Hidden

by Ancelli

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You two know each other?” Ethan watched both women.

  “This bitch!” Jenny continued yelling as a crowd started to form.

  “Don’t call her a bitch.” Ethan stepped in front of Rayn. All this was happening because of him. “Rayn didn’t know about you, but you knew about her.”

  “What?” Jenny’s hand balled into a fist.

  “Rayn’s the mother of my son.” This wasn’t supposed to happen. He knew they worked at the same hospital, but it was a huge hospital. What were the chances?

  “The bitch that kept your son away?” Jenny shook her head. “You mean to tell me that the woman I confided in is the same woman I despise. You said you were over her, that she meant shit to you. That you only spoke to her because of your son.”

  “What?” Ethan watched the pain cross Rayn’s eyes. “I never said—”

  “She’s dating someone at the hospital,” Jenny added. “She’s a bitch!”

  Rayne walked over to the table. “I’m going to let you handle your mess.” She grabbed her jacket and purse. She glared at Jenny. “For what it’s worth, I didn’t know you were talking about Ethan. If I had, I would’ve stopped you the moment you said hello. Don’t get it twisted, though. Next time you come at me, I won’t back down.” She glanced at Ethan. “I’m taking a cab home.”

  He grabbed her arm. “I’m not going to let you take a cab.”

  She smacked his hand off. “I didn’t ask you permission.” Rayn strode through the crowded lounge.

  When did I become the bad guy?

  Jenny glared at him as her chest heaved uncontrollably. “You left me for her?” She pointed at the exit. “Really!”

  Ethan watched the crowd continue to form around them. He wasn’t one for drama. “Jenny, this isn’t you. You’ve been drinking.” He moved to walk away, and out of nowhere she slapped the shit out of him.

  Jenny stared back at him, rubbing her hand. “You think I was going to let you run after her?”

  He clenched his jaw as the sting of her fingers radiated through his cheek. Jenny was hurt, but that didn’t excuse her actions tonight. She wasn’t acting like the woman he’d begun to care about. “One thing I won’t condone is you putting your fucking hands on me. I’m trying really hard not to disrespect you. You’ve been there for me, but what you did tonight, you’ll regret tomorrow.”

  “Fuck you!” Jenny raised her middle finger at him and walked away, pushing through the crowd.

  Ethan placed a few twenties on the table and headed out of the lounge. He rushed outside but Rayn was already gone. He raked his fingers through his hair and sighed.

  “Love triangle,” said a guy standing next to him. “Those don’t ever end well. Good luck!” He walked away.

  ***

  Rayn slammed the door to her house. She should’ve stayed home instead of having her heart broken for a second time. Ethan hadn’t followed her out of the lounge. He’d stayed back with Jenny. She stepped in the foyer and threw her jacket and purse across the room. She was angry, to say the least. Jenny. He was messing with Jenny. She dropped down on the couch and covered her face with her hands. There was no avoiding it. Rayn already suspected what would happen when she went back to work on Monday. Jenny seemed like the vindictive type.

  She jumped at the sound of someone banging on the door. Only one person would do that instead of using the damn doorbell. Rayn wanted to ignore him. She sat there, willing herself not to get up.

  “Rayn.” His muffled, husky voice not only penetrated the door, but she felt it in her soul when he called her name. The pounding eased into knocking. “I would never badmouth you to another woman. Open up or I’ll wake up this bougie neighborhood.”

  She stood and marched to the front door and swung it open. Ethan stumbled forward, falling into her.

  He grabbed her waist with his hands, settling against her.

  “You don’t have to explain anything to me.” Rayn moved his hands and stepped out of his embrace.

  He inched closer to her. “I know, but I want to. Why did you leave?”

  “You needed to handle your mess.” She placed her hand on her hip. “I gave you space.”

  “When did I become the bad guy?”

  “When you decided to keep the fact that you were in a committed relationship with someone else a secret from me.” Her voice cracked. “What happened to no more secrets?”

  “Committed?” His eyebrows drew closer. He was obviously still processing the “committed” part. “Is that what she told you?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Rayn grabbed the door.

