February, 2013
Ethan had never celebrated Valentine's Day. It had grown into this huge commercial monster it hadn’t been back when he was with Catherine. Now, everywhere he went, there were hearts and flowers to remind him of the day.
Inevitably his thoughts turned to Lauren. Would she expect something from him? It was as good a day as any to flood her with a show of his love for her. Her distance from him was driving him crazy. Although it wasn't the longest drive to see her, Ethan's preference was to always be with her.
How soon was too soon for that?
That it was a weekday made it worse. With his schedule, it was hard to find the time to travel, romance his girl and travel back. Maybe he could spoil her, sending her gifts on the day and take the time with her at the weekend. The thought of that made him smile. Having Lauren in his life had made the days more bearable, and the nights a little less lonely.
When she was in his bed every night, his life would be perfect.
It wasn't just the sex, though that had been mind-blowing. She was such pleasant company, with a desperate need to be loved. He was only too pleased to do that.
Lauren was sweeter than anyone he had met. Caring and loving, he saw a side of her that he suspected not a lot of people did. She hid it as much as no one sought it out. Something in him had woken when he’d met her, and it seemed like she was the same. It all felt right.
Ordering the flowers for her made his day somehow brighter. She would get them at work, and they could sit on her desk for the day, reminding her that he cared about her.
He bounced into the office, making his coffee as he usually did, but singing as he did so. There were a few sideways glances, but Ethan didn't care. He was happier than he had been in years, and he wanted the world to know it.
His phone rang when he was between appointments, and he sat on the couch in his office, holding the phone to his ear and listening to the sound of her voice.
"I got the flowers and they're beautiful. I feel so spoilt."
"You should do. I wanted to make sure you know how special you are to me. I know we still have a lot to find out about each other, but you're in my thoughts."
"Are you coming to see me at the weekend?"
"You bet I am. I can't wait to see you, sweetheart." He closed his eyes, imagining what it would be like to hold her. The smell of her skin, the taste of her lips. If he could, he would bring her home with him for good.
"Good. If you weren't, I was coming to see you. You know I have a lot to say thank you for."
Ethan laughed. "I have a lot to be thankful for too. I've got to go to my next appointment, but I'll see you tomorrow night. I'll drive down after work."
She was dressed for a night out when he got there, and he was sure that he tasted wine on her lips when he kissed her hello.
"Are we going somewhere?" he asked.
Lauren shook her head. "I made dinner. Set the table with candles and everything. I thought I should dress to impress."
Ethan laughed. "You are so beautiful, it wouldn't matter what you wore. I do appreciate the effort."
Excited, she took his hand in hers, leading him through the living room and to the dining table. He was touched at the effort she’d gone to.
Serving the food onto plates, she brought them to the table, stumbling as she drew close.
"Lauren, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just a little tired.”
He stood up, walking past her to the kitchen. A nearly empty wine bottle was on the bench.
"Did you drink this already?"
"I just had a couple while I was cooking. Why?"
"Nearly the whole bottle is gone."
She shook her head, looking at him as though he were the one making a mistake.
"Look, there's heaps left."
Her expression changed to one of confusion as she took the bottle from him, shaking it from side to side. There was about an inch of wine at the bottom.
"I was sure I only had a couple."
Ethan sat back down at the table.
"It's alright. I won't have anymore. There's some juice in the fridge. Want one?"
He watched as she poured two juices, returning to the table with a big smile on her face. The food was good; she did know how to cook and it made him think of the future where they could have dinner together all of the time. It made him warm inside to think of her being with him.
She rocked back and forward, throwing her head back as orgasm overtook her. Body quivering, she lowered herself to kiss him softly, and he looked into those soft brown eyes, losing himself as she rode him to his end.
Snuggled up beside him, she covered his face in kisses. Ethan laughed. This was the Lauren he adored.
"Do you want to know what I like?" she whispered.
"What's that?"
She looked down, chewing her bottom lip before looking him in the eye.
"I like being told what to do in bed. It gets me off."
He looked at her, confused. "Like what?"
Lauren looked as if she wanted to shrink back and hide, and he guessed that she hadn't been intimate enough with anyone before to share her feelings this way.
"I'll tell you what. You tell me what you want, and we'll work together to make it happen. I just want to make you happy, baby."
Her eyes lit up and she clung to him, shaking with relief.
"I didn't know if I should tell you that. I've never got this far with a relationship." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I wanted to share my fantasies with you."
He grinned. "I like that you trust me enough for that."
Lauren nuzzled his ear, taking the lobe between her teeth and giggling. "Anything you want me to do?"
"This might sound like I'm holding back, but no. You’re perfect. The sex with you is just amazing. I love being with you."
"Oh." She sounded disappointed.
"Baby, you are my fantasy. Can you imagine what it was like for me to be alone for all those years? Then this angel appears, who just wants to be loved. She lures me into her bed and wants to blow me. How incredible do you think that is?"
Lauren roared with laughter, burying her face in his chest. "You had me up to 'wants to blow me', it was beautiful up to that point."
He shrugged, chuckling at her laughter. "It's true. I don't have a delicate way to say it. You're like a breath of fresh air for me. A jolt into the present, when I spent so long stuck in the past. For that I am grateful and it does excite me. The thought of you fills me with these feelings that I can honestly say I haven't had before. Like we're just meant to be."
"You are a romantic, Ethan Stone." She kissed his nose, laughing softly as she did so.
"I try." He laughed, caressing her hair. These were the best times, the shared intimacy he had never thought he would find.
She stretched, rolling onto her back. Ethan rolled towards her, propping himself up on his elbow to watch. Everything about her was perfect. Not that she could see it herself.
"You are beautiful," he murmured.
Lauren blushed, turning a shade of pink that nearly matched the nail polish she wore. "Don't tease me," she whispered.
"I mean it, Lauren. What are you doing with me?"
She laughed, launching herself towards him, knocking him onto his back and straddling his hips again.
"You are pretty amazing yourself. I mean, look at you. How many men would be ready to go again?"
He looked at her, confused. "But I'm not—"
"Give me thirty seconds and you will be." She waggled her eyebrows. It made him laugh. She was right.
She snuggled as close to him as she could get. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing deepened as she fell asleep.
Ethan thought of the events of the night, her drinking the bottle of wine. After their argument, he had hoped she would stay away completely. It had scared him to see her so drunk and out of control. He wanted nothing but for this to work. The love he had found in the last place he expected it to be.
He didn't know how to approach it. She’d had a few drinks tonight, but seemed sober by the time they went to bed. Hopefully tomorrow would be as good.
There were times when she seemed like a lost little girl, seeking his approval when she didn't need it. Other times when she was sexually aggressive. He loved that about her. The look of an angel, but a little devil when she wanted to be.
Her admission tonight, sharing what she liked in bed seemed like a big deal. It hadn't been some great, loud announcement as if it were something she told every man she'd slept with. She’d wanted him to know, and him alone.
"I'll try to make your dreams come true, Lauren. All of them," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "I love you."
Sleep came easily after that. Even if she hadn't heard him, he had said the words he'd been itching to say. Eventually he would find the right time to say it to her face.