by Wendy Louise
“I know who you are,” she says leaning in to my ear. Her breath smells of sweet cocktails and it’s making my head swim.
“Good for you,” I say. I’m way too wasted for small talk.
She starts to nibble on my ear lobe and I swat her back again. She’s like a damn fly buzzing around my head.
Seriously annoying and difficult to get rid of.
“Come on Ethan,” she says with a whine. “Let me show you a good time.” She runs her tongue around the shell of my ear before biting down on my ear lobe for the second time.
“Not interested,” I say.
Even in the state I’m in, I still know not to go there. Ava floods my mind.
I check my watch. “Fuck!” I say loudly. “I was supposed to pick Ava up fifty minutes ago. Shit!”
Gray turns to me, swaying as he does. “Don’t stress man. Just call her and then jump in a cab,”
We haven’t exchanged numbers yet, how fucking stupid of us!
I have no way of contacting her to let her know that I’m running late and to top it off, I’m seriously drunk and incapable of driving her anywhere.
Great fucking way to make a good impression Ethan!
I decide to call Olivia and see if they’re together. I pull up Olivia’s contact details on my phone and press the call button. She answers on the third ring.
“Ethan, hi.”
“Olivia are you with Ava?”
“No I’m at Ryan’s. Why? I left Ava at the apartment and she was waiting for you. Has something happened?” She asks in a panicked voice.
“No, no...” I say. “I’m just running late to pick her up and I don’t have her cell phone number.”
“Ethan, are you okay? You sound kind of weird,” Olivia says.
“I’ve just had a few drinks and lost track of time. I need to call her, can you text me her contact details?”
“Sure, I’ll do that now.”
“Thanks, bye Liv.”
My inbox buzzes a moment later with Ava’s contact details, so I immediately type out a text.
So sorry. Running late. Will be there ASAP. Ethan.
I hail a cab and do my best to try and sober up on the short drive from the bar to her apartment. Just as I pull up she answers my text.
Don’t worry. I’m pretty beat. Let’s leave tonite. Raincheck for tomorrow? A
Shit!
Maybe I’ve pissed her off and she doesn’t want to catch up tonight.
What a fuck up.
I need to retrieve this situation before I seriously stuff it up. I pay the cab driver and rush to the door of her apartment, ringing the entry buzzer.
Ava’s voice comes through the intercom. “Who is it?” she says in that gorgeous accent of hers.
“It’s me, Ava I’m so sorry. Please let me up.”
She buzzes the door and it swings open, allowing me access. I jump in the elevator and hope that she isn’t too pissed at me by the time I get to her floor.
All the while I keep wondering why I give a shit.
I never have before.
Why am I making such a fuss?
Why does this matter so much to me?
Adorably Drunk
I’m really pissed at Ethan. I hate being stood up, and for an hour there I thought he had done just that. I admit that I was relieved to get his text message. I haven’t given him my number so I can only assume that Josh or Olivia did that. I texted back to tell him not to come but I’m kind of glad that he ignored that. I didn’t want to spend tonight wondering what or who had happened.
I’ve buzzed him up to the apartment, but I’m not sure if I want to do anything with him tonight now. I guess I’ll wait and see what he has to say for himself. I want to shake the pissed feeling that I have, but I can’t.
I stupidly decided to Google him a couple of hours ago just to see what would come up. I was assaulted with myriads of photos, showing him and Madeline Rose together at the Charity event he attended earlier today. She was all over him like a rash in some of the shots. Her body pressed against his, whispering in his ear. There were also photos of him at some bar with a brunette leaning all over him, her plastic breasts pushed against his chest. He had a stupid grin on his face and the whole scene made me feel sick.
I’ve no right to feel this way. I mean we’re not together and we haven’t declared exclusivity or anything, but still it’s not something I wanted to see. Especially now when I know he’s on his way up here. I’m not in to sharing and I must admit that the rush of jealousy that I felt surprised me.
I hear the elevator chime through from the corridor, so I know he is almost at the door. I check my hair and lipstick in the hallway mirror to make sure I look presentable and wait for him to knock.
Deep breath Ava, here we go.
There is a hesitant knock on the door. As I open it, the first thing I see is the same stupid grin that Ethan had in the photo on-line plastered all over his gorgeous face.
Now though, he just looks yummy.
I push that thought aside as best I can. He looks me up and down and leans on to the door jamb to steady himself, resting his arm up the frame above his head, and elongating that body of his. He crosses one ankle over the other and looks so much like the movie star that he is, that my tummy flutters.
With bats, not butterflies.
The next thing I notice is the strong smell of alcohol emanating off him. Oh God, I hope he didn’t drive here. He smells like beer and bourbon mixed in with his normal unique scent, and although I want to hate it, he smells just as incredible as always.
“Good evening beyoutifullll,” he croons, slurring his last word adorably, as he sounds out each syllable.
Crap! He’s drunk and flirty - how am I going to handle him like this?
“Ethan, hi,” I respond. “I wasn’t expecting you to make it tonight.”
He smiles and straightens up, swaying slightly on his feet. “I’m sorry I’m late, but I didn’t want to leave this to another time, I wanted to see you.”
