by Payne, Jenna
Ethan leaned down in the window, muscled arms flexing unconsciously as he did.
“I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.”
He smiled at her and walked away without so much as an attempt to kiss her. Vienna was surprised to find herself so disappointed once again. She watched him leave, her eyes drawn to his snug jeans cradling his ass as he went. How had she never noticed how sexy he was?
“What has gotten into you, Vienna?” she asked her reflection in the rearview mirror as she pulled away.
She drove the short distance to her house, parking her car in the garage and jogging up the steps. She checked the clock. She had just over four hours to get in a good nap, shower and get ready before Ethan showed up. But first, she had to figure out what she was going to wear.
Vienna flung the closet door open, taking in her stuffy suits and dour slacks. Her closet was a dismal collection of cheerless grays, browns and pinks that looked more tan colored than anything.
“Yuck,” she said to no one in particular, wrinkling her nose at the options before her.
Her life revolved around figure skating and promotions for her sponsors. If they didn’t provide the attire for appearances, she was expected to look classy and subdued.
She had no idea why the clothes that had served her well her entire adult life were suddenly not good enough, but there was something about Ethan’s easygoing nature and fun attitude that required vibrant colors. His family had money, yet he looked comfortable in jeans and a nice t-shirt.
She couldn’t show up to dinner with him in any of these outfits. No. None of these would do.
Vienna grabbed her keys off the hook and jogged down the steps to her car. She had enough time to shop if she skipped her nap. She wanted to surprise Ethan with something a little less typical of her.
But more than that, she wanted to surprise herself. She didn’t know how he’d done it, but somehow, Ethan had chipped away at that little wall she’d put up between herself and others. And for the first time in years she was looking forward to getting out and letting loose.
*****
Vienna’s doorbell rang at five on the dot and she checked her reflection in the mirror one last time. She’d left her curly locks loose, running soft-touch mousse through her tresses while her hair was still wet. She’d settled on a gray knit dress with a wide black belt and black, fur-lined boots that stopped mid-calf.
Since it was chilly, she decided to add a pair of fun leggings. Bright blue, they featured multi-colored sparrows soaring through puffy white clouds. They took an otherwise typical, boring outfit and made it fun and flirty.
A chunky blue necklace pulled it all together. Vienna felt like a million bucks when she opened her door, and Ethan’s face said that she was right.
“Wow,” he said, taking her in. “You look-wow!”
“Is that all?” she teased.
“It just wasn’t what I was expecting. You look amazing.”
“What were you expecting?”
“I don’t know. I guess I thought you’d be wearing some boring trousers and a plain blouse or something. I like this side of you. It’s fun.”
“Boring blouses and plain trousers, me? No way. I like some color in my wardrobe.”
“It looks damn good on you.”
He handed her the bouquet of brightly colored daisies and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Vienna made a mental note to restock her closet with more colorful attire. She’d keep the mundane stuff for appearances, but she liked Ethan’s reaction. Maybe a little color in her life was exactly what she’d needed.
He held out his elbow to her and smiled.
“My Lady, shall we?”
Vienna couldn’t help but smile as she slipped her arm into his, throwing her jacket over her arm and pulling the door closed behind her.
Ethan opened the door for her, waiting until she buckled her seat belt before closing it again. He slid into the driver’s seat and put the car into gear. When he stopped at the intersection at the end of her street, he turned and looked at her.
“What?” she asked, feeling a little self-conscious.
“You’re just so beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
They chatted easily while Ethan drove through town, taking the scenic route and avoiding the highway. They pulled into the parking lot and Ethan parked near the front, killing the engine and turning to Vienna.
“Have you been to Jasper’s before?”
“No.”
“It’s great food, nice atmosphere. Quiet and cozy without being stuffy. I think you’ll like it.”
“I’m sure I will.”
He got out and ran around to open her door, grabbing her hand to help her out.
He was such a gentleman, she thought. It was something that she hadn’t seen much of in her life.
Not that she’d been on a date in the last year or so.
The host welcomed Ethan like an old friend, seating them in a private booth in a darker corner of the restaurant. When he left, Vienna leaned forward and whispered to Ethan across the table.
“Do you bring a lot of women here? He sure was smiling a lot.”
“I’ve never brought anyone here, that’s why he was smiling. I usually come alone or with a group of friends.”
“Oh,” Vienna said, sitting back and feeling a little embarrassed for assuming.
“I haven’t really dated much.”
“Too busy with hockey?”
“Not really. It’s just that most of the groupies expect a certain type of guy, and I’m not that guy. I like classical music and I’m interested in more than a casual hookup. Call me old fashioned, but I like my sex to be a little more romantic than a quick tryst in the locker room after the game.”
“Good to know.”
“I’m sorry, that was a little crass. I’m just over that kind of stuff. I just want to play hockey and leave that on the ice, you know?”
