Page 63 of Wildest Desire

“I think that's a good plan, Ethan,” his mom says as she walks over to him and gives him a hug.

“Selena will call them on her way home, and they’ll have the contract by theend ofthe week.Now, I don’t want to talk about them, or even hear the names from anyone in this room anymore. My girlfriend has made dinner, which smells amazing, and I’m hungry,”Ethan tells everyone as he's walking over to me.

“I'm proud of you for helping that little boy.”

“DoIget extra points for that?”Ethan gives me a wink, andIcan’t help but laugh at him.

“You do in two more days,” I tell him. Giving him a wink back, I walk back to the kitchen and leave him standing alone with Travis. I look back at Ethan, who’s walking away from Travis. What the hell has to happen for Ethan to give Travis a break? I mean, he’s his best friend. “He’ll come around. I think today has been a long day,” I tell Travis as he comes over to help me.

“I know. I knew this was going to happen. I just don't know how to show him that I’ve changed since I’ve been with Tanya,” Travis says as he mixes up the gravy.

Ethanthinks thatIcan't cook, butIcan—Ijust don't like to.This is the first timeI'm cooking for him.It was one of my dad’s favorites and the only thingIknow how to cook well. Lamb roast dinner, a meal we had whenever we wanted the family to get together.

“Ican talk to him if you want.”Ilook over at him.Ilike Travis, and Tanya looks happy to me.

“No.I know Ethan, he just needs a little more time,”he says, walking away with some items to take to the table.

As I'm following, Tanya walks past me and brings a few things too.“Oh, Lexi, this all looks amazing,”she tells me.

“Thank you.It was my dad’s favorite.”Isay while looking over at Ethan, who holds my eyes for a moment.

“Are we about to eat an old family recipe?”Tanya asks.

“We are,” I reply. I plate some food for Ethan. “I can feel you staring at me,” I whisper to him, not wanting anyone else to hear.

“That’s because I am.” Ethan brings his lips to my ear. “You look beautiful.”

Turning to face him, I look into his eyes.His lips are so close to mine. I always thought those momentsbetween couples that you see in the movies didn’treally happen because,let’s face it, real lifesucks most of the time. But, right now, at this very minute, somethingmagical ishappeningbetween us.Mybody breaks out into goosebumps, andmystomach feeling like a cage of butterflies have escaped.

“Can you pass the gravy?”Tanya asks, breaking us out of our moment.Ilook over and seeLisasmilingat us, and there is something different about it, a proudsmile.

I want to ask Travis and Tanya how their relationship is going, but I don't want to annoy Ethan. Despite the shit morning he’s had, he's finally in a good mood.

“Mr.Williams called me today and saidhemight come down this week.”Ilook over atEthan.“He asked if we would be available for dinner?”

“Sure, just let me know,” Ethan replies taking a mouth full of lamb and potatoes.“This is good.”

The evening was nice. We talked about my job, which reminded me that I needed to talk to Ethan and Mrs. Jackie about it. I can't keep lying to his family about how we met. The moment I start working in Ms. Jackie's office, they’ll know something is wrong.

Ethan'smomhasn't dated anyone sinceEthan's dad.I kept telling her she needs to find a man.Tanya agreed with me, butEthanwasn’t so happy about it.Tanya and I still plan on putting her on a dating site.

* * *

By the time we got home last night, I was too tired to tease Ethan; Ithink he was too.

As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was fast asleep. AsI'm coming out of the bedroom,Ihear Selena’s voice.It's too early for her to be here.Whatis she doing here?

“Selena, I like you. I think you’re a very brave woman to be working for him, but it's seven in the morning. I don’t care what Ethan has to say or what business emergency has come up, just go home. I don’t want to see your beautiful face until ten,” I tell her, and she looks over at Ethan.

Ethan come up behind me. “Ithink someone didn’t get enough sleep.”He brings his lips to my ear.“Or is someone missing something?”he whispers, and my body shivers a little.

God, yes, I'm missing something. I miss having sex with him, I miss having his lips on me and his body touching mine. Stupid bet.

“You be back here at ten,”he tells Selena.Walkingoverto the kitchen to get some coffee Ethan looksoverat me.“I’m about to go up to the penthouse if you wantto comehave a look.Or would you like to go to the bedroom and have some…fun?”Ethan’s lips curl up, and I stick my tongue out at him.

“Iknow that it’s getting to youtoo, and the worst part is this is only day two.Dayfuckingtwo,”I tell him blowing on the hot coffee.

“I've learned that very cold showers seem to work.”Ethan starts laughing and kisses me.“Good morning.”

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