He completed his before her, and soon after the waitress cleaned the table and brought them dessert. Selena didn't dare think about what the price might be; instead she indulged in the luxuries she couldn't afford on her own. And now that meal time was over, there was nothing else to do but talk, and suddenly her heart rate ticked uncontrollably her heart threatened to explode.
"Is something the matter?" Ethan asked when he saw her clutch her chest.
"No, it's nothing," she lied. But how could she tell him she dreaded being here with him now. Before she came she thought she had everything under control, and she would just have dinner and talk business and return home and life would continue as normal. But nothing was as she expected it to be. He wasn't being his usual obnoxious self and she was finding she was enjoying his company more than she cared to.
"Would you like to go out on the balcony?" he asked.
"Sure," she said. She felt the walk and the air would do her some good.
Ethan stood and held his hand out for her and she hesitated before placing her hand there. He led her out onto a dimly lit and serene balcony area that must be one of the most amazing spots in New York. She rested her palms on the rails and leaned against it while she closed her eyes and let the cool night air caress her face. When she opened them again he was looking at her.
"You know I do recall I am here because you are supposed to be educating me about the tricks in selling properties."
He rested his back against the rail and folded his arms. "I know, but now that I have you here, there is no rush. Are you in a hurry to go home?"
Selena checked her watch and realised that it was already a quarter to nine. She wasn't. "Not really. I must say I am surprised by you tonight. Is this how you treat all the girls you dine?"
Ethan smiled, revealing the dimple in his left cheek. "Not because I date a lot means I have to be an ass does it?"
"I guess not," she admitted. "It's...nice."
Just then a slow beat starting streaming through the speakers positioned on the far corners of the wall and he cocked his head to the side in invitation.
"No, I..." she said as she shook her head.
"Come on," he pressed. "Just one dance."
"I'm not much of a dancer," she insisted.
"We are alone. No one cares," he smiled. He moved and stood before her and she finally gave in and took his hand. He pulled her to him and she tried desperately not to get too close, but when her breasts brushed against his hardened muscles, her entire being got electrified. Her head fell below his chin, giving her the perfect opportunity to relax against his chest. But she couldn't relax. She could hear his heart beating even though the music was surrounding them and she deliberately kept her eyes open so as not to feel too much. Ethan spoke not a word, and she was amazed he didn't really make a pass at her all night. This was a side to him she had never seen before and she rather enjoyed it. She smiled then as she rested against him and allowed her body to melt under his touch. So comfortable was she that she didn't realise the music ended when it did. She held him close still, and it wasn't until after he spoke she was cognizant of the silence.
"You asleep?" he teased.
"Oh stop," she said as she pulled herself away embarrassingly. "I was...distracted."
"Is that so? And where was your mind when it was supposed to be here with me?"
Selena didn't answer. Just then her phone rang. The time read nine thirty and it was Melanie. "Excuse me for a second," she said as she walked away from Ethan and headed to the far corner where she might have some privacy. "Mel?"
"How's it going? I thought you would have called me by now?"
"I was going to," she whispered and then looked nervously behind her.
"Is everything alright?" Ethan called from the distance.
"Yes, it is just the neighbour," she lied as she placed her hand over the mouth piece. "I asked a favour and I should have been back already." She turned back around and continued speaking with Melanie. "I gotta go; I will be home in a few; if you are ready to leave just lock up and leave the keys with the attendant."
"Alright. But I am getting the feeling Krystal was right Selena. Are you sure you don't want to bail now?"
"Talk to you later Mel," Selena said and hastily hung up. As she turned around she bumped into Ethan who had crept up behind her.
"We can go now if you like. It is getting late anyway and we have work in the morning," he told her. "I will give you those tips another time."
"So what do I do tomorrow about the house?"
"I will send you another one that might be easier to sell in the meantime."
"Okay then," she smiled.
"Come," he said as he rested his hand at the small of her back and led her inside the restaurant once more. He called for the tab and left the waitress a sizable tip before venturing outside once more.
There was only the hollow sound of Selena's heel as she walked to the parking bay where the Volvo was stationed. Nothing had happened after all. But what she couldn't get over was the disappointment she felt. He opened the door for her and she slipped inside the car and sank against the leather cushioned seat. She kept her eyes trained in front of her as he sat across from her in the driver's seat. Selena felt him look at her and she fought hard not to look. Why wouldn't she look when she wanted to feel his hands on her body and his lips on hers?
Suddenly he reached over and touched her hand where it lay on the seat. She jumped as if he had just touched her with a live wire. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Mmhmm," she responded where words failed to come forth.
"God you look incredible," he said as he let his hand, the same that had touched her seconds before, reach up to her dark tangle of curls.
This time Selena was bold enough to turn and face him, and when she did, she was hardly in a position to stop his lips from brushing against hers. He felt like cotton candy, and he moved his lips away just a millimetre as if to gauge her reaction. Then he looked into her eyes and when he saw the need building there, he came in for another taste. This time her lips parted to receive him, and the invitation now fully accepted, Ethan grabbed the back of her head and crushed her lips to his.
Selena reached out and grabbed him on the shoulder, keeping him in place as their lips danced to a rhythm they didn't know existed. He tasted like honey on her, and she lapped his savoury juices as they transferred to her. Ethan's head dipped a little lower and caught the sensitive region at her throat and she trembled as the sensations rocked her being. She moaned as he used his chin to lower the fold of her dress and bring it down lower to reveal beautiful and already ripe nipples begging for his attention. Selena gripped a handful of his hair at the nape and bit her lips as his tongue made circles around her hardened peaks. Goose pimples lined up in rows from every pore on her arms, and she shivered as she felt her body grow moist with pleasure.
Suddenly he raised his head up, and with great urgency he turned the keys in the ignition and gunned the car out of the lot and down the street. Soon enough she realised she wasn't heading in the direction of her home. A pair of thoughts flashed across her mind simultaneously; she wanted him to get there before her rational mind kicked in; and that Krystal was going to have a field day over this.
Chapter 5
He lived in a penthouse suite up state; or maybe just one of his many properties he owned. At the moment she didn't want to think about how many women had been here before, or whether she was going to be his next one night stand. She had fallen for the man she saw tonight and she was going to have him; not the other way around. She fooled herself into thinking she wanted this and there was no shame in it; that he was the pawn in her game. Logic had long died from her mental processes, and all that was left was this pure unadulterated heat she was experiencing. It had been a while since Selena had made love to any man, and right now she didn't care that that man was Ethan Bloomfield; her boss and the man she had so long despised. But perhaps, that was what made the forbidden fruit taste so much sweeter.
They had barely stepped into the apartment when he had her pinned against the door. His hand was already up her dress, feeling the wetness that dripped freely from her. He circled the spot with his fore finger and then brought it to his lips. Slowly and ever so seductively he licked her juice from his finger, and she bit her lips as she watched him get turned on by it. He lifted her now from the floor and brought her to the oversized bed in the back of the suite. She still wore her stilettos and when she tried to take them off, he told her to leave them be. So there she remained in her pumps as he slowly stripped the dress from her lean and taut frame.