Well drunk or not, that kind of makes me feel good.
Bats.
Butterflies.
Tummy.
Fluttering…
I motion for Ethan to come in, and he follows me somewhat unsteadily, in to the main living area of the apartment, stepping carefully as you do when intoxicated. It’s like there are invisible landmines scattered across the plush carpet of our living area.
I smile at him because I can’t help it.
“I’d ask if you want something to drink but I can see that you’ve probably had enough already. Water?” I ask him.
His eyes sparkle and wait for it, here it comes, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1- that same stupid, goofy grin.
“Water would be great,” he says and moves to plop himself on to the sofa.
Once I see that he’s safely settled, I head to the kitchen and grab a bottle of water for him from the fridge. I grab a glass and some ice from the dispenser, and take it over to where he’s sprawled adorably in my living room.
“I’m so sorry Ava. I went to meet Grayson for a few drinks after the charity event. We played pool and I got into a few rounds with the boys. Lost track of time. I didn’t want to come here like this, but I didn’t want to cancel either. I hope you don’t mind.”
He struggles to remove the cap from the bottle of water with his alcohol-affected fingers, so I take it from him and screw it off on the first try, pouring the water over the ice for him.
I still can’t get the images from today out of my head though, so I decide to tackle them up front. It just doesn’t sit well with me.
“So how was the charity event today?”
I want to see if he volunteers that Madeline was there, and that she was draped all over him like a cheap suit. I try to keep the disdain from my voice, shrugging casually and maintaining eye contact.
He sighs and rubs his hand over his face before focusing those baby blues on to me. “It was your usual benefit. Signed lots of autographs, took lots
of photographs, hosted the auction and made lots of money for Breast Cancer, so that’s a plus.”
“I saw a few shots of you on line. Madeline was there too?” I can’t help it, I had to ask.
“Yeah she was. She arrived at the same time as I did, so we paired up on the arrival carpet. Why do you ask?” he says playfully narrowing his eyes at me.
I don’t want to come across as jealous or whiny, and really I have no right to be, so I try for nonchalant. “No reason, she was in a few of the photos with you so I wondered if you had attended together.”
“No, we arrived separately, just got there at the same time. The only photos we took together were when we arrived. Did that bother you?” he asks me, grinning from ear to ear.
“Nooooo.” I state emphatically shaking my head furiously from side to side to emphasize the action.
He leans forward on the sofa and places his elbows on his knees. He looks at me, his eyes sparkling. “I think it does bother you Ava. I think you’re jealous.” He places his hand up to motion me to stop before I say anything. “Before you tell me that I’m wrong, just let me believe that I’m right for a moment. Let me enjoy the fact that you may just care enough to be jealous.”
“Why would making me feel jealous be pleasing to you?” I ask him, my voice rising to the next octave. Why would he want that?
“It’s not that I want you to be jealous of anything Ava. I will never put you in a position that would purposely cause you to feel that way. I just like the notion of your being jealous over me, because that means you’re feeling something for me, the same way I’m feeling something for you.”
Okay!
He sits back in to the sofa cushions, crosses his ankles and arms and grins smugly at me again. It’s like he’s just played a winning hand in poker and is waiting for me to throw down my cards. Maybe drunken Ethan is a good thing, he’s opening up and I’m getting more out of him. I can use this to my advantage. I’m going to strike while he’s on a roll.
“So Ethan, what exactly is it that you feel for me?
He smiles that breathtaking smile, the one that makes my heart thud behind my ribs. He scoots closer to me on the sofa and takes my hand. Looking straight in to my eyes with his sapphire orbs, he runs his thumb along the vein inside my wrist. It sends shivers to every last inch of my body, igniting the blood that flows like liquid silver through my veins.
His voice lowers, “Ava, I think you know exactly what I’m feeling because you feel it too. I can tell because your face flushes when you see me, your pulse stutters when I touch you like this, and your breath increases just like mine does whenever you’re around me.”
I can’t pull my gaze from his beautiful blue eyes and I can’t pull my hand away because I don’t want him to stop touching me the way that he is. Time stops and I can’t seem to make it start again.
“I don’t usually do the one-girl type of relationship. There is just something different about you and I can’t put my finger on what it is. All I know is that I want to know you, I want to spend time with you, and I want to try to be a one-girl guy for you. You’re sweet and beautiful and I’m everything that you need to steer clear of. But Ava, I’m too selfish to care about any of that, because I want you. I know I’ll fuck this up, because I’ve never cared enough before to try and get to know just one person, but I want to get to know you. Just you.”
Holy crap!
I know that I need to respond, but what do I follow that up with?
I go with the honest approach because I’m not sure that he will remember any of this tomorrow anyway.
“I do feel all those things for you Ethan and I have to tell you that it scares the shit out of me. I didn’t come here to get involved with anyone. I’ve only been out of a serious relationship for a short period of time and I wasn’t looking for another one. The last one scarred me somewhat.”
His face drops, and his features are flooded with what looks like disappointment.
