by Cynthia Dane
His eyes remained locked on his, haunting, but Jasmine wasn’t sure why. Yet they bore into her, searching hers for something that was not there. Would never be there. Love?
It was a fleeting look, cut off when Ethan thrust into her again. After that, the only thing she saw was determination – God knew he didn’t have to try so hard to fuck her now. She was slicker than she ever thought she could be, and even though his girth tested her at this different angle, there was no resistance from her.
Ethan was in deep, his hips moving in a motion that stimulated Jasmine’s insides once again. He was not fast or hard this time, but he was steady – Jasmine wanted to close her eyes and escape into the back of her mind where she could focus on nothing but this moment, but Ethan urged her to keep them open.
He didn’t kiss her. He didn’t have to. Just from that intense look Jasmine knew that he was thinking of nothing but them. Not his own pleasure, but theirs. The rest of that week, and even up until he spent himself on her a few minutes ago, was all about what he wanted in the moment. Now he shared something with her. He didn’t even have to. Jasmine didn’t know if he was doing it as an apology or because he wanted to be with… No, no don’t think like that. It was those blasted eyes gazing into hers. Full of life. Full of someone Jasmine had never seen before. Ethan didn’t share his emotions with her. He wanted her to get on her knees? He said as much. He wanted her to take off her underwear and touch herself for his viewing pleasure while he signed documents? She did so with a gasp in her throat, but he barely registered it. Now he looked at her as if he were a part of her.
It scared the shit out of Jasmine.
“You’re gorgeous.” Said in his rough manner of speaking when aroused. Said with the same voice he used when calling her his flowering slut. “Please.” Now he was begging her. “Take from me.”
Jasmine didn’t ask what he meant by that. I know. Take his desire. Take his body. Take what he had to give. He always took from her. Now she was going to take from him.
“Oh…” Her eyes shut again for an instant, long enough for her to reconcile the moment with her intentions. Her hips dug into the bed before lifting up, her need for him rising once more. “Ethan… I want it so badly.” She never thought she would think this about him. It was business. Not whatever the hell this was.
Lest she lose this moment forever, she wrapped her hands around his wrists as they gripped her hips. Ethan, renewed with more vigor thanks to her words, rocked harder into her, having no issue moving in and out of her opening thanks to how slick she was. “I want to give it to you. Jasmine.”
No obedient pet names. Just her name.
“Then do it.” Her hands traveled up his arms, marveling at how strong and firm they were. She never got to see them beneath the sleeves of his suits. “Come in me.”
Energy coursed through him as he reached into her, the undulations of her body both gentle and determined. Thank goodness. Jasmine caressed her breast, moaning from the sensation she gave herself before her hand traveled to her slit just above Ethan’s movements. Her eyes did not leave his, but she grimaced, her orgasm only a few moments away.
His hands slipped beneath her, pulling her down as Ethan renewed his previous strength. He was deep within her, reaching, searching, willing himself farther than he had gone before with her. Only now I can feel everything… Every ripple, every stretch of her body, every corner of her center being filled and enticed with the promise of something so good to come.
It amazed her how serene Ethan’s face was as he gazed upon and fucked her. Even when he began to come again, he barely flinched, and the only reason Jasmine knew it was happening was because she felt something warm spread within her.
“Oh my God.” Her finger worked herself harder, sending her into the frenzy she craved only a few moments ago. “Ethan!”
Now he lost himself, groaning in harried, awed breaths that sounded so foreign to Jasmine’s ears. Still he did not break eye contact. It was Jasmine who did, her pleasure cresting to the point that she had to slam her eyes shut and ride out the full breadth of her orgasm as she shouted his name again and again. She heard her name too, but nothing pleased her more than to feel his unbridled ardor for her spread within her core and leave its mark there.
Her orgasm was long, and tiresome. Weary, she dropped her legs and let her opening remain still around Ethan’s cock as opposed to moving against it. He remained inside her, holding what he had spent within her. After all, she had wanted it so much.
“Jasmine…” He bent down, kissing her breasts and then the base of her throat. Gradually he slipped out of her, his body losing its rigidity but not its need for her. “My flower.”
He wrapped himself around her, planting more loving kisses on her throat and against her cheek. Jasmine kept her eyes closed, hands on his shoulder, his arm, his chest… legs stretching and weeping from how used they were. Ethan continued to kiss her tenderly, and between her thighs finally came the sensation of him easing out of her, long after he had detached himself. Jasmine let it leave her and go to Ethan’s bed.
The first time they were together, he had rolled over and left her to her own devices in his bed. Tonight he pressed against her, wrapping his arms protectively around her as he dozed off.
Jasmine remained awake for a little while longer. The lights were still on, allowing her to glance around the room, taking in the sights of a penthouse that did not belong to her – nor did it truly belong to Ethan, for neither of their presences could be felt there.
