Remembering his last thoughts before the call, Ethan hesitated. But then he heard himself saying, “I’ll soon be done here. Give me the address and I’ll join you guys shortly. I’m definitely overdue for some unwinding.”
“That’s the spirit!” Luther said, giving the address before he hung up.
***
Hailey always felt emotionally drained whenever she finished visiting her aunt and uncle – and tonight was no different. She’d gone to see them for that weekly dinner they insisted she made it for, and it had been a trial to put it mildly. Her Aunt Betty and Uncle Frank had raised her since her parents had died when she was sixteen. Not that they got the chance to raise her very long. At age nineteen, she’d moved out to live with a friend from college.
And now, at twenty two, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had to stay at that house for any period of time. After she’d graduated with her degree in English Lit, they’d expected her to go into something meaningful, like teaching or any other regular job.
Yeah, sure, she’d tried it for a while but it didn’t work. She could feel their disappointment every time she came around for a visit. It was all magnified by the fact that their own biological kids were doing so well. Hailey’s cousin, Jessica was a successful psychologist, while Michael her younger brother was doing well in his IT business.
As usual, Hailey didn’t let any of that bother her. Once she got up to her own four-squared space, she’d be in her own bubble and put any of the irritating happenings of the day behind her.
Entering the apartment building, she saw the lift doors about to close and quickly dashed for them, making it just in time. Only to go rigid when she saw the two people necking passionately inside the car.
It was too late to skip out again, because the doors were shutting behind her. The couple paused when she entered, and though she barely stole a glance their way, she recognized him – her muse, Mr. Molten Brown Eyes. Carefully avoiding his gaze, she mumbled an “excuse me” and reached for the button for her floor. Already, she was cursing herself for rushing into the lift without making sure it was empty first.
“Hi,” he said, surprising her, and she almost didn’t look around. Seriously? Was this guy actually going to try and talk to her with his squeeze right next to him? She’d seen enough when she’d bumbled in to guess what those two could only be going up to his place to do – fuck each other’s brains out.
Swallowing, she barely turned, gave a tight smile, and said, “Hello.” In that split second, she registered that the woman with him was a very pretty, young and curvy dishwater blonde dressed in a stylish skirt suit with the buttons of her blouse undone to reveal a nice pair of C-cup tits. Definitely one of those highflying exec types or for all Hailey knew, even his secretary. And well paid too, judging by her expensive looking corporate outfit and designer high heels.
Her pretty face was creased in something like a half-curious, half- disdainful look. She certainly didn’t seem like she considered Hailey to be any real competition.
Not that it mattered, but suddenly Hailey got pissed off – with everyone. People who judged her and found her wanting just because she didn’t fit. Her aunt and uncle, her cousins – and now even this blonde who was looking at her like something that should be kept under a Petri dish. Hailey had had it.
“It’s funny how we keep seeing each other around the place but I never get to ask your name. I’m Ethan Wolf,” her hunky neighbor was saying in that mega cultured, clipped and sexy tone of his. She felt more than saw the hand he stretched out – the hand he’d only just had wrapped around Miss Bimbo’s waist.
Hailey felt annoyed with herself for thinking such mean thoughts about the other lady. Especially when deep inside, Hailey knew how in her fantasies, she wished it was she following him up to his apartment. How pathetic of me is that? She asked herself this with a hidden smirk.
Still, she turned to him with a courteous if not stilted smile as she took his hand and quickly shook it. Despite the brief contact, she’d felt the tingle that came with touching a man who effortlessly exuded such intense virility. Snatching her hand back and stuffing it into her combat jacket’s pocket, she kept the smile pasted on as she said, “Hailey. Nice to meet you.”
“Same here,” he replied, with an added warmth in his voice that made her steal another look at him- and to also catch the now spitting glare of the curvy, efficient secretary type.
Thankfully, she reached her floor seconds later.
Unable to help aggravating the other lady further, she turned to the blonde’s companion and said to him sweetly, “See you around.”