  “It matters to me.” Ethan leaned against the frame, watching her.

  “Go home, or back to her. I don’t care,” she lied. “I’m second to no one.”

  “You think you’re second?” He stood straight and took a couple of strides to put himself inside her personal space. “I’ve always chosen you first. You’re the one that didn’t choose me.” His voice rose. “You don’t get to do this shit to me again. It was you who kept me hidden. I’m here choosing you again, and you want to slam the fucking door in my face.” The veins in his neck bulged as he put up his hands against the wall and caged her in. “I’m a fucking catch.”

  “You’ve always been a fucking catch,” Rayn repeated sarcastically, gazing back at him. “I’m tired of asking for forgiveness.” She pushed him away from her. “Sure. I invaded your life. Now I’ll be stepping back out.”

  His eyebrows drew together. “Huh? Is that the conclusion you came up with in your pretty head?” He gently tapped her forehead. “Come on, Rayn, you’re smarter than that.”

  Is he insulting me? “Get out—”

  Ethan grabbed the door and slammed it shut. “Fuck, Rayn!” He placed his hands on the solid wood surface and bowed his head down, facing away from her. “I’ve loved you from the moment you opened your door with gum in your hair. I hate that I can’t get you out of my damn system, no matter what I do. I look for a glimpse of you in every woman I’ve dated.” Ethan softly punched the door jamb. “I would be a fool if I let you go again,” he whispered. “I’m drained and tired…”

  Rayn reached and touched his back. “I’m here.”

  Ethan spun around, and in one move, pushed her up against the wall. The painting hanging next to her head wobbled from side to side but didn’t fall. “I’ve been thinking about this for weeks.” His voice was huskier than usual. His lips connected with hers and all her senses were blinded. All the anger, jealousy, and pain she’d been feeling only minutes before were gone. His hands traveled down to her breast and he pinched her aroused nipple through her shirt.

  Rayn pulled her mouth free. “I’ve missed you.” She kissed his jaw, making her way to the side of his neck, and then nibbled. He groaned into the air every time she bit the sensitive skin right below his earlobe. She leaned back, staring at him, praying this was what he really wanted. Their kiss had left his full lips moist and swollen, making him even sexier in her eyes. Rayn couldn’t control her breathing, her chest heaving heavily with every breath she took.

  One hand was on her clothed thigh. She gasped as Ethan gently pulled her locks with his left hand. He leaned in and pressed little wet kisses along her collarbone. She was still out of breath as she moaned and tilted her head, giving him better access. Goosebumps covered her body.

  “This time, there’s no running away and hiding from me.” His tongue licked her skin as his free hand trailed down slowly to her legs. “Take off your pants,” he ordered, backing away from Rayn.

  She played with the button on her jeans, never once breaking eye contact with him. It took Rayn a few seconds to shimmy out of the pants and kick them to the side.

  His fingers swept around the front of the flimsy fabric of her panties. “Do you want this?”

  “Yes…” Rayn whispered.

  “Then spread your legs,” he demanded, pulling her panties to the side.

  R
ayn slowly parted her shaky legs. She loved when he took control; it had always made her hornier. The arousal she was already feeling was making her dizzy with desire. She gazed intensely into his darkened irises. The way he stared back at her sent a warm sensation spreading throughout her entire body, back down to her pulsing core. Ethan’s found her sensitive flesh, and he growled. “You’re so fucking wet, just like I remember.” He played his finger at the opening of her core, teasing her swollen nether lips.

  “Oh God…” Rayn moaned. The room began getting hot, even with the AC on full blast. She took a deep breath as soon as his fingers began moving to the rhythm of his own music. Ethan spread her wetness in and around her pussy. Rayn tilted and rocked her hips against his magical, stroking digits, inching herself closer to him. She shivered every time his finger flicked her aroused pearl. “Yes…oh…”

  “You’re mine.” Ethan spoke between gritted teeth, his fingers stroking in and out, making her whimper.