But I can feel him. Jasmine turned in his arms, burying her cheek against his chest as she let his scent overcome her. Something that would have unnerved her three weeks ago now seemed so familiar. Still just business. Five more months and she would be three million dollars richer. Usually thinking that made her feel better about everything. But tonight it only made her realize even more that Ethan Cole didn’t really care about her. And yet, it seemed like it, if only because this quiet man could be so gentle and even loving with the woman he barely knew.
Jasmine didn’t know how she felt as she drifted off to sleep. She cleared her mind, clinging to Ethan’s body with her arms and her legs, content to feel his breath wash across her skin until she too joined him in sleep’s reverie.
15
Jasmine stepped out of the bathroom, refreshed from the shower and ready to tackle a lazy Sunday. The first thing on the schedule was to find something to wear. She had found what remained of the purple designer dress when she got out of bed an hour ago, and it was definitely not enough to cover herself with when she left the penthouse, even if she were to only jump right into the limo and go home. But until Ethan finished up his shower as well, Jasmine would have to find something other than a towel to keep herself covered with.
“This should fit.” She picked up Ethan’s white business shirt off the floor and held it in front of her. It seemed clean enough, even if it reeked of him. Fine for now. Jasmine slipped it onto her body, buttoned up the front, and laughed at herself in the mirror. It was quite big.
There’s got to be something else to wear around here. Jasmine started snooping through the drawers of Ethan’s bureau. She found nothing, aside from some underwear, more shirts like the one she was wearing, and a few ties in various subdued colors. Not even a T-shirt or a pair of jeans. Does he own such things? Scoffing, Jasmine went to the closet and flung it open, assuming she would find a bunch of trousers and jackets.
Instead she found a treasure trove of mischievous outfits, some bigger than others, and all of them holding the quality of being very, very skimpy.
“Oh my God.” It was the first time in twelve hours Jasmine said that phrase. “The man is a nut.” Smiling, Jasmine unhooked one of the hangers and pulled out a cheerleader’s outfit. It was red and yellow, dotted with gold sequins and embellished with the initials of a fictional high school. A pair of matching pom-poms lay on the shelf at the top of the closet. Beneath them were more costumes,
one a princess, another a sexy soldier, and then a police officer buried deep into the closet. This is some sexy Halloween here.
“That would look good on you.”
Jasmine turned at the sound of Ethan’s voice. He stood in the entrance to the bathroom, nothing but a towel around his waist. “You never told me about these.” Jasmine held up the cheerleading uniform. “When were you going to fit me into one of these?”
“Can’t say I had planned on it. Not that I’ll stop you from trying one on.”
“I was looking for something to wear home later, and I don’t think these will be one of the candidates.”
Ethan pointed to a small dresser on the other side of the bedroom. “There should be something in there. Sorry about the dress.”
No, you’re not.
“Anyway, why are you leaving so soon?” Ethan crossed his arms. “At least let me treat you to breakfast.”
“What? You going to cook?” Jasmine would love to see that.
“Maybe not. But surely there’s something good out there.”
“Out there?”
Ethan pushed out of the doorway and sauntered Jasmine’s way. The movement of his body was hypnotic, and she stood, frozen, every inch of her skin aching to respond to him. When she woke up that morning she was still in his arms, inundated with his scent and thinking of the night before. Now he almost made her wish that they hadn’t taken a shower already.
“There are some things we can do today.” He put his hands on her arms, holding her firmly in place but giving her plenty of breathing room.
“Have you forgotten that today is my day off? From everything?”
His grip loosened. “And you can do whatever you want on your day off. I was hoping that you would spend some time with me.”
She had only been teasing, but she could tell that her words cut deeply. “I haven’t made any decisions about today yet.” She had done her grocery shopping the day before, so the only thing to do was sit at home and pet the cat. I love the asshole, but another asshole needs my attention today. Jasmine looped her arms around Ethan shoulders, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his lips.
“Well! Never pegged you two as the romantic type.”
Startled, Jasmine jerked away from Ethan. He also stepped back, his hand going straight to the hem of his towel as if it were in danger of falling down. “Jackson?”
That’s who stood there, dressed in Sunday formals. He looked like he was about to go to a summer service at the local church. His light blue jacket clashed with his pale green trousers, but he pulled it off with a light gray shirt underneath. A straw hat sat on his head. Behind them, her head still pointed down like it was the night before, Monica stood in a white cotton dress, her hair pulled back into a butterfly clasp.
“How did you get in here?”
“You think I don’t know where you keep a spare key? You weren’t answering my phone messages. Did you forget that we were going to the track today?”
