Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“In the kitchen, Mam. Go back to your bedroom. I’ll be right there.”
“Okay. Can you bring me a bottle of water?”
“You got it.”
We both remain silent as we listen to the older woman’s footsteps receding. When the sound of the bedroom door closing echoes to us, we lean against each other, laughing quietly. She lays her palms against my chest and looks up at me sweetly.
“We’re going to have to do this somewhere else next time,” she says.
“So, there’s going to be a next time?”
“There better be.”
My lips curl upward wolfishly. “Good girl.”
9
ELODIE
“I’m glad you made it over,” he says.
“You promised to make me dinner. How could I not?” I reply. “Speaking of which, that meal was absolutely incredible.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“I have to say, I’m impressed. You’re not only a world-class doctor, but a pretty accomplished chef as well. You’re a regular Renaissance man.”
His chuckle is a low, deep rumble. “Afraid I can’t take credit for my cooking skills. Everything I know I learned from YouTube.”
We share a laugh as we snuggle up on his sofa. I lay my head on his chest, tracing small circles with the tip of my finger. The room is lit only by the bright orange light of the crackling fire. We’re wrapped in a warm sensation of peace and serenity that’s been uncommon in my life for quite a while. Even more uncommon is the sense of care being wrapped in Ethan’s arms gives me. We still barely know each other, but in the short time I’ve known him, he’s shown me more care and respect than anybody I’ve ever been with. It’s been rare in my life, and I just want to enjoy it.
And of course, the sex has been incredible. It’s been so much better than I ever imagined it could be. There’s some small part of me kicking myself for not letting myself enjoy it sooner. But I also know it wouldn’t have been as good with somebody else. I’m pretty certain the sex with Ethan is so good because he’s such a generous lover. He genuinely seems more concerned with my pleasure than with his own. Most guys my age just want to get off and don’t really care whether I get mine or not. Ethan is different. He really wants to make sure I enjoy every moment of it. And I have. I really, really have.
“How is your grandmother?” he asks.
“Good. She and Mrs. Lund are having a girls’ night in. Movies, Scrabble, and knitting.”
“They sure know how to live the wild life.”
I laugh. “Right?”
I melt against him, savoring his touch and having his arm around me and his taut, toned body pressed to mine. I close my eyes and just soak it in. As we sit in silence, watching the flames dancing in the fireplace, a small curl to my lips. It could be all the wine I’ve had tonight, but I realize that I know so little about Ethan, and a thousand questions start firing through my mind. I want to know more about him. I want to know everything about him, actually.
It’s a dangerous prospect, I know. Ethan’s roots are here in Emerson now, and there’s no way he’s going to leave. I know that much already. Eventually, I will go back to LA. If we start opening up to each other, if we risk opening those doors into our souls to each other, then emotions might get involved—and nothing good can come from that. Emotions make things more real, and with me going back to LA and Ethan staying here, that means we’ll be hurt. Or at least, I think I will be.
This, what we have right now, whatever it is, is all we’re likely going to have. I knew that before I ever dropped my panties in Mam’s kitchen that day and still dropped them anyway. I wanted to enjoy something good and fun. I wanted my first sexual experience to be with somebody like Ethan. He’s every bit as kind and generous as I thought he would be. And if I’m not careful, I can see myself falling for him. It’s why I need to be incredibly careful with my feelings and opening the door to them.
That’s why getting to know each other on a more intimate level is probably a bad idea. It’s why he and I need to simply enjoy this moment since this moment is likely all we’re going to have. This, whatever it is between us, has a shelf life. I know that. And knowing that, I need to act accordingly and simply enjoy the time we have without mucking it all up by getting our feelings and emotions involved. That’s the smart thing to do.
“Why did you leave LA?” I ask.
“Because Dr. Pelson offered me his practice out here.”