Ethans Fal

by Dee Palmer

“Yes, Dr. Burrows, she was the one to bring me out of my coma. I didn’t need to be kept like that it was just convenient, but thankfully she didn’t mind the inconvenience and she brought me back to life.” I smile with a mix of bitter sweet memories. “ My father,” I swallow thickly because I haven’t spoken about him since I was in the facility, and it sort of feels like if I say his name three times all sorts of evil will rain down on me. I shiver with fear the mere thought of that monster evokes. “He has expectations, he wasn’t best pleased when I told him about the baby. Anyway, he acted the only way he ever does by protecting his interest and the family name.” I can’t help the bitterness in my tone.

  “He had you put in a coma for two years!” Ethan’s horror is reflected in his face.

  “Yeah, that’s sort of how I reacted when I woke up.” My laugh falls flat and I can feel the colour drain from my face. I recognise that look of fury and determination.

  “Tell me his name, Ada.” Ethan’s tone brooks no negotiation but lucky for me I have no intention of negotiating. I still have too much to lose and if my father ever finds me I will lose. I stroke my hand along Ethan’s cheek, and he tilts into my soft palm. His five o’clock shadow prickles my skin.

  “You know, I can’t…you know I won’t, but like you I am better off without him.” My smile is genuine, I am lucky to have severed that connection at least.

  “People don’t get to do that without consequences, Ada. There are laws.” His righteous indignation is touching if a little moot.

  “I don’t doubt for a moment everything looks entirely above board, every i dotted every T crossed. Really Ethan, I am better off…I would rather be alone for a lifetime than spend a single second with that man, so please don’t give him another thought. It is a waste of oxygen.”

  “You’re not alone, angel.” Ethan’s lips cover mine, his tongue traces the seam and I let out a sigh when his hands stroke the length of my back in long sweeping movements, settling to cup my face, his eyes sear my soul and not for the first time, he steals my heart.

  “Where are we going?” My toe is throbbing at a constant low level pain since Ethan dressed it properly, told me I hadn’t actually lost the whole nail and gave me a mild painkiller. He packed an overnight bag for us both and we are now in his Mini heading…not sure where but out of town.

  “It’s a surprise.” His statement is more like a question so I answer.

  “I’m not a fan of surprises, Ethan. Can you please tell me something at least, because I can assure you with my history, my imagination is predisposed to be more horror than Disney. I will be a wreck by the time we get to wherever it is we are going.” He reaches over and takes my hand, interlocking our fingers. I slept surprisingly well last night, but then I had a human shield to protect me from the evil of the world. If only he could do the same for my internal demons, if only I could let him.

  “Okay angel, but I have a feeling this is just going to make you a different kind of anxious.” He smirks and flashes a wide mischievous grin. “I thought a little break would take your mind off… make you feel better…Fuck it, I just wanted to take you away. Take you somewhere safe, so we are going to my home.” He squeezes my hands to the point where my fingers are tingly numb. I snort out a nervous laugh of incredulity.

  “Seriously? Your idea of a little break to make me feel better is to introduce me to your father!” I try to take my hand back but he won’t let me, so I just pull both our hands and try and wrap them around my tummy because I suddenly feel sick. “I can’t believe you think this is a good idea.” I shake my head, my laughter bubbling with a twinge of hysteria.

  “It’s a great idea.” His dismissive easy tone makes me doubt my reaction. “And it’s not just my Dad, we’re meeting up with Bethany and Daniel and we are all going out on the town. You get to meet the brother-in-law…won’t that be a treat.” He wiggles his brow at his own joke.

  “Fuck, Ethan…what if they ask me questions?” I am facing him and the horror on my face only makes him laugh a little. I would hit him if he didn’t have my hand held captive or we weren’t hurtling down the motorway toward an impromptu and unwelcome meet and greet.

  “What you mean is because you’ve been so forthcoming…you are suddenly worried you are going to blurt all your secrets like an exposé for the front page of a national paper hmm?” He teases and I take comfort from his confidence that this will be okay, with him I do feel like everything might work out all right.

  “Fair point.” I chew my bottom lip still riddled with uncertainty. “And you are right I’m not thinking about anything else…shit I’m even worrying about what I’m going to wear.” I laugh out because that is the first time I have thought about something like that for years.