“I really do. I feel the same way about skating. My sponsors expect so much from me and I just want to skate and go home to my cat and read a book.”
“You have a cat?”
“I don’t. But if I wasn’t so busy with sponsors I might get one. Unfortunately, that’s how I pay my bills, so I have to do what they want.”
“That’s got to be tough. To be honest, though, I totally had you pegged as a goldfish person.”
Vienna laughed.
“A goldfish would probably be safer. I tried plants and I just kill those. Even the ones that are supposed to be easy die within a week. I should start with a goldfish.”
They both laughed, falling easily into the conversation as if they’d been good friends their entire lives.
Ethan stopped laughing, suddenly getting very serious.
“What?” Vienna asked.
“I like you.”
“I like you too.”
“I mean I really like you. You’re amazing and funny. You’re nothing like I imagined you would be when you kicked me off the ice and acted like a spoiled princess.”
“I wasn’t acting. I paid good money for that time and you knocked me out of a spin.”
“Fair enough. I just, I guess I expected you to be a little cold and unfriendly.”
“Everyone thinks that. I guess part of it is how I am on the ice. I’m focused. I don’t think about anything else when I’m in the zone. It probably comes off as a little cold.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m glad I got to know you.”
“I am too. You’re not at all what I expected either.”
“What, did you think I was a brute that was all brawn and no brains?”
“Is it awful that that’s exactly what I was thinking?”
“Not at all. You’ll see after dinner. If I was anyone else on the team, you would have been completely right.”
Their dinner arrived, cutting the conversati
on short. Vienna looked at the meal before them and her mouth started watering. It looked divine and smelled even better. Vienna took the first bite and moaned softly.
“Isn’t it delicious?”
“I think this might be the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”
“Just wait until dessert.”
*****
Vienna pulled the heavy wool blanket tighter around her as she watched the action on the ice. Her dress and thin leggings had been a poor choice for sitting in the stands, but Ethan had hunted down a blanket from the offices and brought it to her before practice started.
“Are you sure you’re alright up here by yourself?”
“I’m fine.”
“You could always go across the way and sit with the flavors of the week,” Ethan teased.
“I’ll pass. I’m a little tired. I think I just want to watch in peace.”
“Suit yourself,” he teased before he ran off to put on his skates and hit the ice.
Vienna leaned against the retaining wall behind her that held the handicap seating above. She was regretting skipping her nap this afternoon. It was already eight. By the time practice was over it would probably be ten. She’d been up since four that morning.
Ethan glided across the ice, warming up with the rest of his teammates before someone blew a whistle. Everyone came to the center except the goalie. A puck was dropped on the ice and Vienna momentarily lost Ethan in the flurry of movement.
When he burst out of the pack seconds later, she was excited to see that he still had the puck. Vienna jumped up, cheering Ethan on as he raced towards the goal. He swung back the stick and slapped the puck hard, sending it flying at the net. The goalie missed and the buzzer sounded.
Ethan looked up and waved. Feeling a little silly, Vienna waved back before she sat down. This was nothing like figure skating. And she liked it.
She watched as Ethan scored goal after goal, moving easily across the ice with seemingly effortless movement. The coach blew the whistle again and the players closed ranks. Ethan skated over to the goal, taking the goalie’s pads and gloves and giving the man his stick.
Once Ethan was off the ice, Vienna struggled to follow the action. It was obvious that Ethan was the star of the team, and the others did so much showboating it was hard to watch. Vienna rolled her eyes more than once when she heard once of the women from the other side of the rink shout loudly.
“Kick his ass, baby. Don’t you take that shit from no one.”
Vienna cringed. She was embarrassed for the woman, who was wearing skin tight hot pants and a tight tank top in the chilly stadium seats. Vienna couldn’t imagine what would possess any woman to act like that at all, let alone in public.
There was a loud crack of a stick connecting with something solid, drawing her attention from the rowdy group of women and back onto the ice. One of the players had struck another with his hockey stick. Vienna wasn’t sure if it had been intentional or not, but the recipient of the blow was throwing his gear onto the ice and skating after the first man with balled up fists already flying.
Were they actually going to come to blows over something so stupid?
Ethan dropped his gloves and skated into the mix, grabbing one of the men and trying to break up the fight as fists started flying. Ethan had almost gotten one of the men swung around when a fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling onto the ice.
Vienna gasped and jumped up, about to run down the stairs and onto the ice when Ethan pulled himself up. He shook the cobwebs from his brain and grabbed the other man by his jersey. He pointed to the penalty box and the young man all but stomped to the penalty box as Ethan directed the other man to the other side.
Two of the six women in the stands stood and started yelling vulgarities at Ethan. Ethan ignored them, flashing Vienna a grin and a thumbs up to let her know he was alright before he retook his place at the goal.