Jasmine pulled down Ethan’s shirt to try to cover her pelvis. Beside her, Ethan kept a firm hand on his hip while the other scratched his brow. “I did forget. Sorry about that.”
“I see that you did, sly dog.” Jackson tipped his hat and winked at Jasmine. It made her turn around to go hide in the bathroom until Jackson and his sub were gone.
It took a few more minutes, but by the time both Jackson and Monica left, Ethan was already half dressed in a pair of nice trousers and a plain cotton shirt. It was the most casual she had ever seen him, and he wasn’t even wearing short sleeves.
“I think I’m just going to go.” Jasmine opened the dresser and found a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt dark enough to cover her breasts. These look like women’s clothes. She held up the shirt to the light, and sure enough it was a baby doll cut with some local college logo on it. “Whose is this?”
Ethan glanced at her. “That belonged to another woman I used to date. She didn’t take it back with her when she left.”
“Used to date? You mean another woman you had a contract with?”
“You can have it. She won’t be coming back for it.”
Jasmine pulled it over her head for want of anything else to wear. It was a little snug, implying that the woman Ethan used to “date” was quite petite. At the very least, she had a smaller bust. The cotton rode up Jasmine’s stomach, and after she pulled up the sweatpants she struggled to keep her bellybutton covered. Not that it mattered. She wouldn’t be outside for long.
“You should tell me about them someday.” Jasmine combed her fingers through her hair. Upon seeing this, Ethan reached into the nightstand and produced one of his own combs for her to borrow. She wanted to laugh. Her hair was so thick that it would break through one of those things in five seconds. “The other women you, well…”
“You want to know about something like that?”
“Sure. What? Think I’d get jealous or something? No way.”
Ethan gazed at her for a few seconds before turning away. “Maybe some other time.”
Jasmine finished cleaning up her things and getting ready to go. Ethan had offered her the same ride home that she got last time, but he would be riding with her this time.
That was until she stepped out into the living area and saw Jackson Lyle sitting on the couch with Monica beside him. Jasmine stopped in her tracks, the blood frozen in her veins.
“I could tell you about them.” He smiled, ruthlessly. “The women he’s been with, that is. Couldn’t we, honey?”
Monica muttered something, but Jasmine couldn’t understand. Just as well. “Sorry, I need to go.” Ride home be damned.
It’s just business. Without saying goodbye to Ethan, Jasmine darted down the hallway and jammed her thumb into the elevator button. It took more than a few seconds for the elevator to open up to her, but when Jasmine darted inside, she was glad to be alone. Alone with her thoughts of Ethan, the clothes of another woman she wore, and how for a few fleeting moments the night before Jasmine almost thought she felt something for the man who paid her to do things she never would have before.
Just business. Three million dollars. What was the real price of falling in love with a man like Ethan Cole?
No, not love. Business. It was business.
Before the elevator reached the bottom floor, Jasmine clasped her hand over her face and cried.
Part 3 - Parties
Letter From Eve
To Ethan,
I admit, I’m in shock… you don’t want to renew our contract? But I thought that these past six months have been absolutely wonderful… I even thought that… no, I was foolish. Of course that wasn’t who you really were. Everything you showed me was a lie, I guess. Well, it was a very clever one.
I wish that there was something I could do to make you change your mind. It’s not that I want more money. I just want to be with you some more. Remember that weekend you took me down to Miami and we spent the whole day on the beach, just you and me? That was the day I fell in love with you.
But I should have guessed… this wasn’t a real relationship. You didn’t care about me in that way. I’m not saying that you didn’t care for me at all. Just that I only stood out to you because you wanted to date me for a little while. You didn’t want a fairy-tale ending. That was my own foolishness.
Of course you don’t want to stay with me. You want to move on and find someone else to amuse yourself with. You’re not a one-woman man. Serial monogamy has your name all over it. I wouldn’t call you a womanizer. But you definitely aren’t the type to settle down.
I hope you’re happy one day. I certainly don’t feel very happy right now. But this isn’t the first time I’ve fallen in love and had my heart broken. It’s a part of life. This is what I tell myself to keep from falling apart.
Thank you for everything. I’ll never forget you.
Yours,
Eve
Ethan didn’t know what bothered him more – how easily
Eve was able to distance herself from him, or the dried tear stains on the letter.
It had been a long night, now a longer morning, as the sun slowly began to rise outside his bedroom window. A bottle of scotch and a few empty glasses remained on the nightstand by his bed, but he didn’t know what else to think or do. Ending a contract was always difficult. Eve was lovely. Delicate, and vibrant. That weekend in Miami certainly had been memorable. But it was time to move on.
She wasn’t the one.
Eve had one thing right about him. Monogamy. Ethan liked the idea of two people together forever. There was something romantic about looking upon the same face every day of his life and knowing that he could trust, hold, and love her with no issue.