  “Well, you don’t need to worry. I spoke to Bethany and she’s going to get a selection ready for you.”

  “She knows my size?”

  “I can be very descriptive and detailed, and she didn’t seem to think there would be a problem, she’ll bring shoes too. I cannot wait to see you in fuck me high heels.” He shifts in his seat the thought clearly going straight to his cock.

  “Yeah because that is going to happen with my toe.” I snort at his sudden frown.

  “Shit!” He presses the call button on his hands free. Bethany’s name and smiling face appear on the screen. She’s really pretty and is holding a tiny baby with a dark shock of hair, which would account for the Cheshire Cat smile.

  “Stone.” A man’s deep voice answers in an abrupt gruff tone.

  “Daniel, you know it’s me why answer like that?” Ethan looks at me and rolls his eyes and bites back a grin.

  “Habit Ethan, don’t take it personally. Bethany asked me to answer, she’s a little tied up.” I flush pink with heat and Ethan groans.

  “Jesus, Daniel–”

  “You are going to need to be quick or this is going to speaker phone and you do not want that.”

  “Fine…Look I need Bethany to sort some different shoes for Ada. She’s hurt her toe.” There are some muffled voices and then a female voice takes over.

  “Hi Ethan…Daniel didn’t look too impressed with the shoe talk.” She giggles lightly. “He’s gone now…what is it you need exactly?”

  “Ada tore half her toe nail off, so heels are out. Do you have anything else suitable?”

  “Ouch…and you’re driving all the way up here for a night out…men!” I raise my brow at Ethan and he has the decency to look at least a little sheepish. “Sure I have the perfect thing…Ow! Gotta go! See you soon.” Ethan cuts the call before it deteriorated into some weird sex chat line.

  The journey took a good five hours and we finally take a slow turn up a private drive, meandering with tall hedges either side affording privacy until we make the final turn. It is a stunning house and I swallow the bitter thought that I take no pleasure in comparing it to my own family home, impressive majestic national treasures old enough to be mentioned in the Doomsday book. Although the main house is Georgian, around the side and back from the drive the Clock tower and coach house appear much older. Ethan pulls the car to the front, grabs our bags from the back seat and comes round to my side. He opens the door and I take his hand. I feel a much needed sense of calm wash over me from his touch, my tummy is both knotted and doing somersaults. Why does it even matter what his Dad thinks or Bethany…but I know why it does.

  “I take it your place is bigger.” Ethan’s remark catches me in mid thought and I answer without thinking.

  “A little perhaps. Oh!” I slap my hand at my mouth but it’s too damn late. Ethan freezes beside me then does something that hurts because it is just so perfect. He ignores what my unfiltered mouth revealed, he threads his hand around my neck and pulls me hard against his lips. Deeply possessive and urgent kisses consume me and make me forget, make me forget everything but him, if only for a moment and I grab it like it is my only lifeline. I lose any sense of time when he consumes me like this, it could be minutes…it could be hours
and my lips are swollen enough to think the latter but we are interrupted by a deep cough.

  “We have food in the house, Ethan …let the poor girl breathe.” A tall man with salt and pepper hair, a deep tan and kind eyes approaches. He surprises me by lightly nudging Ethan and stepping between us. He takes me by my shoulders and chuckles at my startled face. “I am so happy to meet you, Ada…I have heard next to nothing about you but the fact you are here is biblically significant.” He winks at Ethan, who groans and his cheeks tinge an adorable shade, not quite pink. Ethan’s Dad squeezes the very breath from my body and my bones creak under the pressure.

  “Dad.” Ethan steps instantly between us once I am released by the bear hug of the century.

  “Or you can call me Tom, Ada, I‘ll answer to either.” His genuine bright wide smile is filled with kindness and it is easy to return.

  “It’s nice to meet you…Tom.” Ethan grabs my hand and leads me up the steps to the huge open door.

  “Leave the bags in the kitchen, Dad. I’m famished.” He calls over his shoulder. He practically drags me across the reception hall, which is a vast open space of highly polished parquet flooring, and lots of light from the eight double height Georgian sash windows that dominate the front of the house. I find I have to skip and hop to keep up and avoid putting too much pressure on my sore toe. He starts to lead me to the sweeping staircase but I pull him to a stop.