He nodded, smiled and said goodnight. Not sparing the other blonde another glance or thought, Hailey exited the lift.
*
Ethan Wolf.
At least, now she had a name to go with that hunk of male juiciness, Hailey thought with an inner sigh. Just imagining what could be going on in his apartment at that moment, made her grit her teeth. Was there something terribly wrong with her for feeling suddenly turned on by the thought of him having sex with some other woman right then? Imagining him peeling off her clothes and then his, before laying her across his sheets and bending that brown-haired head of his to the cleft between her thighs…
Or maybe he wasn’t the peeling off type. He actually looked more of the kind to rip things off, and then rip into things – mainly with his cock. Hailey swallowed drily as she thought of him grabbing his lover by her waist, flipping her on her belly and hoisting her hips up for his masterful penetration. He’d sink in deep on the first thrust, and then he’ll stroke out till just the tip remained – and then slam in again, jolting his lover forward and making her whimper his name…
Hailey, for goodness sake! She shook out of her wildly erotic haze, shaking the vivid images out of her mind. She needed to seriously get a grip on herself. But still…she couldn’t help thinking that here was even more material she could use. Already, she felt the juices – this time creative – pumping again. And though it was almost past midnight, she went straight to her computer, flipped open the lid, and was soon frenziedly at work. At this rate, she might just have her newest title up and ready in no time…
Chapter Three
Hailey hadn’t felt so pleased and fulfilled in a long time. As she made her way home that rain-swept evening, she didn’t mind the wind blowing at her clothes or even the light yet cold drops of rain still washing down. She was just a few strides from her apartment building.
Damn, she really was getting used to the luxury. But in the back of her mind she knew she’d have to give up on that soon considering her best friend would soon be back in the country. Hailey had to admit that Samantha lived quite an enviable existence; rich folks, and an even richer boyfriend – and a highly lucrative career as a top buyer for one of the premium designer brands. The great thing about her girl pal though, was that Samantha was also the coolest and most down to earth person Hailey knew. She was also very generous. Hailey couldn’t count how many times Samantha had offered to help her out by loaning or even giving her money. But Hailey drew the line at accepting that kind of charity.
Hopefully, she’d never get to that stage, she thought with a happy sigh as she arrived at the apartment block. Only that day, she’d finally sent the finished copy of her manuscript to a well-known local publishing firm. That’s why she was so happy; she really had a good feeling about her latest work and somehow, she knew this was it. Now all she had to do was wait and…
“Well hello honey, looking good,” said a gruff, somewhat slurry voice behind her. She glanced round and saw two men, one white and the other black, both grinning wolfishly and both looking less than sober.
Choosing to ignore them, she made to walk on. Only to have her arm grabbed as she was twisted round sharply. “Ow!” she cried angrily.
“Hey! My pal was talking to you, sweet cheeks,” the black guy said. They both looked like unruly college students, who’d had too much to drink at the neigh
borhood bar. She scowled up at both of them.
“Take your hands off me,” she gritted, glaring up into the dark man’s face.
“Aw come on, don’t be like that,” the guy said, as his friend smirked, walking up to her and tipping up her chin.
The white one, who had floppy brown hair, said, “So pretty. I always did have a thing for the hot punk type chicks. See, green eyes, we just got stood up by our dates and we’re feeling kind of lonesome. Why not make our night? There’s this frat party just blocks from here. And don’t you mind if there’s two of us baby, JT and I don’t mind sharing…”
As the dark one called JT chortled in agreement, Hailey’s eyes darkened and she forcefully shoved them away. “Get lost,” she snarled. Now she wished she hadn’t lingered at the coffee shop instead of coming back home on time. But she’d been prolonging going back up to the lonely apartment which, though filled with all the luxuries, was still an empty room.
JT glanced at his friend, before turning to Hailey, his tone ominous, “Now see, it’s chilly enough out tonight without you going all ice princess on us. You think you’re too good for us?”
