls open as I give her everything I have. Eventually, Vada crumbles beneath me, and I follow soon after.

After we clean up, we lie together, both struggling for air, trying to understand what just happened. It wasn’t just sex; it was more intense, more emotional. It was like she had opened the Pandora's box that held my heart, pulled it from the shadows, and somehow, it’s still beating.

Vada’s head falls on my chest, and she’s listening to the rapid thump of my heart. I hold her in my arms, trying to enjoy it as much as I can. I know this week is coming to an end, and the truth is, I’m going to miss this. Pulling the blankets over our bodies, I stare out at the moon that’s high in the sky from the windows in my bedroom.

“I’d like you to come to the demo and showing at the studio tomorrow. It’s from eleven to five. Aunt Millie and Mama will be there, and I’d love for you to be there, too.”

She sits up and looks into my eyes. “Really? Like a public thing?”

I nod. “Of course.”

“I don’t like crowds. They make me nervous as hell,” she admits.

“Then hang around Aunt Millie. Crowds don’t like her because she’s loud and has no filter.” I laugh, but it’s the truth.

She looks as if she’s thinking about it, then gives me a big smile. “You know what, I’d love to go and watch you. I mean, if you really want me there,” she says, brushing strands of hair out of her eyes.

“It wouldn’t be the same without you. So be my guest of honor?”

She nods. “Of course. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

We lie in silence, tangled together like lovers, and it feels right. My eyes are heavy, and I might fall asleep at any moment because I’m so relaxed and happy. Just as I’m drifting away, I hear Vada say something.

“I’m going to miss this. Seriously,” she mumbles softly against my chest.

“Then don’t leave,” I whisper, holding her just a little tighter. “Stay another week or month or I dunno, forever?”

She sighs, and I know she’s halfway between sleep and being awake because the words that leave her lips are completely inaudible.