  “Ethan, I thought you said you were hungry?” I am a little breathless and more so when his eyes darken.

  “I am.” He turns but I remain fixed to the bottom step.

  “Ethan, we are not fucking in your home with your father here!” My mouth drops when his look of stunned confusion is replaced with pure wicked intention.

  “Really? What on earth gave you that impression?” He bends and folds me easily over his shoulder but I fight all the same.

  “Ethan, I mean it!” I try not to scream but my tone is filled with the fury and embarrassment racing through me.

  “So do I.” His causal disregard for my feelings is just the fucking icing.

  “Ethan, please don’t make me one of those girls.” I whisper on a defeated breath. He stops and slides me down his toned and hard body, harder still now he is pressed so tightly against me.

  “Girls, that fuck do you mean?” I can feel his heat deep inside and scorching my thigh with his steel hard erection.

  “No, I mean one of those girls you bring here that doesn’t have the decency to respect that this is your father’s home and I am a guest. We haven’t even had a cup of tea! What is he going to think of me, Ethan?” My voice catches and his hands are instantly cupping my cheeks. His gaze softens and his lips curl with tender understanding.

  “You care what my father thinks?”

  “Well, yes of course. I…I …”

  “Weren’t brought up that way?” He dips to meet my gaze when I try to look away, maintaining the contact.

  “No…I wasn’t…I’m not sorry.” I tip my chin and straighten, manners cost nothing and they may well be the only thing I am grateful to my parents for.

  “No need to be sorry but you don’t have to worry about being compared to other girls. I have never brought anyone home.” His finger pushes my dropped jaw shut and he pecks my lips before he starts to descend the stairs. I am still stunned and speechless when he leads me into the kitchen. Tom is fixing some food and pulls out a chair for us to join him. Ethan brushes his lips at my neck and I shiver from top to toe. “After tea, we fuck,” he whispers. I gasp and shudder. “It’s going to be a challenge fucking in the Mini but anything for you m’lady.” He takes my hand and places a playful kiss on the back, then the palm and my wrist until I pull it away and slap him on his taut tummy before joining his father for tea.

  EVEN FROM MY tucked up position in the back seat of the car, I can see Ethan’s profile and he doesn’t look happy. I snicker as he huffs loudly much to his father’s amusement. You wouldn’t credit such a small car could fit two large men, but Ethan’s Dad insisted on catching a lift with us. He is chief babysitter and didn’t see the point in getting the train when his son was going to the exact same place.

  “Honestly Ethan, you are like a fourteen year old boy…what exactly where you hoping to get up to in this car? Unless you are a contortionist.” Tom chuckles and I am glad I am sat behind him because my face is as red as the paintwork on the car.

  “Dad.” Ethan warns and Tom holds up his hand in surrender.

  “So Ada, tell me a little about yourself. Ethan has given me little more than your name.” He tries to turn but given the confines of the tiny car he gives up. I inwardly cringe and would actually prefer to have the previous awkward conversation resurrected than answer this loaded question.

  “For a reason, Dad.” Ethan’s firm tone makes his dad hesitate but only for a second.

  “Nonsense…tell me what you want. I’m not prying and if I’m honest it’s my son’s fault. The fact that he called you his girlfriend has elevated you to the status of unique and rare. So forgive me and indulge an old man.”

  I sniff out a laugh at his blatant attempt to charm. “You are not so old, Mr. Cates, and I am not so unique.” I draw in a deep breath and try to work out what I feel comfortable sharing. “I grew up in the country, a small village similar to yours, I suppose. I don’t have any brothers or sisters but we did have dogs, chocolate Labradors. I missed them the most when I left home.” I swallow a lump and can sense a shift in Ethan, his head tilts to make sure he isn’t missing anything. His shoulders are tense like he is holding his breath waiting for me to reveal more.

  “I can imagine…I love my son, but my dogs well…” His effortless laugh and ability to ease a difficult topic into something more palatable is a skill. I now know where Ethan picked it up. “And school, where did you study?”

