“Want me to get rid of him?” Chase asks.
For a split second I’m honestly tempted. Especially since I know Chase is more than capable of getting rid of Ethan. Chase could probably kick Ethan’s ass right out the front door.
But seriously, the last thing I need is for a fight to break out here. My landlord would most likely kick me out and then where would I go?
I’m only here because it’s one of the nicer places I can afford.
“No,” I shake my head. “I should probably see what he wants.”
Ethan is my problem and I should handle him.
“Do you want me to go?” Chase asks, standing up. God, he’s tall. He looms over me. The expression on his face hardens, becoming something unreadable. I swear he looks just like he did last night when we passed in the hallway, but even worse now that he’s black and blue all over.
“No,” I say right away. I don’t want Chase to go. Now that he’s here, with breakfast, I want to hang out with him. I want to get to know this avenging angel who rescued me. “No, please don’t go. Just give me a minute to get him out of here.”
Chase stands there, large and intimidating, blocking my way. For a moment I get the impression he’s not going to let me walk around him. Then he gives a sharp nod of his head and steps to the side, as if he’s giving me permission to answer the door.
I don’t know why that little power play doesn’t piss me off. I should be mad that he would even think of trying to stop me, but for some reason I’m not mad at all. In fact, I feel rather excited. My heart is beating a little faster and my cheeks feel warm.
Sebastian purrs all the louder and rubs himself through Chase’s legs.
I take a deep breath, willing my heart to slow then I wrap my blanket tighter around me and shuffle over to the door.
Now this is really awkward and embarrassing. I was just waiting for the right moment to excuse myself to my bedroom so I could put some clothes on, but now Ethan is here and I have to answer the door again without flashing my underwear.
I reach out and the blanket slips off my shoulder as I pull the door open a crack. Stupid blanket. Cursing, I yank it back up.
“Avery?” Ethan asks and his blue eyes peek through the small gap I’ve created between the wall and the door. A strong smell of alcohol wafts through the gap. I guess he spent all night drinking.
“Ethan,” I say. “It’s really early. What are you doing here?”
“I came over to apologize. I need to tell you I’m sorry about last night.” He moves forward, trying to nudge the door open more.
I block it with my toe. “You smell like you’ve been drinking. Have you been drinking?”
“Yeah,” he admits, slurring.
“I don’t think you coming in is a good idea.”
I sense Chase moving behind me and I wonder if I would have invited Ethan in if Chase wasn’t here. I don’t like the answer I come to one bit because the answer is: probably. If Chase wasn’t here, I’d probably invite Ethan in. I’d probably let Ethan apologize to me. And I’d probably even forgive him.
But with Chase at my back, I can feel how big of a mistake that would be. Ethan has changed and we need to have a serious talk. When he’s sober. I don’t know who he is anymore. This regretful drunk at my door is not the friend I know and love.
Perhaps that friend is gone for good.
“Please Avery,” Ethan pleads and I close my eyes. Not only because it sucks that we’re in this position, this awful shitty position, but because his breath reeks. It’s super strong of alcohol.
“We’ll talk later,” I tell Ethan. When I’ve had some time to think about all of this.
“I’m busy later,” Ethan says, his voice bordering on a whine. “Let’s talk now.”
“No,” I say, unable to keep my irritation from leaking into my voice. “I’m not ready to talk about it, it’s too fresh.”
Ethan is quiet, and he’s not normally quiet.
I soften my voice as I say, “I’m sorry Ethan. I’m just not ready to forgive you yet.”
“Okay Avery, I understand,” Ethan says, and I feel utterly relieved. Too relieved.
I was afraid he was going to continue to press the issue. Sometimes it can be very hard for Ethan to accept not getting his way. And right now, he’s definitely not getting his way. There’s no way I’m talking to him. There’s no way he’s coming in here.
“Call me later?” he asks. “When you’re ready to talk?”
“I will,” I assure him and start closing the door.
His own foot darts out to stop it. “And don’t worry about showing up at the store until you feel better. Take a couple of days off.”
If only I could.