  “I’ve always been yours.” Rayn grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head as his fingers continued to make her fall into the abyss. She ran her palms up and down his washboard abs as she bit her bottom lip, then leaned back, studying the specimen in front of her as waves of ecstasy began rocking her entire body. He’d filled out extremely well.

  Ethan’s fingers picked up speed and she ground her hips down on his hand. Rayn threw back her head, and he sensually bit her chin, making her strangle a cry as she shuddered against his arm. He eased her down to the floor and his shirt fell. Rayn’s knees wobbled like they used to in college. Ethan circled his arm around her waist to hold her up. He cupped her face with her juices on his fingers

  “I love seeing you come,” he whispered, gazing into her eyes.

  Unable to speak, Rayn closed her eyes, basking in the flames he’d just lighted deep within her. No one could make her feel like Ethan Monet could, not even close. Her eyes fluttered open and he stared at her with a smirk on his face. Rayn inched forward to kiss him, parting her lips and again he took control, tasting every crease of her mouth, playing a game of tug of war, and in this instance, Ethan was winning. He was drugging her with his kiss.

  Rayn came up for air and took the opportunity to get him ready for more. She fumbled with the strap of his leather belt and then unclasped it. “Remind me what else I’ve been missing.” She smirked, sliding the belt from the loops of his pants. Rayn couldn’t wait to see him in all his glory. She yanked at his pants and pushed them down, along with his boxers. There he was, his nicely large erection standing proud before her.

  He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he began to slowly stroke his girth for her. Ethan must have remembered that watching him masturbate had been a major turn-on for her. In a sudden movement, he picked her up as if she were a feather. Rayn giggled as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Ethan carried her through the house to the master bedroom. “Next week, we’re going to the courthouse.”

  “Romantic.” Rayn locked her fingers behind his neck. “Was that a proposal?”

  “I’m not asking this time around. I’m demanding. We already know the ending.” Ethan placed her in the middle of the mattress. “Strip for me.” He gazed at her.

  Rayn played with the hem of her top, and slowly, sensually, pulled it over her head and unclasped her bra and laid back down.

  Without warning, Ethan pulled her across the mattress by her ankles and settled in between her thighs. “I love you.” He placed his dick at her opening and slowly eased in, inch by inch. “Fuck!” He gripped her hips. “You’re so fucking tight.” He began sliding in and out of her wet, already aching pussy. Each time he plunged deeper, causing an electric sensation.

  Tension radiated through her body. Rayn closed her eyes, trying to get used to his invasion. “Be gentle…” she whispered. It had been a while since she had sex. She was a busy woman, and sexual interaction had become a thing of her past.

  “What’s wrong?” Ethan paused and looked at her, worried. “I’ll stop.”

  “What?” She wrapped her legs around him, keeping him from moving. “Are you crazy?” She moved her ass farther down and began rotating her hips, but he didn’t move. “Don’t tease me like that.”

  Ethan leaned away from her. “You’re in control today.” He lay on the bed beside her, his erect, moist manhood pointing up at the ceiling. “Fuck me…”

  Rayn straddled him. She gasped as she tried to lower herself on his thick, long cock, then began riding him up and down, as much as she could, while rolling her hips back and forth. Her breasts bounced with each movement, appearing to hypnotize him. He grabbed them and started rolling her rock-hard nipples between his fingers, pulling on her nipples and making her moan out loud.

  Rayn’s back arched at the sensation of his fingers. Even after all this time, he knew her body inside and out.

  Ethan wasn’t going to last any longer. Rayn was extra tight. He could feel the stirring starting deep in his loins. He closed his eyes, willing himself to continue. He thrust up to meet her body as she rotated down. Her moans of pleasure signaled her impending climax. Rayn’s cries were increasing along with her speed, and in a sudden move, her body tensed. Her fingers curled around the cotton sheets, and she dropped onto his chest. He couldn’t stop now, even if he wanted to.

  “Don’t stop…” Rayn whispered in his ear, giving him permission to gain control. Her voice made him hit the point of no return.