“But Ethan, I can’t deny that I’m feeling something for you too. I know we’ve only known each other for the shortest time, but I can’t seem to get you out of my head. I’m not happy to jump straight in to a relationship with you, but maybe if we continue to get to know one another we can see where it goes?”
His face brightens and he lifts my hand to his mouth, placing a light kiss on the back of it.
Wow, am I really going to try this with him?
With freakin’ Ethan Drake?
Am I insane?
Ten minutes in his presence and I’m sending all my rules out the window. I recall telling my dad that I wasn’t interested in any American boys, yet here I am seriously considering it.
And seriously in danger of falling for one.
Holy crap!
I know he’s drunk but I need to make sure he understands what this means for me. “Ethan, I don’t do casual relationships. If you really want to give this a try then we need to stay exclusive. My last relationship ended after I discovered that he was cheating on me, I won’t go there again. If you want to take this slow and get to know me then I would expect that you wouldn’t be sleeping with anyone else.”
“I can do that,” he says unequivocally, without any hesitation.
“You also need to know that I’m not sure that I’m cut out to be with someone like you. I like my quiet comfortable existence, and I can only imagine that being with someone so public would be anything but quiet and comfortable. But I like you so much that I’m definitely willing to try if you are.”
“Ava, I am more than ready and willing to try.”
His dreamy eyes are starting to glaze over a little more. I think the bulk of the alcohol is hitting him now. God, I hope he remembers this conversation tomorrow. He starts to slump more in to the chair, holding tight to my hand. He has that dreamy smile on his face but his eyes are a little more hooded than they were when he arrived.
“Shall we just stay in? You’re in no state to be going out now. I’ll order a pizza.”
“Perfect,” he says.
I rise from the chair with the intention of grabbing the pizza menu that is attached to the fridge door. Ethan holds tight to my hand, reluctant to release me. I’m standing over him while he reclines on my sofa and he looks so dreamy that I can’t resist bending down to kiss those perfect lips of his. His answering smile is content and sweet when I pull back, one that I haven’t seen before; so maybe this one is reserved just for me.
“Sealed with a kiss,” he says with a hooded grin, and lets my hand go so I can move away.
“What kind of pizza do you want?” I call out to him from the kitchen island.
“Anything. I don’t mind. Your choice,” he replies.
I place a call to the pizza place and order a pepperoni pizza and some garlic bread sticks to go with it. The guy on the other end of the line tells me that it’ll be thirty minutes so I grab plates, napkins, and more water for Ethan and head back to the sofa….
Where Ethan is asleep.
He is gorgeous.
Spread out on the sofa and fast asleep.
Dreamy.
I can’t believe that this perfection is mine.
Mine.
I’m waiting for the cameras to come out and tell me that I’m being punked.
I spread Ethan’s legs out further on the sofa, and slowly remove his converse so that he is more comfortable. In truth I’d love to remove his jeans and make him really comfy on my sofa, but I won’t do that.
Not yet anyway….
I grab a mohair throw-rug from the nearby armchair and place it over him. His beautiful face is relaxed in sleep and he looks breathtaking, his long thick lashes fanned across his cheeks, his lush, full lips parted as he breathes in and out.
I run my fingers back through his hair, because I can’t resist, and place a light kiss on his cheek. He stirs and rolls to his side, grabbing me in the process.
Before I’m fully aware of what’s happened, he has me on my side next to him on the so
fa. My back to his front - spooning. He has cocooned me and wrapped his long arms around me, keeping me close. His breath is warm on my neck and remains slow and even in sleep.
This feels every bit as amazing as I thought it would. Every bit as amazing as I dreamed it would.
I toe off my shoes as best I can in this position, and grab the edge of the mohair rug to pull it over both of us. So much for pizza tonight. I snuggle in and close my eyes, enjoying Ethan holding me.
Somewhere along the way I fall asleep.
With Ethan.
I awake to the bright light shining in through the windows. My head feels like it has been pummelled, and my throat feels like sandpaper. My arm is holding tight to Ava who is snuggled up against my front. Her hair is tangled around my face and it smells amazing.
I breathe in deeply to fill my lungs with the sweet smell of her.
Despite an almighty hangover and too many drinks with Gray yesterday, I love the position I’m in right now and I don’t want to move. I pull her closer against me and nuzzle her neck. I try not to rub against her too much, as every part of me is wide awake this morning.
I remember the conversation we had last night before I obviously passed out. She wants to try, take things slow and see what happens. I’m so fucking relieved. I thought it would take more than one conversation to get her to go there with me.
I really like her, I mean - really, really like her.
I’m shit scared as to how this will play out. Relationships are not my strong point, but I need to give it a go sooner or later. She’s worth it.
Ava starts to stir against me and turns in my arms to face me. Her eyes adjust to the light and she looks up at me with those huge dark brown eyes. “Good Morning,” she says adorably, nuzzling her face in to my front like a kitten.
“Good Morning back,” I say. “How did you sleep?”
“Surprisingly well considering I’m fully dressed and slept on the sofa.”
I cup her cheek with my hand and rub my thumb gently over her face. “Ava, I’m so sorry about last night. I should never have met Grayson for drinks. I promised you that I would take you on a tour of the city and I let you down.”