I nod my head though. “Okay.”
“I hope you feel better Avery,” he says.
I force a smile. “Me too.”
Just as I think Ethan is leaving, he suddenly asks, “That Reaper fuck didn’t try anything with you, did he?”
“What?” I gasp and I sense Chase stiffening behind me. “Try what? He just gave me a ride home.”
“He’s fucking notorious. He’s fucked every ring girl that’s come through that arena. Did he try to fuck with you?”
“No!” I immediately blurt out. “You know I’m not that kind of girl.”
My cheeks are flaming. I can still sense Chase behind me. I need to get Ethan out of here before I die of embarrassment.
“I know you’re not that type of girl,” Ethan says quietly. Then his voice rises in slurred anger. “I just want to know if that fucking fuck tried to mess with you. I saw the way he was looking at you last night.”
“Go home, Ethan,” I groan. “You’re drunk. I’ll call you later.”
“But, Avery,” he whines.
“Go!” I snap, losing my patience.
Ethan slowly backs away from the door as if he doesn’t really want to. I give him a couple of seconds before I close the door so it doesn’t seem like I’m slamming it in his face.
I lean forward and listen to his footsteps as he leaves. I don’t even sense Chase coming up behind me, I’m so focused on making sure Ethan is gone.
I turn around and Chase is just there, filling up my personal space.
For some reason, I’m so surprised, so overwhelmed by having him so close that I gasp and my fingers betray me. These treacherous digits of mine let go of the blanket and it falls in a heap to the floor.
Chase
Fuck! God damn Ethan. It’s like he’s a bad case of crabs, he just doesn't go away!
Listening to Avery have to explain herself is more than infuriating. That mouthy little fucker hurt her and now he’s here at her doorstep begging to be forgiven. I may not even have a claim on this little raven-haired beauty, but I will be damned if he comes into this apartment after what he did to her.
Walking up behind her, I stand just a few feet away. I'm fairly confident if push comes to shove, Ethan will be going down the stairs the hard way.
She turns around and I’m positive I have completely invaded her personal bubble. Her gasp and the thick blanket falling to the floor are pretty good indicators that I’ve startled her with how close I am.
Looking down at her, I stare into those deep emerald eyes. Her pouty pink lips look so damn good, I’m not sure how I was able to leave last night without kissing those lips, but this time those lips are mine.
I bend down and pull her by the shoulders against me, my hands holding her tight. Leaning down, I lightly brush my lips against hers. She’s just as soft and warm as I remember. She gasps and the sound zips straight to my cock.
I am not sure if she thought I would be rough, normally I am rough with a girl. I like to take what I want. Right now though, just gently kissing her sweet, soft lips feels like the right thing to do. One of her hands slides up against my chest and clutches at my shirt. It only encourages me to continue to go slow and gentle with her.
She moans into my mouth and I feel her tongue poking against my lips, trying to find a way inside. Fuck. I groan deep in my chest but only give her a little of what she wants as I barely open my mouth for her. I want her hot and I want her to need me.
It makes things so much easier, so much better… so much wetter.
My right hand slides down to her lower back and my left hand goes to the back of her head, lacing her hair between my fingers. I push my body against hers and her small whimper fills me with a deep sense of satisfaction inside my heart. She's going to be mine soon.
She pushes her lower stomach against me and rubs that tight little tummy of hers against my throbbing cock. I think the sensation of my thick cock against her belly inflames her even more.
I feel her lips pull back and she moans loudly as she all but tries to flatten me against the wall. She throws her entire body against me as if she could move me. Silly girl.
Releasing her hair, I slide my hand down her smooth shirtless back, still taking my time. My hand roams down, past the back of her bra, following her spine. Then I grab two big handfuls of her juicy panty-covered ass.
Lifting her up isn't really that much of a job. She’s thick and curvy with the body of a goddess, but in my hands she feels as if she weighs nothing at all. Her legs wrap around me tighter than I could've ever possibly imagined. She’s breathing heavily against my lips and I move my hips, grinding against her with my hard throbbing cock.