  Ethan grabbed her ass and directed their movements. He slammed into her one last time, and came deep within her. She screamed as her body convulsed. Ethan wrapped his arms around her. “First thing Monday morning we’re going to the courthouse to start the process.”

  “Are you serious?” she asked, out of breath.

  “As a heart attack.” He squeezed her tightly.

  “We have so much to discuss.” Rayn pushed herself up in order to stare down at him. “Like where are we going to live?”

  “You just bought this house.” Ethan looked around the master bedroom. “I’ll take over the payments.”

  “What about your place?”

  “I’m renting. I’ll break my lease.” He pinched her ass. “What’s up with all the questions? Are you second-guessing yourself again?”

  “No,” she blurted out, sitting up in the bed. “Ethan, I’m just overwhelmingly happy right now.”

  “You need me to pinch you again?” He chuckled, giving her another soft pinch. “The path I’ve taken so far in life led me back to you.”

  “What about Jenny?” Rayn replayed their conversations in her head. The woman was madly in love with Ethan.

  “I ended things with Jenny a few weeks ago.” He sat up. “I tried finding my home in other women, but I could never settle. There was always something, and that something just happens to be you.” Ethan tapped her nose. “Jenny will be all right. I can’t stop the way I’m feeling about you to please her or anyone else. I love you and only you. No more excuses. Are you ready to be Mrs. Monet?”

  She couldn’t hide the huge smile forming on her lips. “I’ve been ready.” Rayn wiggled her fingers. “I’m ready to seal this deal.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Rayn’s heart skipped several beats as she stared at Ethan while he slept. She traced his nose, lips, down to his chin with her fingertips. This was what she’d been missing: her best friend. Her entire body was singing his praises after their night filled with lovemaking.

  He smiled before his eyes fluttered open. Ethan kissed her fingers. “Good morning, beautiful.”

  “It is a wonderful morning,” she covered her nose, “and it would be amazing if you brushed your teeth.”

  He blew into his hand.

  “I’m kidding!” She giggled, kissing his lips. “I love your funky morning breath, too.”

  He pressed his mouth against hers before sitting up. “Do you have an extra toothbrush?” He stretched and his manhood bobbed up and down. Rayn’s sex tingled at the memories of the night they’d just
shared. He strolled over to the bathroom.

  “Yes, under the sink.” Rayn lay on her stomach, watching his every move. Even his ass turned her on: tight and lean with a little cushion.

  “Stop looking at my ass.” Ethan entered the bathroom.

  Rayn glanced at her cell phone as it vibrated. She leaned over and grabbed it. “Good morning, Daddy.”

  “Good morning.” He paused a little too long. “Is he there?”

  “Huh?” She rapidly wrapped the sheets around her naked form, looking around as if there were cameras hidden. “Who?”

  “Ethan Monet. Isn’t he the reason you’re beaming this early in the morning?” He chuckled softly. “If not, you have some explaining to do.”

  Rayn felt like a kid getting caught doing something bad by her parents.

  “You’re an adult. I told you I wouldn’t interfere in your personal relationships. After you’re done making him breakfast, can you send him to the farm?”

  “What farm?” She raised her voice, thinking she’d heard wrong.

  “What did you say?” Ethan yelled from the bathroom.

  “Nothing!” She walked out the double doors to the back yard. “Daddy, where are you?”

  “I just told you, I’m at the farm with Alexandre,” he said nonchalantly. “I won’t mess things up this time. We need to talk and clear some things up. Especially if he’s going to be my first son-in-law.”

  Rayn was speechless.

  “Trust me,” her dad asked of her. “I promise not to do anything to hurt you or my grandson.”

  “Hey, doll,” Alexandre chimed in. “Don’t tell him your father’s here. He won’t come.”

  They both laughed.

  She was so confused. When had they become buddies? “Where’s Mom and Alex?”

  “In San Diego, enjoying the perks,” her dad replied. “You know your mother, showing off her grandson to all her friends. I’ll see you later. We’re about to fix us some breakfast.”

  “Breakfast,” Rayn mumbled under her breath.