Oh for fuck’s sake, Hailey thought, settling for simply turning around and walking away. Maybe if she kept on going and didn’t look back, they’d be at a loss and just leave her alone.
“Hey! Not finished talking to you!” the one called JT said, and this time when he grabbed her arm, he twisted it high up behind her back, making her yelp in surprise and fear.
She turned, struggling helplessly, only to hear a resounding “crack”. A large fist had come out of nowhere and landed in the black guy’s face. He toppled to the floor without a sound, knocked out.
His friend looked down in shock, and then turned to face the tall, broad shouldered man standing there with them. Hailey heaved a sigh of relief when she saw it was Ethan Wolf.
He was looking threateningly at the guy still standing, who raised up both arms in the universal sign of surrender, before quickly reaching down to hustle up his now groggy friend. “Hey JT, let’s get out of here.”
Hailey watched the two guys stumble away into the rainy darkness before she turned to face Ethan Wolf. Where the hell had he come from? What the hell did it matter? He’d showed up in the nick of time. She gave him a warm, grateful smile. “Thank you.”
*
Ethan felt so mad he could break something. He really wished he’d actually broken that dumbass’s nose, not just knocked him down. When he’d turned the corner and seen Hailey getting molested like that, he’d seen red.
Now he watched the two guys stumble quickly away into the rainy darkness. Only then did he turn to face Hailey. She was looking up at him with a warm, grateful smile. The melting glow in her face at that moment was enough to steal his breath.
Jesus Christ the things he wanted to do to her…
But then he shook off those amorous thoughts. Now was not the time, considering how she’d just been in the process of being attacked by those two goons.
“Thank you,” she breathed.
“That’s okay. Those dumb kids – too much money to blow on booze and not enough sense to know when a lady’s not interested. Are you alright?” he asked in concern, brushing off a stray lock from her face. She looked damned hot that night, whether she knew it or not. She was wearing a leather jacket, unbuttoned to reveal the cropped grey sweater she wore underneath. There was just a hint of concave belly before her thighs and legs – endless and slim and encased in black and white patterned leggings – ended in a pair of knee high black lace up boots.
He felt a stirring in his loins and he wondered to himself why on earth she had such a power over him. She was nothing like he was used to dating. She was different, promising excitement and something fresh to a guy getting seriously jaded by the same kind of women who never held his fancy for more than a few hours or at best, a week. But this girl called Hailey…she magnetized him. For weeks he’d had her fleeting through his mind, and every time he saw her he only wanted her more. He wondered how long this would continue before he acted out what his very soul wanted him to do.
“I’m fine,” she said, nodding. Though he could sense she was somewhat shaky when he gently took hold of her elbow.
“Come on, let’s get inside, the weather’s getting worse,” he said, and she didn’t demur or pull from his touch. She seemed grateful for his support and he actually felt she maybe leaned on him a little as they made their way into the apartment building.
“I’ll see you up to your room to make sure you’ll be all right,” he said courteously, then saw her eyes widen with...panic? What?’
“No, there’s no need. I’ll be okay, really. Thanks.” They were inside the elevator now, and he pressed the number to his floor as the door closed.
He turned to her to say mildly, “Tell you what. I’ve got some fabulous Irish brandy I’ve been dying to crack open but never had the motivation. But now, I’ve had a rough day and I need some picking up. Seems like you do too. Why don’t you join me up in my place for a drink? I’ve got a fantastic balcony view.”
She smiled, shaking her head and looking away. “Look, Ethan, I don’t think…”
“Or hey, you can invite me to your apartment and offer me something to drink – coffee, tea…anything to warm me up from the rain and chill. It’s the least I can ask after fending off two irate hoodlums in defense of your honor.”
Now she hiccupped on a laugh, before rifling her fingers through her gorgeous long hair with the buzzed side portion. He heard her sigh deeply. “I think that brandy of yours sounds like a better idea.”