  “Oh, I went to a small girls school. I took my exams early but I never got to go to university.” I shake my head because that sacrifice was inconsequential compared to raising my baby. “I love to read.” I offer as a throw away comment, because doesn’t everyone. It’s like saying I like chocolate, well duh.

  “And she can dance like the devil.” Ethan flashes a wicked grin over his shoulder, his eyes crinkling with pleasure at his recall of our own dirty dancing

  “Really…well I can see why you’re a keeper. Ethan loves to dance…his mother taught him and they would practice in the hall at home. Didn’t even stop when it was no longer such a cool thing to do. His mother loved it so much. I have two left feet and she feared for her life at every charity ball we attended.” Ethan barks out a laugh and smiles at his dad with such love in his eyes I feel tragically jealous. Not for Ethan loving his Dad, but for his Dad clearly adoring him.

  The elevator door pings and just like his father, Ethan is pushed aside, this time by a much smaller woman.

  “Oh, my God…you’re real!” She doesn’t hold my shoulders for long before I am pulled against her body and held in a strangely familiar embrace. Warm and comforting but strange because I don’t know her.

  “Even I don’t think Ethan has to resort to a blow up, Bethany.” The man talking is directly behind the hugging woman. The hint of humour in his tone is offset by his dark frame and stern aura. He is tall, immaculate and fiercely handsome. He pulls the woman from me and shakes Tom’s hand. Ethan makes the introduction.

  “Daniel and Bethany this is Ada, my girlfriend.” He sounds so comfortable saying that but it doesn’t sit right, my tummy tightens with the facade. His sanguine expression when he looks my way prevents me from clarifying any more than I had at his home with his father.

  “Oh, oh!” Bethany jumps up and down with her hands clasped together. If I hadn’t spent the last few weeks with Ethan, I would be concerned there is something wrong with him for everyone to react like having a girlfriend was some sort of relationship miracle.

  “Where’s my grandson?” Tom pushes past and strides into the apartment.

  “He is
all ready to go for a walk around Green Park in his stroller before you get to bathe him and put him to bed. I’m going to help Ada pick something to wear tonight, so you guys can go and work on that bonding thing.” She flashed her husband a smile laced with mischief and I swear I hear him growl.

  “You don’t have to come Daniel, I can…sorry for a moment there I forgot who I was talking to.” Tom winks at Bethany and she captures Daniel’s face and plants a tender kiss.

  “Don’t tease him Tom, he’s just being a protective Daddy. I am sure you weren’t any different to this one when he was a baby boy.” She tugs on Ethan’s T-shirt and he bundles her into his arms. Ethan smiles and hugs her tightly.

  Daniel steps away and returns with a sleek, black stroller that looks like it could go cross country and possibly fly too. But it is the steely blue eyes of the chubby cheeked six-month-old baby boy, waving his arms erratically and dribbling bubbles from his rosy lips that pierces my heart. I step back and Ethan is at my side with a deep frown.

  “Are you okay?” He tips my chin and I blink back the sudden well of water.

  “Sorry, sorry…I’m fine. Think I might be allergic… maybe to the city fumes.” I wipe my eyes dry and rub my nose like it is now itching with irritation.

  “Oh…look I can stay here if you would prefer.” His gaze locks with mine and there is no one else but us for that long moment. I love that, but I don’t want to stop him from spending time with his Dad or his nephew.

  “I’m fine.” I nod and he covers my lips with a kiss, his tongue dipping to trace the salt water that settled in the crease.

  “Are you sure?” He hesitates but the others are holding the lift doors impatiently.

  “She’s sure, she’s sure, now go, or we won’t be ready in time.” Bethany shoos the men from the apartment and slumps against the door with a huge sigh once they have left.

  Bethany is kind and helps me pick out something from her extensive wardrobe. Strange she looks more uncomfortable than I do peeking through the hangers. She has so many stunning gowns she could open her own floor in Harrods. Bethany is easy company and doesn’t talk endlessly about Luca. I wouldn’t blame her though. I just couldn’t guarantee I would be anything other than a blubbering wreck if she did. She holds up a gorgeous Roberto Cavalli, full length black metallic striped wool dress, with no sleeves fitted under the bust, sleek and edged with tiny brass studs, airing on the sophisticated side of BDSM attire. I love it.