Vienna sat down and settled against the wall again, trying to keep her eyes open as she watched the game below, but she was exhausted. Now that the excitement was over, she was really struggling. She drifted off to sleep without realizing it, the sounds of the hockey sticks slapping each other and the ice lulling her to sleep.
She awoke with a start when Ethan knelt before her and brushed an unruly tendril of hair out of her face. His hair was damp and he’d already changed into sweats and a t-shirt. He smelled of citrus infused soap and shaving cream.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall to sleep.”
“It’s okay. You’ve had a really long day.”
He turned to wave at one of the men walking by and the light hit his jaw at just the right angle to show off his swiftly darkening bruise.
“Oh my gosh, Ethan, are you alright?”
“I’m fine. I have a bit of a head ache, but I’ll live.”
“What if you have a concussion of something?”
“I don’t,” he said, helping her up and gently pushing her towards the door. “Let’s get you home so you can get some rest.”
“You need to see a doctor.”
“I’m fine.”
“You shouldn’t sleep with a concussion.”
Ethan sighed, opening the door for her and checking that it was locked before he let it fall closed behind her.
“I’m fine, really.”
He helped her into the car and got in himself, cranking up the heater and putting it into gear.
“I’m serious, you need to see a doctor.”
“You’re worried over nothing. You need rest so you can practice tomorrow.”
“I’m taking tomorrow off to rest.”
“Even better.”
He slid the car to a stop in front of her place and ran around to her door to help her out. He walked her to the door, waiting while she fished the key out of her purse and unlocked it.
“If you won’t go to the doctor, will you at least come in?”
“Are you inviting me into your home?”
“For a little while at least. I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine.”
“What is your mom going to say when you show up looking like that?”
“Nothing. My parents are out of town for the week and I live in my own place.”
“You can’t go home. What if you go to sleep and you never wake up?”
“What are you suggesting?”
“You can stay here.”
“Are you trying to get in my pants?” he quipped, laughing softly at his own joke.
“No, but I couldn’t live with myself if something bad happened to you. You can sleep on the couch. It pulls out to a bed.”
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“No.”
“Fine. Let me grab my gym bag out of the car. I have a change of clothes and my toothbrush in there.”
“Perfect,” she said.
He returned quickly, throwing his shirt over his head, exposing his perfectly chiseled, smooth chest. He pulled her into his arms for a quick hug and got into the sofa bed in just his sweats.
Vienna bid him goodnight and left the room before she did something she might regret in the morning.
What had she gotten herself into?
*****
Vienna awoke the next morning to the smell of sizzling bacon and eggs.
Ethan was at the stove, bare chested and barefoot, three different pans on the stove and biscuits cooking in the oven.
He smiled at her when she walked in.
“Good morning, Sunshine.”
“How long have you been awake?”
“Not long. I thought you might enjoy breakfast.”
Vienna nodded, shuffling in her bare feet across the tile to the coffee maker. Food was good, but first, caffeine.
She was still wearing her thin, pink nightgown that she usually wore, forgetting to put a robe on to cover herself and the thin fabric. Her nipples pushed against the fabric, but she didn’t care. She was half asleep and she was sure t
hat Ethan had seen nipples before. In fact, she was willing to bet on it. If it bothered him, he could look away.
Vienna took the first sip, closing her eyes and enjoying the flavor as it flowed over her tongue and warmed her throat.
“You make excellent coffee,” she said.
“I’m a good cook too, here you go.”
He slid a plate across the kitchen table and set down his own plate before turning to the sink and quickly washing the dishes he’d used.
“You cook and clean. Why hasn’t some lucky woman snatched you up yet?”
He shrugged, sitting down to join her at the table. His eyes settled on her chest. He smiled when he saw that she’d caught him staring, but he didn’t avert his eyes. Vienna’s skin caught fire beneath his gaze and she suddenly felt very exposed.
“I guess I’ve been waiting for the right lucky woman to come along.”
“That sounded a little heavy, even for you. I guess dating hasn’t been that great for you?”
“It’s had its ups and downs, but mostly it has been a pointless waste of my time and talent.”
“So you’re talented then?”
“I’ve been told.”
“I’ll have to meet these women and see if your story rings true,” she teased.
“Or you can just find out for yourself.”
Ethan caught her eye and Vienna blushed. Ethan’s typically light-hearted nature often made it hard to know if he was being serious of not. This time, there was no question. Ethan Hayes was making a pass at her. And Vienna was considering taking him up on the offer.
Ethan cleared her plate when she finished, washing and drying them both and wiping everything down. She sipped her second cup of coffee while he worked, enjoying the sight of him, bare chested and barefoot in her kitchen. A girl could get used to this sight every day.
She followed Ethan into the living room, not at all shocked to see that he’d stowed the pull out bed and straightened the room
“I think I need a roommate.”
“Did you have anyone in mind,” he asked, pulling her down to sit beside him on the sofa.
“I didn’t even think about it until just now,” she winked at him.
Her smile faded when the light caught his jaw.