Page 88 of Naive in Love

"I was on the phone with Preston when our favorite neighbor saw me on campus.” She is referring to the girl who lives below us. She is never friendly and always in everyone’s business. I can guess what happened now. “She walked up to me and made a snide remark about you having so many guys over. I asked her what she meant, and she goes on about you making out with a guy outside. Preston heard, and I knew Ethan wasn't with you because he had class. We got worried, and Preston called you.” She looks at Ethan. “Are you going to tell me what happened?” Lena asks.

I share the story with her, feeling dirty every time I repeat it.

"I don't like that he just comes by," she says after I finish.

"You and me both," Ethan agrees with her as he runs his hand through his hair, frustrated.

We decide to make it a quiet evening at Ethan’s house after today’s events. He has me pack an overnight bag so I can stay at his place this weekend. He doesn’t want me at my apartment in case Caleb tries to come over again.

Lying in bed,Ethan sighs. “I want to ask you something. But if you don't want to, I understand.”

“Okay.” I drag out the word, unsure what he wants to ask.

“We have a family thing happening next weekend, and I want you to go with me. You know the uptight, country club functions my family likes to flaunt.”

“Really?” A smile I can’t contain spreads across my face.

“Of course. I haven't been to one since I was in middle school, before the divorce. Until now, I refused to go. But now that I’ve mended the relationship with my dad, he really wants me to be there.”

“Of course I’ll go with you. I need to go shopping this week.”

“I’ll take you to get a dress. Lena will be driving in with us.”

“Okay.”

The Hayes events are the talk of the town and always make the social page of the newspaper.

He brings my face to his, kissing me with passionate force. My mouth opens, giving his tongue permission to explore. His hands slip down, grasping my butt and hips. He pulls away and places our foreheads together, then slowly comes back to meet our lips together for a gentler kiss.

“I love you,” he murmurs against my lips.

“I love you too.”

* * *

I head straightto Ethan’s room after their gig while the guys unload the equipment. Seeing one of his shirts thrown across a chair, I pick it up, bringing it to my face and breathing in. I love the way it smells of him and decide to slip it on.

I exit the bathroom as Ethan walks into the bedroom. He stops and he gives me a slow once-over.

“I think that’s my shirt.” His voice is low and deep.

I smile at him. “Yes, I think you may be correct.”

“I like it on you.” He walks toward me.

“You do?”

His hands land on my waist, gripping me as he stares down at me. “You have no idea how sexy I find you right now. In my room with only my shirt on.” His face comes down slowly until our lips touch. I slide my hands up his torso, amazed by his reaction. Our lips barely brush as he says, “You’re incredibly sexy.”

He presses our lips together, and our tongues explore. He trails kisses down my neck. I am lost in all things Ethan. My knees become weak, so I grab fistfuls of his shirt, holding on.

He pulls back, our breathing erratic. “You are making this extremely difficult, you know.”

“Making what difficult?” I place my forehead on his chest, catching my breath.

“Going slow with you. You have no idea how much I want you, but I promised myself that I would let you set the pace.”

“Oh,” I say a bit embarrassed, wanting to admit I don’t want to go slow, but the fear of my limited experience prohibits me from speaking. His arms slide around me as he kisses the top of my head.

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