Page 28 of Wildest Desire

“Thank you. Dinner will be ready soon,” she says, walking off into the kitchen. I know Ethan's dad isn’t in the picture, but I don’t know why. There was nothing written about him and Ethan’s made it clear the topic is off limits, so I haven’t asked about him.

Drinking my wine, I watch Ethan and Travis talking. They stop as his phone rings for the ninth time. I shake my head.

“He's married to that phone.” Lisa laughs as she sits down next to me.

“He is,” I say, with a smile. Ms. Jackie sits down on the couch in front of me. “He’s just busy with the London and Washington Malls, and the children’s center. A lot is happening all at once.” I watch him end the call only to have his phone ring again. But, this time his facial expression changes and he declines the call before sitting down next to his mom.

“You work too much,” she tells him.

“Well, the idiots at work are useless.” Ethan looks up at Travis, who throws a pretzel at him. “It’s true, the only reason you’re still there, is because you’re my friend.” Ethan starts laughing. It’s good to see him being a little more relaxed than the uptight man I get all the time. “Stop being so mean,” his mom tells him, playfully bumping her shoulder against his.

“Mom, Lexi comes to the shop every morning. We have three jars in the apartment that are always full of something from the shop.” Ethan looks over at me with a smile, and for the first time, I see a man that can be fun to be around. Someone I wouldn’t mind going on a date with.

“And you’re only telling me now?” She turns to me. “Next time you come in, ask for me. I’m usually in the back, I’m never in the front of the shop.”

“I will. I’m in there every day.” I smile at her. Ethan takes my empty wine glass from me, giving me a cocky smile at the same time. The devil comes out of him more and more.

My eyes move over to Travis as he watches Tanya. His eyes move to mine, seeing that he’s been caught. I smile at him and say nothing more. I look over at Ms. Jackie as Ethan hands me my glass of wine, and he puts his hand on my thigh as he sits down next to me.

“So, prove you aren’t a gold digger. Do you even work, or do you expect my brother to keep you in fancy shoes?” Tanya asks, and I feel Ethan’s hand tense up on my leg. His mom and Ms. Jackie look over at her.

“I work in marketing. It pays well once you make a name for yourself,” I tell her, and she rolls her eyes at me.

“She works more hours than I do,” Ethan tells her.

“I don’t think anyone works more than you do.” Tanya stops as his phone starts to ring. “See, you’re working now. Is she?” Tanya starts laughing, and in my head, I’m thinking, ‘yes, I'm working now.’

“Hello.” Ethan walks away from everyone. “I’ve told you that—” I don’t hear anymore as he closes the door behind him. I look around to see everyone’s eyes are on me. Yes, I’ve been to client’s parents’ houses before, but I’ve never been left alone with them. I’m annoyed that Ethan put me in this situation.

“Lexi, do you like your job?” Ms. Jackie asks me.

“I do. There are days I want to kill my clients. Yesterday was a rough day, but then you work through it,” I reply, looking at Ethan as he and Travis walk back into the room.

“I’m just going to plate dinner,” Lisa says, walking out of the room.

“I'll help you.” Ethan kisses me on the cheek and follows his mom. Tanya walks out of the room too, and I’m left with Ms. Jackie.

“See? He’s not that bad. Once he lets you in, he will respect you, just like he respects his mom,” she says, walking over to the couch I’m sitting on. She looks over at the kitchen then back to me. “I know you will be good for each other a soon as you let him in, you have to open the door for him too.” She pulls away as Lisa walks back into the room.

“Dinner is ready,” she tells us. Ms. Jackie and I get up from the couch and follow Lisa to the dining room.

* * *

As I put things into the sink, I stop as Ethan stands behind me. I feel his light touch on my hips as he puts his mouth on my neck. It’s his favorite place because he knows it makes me weak in the knees. I lean back into his chest.

“So, how much more wine do I need to get into you before…”

I turn around to face him, his lips still on my neck. “Do you want to have sex with me when I’m drunk?” I ask, moving my head to give him better access to my neck.

“No, not drunk, just a little tipsy. So you know what you’re doing, but weak enough to fall for my charm,” Ethan whispers in my ear as he trails his fingers down my neck very slowly causing me to shiver.

“I think you should stop before your—”

“Too late. Ethan let her go,” his mom says teasing him and making me laugh.

“This isn’t over,” he whispers. This isn’t over. I don’t think I can stay away from him. Ms. Jackie was right. Ethan with his family is nice, sweet, and kind. I want that Ethan.

Ethan starts walking over to his mom. "I have a meeting early tomorrow, so we are going to head home.” He wraps his arms around her shoulders. “I love you. Thank you for dinner.” He kisses her on the cheek.

---