Ethan grinned, and hoped he didn’t have too much of a gleam of triumph in his eye. He vowed to keep his hands to himself and not frighten her off. But even with her standing this close to him in the enclosed space of the elevator, he couldn’t stop thinking of pulling her to him and kissing her. Only lord knew what he’d feel capable of doing once he had her alone in his place…
*
It was like walking into the tiger’s den.
Hailey was no fool. The carnal energy was coming off him in waves. Heck, she was probably reeking of it herself. Arousal, hot and thick, had swirled between them in the elevator. Every nerve ending in her body had tingled at his nearness and it was a good thing they’d had to spend only moments in there or anything could have happened. The sexual detonator could well have already been set off by now…
“Your coat,” he said courteously, smiling as he stood behind her and helped her out of her damp combat jacket which reached below her knees. Now, in just her cropped sweater, tight skirt and even tighter leggings, she felt strangely vulnerable. Especially when his gorgeous brown eyes swept over her with such frank admiration.
“Thanks,” she said, as he put the coat up next to his, then indicated that she proceed into the apartment before him. Hailey walked in, and saw that his apartment was at least twice the size of hers, and definitely far more luxurious – which was saying a lot. There were a lot of wide, open spaces, the furniture far from cluttered and screaming high expense. She peeked a grand piano standing in the next room, which intrigued her as she wondered if he played. One whole wall was just windows that seemed to lead outside to a balcony. Every kind of modern contrivance designed for comfort seemed available in his ultra modern apartment and yet, still managed to not look over-extravagant. Classy, stylish, and simplicity at its best.
“Nice,” she said, turning to him as he emerged from the elegantly appointed bar by the far wall. He’d poured out the drinks and now held out her glass. She took it from him with thanks, and cradled the tumbler as he smiled and went to the impressive sound system and with a touch of a button on the remote, filled the air with music. It was just the right touch to get her relaxed; there was no singing, just instrumentals from a song Hailey recognized was by one of her favorite bands.
He came to stand right in front of her, his eyes watchful, his smile speculative. “So tell me, Hailey; who are you? You’ve in
trigued – and evaded me – for weeks. And now that I have you, so to speak…”
Hailey bit on her bottom lip to stifle a giggle. Quickly, she took a sip from her drink and felt the warm, golden flavor smack into her senses almost instantly. Whoa. It had a kick to it that was deeply sexy, rough and hot. She’d never really liked brandy but with this, she could see herself becoming a fan.
She took another drink, a longer one this time, almost finishing it off, till he placed a hand to draw it down. “Hey, easy,” he said with a teasing grin. “That’s some potent stuff.”
You’re telling me, she thought, letting him take the glass from her grasp as he placed it next to his on a nearby side table.
“So…I take it you’d rather not talk about yourself,” he murmured, once more turning to her. Hailey couldn’t register much right then, not when she was too busy staring at his lips as they moved. The liquor had proved intoxicating enough but it was nothing compared to the intense excitement she felt pumping in her veins right then for this hunk of a man. She…craved him. More than she’d craved anything, ever. And now that they were alone, now that it had boiled right down to it, she was ready to at last discover how much of her fantasies could be brought to life…
Chapter Four
Hailey moved forward, closing the few inches gap it took to have her body pressed up against his. She heard him hiss in a shallow breath through his teeth as he felt the soft push of her full, clothed breasts.
“You’re right; I don’t really want to talk about myself; not tonight,” she breathed, inching even closer and lifting her head till her lips almost grazed his. He was tall, much taller than she’d first imagined, and it was a good thing she had some good heels on her boots. It made it easy for her to feel each hard, sinewy length of him evident even beneath the layer of his clothes. His tie lay loosely tied around his throat, a button undone. Damn, he looked so fucking sexy in that tie. She wrapped her fingers around it and tugged on it slightly. His brown eyes darkened and became hooded with a lust that mirrored hers.
Unfinished Business (Erotic Reunion) - a SEXY romance short Page 4